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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..3288e8d --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #50578 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/50578) diff --git a/old/50578-0.txt b/old/50578-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index de820a6..0000000 --- a/old/50578-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,11023 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of A Sub. of the R.N.R., by Percy F. Westerman - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world 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. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - -Title: A Sub. of the R.N.R. - A Story of the Great War - -Author: Percy F. Westerman - -Illustrator: W.E. Wigfull - -Release Date: November 30, 2015 [EBook #50578] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A SUB. OF THE R.N.R. *** - - - - -Produced by R.G.P.M. van Giesen - - - - -[Illustration: cover art] - - - - - -A SUB. OF THE R.N.R. - - - - -[Illustration: "Crash! went the anti-aircraft gun, and the -projectile, bursting almost in front of the bows, gave her a mortal -blow."] - - - - -A SUB. OF THE R.N.R. - -_A STORY OF THE GREAT WAR_ - - -BY -PERCY F. WESTERMAN -AUTHOR OF "THE RIVAL SUBMARINES," "THE DREADNOUGHT OF THE AIR" -ETC., ETC. - - - - -_ILLUSTRATED BY W. E. WIGFULL_ - - - - -LONDON -S. W. PARTRIDGE & CO., LTD. -OLD BAILEY - - - - -CONTENTS. - -CHAPTER - I. FOUL PLAY IN THE ENGINE-ROOM - II. ON THE SCENT - III. THE DECLARATION OF WAR - IV. A DOUBLE ARREST - V. BOARDED - VI. AN OCEAN DUEL - VII. VON ECKENHARDT SCORES - VIII. THE DUTCH TRAWLER - IX. THE SECRET WIRELESS - X. H.M.S. "STRONGBOW" SAILS - XI. ALL IN A DAY'S WORK - XII. MINED - XIII. THE RAID ON SCARBOROUGH - XIV. THE END OF THE "TERRIER" - XV. VICE VERSÂ - XVI. THE FLOORING OF MR. MCNAB - XVII. THE END OF THE "BLUECHER" - XVIII. DERELICTS - XIX. THE SUBMARINE SCORES - XX. A DUEL WITH A ZEPPELIN - XXI. THE LAST OF THE "SYNTAX" - XXII. THE TABLES TURNED - XXIII. THE STRUGGLE IN THE CUTTING - XXIV. THE "STRONGBOW'S" PRIZE - XXV. THE WRECK - XXVI. "THE PRICE OF ADMIRALTY" - XXVII. "MEPHISTO" AND THE SUBMARINE - XXVIII. THE FOILED AIR RAID - XXIX. "LIEUTENANT AUBYN, R.N., D.S.O." - - - - -A SUB. OF THE R.N.R. - - - - -CHAPTER I. - -FOUL PLAY IN THE ENGINE-ROOM. - - -"WELL, Mr. McBride?" - -"It's verra far from weel, sir," replied Jock McBride, chief engineer -of the SS. "Saraband." Captain Ramshaw folded his arms and waited. He -knew that it was practically a matter of impossibility to urge the -rugged Scottish engineer beyond his usual gait. McBride could and did -work at high pressure, but when it came to making a report he was as -slow and stolid as the proverbial obstinate mule. - -The SS. "Saraband," 5260 tons, intermediate boat of the Red Band -Line, had developed engine troubles shortly after leaving Cape Town. -In spite of the assiduous care and attention of the staff the fault -developed. Two hundred miles from Las Palmas the breakdown reached a -climax. Wallowing like a porpoise the steamer lay helpless in the -trough of the Atlantic rollers. - -"Ye ken ye tauld me to do three things, sir," resumed McBride. -"Firstly, to discover the fault, secondly, to remedy it, an' lastly, -to prevent it from occurring again? We'll take case the furrst: here -'tis." - -The chief engineer extended a black greasy hand. In the outstretched -palm was an oily mass of metal chippings. - -"This is a sample from the high-pressure slide valves. They're badly -scored. It's nae fair play, for as sure as ma name's Jock McBride, -this muck has been put in the gear deliberately. I'll hae ye to ken -that both port and starboard engines are damaged." - -"While we were in Table Bay?" - -"Of course, sir, when we took down the high-pressure cylinders." - -"The work was performed by our own staff?" - -"Aye, wurrst luck, by one of our ain people." - -McBride's lean, tanned face was purple with ill-suppressed anger. -"If I could discover the mon I'd not wait for the law to wurrk its -course; I'd lay him oot an' stand the consequences. The remedy, sir, -is simple, but 'tis the prevention that troubles me. If it is done -wance, 'twill most likely occur again--unless I lay my hand on the -mon." - -"How many of the staff know of this?" asked Captain Ramshaw, pointing -to the steel filings. - -"Only Meester Raeburn, sir, and he's as guid a lad as ever I hope to -have under me. It was he who removed the stuff an' showed it me." - -"Then caution him to keep his mouth shut on the business, Mr. -McBride. When can you promise to have steam raised?" - -"A matter of twa' hours after we've re-assembled the high-pressure -slide valves and the auxiliary starting valves, sir." - -"Very good, Mr. McBride, that will do." - -The chief engineer saluted and hurried off to the engine-room, while -Captain Ramshaw made his way to the bridge, which was in charge of -Chief Officer Lymore and the fourth officer, Terence Aubyn. - -Mr. Lymore, a short, broad-shouldered, powerfully built man, looked -inquiringly at his superior officer as the skipper mounted the -bridge. - -"McBride's found the cause of the mischief, Mr. Lymore," announced -Captain Ramshaw. "I do not want either you or Mr. Aubyn to mention -the matter to any of the passengers and crew, and Mr. McBride has -undertaken to conceal the knowledge from his staff with the exception -of Mr. Raeburn. I think the secret can be safely trusted with those -whose names I've mentioned." - -"You can rely upon us, sir," said the chief officer, and Terence -Aubyn touched his cap in acquiescence. - -"There's underhand work somewhere," continued the "old man." "McBride -informs me that metal scrap has been surreptitiously placed in the -high-pressure cylinders, and that it must have been done while the -engines were being overhauled at Cape Town. As we had no outside -help, the culprit or culprits must have been one of our own men." - -"For what reason, do you suppose, sir?" - -"That I cannot say. The engineers are, I think, absolutely -trustworthy. The firemen are apparently contented. They are paid at -rates considerably higher than those demanded by their Union. They -have no cause to be affected by labour troubles. And yet some one has -deliberately attempted to delay the ship by maliciously tampering -with the engines. - -"Will it be a long job, sir?" asked Lymore. - -"I think not. One blessing, the sea's fairly calm and the passengers -don't appear to be unduly anxious. There is now no necessity to send -a call for assistance. You might go to the wireless-room, Mr. Aubyn, -and tell the operator to inform our agents that the repairs are well -in hand, and that we hope to arrive at Las Palmas by daybreak -to-morrow." - -Terence Aubyn saluted and hurried off. Keen on his work he realized -the desirability of executing all orders "at the double." Alacrity -afloat, he knew, is a sure password for success, and already he had -the reputation of being a smart young officer. - -He was barely twenty-two years of age, tall, slimly built yet -well-proportioned. His complexion was normally fresh, but constant -exposure to a tropical sun and the stinging salt spray of the -Atlantic had tanned his skin to a rich deep red. His dark brown hair, -in spite of being closely cut, showed a decided tendency to wave. His -eyes were rather deep set and of a greyish hue, and were surrounded -by a pair of regularly curved eyebrows. The depth of his forehead -indicated a sound judgment, while his powerful square jaw betokened a -firmness almost bordering on obstinacy. - -Terence Aubyn had from his earliest days a strong and passionate love -of the sea. He came of an old naval family. For generations back the -Aubyns had served their sovereign worthily as officers in the Royal -Navy, and Terence fondly hoped to tread the quarter deck of a British -battleship as a fully commissioned naval officer. - -But hitherto the fates had not been kind to the lad. - -While he was still a lieutenant Terence's father had to retire, owing -to ill-health. His disability pension was absolutely insufficient for -him to hope to send his son to Osborne. Two years later Mr. Aubyn -died, leaving Terence, then a promising youth of fourteen, to make -his own way in the world. - -The lad had plenty of grit. He was determined to go to sea, although -the immediate prospect of service under the White Ensign seemed to be -very remote. There was a way--the hitherto somewhat despised "back -door" method via the Red and Blue ensigns; and although he could not -hope to be anything more than a Royal Naval Reserve officer, the -chance of serving as such in a British man-of-war slowly but surely -changed from a shadow to a substance. - -So Terence offered himself at the "Red Band" Line offices as an -apprentice and was accepted. Perhaps it was a mistake. It might have -been better for him to have served part of his apprenticeship in a -sailing vessel. Be that as it may his application and activity gained -him the good opinion of the various masters under whom he served, and -with flying colours he obtained his Mate's and First Mate's -certificates. - -Two years later, having secured his "Master's Ticket," he was -appointed to SS. "Saraband." The way was now clear for him to apply -for a sub-lieutenancy in the Royal Naval Reserve, for, although only -fourth officer, the ship exceeded 5000 tons; otherwise he would have -to wait until he was advanced another grade in mercantile rank. At -the end of the present voyage he hoped to put in his first -twenty-eight days training on board a battleship or cruiser. - -The "Saraband," though by no means a crack liner, was a fairly swift -boat. Built before the days of turbine engines she could even now -develop nineteen knots. She was homeward bound, carrying thirty -first-class passengers, seventy second-class, and a hundred and -seventy "steerage." In addition to a heavy cargo, specie and bullion -to the value of a quarter of a million was locked up in her -strong-room. - -Almost as soon as the "Saraband" cleared Table Bay trouble developed -in her engines. Unaccountably the bearings of the main shafting -became badly overheated, then a peculiar grinding noise, so foreign -to the smoothly purring engines that were the pride and delight of -Chief Engineer McBride, became apparent. Finally, to prevent a -complete breakdown, the "Saraband" was stopped in mid-ocean while -McBride and his staff ascertained and rectified the damage. - -The old Scotsman was right. Some one had maliciously tampered with -the machinery--but for what purpose? - -The fourth officer made his way to the wireless-room and knocked at -the door. He was answered by Wilcox, the second operator. A glimpse -into the room revealed Grant, the senior man, seated at a table with -the receivers clipped to his ears. - -"Anything special?" asked Aubyn casually, after he had delivered the -"old man's" instructions. - -"Slightly," drawled Wilcox. He invariably drawled, no matter the -importance of whatever he was about to convey. "Message just come -through. Germany has declared war on Russia and has invaded French -territory." - -"By Jove! That sounds exciting," commented Aubyn. - -"Perhaps," rejoined the wireless operator. "For one thing it will -give the ship's newspaper a friendly lead. There's been precious -little in it for the last three days. I'm just sending out the -notices," and he held up a sheaf of duplicated papers for -distribution in various parts of the ship. "Would you mind taking -them to the bridge." - -In five minutes the news had spread all over the "Saraband." The -hitherto lethargic passengers developed intense excitement, and great -was the speculation as to when the trouble would end. - -"A jolly good thing for us," observed one of the first-class -passengers, as Terence passed along the promenade deck. "It will -spoil Germany's trade for a while, and we can collar the lot while -her hands are full." - -"Unless we are drawn in," remarked another. - -"Rot!" ejaculated the first contemptuously. "The Government would -never allow it. Take my word for it: we'll adopt the same attitude as -we did in '70--strict neutrality and make as much as we can out of -all the belligerents. The idea of war between Great Britain and -Germany is preposterous." - -The fourth officer passed on. Much as he would have liked to hear the -continuation of the argument he was unable to delay returning to his -post. - -Shortly after Aubyn's arrival on the bridge, a large German liner, -the "Hertzolf," bore down upon the "Saraband." She had some time -previously picked up the British vessel's wireless reports of her -disabled condition, and in spite of Captain Ramshaw's refusal to -accept assistance, had steamed out of her course to investigate. - -After receiving reiterated assurances that the work of repairing the -machinery was well in hand, the "Hertzolf" inquired how long the task -would take. - -"Tell them we are almost ready to get up steam," ordered the "old -man," somewhat nettled. "Thank them for their inquiries, and say -that we will not detain them longer." - -Five minutes later the "Hertzolfs" propellers began to churn the -water. Gathering way she dipped her red, white, and black ensign, a -compliment that the "Saraband" promptly returned. This done she -shaped a course to the sou'-west and was soon hull-down. - -"Too jolly inquisitive for my liking," muttered Captain Ramshaw. "I -wish to goodness old McBride would get his job finished." He moved -towards the telephone communicating with the engine-room, then, -abruptly wheeling:-- - -"Mr. Aubyn," he exclaimed. "Present my compliments to the chief -engineer, and ask him if he can give me any definite information as -to when he will be able to raise steam." - - - - -CHAPTER II. - -ON THE SCENT. - - -FOURTH Officer Aubyn knew that it was for no ordinary purpose that he -had been sent with a message to the chief engineer. It was most -unusual for a deck-officer to have to go to the engine-room on duty. -There was something beyond a normal anxiety to know when the ship -would be able to raise steam that caused Captain Ramshaw to make an -inquiry from the bridge without using the telephone. - -It was a diplomatic stroke on the part of the "old man." He knew by -experience that McBride could be easily led, while on the other hand -the dour old Scotsman would not be driven. It was not a case of -preferential treatment in the case of the chief engineer. Captain -Ramshaw invariably treated all his subordinates alike, giving his -orders in a bland, courteous manner that rarely failed to produce an -instant response on the part of those with whom he had to come in -contact. Yet from the chief officer down to the pantry-boy no one on -board would dare to take undue advantage of the skipper's courtesy. -Woe betide the unlucky man to whom Captain Ramshaw had to give the -same order twice. There had been instances, but not on board the SS. -"Saraband." The good understanding between the captain, officers, and -crew made her the counterpart of a "happy ship" in the Royal Navy. - -But now, for the first time on record during Captain Ramshaw's -command, a dirty piece of work had been done on board--seemingly -unaccountably. Some one in the engine-room had committed a dastardly -crime. Captain Ramshaw would not rest until the culprit had been -spotted; for with the safety of the ship, passengers, crew, and -cargo, and in the interests of the owners, it was absolutely -necessary to discover the identity of the offender. - -Terence opened the door of the engine-room and paused. Between the -bars of the "fidley" wafts of hot air and steam, mingled with the -nauseating odours of burning oil, eddied upwards. At his feet gaped a -vague, ill-lighted cavern, the only approach to which was by means of -a series of short, shining steel ladders. - -As his eyes grew accustomed to the semi-gloom the outlines of the -gleaming masses of intricate machinery became apparent; a bewildering -array of polished steel, copper, and brass. A subdued roar, mingled -with the clatter of drills and tapping of hammers and men's voices -shouting peremptory orders came from the metal cavern. The auxiliary -engines, for supplying power to the derricks and for lighting -purposes, were fortunately intact. - -It was new ground to Terence Aubyn, and hardly a place where "white -ducks" could be considered _de rigeur_. Grasping the hand-rail he -descended cautiously till his feet came in contact with the slippery -iron gangway by the side of the now motionless piston-heads. At the -extremity of the platform, confronted by a number of indicators, the -senior engineers on duty were generally to be found; but McBride was -not there. - -Another length of vertical ladder had to be negotiated, with -seemingly little space for the descending man between the rungs and a -complication of gleaming copper pipes that threatened to hit him in -the back. To add to Aubyn's discomfort, the motion of the vessel in -the trough of the sullen rollers was unpleasantly noticeable. On deck -he revelled in the undulating movement. In the stuffy engine-room it -was very different. - -"A proper death-trap if anything goes wrong," thought he. "Thank -goodness I'm a deck-officer." - -Terence had to descend three more lengths of ladder before he reached -the plates of the engine-bed. Here there were men in swarms, for the -most part greasers in dungaree suits. Amongst them Aubyn spotted -Kenneth Raeburn, looking very different from his spruce appearance in -the engineers' mess or when he went ashore. - -Raeburn and Aubyn were good pals. Whenever, between the intervals of -stowing and unloading the cargo in the holds, Terence was able to get -ashore, they generally contrived to be in each other's company. - -The third engineer was generally voted "a decent sort" by his -messmates. His case was very similar to that of Terence Aubyn; for he -had been intended for the Royal Navy until a drastic modification of -the regulations, whereby cadets had eventually to specialize in -marine engineering, had put him out of the running. He, too, held a -commission in the Royal Naval Reserve, and in the natural buoyancy of -his spirits, Kenneth Raeburn often hoped for the time when Great -Britain and Germany were to measure their strength for the supremacy -of the sea. Then, he realized, would be the chance for mercantile -officers in the R.N.R. to prove their worth as effective assistants -to their comrades of the Royal Navy. - -"Looking for McBride?" repeated Raeburn. "He's down the tunnel. The -main-shaft bearings are seized up. Beastly job. You won't be able to -get to him, old chap." - -"I must," said Terence firmly. - -"At the expense of your uniform then. I'll find him. Follow me." - -At the head of the next ladder Raeburn paused. - -"I think I've spotted the rascal," he announced. "Keep behind me. -When I drop a spanner, have a look at the fellow we're passing. I'll -tell you more later on." - -Along the electrically lighted platform the two young officers made -their way, frequently stepping over the prostrate bodies of greasers -who were tackling an intricate job under the supervision of the -second engineer. - -With a clatter the spanner dropped on the metal floor within a few -inches of a tall, broad-shouldered, fair-haired man, dressed like his -companions in a very dirty boiler suit. The fellow was lying on his -side with his hands above his face as he secured an -intricately-placed hexagonal nut. Hearing the clatter he turned his -head, stifled an imprecation, and grasping the spanner, held it at -arm's length for Raeburn to take. - -Aubyn glanced at the man's face. Although outwardly a casual look he -marked the fellow's features. He was convinced that he had not seen -him before, but that was not to be wondered at, as there is no -necessity for the deck-officers to know the greasers and firemen -individually as in the case of the deckhands. Nevertheless, he felt -certain that he would know the man again. - -"Hang on a few moments," bawled Raeburn, for the noise in this -quarter was deafening. He vanished, leaving Terence in his -unaccustomed and distasteful surroundings while he went to find his -chief. - -Presently McBride appeared, dirty, smothered in oil and perspiring -like the proverbial bull. The chief engineer was one of those -officers who was not content with mere supervision. When work of an -urgent nature, such as the present, was at hand, he tackled it -methodically and deliberately. - -"Ma compliments to Captain Ramshaw," said McBride, when Terence had -delivered his message, "but I'll nae commit mesel'. The wurrk is -takin' longer than I anticipated, and we're doin' double shifts to -set things aright. Gie' him to onderstan' that directly we are able -to raise steam, steam will be raised, but not before." - -"Haven't you any idea?" asked Aubyn. - -"Nay, I'll nae commit mesel'," reiterated the chief engineer, and -without another word he hastened back to his cramped quarters in the -tunnel of the starboard main shafting. - -Raeburn followed his chum to the engine-room door. - -"Look me up at seven bells to-night," he said. "We'll do a little -amateur detective business. That greaser I pointed out is new to the -ship. Joined us at Southampton. There's nothing out of the ordinary -about that, but on one or two nights I've noticed him talking to a -second-class passenger. On the first occasion I stumbled upon them by -accident, and they shut up like oysters. Then when the trouble -developed, I remarked this somewhat unusual meeting and kept a watch. -At the same hour these two met, and the passenger handed our man a -small packet of something. It might have been tobacco, of course; but -curiously enough we've discovered the cause of the bearings of the -two main shafts seizing and getting almost red-hot. There were -phosphor-bronze filings in the drip lubricators. Now, it's a -remarkable thing that it was part of this greaser's duties--Stone is -his name, by the by--to attend to the lubrication of these bearings; -and I'll swear he couldn't get hold of phosphor-bronze filings from -the engineers' stores. So I want you to keep a lookout on the -passenger; I don't know his name, but if you see them you can easily -find that out." - -"Why not inform McBride?" asked Terence. - -"When I have proof," replied Raeburn. "So look out for me at seven -bells." - -The fourth officer returned to the bridge and reported the result of -his brief interview. - -"Very good, Mr. Aubyn," was Captain Ramshaw's only comment. - -The "old man" was disappointed but not nettled by McBride's message. -H e had great faith in the old Scotsman, and only sheer anxiety had -prompted him to obtain a report of the progress of operations from -the chief engineer. There was nothing to do but to wait patiently. - -The rest of the day passed almost without incident, except that -Grant, the wireless operator, reported a partial "jamming" of the -aerial waves. Messages were received in a very disjointed form, and -in spite of the fact that Grant requested the unknown disturber to -release the "jamb," owing to the receipt of unintelligible reports, -his efforts were in vain. Some vessels on shore-stations using a -differently "tuned" installation were literally holding the air. The -curious part of the business was that the "Saraband" received several -messages in which the words "neutrality of Belgium" figured largely, -but beyond that no enlightening context was obtainable. - -During the afternoon Terence Aubyn had to exercise the gun-crews at -drill with one of the two 4.7's that had recently been fitted to the -ship. These weapons, mounted aft, one on each quarter, were for the -purpose of keeping up a running fight in the event of the outbreak of -war. They would enable the ship to beat off the possible attack of a -hostile commerce-destroyer, or at any rate prolong the action until -the arrival of a British cruiser. - -Aubyn was very keen on this part of his duties. It was, until he had -undergone his training in the Royal Navy, a purely honorary task. -Later on he might hope to draw a modest ten pounds a year from the -National Exchequer for his ability to perform a combatant duty. From -a pecuniary point of view it did not seem very promising, but the -fourth officer was used to meagre pay for much work. He had to be -able to "read the heavens," to use at least a dozen highly -complicated nautical instruments, to undergo a strenuous scientific -training, and to take sole charge of a ship during his watch. Lives -and property of incalculable value were in his hands, yet his pay was -an amount at which many a sleek, discontented clerk would turn up his -nose in utter disgust. - -For half an hour Terence kept his gun's crew hard at it, going -through imaginary loading exercises and training the docile weapon at -imaginary targets, to the great interest of most of the passengers -and to the ill-bred scorn of others who derided the whole business as -idiotic make-believe. - -This done the fourth officer was at leisure for rest and sleep until -turned out at 4 a.m. to take his watch. - -At the hour agreed upon Aubyn met Raeburn outside the engineers' -mess. It was now pitch dark, for in the Tropics there is little or no -twilight. The sky was overcast, although the glass was steady, and -not a star shed its light on the waste of waters. The "Saraband," -brilliantly lighted, still floated idly, drifting at the rate of -fifteen miles a day under the influence of the weak Counter -Equatorial Current. - -Selecting a hiding-place in a corner thrown into deep shadow by the -glare of a powerful lamp, the churns waited. Half an hour passed -without result. They began to feel stiff and cramped in their -confined quarters. - -Presently Raeburn nudged the fourth officer. - -Strolling along the alley-way was a short, sparely built man. He was -dressed in a white flannel suit with a dark red cummer-bund. He was -bareheaded, and as a ray of light fell upon his features Terence -could see that his were of a yellow cadaverous appearance. His hair -was black, thick, and closely cut. His moustache was heavy and -drooping. His eyes turned furtively from side to side as he advanced, -although he kept his head as rigid as if immovably fixed to his body. - -He passed by their place of concealment. Aubyn could hear his soft -shoes pattering upon the deck. Presently he returned, promenading the -whole length of the alley-way. Thrice he did this, then, giving a -swift glance behind him, stepped into a store-room immediately -opposite the companion to the greasers' and firemen's quarters, the -after bulkhead of which formed with the side of the ship the recess -in which the two chums lay concealed. - -The fellow was breathing heavily. Through the iron partition the two -watchers could hear his laboured gasps which were the result not of -unusual activity but of intense mental strain. - -Again Raeburn touched his companion on the shoulder. Some one else -was approaching--not from the engine-room hands' quarters but along -the alley-way. - -It was a woman, slight of build, and in spite of the heat, closely -veiled. Without hesitation she went straight to the place where the -suspected man was waiting. - -For ten minutes the pair talked, rapidly and in low, excited tones; -then together they made their way aft. - -"A rotten sell," remarked Aubyn, as soon as the coast was clear. "We -came to spot a pair of conspirators--not to witness a meeting between -a pair of lovers." - -"Shouldn't think the woman was sweet on that chap, but there's no -accounting for taste," rejoined Raeburn. "That's the fellow right -enough. Did you hear what they were talking about?" - -"Not I; it wasn't my business," replied Terence. - -"It ought to. They were talking in German." - -"Don't understand the lingo," declared the fourth officer. "Besides, -what if they did? There are seven German passengers on board; and -it's hard lines if they can't speak in their own tongue if they want -to, especially if they avoid lacerating the ears of their -fellow-passengers with the saw-edged language." - -"There's more in it than you imagine, old man. That fellow is an -intermediary between the woman and Stone, the greaser. Apparently -Stone--referred to by the woman as Hans, although the name he gave is -Henry--is holding out for more money for doing something. The woman -maintains that he failed to do his allotted task satisfactorily--that -he bungled badly over it. She wanted to tackle Stone himself, and the -passenger fellow, whose name is Karl, objected. Possibly it was owing -to her presence that Stone failed to put in an appearance." - -"By Jove, Raeburn, I believe you're on the right track after all!" - -"I think I am," replied the third engineer quietly. "At all events -we'll keep this to ourselves for a little until we obtain further -evidence. If I don't see you before, we'll meet here to-morrow night -at seven bells, and trust that Stone will show his hand." - - - - -CHAPTER III. - -THE DECLARATION OF WAR. - - -JUST before eight bells (4 a.m.) Terence Aubyn was called to prepare -for his spell of duty on the bridge. Hastily dressing and donning his -pilot-coat--for in spite of being within a few degrees of the line -the air was cold compared with the temperature during the day--the -fourth officer drank a cup of coffee and hurried on deck. - -Exchanging a few words with the officer he was relieving Terence -began to pace the bridge. On this occasion there was little to do, -since the "Saraband" was not making way. Men were on the watch on the -fo'c'sle, and hands were stationed in the crow's-nest in order to -report the possible approach of other vessels. The apprentices on -duty--termed, by courtesy, midshipmen--made their stereotyped -reports, the quartermasters went the rounds and announced that all -was correct on and 'tween decks. Not being actually under way the -ship did not display her customary red and green navigation lamps. -The white light on the forestay was the only one visible. Even the -chart-room window had been screened, in order to avoid dazzling the -eyes of the officer of the watch. - -Down below the passengers were sleeping more or less soundly in their -bunks. Most of the crew were also asleep in the forepeak. From the -depths of the engine-room came the muffled, barely audible sounds of -men still hard at work, under the tireless and energetic supervision -of Chief Engineer McBride. - -Terence had barely been on duty for ten minutes when Wilcox, the -junior wireless operator, mounted the bridge ladder. - -"Something rather important," he drawled. "Guess Captain Ramshaw -ought to be informed." - -He handed Aubyn a slip of paper, and without waiting further backed -slowly down the ladder. - -"Quartermaster!" exclaimed Terence. - -"Sir?" - -"Stand by, will you? I am going into the charthouse." - -The man saluted. Aubyn entered the screened compartment and shut the -door. Here by the aid of the electric light he was able to read the -momentous message at which Wilcox had hinted. - -"That fellow ought to have been an undertaker's mute!" he ejaculated -under his breath. "Fancy hardly turning a hair over a thing like -this." - -For the wireless message was one that had stirred the British Empire, -nay, the whole of the civilized world:-- - -"Great Britain has declared war on Germany." Aubyn's heart gave a -bound. He realized that the chance of a lifetime was in front of him. -In the titanic struggle that seemed bound to take place on the High -Seas every officer and man of the Royal Naval Reserve would be called -upon to assist their comrades of the Royal Navy. The Reserve would be -put upon its mettle; it had a high duty to perform. It had to -vindicate its existence and prove to captious critics that it was a -fighting force that carried weight. It had to carry out its work as -one of the triple barbs of Britannia's trident. - -The news was far too important to entrust to a messenger. Again -telling the quartermaster to stand by, and giving a comprehensive -glance over the expanse of sea to make sure that there were no -vessels' navigation lights visible, Aubyn hastened towards the -captain's cabin. - -As he passed the wireless-room he pushed open the door. Both -operators were on duty. Wilcox was vainly endeavouring to "call up" -a station; Grant was "standing by." - -"You haven't mentioned the news?" asked the fourth officer. - -Grant shook his head. - -"We're getting out the notices for distribution," he said. - -"Better not," declared Aubyn authoritatively. "Keep the news dark -until Captain Ramshaw decides what is to be done." - -At the door of the captain's cabin Terence paused, then knocked. -Under ordinary circumstances the panelled door was tapped discreetly, -but Aubyn gave a decisive double knock. - -"Come in!" exclaimed a very tired voice. - -Captain Ramshaw was in his bunk. At the first sound he had switched -on a light. - -"Well, Mr. Aubyn?" - -Terence did not say a word in reply. He handed his chief the paper -bearing the momentous news. - -"I am not surprised," was Captain Ramshaw's comment. Already he was -out of his bunk and dressing with the swift, deft manner of men who -are apt to be roused from sleep to face danger at any moment of the -night. "You may return to the bridge." - -Terence flushed slightly. He knew that he had committed a breach of -discipline in leaving his post during his watch. - -"I would respectfully suggest, sir," he began, "that this news be -kept back from the passengers." - -"For why, Mr. Aubyn?" - -"There are Germans on board." - -"Bless my soul, what if there are? Surely you don't expect me to put -non-combatants under arrest?" - -"I have good reason to believe, sir, that some of them are -responsible for the breakdown of the engines. - -"When did you first have suspicions?" - -"Last night, sir." - -"Then why was I not instantly informed?" - -"That I can explain, sir." - -"Carry on, Mr. Aubyn," rejoined Captain Ramshaw quietly. - -As briefly as possible Terence related the circumstances under which -he and Raeburn waited for an expected secret interview between the -German passenger and Stone, the greaser; how, in the absence of -conclusive evidence, the two young officers had decided to keep the -result of their investigations to themselves until further -developments justified their suspicions. - -"I suppose you two were out for kudos?" remarked Captain Ramshaw -grimly. - -"Oh, no, sir," Aubyn hastened to explain. "We were hoping to witness -the meeting between Stone and the German passenger to-night. Then -there might be enough evidence to justify an accusation. But the -declaration of war has altered matters, sir." - -"It has," agreed the "old man." "I have my orders in the event of -hostilities. I did not think they would ever be put into force. The -Admiralty instructions are that if homeward bound, or within -forty-eight hours' steaming of a British port, the ship must make for -home waters at full speed. And at present she's as helpless as a -log," he added mirthlessly. - -Captain Ramshaw had now finished dressing. With his hands behind his -back he paced the cabin floor deep in thought. - -"Very good, Mr. Aubyn," he continued, after a lengthy pause, "I'll -take steps to prevent the news getting amongst the passengers. You -and Mr. Raeburn can carry on with your investigations, but I would -advise you to have a couple of reliable hands within hail. You can -go." - -Terence saluted and withdrew. Left to himself the skipper rapidly -formulated his plans. He was in an awkward position. The "Saraband" -was temporarily crippled, not by accident but by design. The time by -which she would be able to get under way was indefinite. There was a -frequent and apparently deliberate "jamming" of the wireless. He -knew that there was a German liner in the vicinity. He also knew -something that many Englishmen derided: that this liner, like scores -of others, was ready to be converted at a few hours' notice into a -commerce destroyer. - -The wireless message had said that Great Britain had declared war. -His keen insight told him that the declaration had been forced upon -her. Germany had been preparing more or less secretly for years, and -unless he was greatly mistaken she had forestalled the momentous -time-limit. - -Yes, Aubyn was right. It was not a private or personal reason that -was responsible for the outrage to the machinery. There were German -agents on board, who had already been given to understand that war -would be declared before the "Saraband" reached Southampton. -Crippled, she would be an easy and valuable prize to the first -hostile armed merchantman that she fell in with. - -Presently he left his cabin and ascended the bridge. His first act -was to ring for Lymore, the first officer. - -"What do you think of this, Lymore?" he asked. - -The first officer took the paper and was about to make off to the -charthouse when Captain Ramshaw stopped him. - -"It's war with Germany," he said. - -Lymore set his jaw tightly. He was a middle-aged man, and realized -more forcibly than did Aubyn the possibilities of a conflict with the -second naval power of the world. - -"If it's not over in a week, sir," he remarked, "it will be a long -drawn-out business. Either the Germans will attempt a surprise raid -on our fleet or else they'll sit tight and carry on a sniping warfare -with submarines and mines." - -"Think so?" asked the "old man." "Mines aren't much use if you don't -hold command of the sea. They can only be used to defend their own -harbours." - -"They'll be dumping them overboard in shoals, sir. - -"What, adrift? Remember Germany is a highly civilized country, bound -by the laws of the Geneva Convention and the Hague Conference." - -"Let's hope she will respect those laws, sir. Personally, I don't -think she will." - -"Well, Mr. Lymore, it's no use talking. We must act. I propose to -keep the information from the passengers, but to take officers and -crew into my confidence. Will you pass the word to muster both -watches for'ard? Instruct the bos'un that the men make no unnecessary -noise. We don't want to alarm or excite the passengers." - -Ten minutes later the officers, deckhands, and engine-room staff were -mustered abaft the foremast. Those who were keeping "watch below" -were not unreasonably curious to know why they were turned out early -in the morning, before it was yet light. Every available member of -the crew, including firemen and greasers who could be spared from the -boiler and engine-rooms, the large staff of stewards and cooks formed -up till the space between the fo'c'sle and the for'ard bulkhead of -the promenade and boat decks was a seething mass of humanity. The men -conversed in whispers, striving to solve the mystery of being -mustered at such an unearthly hour, but when Captain Ramshaw stepped -upon a hatch cover and held up his hand a hush fell upon the -representative throng of the British Mercantile Marine. - -The sole means of illumination was a hurricane lamp held by one of -the messenger boys. The feeble rays fell upon the captain's face. It -was stern and resolute. - -"My men!" he exclaimed, speaking slowly and deliberately. He did not -roar, after the manner of the old sea-dogs, but his voice carried -with perfect distinctness. "My men, I have great news. But first let -me impress upon you the extreme urgency for silence and secrecy. The -matter can be discussed amongst yourselves, but should the news -travel beyond you the safety of the old 'Saraband' is gravely -imperilled. - -"War was declared between Great Britain and Germany at eleven o'clock -last night. That is all I know, being the news received by wireless. -My duty is to get the ship back to port as quickly as possible, and -hand her over to the Admiralty for whatever purpose they think fit. - -"Meanwhile, an accident to the engine has left us helpless. It is -proposed to rectify the damage with the utmost dispatch. German -commerce destroyers are, in all probability, lying in wait on the -recognized trade routes. We can only hope that there are also British -cruisers to foil their little game. - -"In spite of our adverse circumstances I know I can rely upon every -man jack of you to do his duty cheerfully and manfully, and to help -to keep the old flag flying. Now, dismiss." - -Before daybreak the "Saraband" was ready as far as possible for -eventualities. Ammunition was served up for the two 4.7 in. guns. The -vital part of the bridge was protected by plates of boiler iron -backed with bags of flour. Hoses were coupled up, water poured over -boats hanging in the davits, in case of fire caused by the explosion -of a hostile shell. - -Below, Chief Engineer McBride and his staff were still striving their -utmost to bring the engines up to their customary state of -efficiency. - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - -A DOUBLE ARREST. - - -CAPTAIN RAMSHAW'S next step was to hold a consultation with some of -his officers as to the advisability of coping with the internal peril -that threatened the ship. - -Accordingly Lymore and Aubyn, as representatives of the -deck-officers, and McBride and Raeburn for the engine-room staff, -were called to the captain's cabin. For once that cosily-furnished -apartment reeked of paraffin, for the chief engineer and his -assistant had come practically straight from their work, merely -stopping to remove from their faces and hands the greasy black oil -and had used paraffin for that purpose. - -"Don't apologize, Mr. McBride," said the "old man" affably. -"Circumstances alter cases, and it is far preferable to have the reek -of honest oil than the fumes of a German shell. Now to get straight -to the point: have you a plan, Mr. McBride, whereby we can secure -this man of yours, Stone, without occasioning comment amongst his -comrades; and especially not to alarm the passenger who has taken -such a violent fancy to him?" - -The chief engineer rubbed his chin and knitted his shaggy brows. - -"I can arrange, sir, to have him sent on deck, the miserable worrm. -Beyond that, sir, I venture to suggest 'tis a matter for yoursel' to -keep the passenger in the dark." - -"Now, Mr. Lymore, have you made inquiries about the passenger Mr. -Aubyn described?" - -"I've interviewed the chief steward, sir. He says that this man -registered as Mr. Duncan McDonald, of Port Elizabeth." - -"There's by far too many of these rascally Germans going about with -guid old Scots names," declared McBride vehemently. - -"Quite so," agreed Captain Ramshaw, "but unfortunately we have no -evidence to prove that this fellow is a German, except that he spoke -the Teuton language. He might be a Britisher after all." - -"He's nae Scot, then," said the chief engineer hotly. - -"I think I can suggest a good plan, sir," said Raeburn. - -"Carry on, then," remarked Captain Ramshaw encouragingly. - -"One of the greasers in my watch--a rattling good fellow--he's made -five trips in the ship, sir--strongly resembles Stone in appearance. -If you could arrest Stone and clap him in irons, we could get -Tretheway, the man I refer to, to impersonate him and lure this -Duncan McDonald----" - -"Steady, laddie; 'tes nae Duncan McDonald," remonstrated McBride. - -"The passenger who goes by the name of McDonald," corrected Raeburn. -"He could be lured into putting in an appearance. Then we could nab -him, too." - -"It's feasible, certainly," said Captain Ramshaw. "You think you can -arrange this?" - -"Yes, sir," replied Raeburn. - -"Very good; then perhaps Mr. Aubyn and you will be at the rendezvous -at seven bells. Mr. Aubyn will tell off a couple of hands in the -event of any display of resistance. The man may be armed." - -"We'll take the risk, sir," said Terence. - -"Then that's settled. If you'll send Stone on deck, Mr. McBride, the -sooner we have him under arrest the better." - -"And the sooner I'm back in the engine-room the better, I'm thinking, -sir," asserted McBride. "Nae doubt the dirty rogue will be up to his -tricks again while I'm not there tae keep an eye on him." - -A few minutes later Stone, sent under the pretence of fetching some -article from the bos'un's store, was promptly pounced upon by a -couple of quartermasters. - -"What's the game, old sports?" he asked in a strong Cockney accent -and with well-feigned innocence. - -His captors made no reply, but led their unresisting prisoner for'ard -and placed him in a compartment under lock and key. - -As soon as the greaser's arrest was reported, Chief Officer Lymore -and Aubyn went to inform him of the charge. - -"Attempting to cripple the engines, eh? Strikes me, sir, you're on -the wrong tack," muttered the man. - -"Your fellow-conspirator does not seem to think so," remarked Lymore -at a venture. - -The accused's features flushed, then turned deadly pale. - -"You've got von Eckenhardt, then?" he asked, taken completely aback. - -"Yes, the game's up," assented the chief officer, who, although -equally astonished, had the presence of mind to entirely conceal his -feelings. - -"Then I may as well make the best of things. It won't be for long," -declared the prisoner nonchalantly. "Our cruisers will soon make -short work of the 'Saraband,' and then the boot will be on the other -foot." - -"Your cruisers?" exclaimed Lymore. - -"Yes; I'm a German subject, Mr. Chief Officer, and don't you forget -it. I demand to receive proper treatment as a prisoner of war." - -"You'd get it, my man, if I had my way," retorted Lymore grimly. - -"Von Eckenhardt!" exclaimed Captain Ramshaw when his subordinate -reported the result of their interview. "Then that is the real name -of the so-called Duncan McDonald. It was a cute move of yours, Mr. -Lymore." - -The chief officer flushed with pleasure. - -"I presume, sir, we can now arrest him, without waiting till this -evening?" - -"No, we'll stick to our original plan, Mr. Lymore. I have good -reasons." - -During the day the passengers were restricted to a limited portion of -the decks allotted to the various classes. None were permitted to -approach the 4.7-in. guns. The sight of the ammunition and the gun's -crew standing by would occasion comment. A simple excuse was given -for this restriction, and the passengers accepted it without demur. - -For several hours the wireless was still "jammed." Occasionally -messages were received, but none could be sent. Those that did get -through were of slight importance and had no reference to the war. - -At noon McBride's strenuous efforts were crowned with success. The -engines were once more in working, order and speed was soon worked up -to sixteen knots. A course was immediately shaped for Las Palmas, -where the "Saraband" would have to coal before resuming her homeward -voyage. - -Just after four bells (2 p.m.) the wireless resumed uninterrupted -activity. A message asking the name and position of the ship was -recorded and referred to the bridge. "Ask them what ship is calling," -ordered Captain Ramshaw. - -"H.M.S. 'Padstow,' lat. 5°0'30" N., long. 30°1'15" W. Shape a -course towards me. Enemy cruisers are about," was the reply. - -Captain Ramshaw called for a Navy List. H.M.S. "Padstow" was found -to be a light cruiser of 4600 tons. - -"Very good; I am acting according to your directions," was his answer -by wireless, but in reality it was very different. He ordered the -course to be altered until the "Saraband" would pass three hundred -miles to the eastward of the position given by the supposed British -cruiser. In addition he gave instructions that no wireless messages -were to be sent from the ship, in order that she might not betray her -presence, for he felt convinced that the call was a decoy sent by one -of the German commerce destroyers. - -During the afternoon the chief steward reported the result of his -observations upon the pseudo Duncan McDonald. The man, he declared, -was a regular "hanger-on" to his fellow-passengers. He seemed to -have plenty of money and squandered it at card-playing. Yet he did -not associate with the German passengers, nor could the steward -discover who was the woman that had conferred with McDonald on the -night when Aubyn and Raeburn had him under observation. - -Just before seven bells the arrangements were completed for von -Eckenhardt's arrest. Terence and the fourth engineer took up their -positions in the empty storeroom; two burly quartermasters were -hiding just inside the engine-room door, while Tretheway, in the -guise of the now detained Stone, was idling in the alley-way. - -Presently von Eckenhardt appeared. Tretheway, keeping his face from -the light, turned his back upon the approaching German. - -Twice the fellow walked softly past the supposed Stone, then tapping -him on the shoulder said something in German. What it was Tretheway -did not understand, but acting upon instructions he turned and -grasped the Teuton by the wrists. Aubyn and Raeburn dashed from their -place of concealment and the two quartermasters ran towards the spot. - -Taken wholly at a disadvantage von Eckenhardt at first offered no -resistance. He sullenly regarded his captors, without uttering a -word. Then, with a sudden effort, he almost wrenched himself clear. - -Raeburn, doubled up by a knee-punch in the wind, subsided heavily -against the metal wall of the alley-way. The two quartermasters -cannoned into each other in attempting to regain their grip upon the -captive. Tretheway, hit upon the point of the chin, tripped over the -coaming of the engine-room doorway; while Terence, in spite of a -vicious kick on the shin, managed to retain his hold upon von -Eckenhardt's collar. - -To and fro they swayed, now locked in a deathly embrace. Before the -quartermasters could recover their wits, Aubyn and the German toppled -over the coaming, and on top of the body of the prostrate Tretheway. - -Inside the door was a slippery steel platform, barely three feet in -width and protected by a light handrail. To the right and left iron -ladders led to the floor of the engine-room. Seven feet below the -edge of the platform was the piston-head of one of the cylinders--a -vision of gleaming metal partly veiled by wreathes of eddying steam. - -In an instant Terence realized his adversary's plan. Rather than -submit to being made a prisoner von Eckenhardt was striving to throw -himself into the midst of the moving machinery. And not only that: he -meant to take one at least of his antagonists with him. He, Terence, -was the one singled out for this wholly unwelcome attention. - -In vain Aubyn tried to get a foothold. The slippery iron plate -afforded no grip. His arms, locked about the body of the German, were -imprisoned by the fellow's powerful grasp, for although small in -stature and sparely built, frenzy had given the German the strength -of a Hercules. Suddenly von Eckenhardt planted his feet against the -inside sill of the door. With a terrific jerk he hurled himself under -the handrail. Aubyn had just time to bend his partially held wrist -and grasp the stanchion; then both men dropped over the edge -immediately above the ponderous machinery. - -There they hung, swaying with the result of the sudden jerk. Aubyn's -hand retained his grasp upon the oiled metal stanchion in spite of -the fact that he was sustaining the weight of himself and another, -and that the edge of the platform was pressing cruelly against his -arm. All the while von Eckenhardt, clinging to his antagonist like a -monkey, was punching blindly with his disengaged left hand in the -hope of making the fourth officer relax his hold. - -It was now that the quartermasters were able to come to the aid of -their young officer. During the struggle on the platform there was no -opportunity for them to intervene--no foothold on that slippery -surface. Raeburn, too, was temporarily "out of action," but by this -time was beginning to take a renewed interest in life. - -One of the quartermasters grasped Aubyn by the collar of his white -drill uniform coat. Even in his dire peril Terence wondered whether -his tailor had put good stitches into his work. He fully expected to -find the collar being torn from the rest of the garment. - -Then the second quartermaster helped. Lying at full length on the -metal platform he seized the still struggling Eckenhardt by the -waist. Then with a powerful blow with his disengaged fist the man -struck the Teuton full on the temple. - - -[Illustration: "Both men dropped over the edge immediately above the -ponderous machinery."] - - -Stunned by the force of the blow the German relaxed his hold. Were it -not for the quartermaster's iron grasp he would have fallen into the -maze of machinery. - -"Now's your chance, Tom," exclaimed the man breathlessly. "I'll hold -this chap while you haul up Mr. Aubyn." - -Assisted by Raeburn the first quartermaster succeeded in raising -Terence on the platform and thence into the alley-way. Well-nigh -exhausted Aubyn was glad to sit down while the others proceeded to -secure the senseless von Eckenhardt. - - - - -CHAPTER V. - -BOARDED. - - -WHILE von Eckenhardt was recovering consciousness and the two young -officers were pulling themselves together after their trying ordeal, -Captain Ramshaw, who had been informed of the successful issue of the -affair, proceeded to the cabin taken by the German under the name of -Duncan McDonald. - -It was a single berth cabin, furnished in the luxuriant style that -the Red Band Line provided for their first-class passengers. - -The "old man" first directed his attention to an unlocked -portmanteau. It was filled with clothes. Methodically the chief -steward, under Captain Ramshaw's supervision, went through the -pockets. He found nothing incriminating. There was some -correspondence in English of a commonplace order, which gave no rise -to suspicion. - -A second portmanteau was doubly locked. The steward cut the Gordian -knot by ripping the cowhide with his pocket-knife. Inside the case -were more clothes, but between the folds was a metal case half filled -with phosphor-bronze filings. There were also a revolver and two -hundred rounds of ammunition, the presence of which in a passenger's -possession was in itself a breach of the Company's regulations. - -"Now, that cabin trunk, Saunders," exclaimed Captain Ramshaw, -pointing to a large, strongly made box. "You won't open that with -your penknife, my man." - -"One minute, sir," said the steward. - -He left the cabin, returning in a very short space of time with a -heavy hammer and a cold chisel. - -He was about to attack the lock when the "old man" interposed. - -"Avast there, Saunders!" he ejaculated. "We'll have the job tackled a -little more quietly. Go and ask the doctor for a small bottle of the -strongest acid he has." - -"That's good, Saunders," he remarked when the man returned. "Now lay -on the acid all round the lock. Mind your eyes: it will splash a bit. -We'll ruin the carpet, I fancy; but there'll be more serious damage -done to the Company's property before long, unless I'm much -mistaken." - -Rapidly the powerful acid ate its way into the metal. The cabin -reeked with the pungent fumes. - -Captain Ramshaw waited until he considered that the corrosive fluid -had sufficiently weakened the metal, then he soused the side of the -trunk with water. - -A gentle pressure of his boot brought the lock clean away. He raised -the lid. The portmanteau was apparently full of clothes. Von -Eckenhardt evidently had an extensive wardrobe. - -"There's a double bottom, sir," announced the steward. - -"I thought so," replied the captain quietly. "Be careful, Saunders. -You will find a secret spring. Don't use unnecessary force." - -Wondering why the skipper harped upon the necessity for caution the -steward continued his investigations. At length he discovered an -invisible push, close to the bottom of the trunk. As he pressed it, -the false bottom opened upon a pair of hinges. The space contained -several sealed envelopes and a tin case measuring about ten inches by -six, and two inches in depth. - -"You might hand over those papers," said the captain. "Now, open -that tin." - -"It's full of gummy string, sir ." - -"Powerful explosive, Saunders, enough to blow a big hole in the old -'Saraband.' There are fuses and detonators, too. I wonder the fool -hadn't more sense than to stow this stuff in a cabin trunk." - -"What shall I do with it, sir?" asked the steward, eyeing the box of -latent death and destruction with undisguised apprehension. - -"Overboard with it," decided the "old man" promptly. - -Before Captain Ramshaw could proceed further with his investigations -a messenger brought the news that a strange vessel, apparently a -warship, was bearing down in the direction of the "Saraband." - -The skipper broke all records in his dash for the bridge. Bringing -his binoculars to bear in the direction indicated by the chief -officer he saw that a large grey-painted cruiser was shaping a course -to cut him off. - -"If she's a German we're nabbed, Lymore," said the captain. "She's -heavily armed, and we are within range of her guns. Unless I'm much -mistaken, she can give us points in speed." - -"Will you alter our course and run for it, sir?" asked the chief -officer. - -"Useless," decided Captain Ramshaw, with a shrug of his shoulders. -"If she were a hostile armed merchantman I'd engage her in a running -fight, but she'd blow us out of the water in two minutes. There are -the passengers to consider." - -Rapidly the cruiser approached. She made no attempt to communicate -with wireless, but when within signalling distance she hoisted the -letters E.C. meaning, in the International Code, "What ship is -that?" - -The "Saraband" immediately "made her number" and hoisted her ensign. -By this time the approach of the cruiser had been noticed by the -passengers, whose interest became intense, although they were still -in ignorance of the fact that a state of war existed between Great -Britain and Germany. - -"Thank Heaven!" ejaculated Lymore fervently, as the White Ensign was -hoisted to the masthead of the cruiser, which was, it was remarked, -fully cleared for action. - -"Don't be too cocksure," remonstrated the "old man." - -"She's a British cruiser, sir," protested the chief officer. "One of -the 'Town' class, that I'll swear. There she goes: code flag over -'H,' sir." - -The signal to stop was quickly complied with. Orders were telegraphed -to the engine-room for half-speed astern until the "Saraband" lost -way. The cruiser swung round in a semi-circle and likewise stopped -within two cables' length. A boat was lowered, manned, and rowed -towards the "Saraband." - -"Clear the promenade deck, Mr. Lymore," ordered the captain. -"Request the passengers to go below. Don't give them any reason--let -them think what they jolly well like. Mr. Aubyn, see that the -accommodation ladder is shipped. You will receive the naval officer -and pay him the proper compliments." - -The boarding officer proved to be a youthful lieutenant. Terence -escorted him to the bridge, where he immediately subjected Captain -Ramshaw to a close examination. - -"Have you sighted any German armed merchantmen?" asked the officer, -whose ship, it transpired, was the light cruiser "Padstow." - -"The 'Hertzolf:' that was before war was declared." - -"Have you communicated by wireless with any craft?" - -"Only your ship," replied Captain Ramshaw. "You may remember you -requested us to alter our course and fall in with you in a certain -latitude and longitude." - -"Rather lucky for you that you didn't, then," rejoined the -lieutenant. "We sent out no wireless message. We had good reason to -keep the knowledge of our presence south of Las Palmas a secret. Do -you remember the position?" - -Captain Ramshaw gave the desired information, Chief Officer Lymore -corroborating the statement by a reference to the log-book. - -"It's a decoy message from the 'Hertzolf,'" announced the naval -officer, "she's been particularly active. Sunk the 'Walrus' and 'The -Star of Hope,' and captured two colliers. We're on her track now. If -I were you, Captain Ramshaw, I'd give Las Palmas a wide berth. Coal -at Gib., if you can fetch there with what coal you've on board." - -"Very good, I will," answered the master of the "Saraband." - -Courteously declining an offer of refreshments the lieutenant went -over the side and was rowed back to the "Padstow." Almost before the -boat was hoisted up the cruiser pelted off at twenty-five knots to -attempt to intercept the already too active "Hertzolf." - -It was now no longer necessary in the interests of the ship to -withhold the momentous news of the outbreak of war from the -passengers. Notices were posted on the various saloons, their -appearance being hailed by rousing cheers. Instructions were also -given that in the event of the "Saraband" being chased, the -passengers were to assemble for'ard in such places as would be -pointed out, in order to be as safe as possible from shells from the -pursuing vessel. - -At two bells in the second dog watch the ship's doctor reported to -the captain that von Eckenhardt was sufficiently recovered to be -interrogated. Accordingly Captain Ramshaw, Aubyn, Raeburn, and the -two quartermasters proceeded to the cabin in which the German had -been kept a prisoner. - -"Now, von Eckenhardt, what have you to say in answer to the charge of -conspiring to cripple the vessel?" demanded Captain Ramshaw. - -At the name von Eckenhardt the Teuton started wildly. He had, like -his companion in the outrageous attempt, been completely taken aback. - -"So Slieber has given me away," he exclaimed passionately. "I am not -surprised. Slieber is not a true German. He worked for money. I did -what I could for the sake of the Fatherland. Remember I demand to be -treated as a prisoner of war." - -Captain Ramshaw did not immediately reply. He, too, was taken by -surprise. Von Eckenhardt had blundered badly. He had revealed the -fact that the real name of the greaser who passed under the name of -Stone was Slieber. Also von Eckenhardt was fully aware that a state -of war existed between Great Britain and Germany. He claimed a -similar privilege to that demanded by Slieber, yet the passengers had -been kept in ignorance of the news until half an hour ago. In the -captain's mind there was no doubt that both Germans had received -information from official sources that a rupture was planned to occur -on or about the 4th day of August; and that, even had Great Britain -not delivered her ultimatum, the German Empire would have taken the -initiative almost at the same time as she threw down the gauntlet to -France and Russia. - -"The pair of you have quaint notions concerning the rights of -prisoners of war," remarked Captain Ramshaw. "No doubt they are -perfectly in accord with the views of the German Government, but -unfortunately for you, you are not in uniform. In that case you are -liable to be placed upon your trial as a spy." - -Von Eckenhardt shrugged his shoulders. Although at the moment of -detection he had attempted to put an end to his existence by throwing -himself into the engine-room, it was because he feared summary -vengeance on the part of the officers and men of the "Saraband." Now -that that immediate danger was over he took a calm view of the -situation. Previous experience told him that German spies brought to -trial in England were treated lightly as compared with the severe -punishment meted out in the Fatherland to Englishmen accused of -espionage. - -"I am not a spy," he declared vehemently. - -"That remains to be proved, Major von Eckenhardt," rejoined the "old -man," in his cool, deliberate manner. "At the same time I may as well -express my opinion that, with these documents in the hands of the -public prosecutor, you will have some difficulty to prove to the -contrary," and he held up the bundle of papers he had removed from -the German's cabin. - -Von Eckenhardt's jaw dropped, but only for a moment. Then his teeth -closed together with a snap like those of a rat-trap. He seemed to be -on the point of hurling himself upon the skipper. Then, controlling -himself with an effort:-- - -"There is nothing more for me to say at present," he remarked with a -slight inclination of his head. - -"Very well. You will be under close arrest till we arrive at -Southampton." - -The German smiled sarcastically. Under his breath, just loud enough -for his captor to hear, he muttered "Perhaps." - -Captain Ramshaw resisted the inclination to answer. Obviously the -taunt was meant as an insult. More, it suggested the possibility that -hostile commerce destroyers had marked the "Saraband" with her -precious cargo as a most desirable prey. Without another word he left -the cabin, signing to the quartermasters to double-lock the steel -door. - -The captain was convinced that he had made an important capture. From -the documents found in von Eckenhardt's cabin it was clear that the -prisoner was a major in the Prussian Guards, and that he had been -detailed for secret service to report upon the military and political -situation in South Africa. Von Eckenhardt's instructions were written -in guarded language and signed by the initial X. Captain Ramshaw had -yet to learn who the mysterious X was, and the most important part he -played in the extensive and highly active espionage system fostered -by the Government of the German Empire. - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - -AN OCEAN DUEL. - - -THE new course taken by the "Saraband" was in accordance with the -instructions given by the lieutenant of H.M.S. "Padstow." Avoiding -Las Palmas the vessel made for the African coast, making a landfall -in the neighbourhood of Cape Verd. Thence by a judicious use of his -coal, and by hugging the shore as close as possible without risk of -grounding on the outlying shoals, Captain Ramshaw hoped to bring his -command safely into Gibraltar. - -At nights all lights were screened. Board of Trade regulations in the -matter of the use of navigation lamps were deliberately ignored. The -"Saraband," at a steady seventeen knots, forged blindly ahead through -the black waters. - -During this anxious period Captain Ramshaw rarely quitted the bridge. -If he did so it was only for a few minutes. When compelled by the -demands of nature to rest, he slept on a deck-chair in the -chart-room, ready at an instant's notice to give orders for the -safety of the ship. - -On the second night after the meeting of the "Padstow" the -quartermaster had just reported four bells--the actual ringing had -been dispensed with as a matter of precaution--when a wireless S.O.S. -call was received. - -It was Terence Aubyn's watch. Promptly the young officer informed the -skipper of the call--a summons for aid that is never ignored by the -vessels that are within range of wireless. - -"S.O.S. call, sir; H.Q.C.P. reports being in collision with a -derelict--lat. 22°5'10" N., long. 15°50'20" W." - -The thought flashed through the "old man's" mind that the message -might be a decoy; yet the claims of humanity urged him to alter -course and steam at full speed to the rescue. - -Meanwhile Aubyn had referred to the "British Code List," in which he -found that the signal letters H.Q.C.P. denoted the SS. "Corona," of -West Hartlepool, of 2576 registered tonnage and of 720 horse-power. -The "Corona," he knew, was a tramp engaged in running between the -Tyne Ports and the Gold Coast. - -Captain Ramshaw gave no inkling of the doubt that existed in his -mind. He immediately ordered the "Saraband" to be steered towards the -position indicated, although he would not allow the wireless to be -made use of in order to acquaint the distressed vessel that help was -forthcoming. This was one of the steps he took to guard against the -base misuse of the hitherto inviolate S.O.S. call. In addition, as -previously, the guns' crews stood by their two powerful weapons. - -Hour after hour passed as the "Saraband" sped on her errand of mercy. -Fitfully the S.O.S. was received as if the ill-fated crew of the -"Corona," despairing at not having news that their message had been -picked up, were still calling for aid from passing vessels. - -Down below McBride's staff was working heroically. The firemen, -stripped to the waist, were shovelling coal with rapid yet dexterous -haste. Stoking is an art: it requires more than merely piling fuel -into the furnaces; but there was no lack of capability on the part of -the "Saraband's" stokehold staff. Quickly the old boat worked up to -her maximum speed. - -"Light on the port bow, sir," sung out the mastheadman. "Red flame -throwing out red stars." - -"That's the 'Corona' then," declared the "old man." "Starboard your -helm, quartermaster: keep her at that. Mr. Lymore, see that the -cutter is cleared away." - -"Ay, ay, sir," replied the chief officer. - -The signal of distress flare was calculated to be seen from twelve to -fourteen miles off In three-quarters of an hour the "Saraband" would -be on the spot, by which time daylight would have dawned. - -As the distance decreased the frequent flares could be observed from -the bridge of the "Saraband." Anxiously the officers brought their -night-glasses to bear upon the scene, as the dull patch of ruddy -light rose higher and higher above the horizon. - -"It's a four-masted vessel, sir!" exclaimed Terence. "The 'Corona' -has only two. She looks to be about six thousand tons displacement." - -"By Jove, you're, right Mr. Aubyn!" said the "old man." "Hard a-port, -quartermaster. It's a ruse." - -The steam steering-gear snorted as the helm flew hard over. Listing -heavily outwards as she swung round the "Saraband" sought to avoid -the danger. Alarmed by the sudden heel several of the passengers -rushed from below. - -"Reassure these people and send them to their cabins," ordered -Captain Ramshaw, addressing his third officer. "Stand by----" - -A vivid flash burst from the supposed disabled ship, and a shell, -hurtling a cable's length astern on the now fleeing "Saraband" -announced the stranger in her true colours. She was a German armed -liner. Her keen lookout had detected the phosphorescent swirl from -the bows of the British vessel as she swung to starboard. - -The peremptory greeting was quickly followed by a wireless order:-- - -"Heave-to, or I'll sink you. Disconnect your wireless. Stand by to -receive a boat." - -To this demand Captain Ramshaw paid no attention. His true British -blood was up. As long as he could run and fight he would keep the Old -Flag flying. - -With the whole of her fabric trembling under the vibrations of her -powerful engines the "Saraband" began her bid for safety. The -passengers, according to previous instructions, were ordered forward, -while the stewards calmly went about distributing life-belts, at the -same time assuring the more timorous of their charges that the -procedure was merely a matter of precaution. - -From her wireless-room messages were sent for aid from any British -cruisers likely to be in the vicinity, while at the same time -warnings were issued for all merchantmen to avoid the danger that now -threatened the hard-pressed "Saraband." - -For hard-pressed she certainly was. When day broke the German liner, -identified as the 25-knot "Osnabruck," was now five miles astern. In -spite of her supposed superior speed she was not doing her best, -although her two huge funnels were belching out enormous clouds of -black smoke. - -That she was prepared for the work of destruction there was no doubt. -Her black hull, white deck houses, and lofty yellow funnels had been -repainted a neutral grey. For'ard she mounted two guns, while the -muzzles of several others could be discovered trained abeam. - -She was steadily gaining. Shells from her guns were ricochetting on -either side of the fleeing "Saraband," throwing up columns of spray -fifty feet into the air. - -"You'll have to do better than that, my friend," said the "old man" -grimly. The spirit of fight--the old Bersark strain in his blood--was -strong within him. But for his passengers he would have risked an -engagement. As it was, he had to run for it, but he meant to show -that even a British merchantman could show her teeth. - -Meanwhile, Terence Aubyn had made his way aft to take charge of the -starboard quarter 4.7-in. gun, the other one being under the orders -of the third officer, a hot-blooded Irishman, named O'Reilly, who -could hardly prevent himself from giving a premature order to open -fire. - -"Let her have it: at six thousand yards," came the order from the -bridge. - -Both guns spoke simultaneously. Almost before the powerful weapons -had recovered from the recoil, which was taken up by the hydraulic -mountings, the breech blocks were thrown open and another shell in a -gleaming brass cylinder was thrust into each gun. - -"A hit, sir!" shouted one of the gun's crews, for even with the naked -eye a dense haze of yellow smoke was seen to be enveloping the fore -part of the "Osnabruck." - -Whatever the damage it did not compel the German vessel to cease -pursuit. Soon her grey outlines were observed to be emerging from the -mist of smoke that partly hid her from view. Spurts of yellow flame, -stabbing the early morning air, showed that her bow guns were still -in action. - -An appalling crash, outvoicing the simultaneous barks of the British -guns, denoted the disconcerting fact that one, at least, of the -hostile projectiles had "got home." - -Pungent fumes drifted aft; splinters, hurled high in the air, began -to fall all around the gun's crews. - -"Steady, men, steady!" shouted Aubyn encouragingly, for some of the -crew were attracted by the sound and were endeavouring to ascertain -the result of the havoc. "Never mind that. Keep at it." - -Even as he spoke the "Saraband" swung round quite fifteen degrees to -port, thus exposing her length and lofty freeboard to the German -vessel. The gunners of the latter were not slow to take advantage. -One shell crashed through the side amidships, just above the -water-line, and completely wrecked the passengers' third-class -dining-room. Fortunately, owing to Captain Ramshaw's precautions, -this part of the ship was unoccupied. - -A second shell, ricochetting a hundred yards off, leapt up and -wrecked the after-funnel, causing dense volumes of smoke to eddy -along the alleyways. - -The first projectile that hit the "Saraband" was responsible for the -damage done by the other two. Bursting underneath the bridge it -demolished that structure, sending the breastwork of sacks of flour -far and wide like an avalanche. - -Captain Ramshaw and Chief Officer Lymore were both flung from the -crumbling structure on to the cargo hatch abaft the foremost. -Fortunately beyond being considerably shaken, they were not seriously -hurt, but with the destruction of the bridge the steam steering-gear -was affected, and this caused the "Saraband" to begin to circle to -port. - -Although partly dazed by the fall, the "old man," with a true -seaman's instinctive sense, knew that the ship was fairly off her -course. Staggering to his feet he made his way across the chaotic -pile of flour-sacks, many of which had been ripped open by fragments -of shell, and ordered the hand steering-gear to be manned. In five -minutes the "Saraband" was once more under control, although the -demolition of one of her funnels and the consequent reduction of -draft caused an appreciable diminution in speed. - -While the ship was broadside on to the enemy the gun under Aubyn's -orders was temporarily out of action. It could not be trained upon -the "Osnabruck" without a serious risk of injury to the second gun's -crew by the blast from the weapon. - -It was indeed fortunate that while in this position she was not sent -to the bottom. According to the rules of naval strategy and tactics -she ought to have been, were it not for the indifferent aim of the -German gun-layers. - -On the other hand, the British 4.7-in. guns were getting in hit after -hit with admirable precision. Already the "Osnabruck's" upper works -appeared to be a mass of scrap iron. Fires had broken out in several -places, yet she held grimly in pursuit, under the erroneous -impression that the few shells she did get home would terrorise the -"Saraband" into surrendering. - -Presently the fourth officer's gun made a splendid hit. Striking the -German vessel's bows almost on the water-line the shell made a clean -hole before exploding. When it did the damage in the confined space -was terrific. Her thin bow plates were burst outwards, while the -for'ard watertight bulkhead was strained till it admitted the sea -like a mill sluice. - -A cheer broke from the parched lips of the "Saraband's" crew. Her -antagonist was settling down by the head. Her speed slackened -rapidly. Her engines were going half-speed astern in the hope of -checking the inrush of water. - -"She's done for, sir!" exclaimed Terence excitedly, as Chief Officer -Lymore, his face and clothes mottled with flour and smoke, came aft. - -"Ay, she's settled with," agreed Lymore grimly. "Cease firing. It's -no use wasting ammunition." - -"If only we would slow down and pepper her till she surrenders," -declared Terence, the lust of battle in his heart. - -"She will, right enough," said the chief officer consolingly. "We've -our passengers to consider. The 'old man' is going to take the ship -out of range and wait. We'll have to pick up the survivors somehow, -but there isn't a boat that won't leak like a sieve." - -Such, indeed, was the case. Those of the boats that were not -shattered by direct hits or holed by flying fragments of shell, were -so utterly strained by the concussion as to be unfit for use. Already -the carpenter's crew were setting to work, caulking the gaping seams -of the boats which seemed likely to be used for the forthcoming work -of rescue. - -When well out of range, the "Saraband" swung round and stopped, her -bows pointing in the direction of the foundering "Osnabruck," that -appeared to be little more than a dot upon the horizon. By the aid of -glasses brought to bear upon the scene, the German vessel was -observed to be listing slightly to starboard and very much down by -the head. All her upper works were hidden by a thick cloud of smoke. - -Meanwhile, Captain Ramshaw took up his position on the boat-deck, -owing to the demolition of the bridge. Here receiving reports from -various officers concerning the amount of damage done to the ship and -giving brief and concise orders as to what was to be done, he was as -busy as ever he had been in the whole course of his thirty-odd years -at sea. - -Now that the danger was over the passengers were allowed to leave -their cramped quarters, and, subject to certain restrictions, allowed -to make use of most of the decks. One, a short, pompouslooking -individual, holding a camera, boldly approached the skipper. - -"I say, Captain Ramshaw," he began in a high, affected voice, "don't -you think you could take us a little nearer, so as to get a view of -the object of our triumph? The sinking ship would be a unique object -to snapshot, don't you think?" - -The "old man" showed not the slightest sign of annoyance or surprise -at the interruption. - -"My dear sir," he replied affably, "would you put your fingers -within snapping range of a mad dog, even if the animal were chained -up and dying? I think not. Yonder vessel will bark as long as the -muzzles of her guns are above water. Remember, sir, that this is the -real thing, and that we are up against an enemy that we cannot afford -to underestimate. I am sorry that I cannot comply with your request." - -The passenger went away. Captain Ramshaw and the chief officer -exchanged glances. The latter uttered a short laugh. - -"I think if I'd been in your place, sir, I would have booted him out -of it," declared Lymore. - -"So I should have done," rejoined the skipper, "if I had been in my -own place--but I'm not. I'm an employee of the Company, and have to -study their interests. By Jove, Lymore, we do look a pair of -ragamuffins! Talk about the dignity of the Company's uniform! But I -wouldn't have missed the fun for a thousand pounds." - -Captain Ramshaw was as elated as a young subaltern who had donned -uniform for the first time. He had reason to be so. He had fought -against considerable odds, and had come out "top dog." It was but -one of many instances where the peaceful British mercantile marine -officer shows that the training he has had amid the perils of the sea -can be utilized as a powerful asset to the armed strength of the -Empire upon whose banner the sun never sets. - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - -VON ECKENHARDT SCORES. - - -"SHE'S surrendered, sir; she's hoisted the white flag," shouted the -crow's-nest man. - -Ordering full speed ahead, Captain Ramshaw directed a course to be -steered for the sinking "Osnabruck." While the carpenter and his men -were still working feverishly in the boats, others of the crew were -preparing lifelines and getting life-buoys ready to throw to the -luckless wretches who, up till half an hour ago, had done their -utmost to send the "Saraband" and her passengers and crew to "Davy -Jones' Locker." - -Rapidly the foundering vessel came clearer and clearer into view. -Already her fo'c'sle was awash. Her crew had mustered aft, waiting -for the final plunge; there was not one of her boats that was not -rendered useless by the straight firing of the two 4.7-in. guns of -her antagonist. - -"By Jove, those fellows are brave and disciplined!" remarked Lymore, -who was standing close to Terence. "Germany has a comparatively new -navy, without any of the glorious traditions that ours has; yet----" - -"They copy us, as much as possible, in that respect," added Aubyn. "I -believe the Kaiser had the story of our 'Birkenhead' printed and -distributed amongst his fleet as an example of what they ought to do -in the face of death. Look, there she goes." - -Quietly, without any suspicion of a swirl, the sea closed over the -ill-fated "Osnabruck." She did not turn turtle. In fact, she partly -righted herself as she disappeared, leaving a pall of smoke that -obscured the awful vision of two hundred human beings struggling for -life, to mark the spot where she took her last plunge. - -Fortunately the sea was calm and the water warm. The cannonading had -frightened away the tigers of the deep, so that the terrible danger -of being seized by sharks was not added to the horrors of the scene. -All around the surface was dotted with the heads of men swimming for -dear life. Many of the German sailors were supporting their wounded -comrades. They swam in silence, neither indulging in careless jest -nor appealing for aid. They were too stolid to meet danger with the -light-hearted bravery of the British tars; they were too confident in -their belief that their enemies would do their utmost to save them to -waste their breath in shouting for help. - -The three boats were lowered almost simultaneously, and urged by the -powerful strokes of the oarsmen as they bent to the ash blades, were -quickly upon the scene. Men were hauled into the boats with all -possible despatch, the officers in charge giving their crews special -orders to pick up those who were wounded and exhausted. - -Other Germans were saved by lifelines, while in several instances -members of the "Saraband's" crew dived overboard from a height of -thirty feet to rescue hapless Teutons who were on the point of -sinking. - -In all, eleven officers and one hundred and sixteen men, most of them -partly dazed by the ordeal through which they had passed, were saved. -F Provided with dry clothing by their captors, the officers were -marched aft and placed under lock and key in the second-class -passengers' smoking-room, while the men, save those whose state -required medical or surgical attention, were secured in the fore part -of the ship. - -The German officers took their defeat badly. They had been informed -of the "Saraband's" approximate position by wireless from their -consort, the armed liner "Hertzolf," and had hoped to make an easy -capture. Nor could they credit that the casualties on the British -vessel numbered only eight men slightly wounded. They scoffed openly -at the statement, till Captain Ramshaw, indignant that his word -should be doubted, invited the German commander to witness a muster -of the crew and compare the numbers with those on the ship's papers. - -Without further incident the "Saraband" arrived at the Rock. Here, -escorted by a naval vessel, since Gibraltar was under war conditions, -she went inside the Mole and coaled. Temporary repairs, beyond the -resources of the ship, were also carried out. The authorities, -however, declined to take off the German prisoners, nor would they -allow any of the passengers to land. - -Four days later the "Saraband" brought up in Sandown Bay, off the -Isle of Wight--the recognized "Examination Ground" for all merchant -vessels making for either Portsmouth or Southampton. Here she was -boarded by a naval officer who was detailed to pilot her through the -intricate channel between the submarine defences of Spithead. In -war-time nothing was left to chance in the safeguarding of the -kingdom's greatest naval port. No vessels were permitted to enter by -the Needles Channel. All movements of craft other than naval were -forbidden to take place after dark, while at night the approaches to -the historic anchorage were swept by dozens of powerful searchlights. - -Terence Aubyn was naturally curious to know in what capacity he was -to be employed by the Admiralty. He knew that with the calling up of -the naval reserve he would for the time being sever his connexion -with the Red Band Line. He hoped he would be appointed to a -battleship or cruiser. - -He was not long left in suspense. As the ship rounded the Nab -Lightship her orders were received:-- - -"Make for Southampton and disembark passengers: then proceed to -Portsmouth. 'Saraband' is to be converted with all due haste into an -armed merchant cruiser." - -No patriotic demonstrations, no outbursts of cheering greeted the -badly battered vessel as, under reduced speed, she glided up the -land-locked Southampton Water and made fast alongside the dock-wall. -Save for a gang of stevedores and the mooring-party the docks were -absolutely devoid of the civilian element. Khaki and naval uniforms -were strongly in evidence, for the great commercial port had been -given over entirely for warlike purposes, chiefly in connexion with -the secret departure of the British Expeditionary Force. - -Almost five hundred years previously an English army had embarked at -that self-same town to wage a glorious campaign on French soil. -Fifteen hundred small vessels, bedecked with banners, their lofty -bulwarks lined with the shields of the flower of English chivalry, -carried the array commanded by Henry V in person. With shouts and -fanfares of trumpets and amid the acclamations of the worthy -townsfolk, the fleet dropped down Southampton Water, bearing the -knights, men-at-arms, and archers who were destined to win immortal -glory on the field of Agincourt. - -And now history was repeating itself--but with a difference. The -forces of the Mighty Empire were once more leaving Southampton for -the land of France: not as enemies of that country but as sworn -allies against a common, powerful, and unscrupulous foe. These forces -were working silently. There were no boisterous farewells, no braying -of brass bands, no flamboyant speeches. The silent armies meant -business. - -Berthed in a secluded portion of the docks the "Saraband" immediately -began to disembark her passengers. A train was waiting to take them -away from the scene of military activity, for the sooner they were -out of the way the quicker was the Embarkation Officer pleased. Then -came the turn of the survivors of the "Osnabruck." - -At the dock-side a strong body of khaki troops with fixed bayonets -was drawn up, ready to form an escort to the prisoners. Two closed -cabs were waiting for Major Karl von Eckenhardt and his confederate, -Hans Slieber, who were to be indicted on several counts before a -civil court. - -The German sailors, finding that they were well treated, gave no -trouble. In a quiet, orderly manner they trooped down the gangway and -formed up in fours. In spite of their nondescript garments they -presented a military bearing that characterizes the German seaman -whether he be a member of the Imperial Navy or of the Mercantile -Marine. One and all were permeated by the cast-iron discipline that -is one of the results of a rigid system of conscription. - -Surrounded by their guards they were marched off to cool their heels -in a concentration camp. - -"Now, Mr. Aubyn," said Captain Ramshaw, after the captive seamen had -departed, "take the quartermaster with you and accompany these -gentlemen." - -He pointed to the four police officers who had been detailed to -conduct the German spies to prison. - -"We'll soon relieve you of further responsibility, sir," remarked one -of the police. "According to information these gentlemen have caused -a lot of trouble: I reckon they won't do so again, once we've laid -hold of them." - -"I won't be sorry to see the last of them," agreed Terence. "I only -hope I shan't be kept about in connexion with the trial. I want to be -afloat again." - -The quartermaster unlocked the door of the cell in which Hans -Slieber, alias Stone, was confined. The man sullenly submitted to be -handcuffed; then, escorted by two of the police, was taken on deck. - -"You didn't keep your two birds together, I see," commented one of -the remaining officers. - -"Rather not," replied Aubyn. "The two of them might put their heads -together and do mischief. Alone, each can be kept in perfect safety. -Now, quartermaster." - -The quartermaster unlocked the door of the cabin in which Major von -Eckenhardt had been placed. Then he gave a gasp of astonishment. The -room was empty. - -Unable to disguise his chagrin Terence dashed into the cabin, -followed by the two police officers. - -"It's as clear as daylight how he managed it," announced one of the -representatives of the law, pointing to a portion of the steel -bulkhead that lay on the floor. An oval section, wide enough for a -man to crawl through, had been filed out of the partition. The -aperture communicated with the second-class passengers' smoking-room -in which the surviving officers of the "Osnabruck" had been -quartered. Von Eckenhardt had been released from his place of -confinement by them. Once in their company he shaved off his -moustache and donned a naval uniform. Since some of the prisoners -wore civilian garb, it was a comparatively easy matter for the spy to -march out of the ship with the others. - -"Anyway, we'll nab him at the concentration camp," declared one of -the policemen confidently. "I'm afraid, sir, you'll be one of those -who will have to identify him." - -"If you can manage to stop the train you'll save me a lot of bother," -declared Terence. "I must inform Captain Ramshaw at once." - -Acting upon the fourth officer's suggestion the police succeeded in -intercepting the train before it got clear of the docks. The German -officers were closely inspected, but without result. By means of an -astounding sang-froid the redoubtable spy, von Eckenhardt, had -slipped past the guards while the prisoners were entraining, and was -no doubt well on his way to liberty, and, what was worse, to renew -his activities against the British Government. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - -THE DUTCH TRAWLER. - - -FOR the next five weeks workmen were toiling day and night upon the -"Saraband," from the moment she arrived at Portsmouth Dockyard. - -A clean sweep was made of her sumptuous cabin fittings. The white -enamelled woodwork of the promenade and boat-decks was ruthlessly -"scrapped." Over the engine and boiler-rooms a protective steel deck -was built, while light armour, sufficient to stop any hostile shell -from the light guns of the German commerce destroyers, was placed in -position round the water-line, and also in other important and -otherwise vulnerable parts of the ship. - -In addition to the two 4.7-in. guns already carried four more of the -same calibre were provided, two on the fo'c'sle and two amidships, -while on the promenade-deck four twelve-pounders were mounted behind -armoured shields. Finally the ship from truck to water-line was -painted a neutral grey; her name was changed, and under the White -Ensign appeared in the Navy List as H.M. Armed Merchant Cruiser -"Strongbow." - -During that six weeks Sub-Lieutenant Terence Aubyn, R.N.R., had been -far from idle. In company with the rest of the ship's deck officers -he had been sent to Whale Island, the Naval Gunnery School, to -undergo a rapid though none the less thorough preliminary course of -gunnery. Aubyn simply revelled in the work. Gunlaying, position -finding, gunnery control, both in theory and practice, kept him hard -at it, and when the examination took place he came off with flying -colours, somewhat to the astonishment and great satisfaction of the -authorities, who had hitherto regarded the R. N. R. officers in a -rather tolerant spirit. - -Just before the date fixed for commissioning H.M.S. "Strongbow" -Terence was accorded weekend leave--from three o'clock on Friday to -nine a.m. on Monday. Needless to say he employed the time by paying a -visit to his home. - -Mrs. Aubyn lived in a picturesque little house on the East Coast, -between Caistor and Yarmouth, standing within fifty yards of the low -cliffs. The house had been designed by Captain Aubyn, who did not -live long to enjoy his well-earned retirement. It was a low rambling -building. Over the two end rooms was a flat roof, accessible by means -of a "hatchway." This was the worthy captain's "quarter-deck," on -which was mounted on a tripod a powerful telescope. There was also a -flagstaff set at a rake from the centre of the side wall. From this -staff Captain Aubyn regularly hoisted the ensign at the regulation -hour, hauling it down at sunset. This he did regularly until a few -days before his death. In one of the rooms under the flat roof was a -semicircular projection, pierced with several small windows that -commanded an extensive marine view. This room the captain was wont to -dub the "casemate." - -People in the neighbourhood were apt to regard the house as the -output of a somewhat eccentric mind; but it was rather the result of -a life-long career in various ships of the Royal Navy, and so strong -were the traits of the service that Captain Aubyn introduced them as -far as possible into his private life. Whenever his friends rallied -him up on the subject of "Aubyn's Battery" the captain smiled -complacently. The reference pleased him far more than his -acquaintances were aware. - -Terence Aubyn's irregular and hasty visits were always a source of -deep pleasure to his mother. In his breezy way the lad would take his -parent by storm, converting her usually quiet existence into a brief -round of excitement. - -It was after eleven o'clock at night when the sub. reached Yarmouth. -He had previously wired to the effect that he would be home, as -quickly as the unpunctual train service would permit. - -Once clear of the town Terence set off at a steady swinging pace -along the Denes. Several times he was challenged by patrols, -incidents that served to remind him that war was close at home. He -vaguely wondered whether such precautions were necessary, with the -Grand Fleet holding the North Sea and keeping every German warship -skulking in harbour. It seemed so unreal, even with vast armies -fighting on the Continent, and the sound of their guns almost within -hearing distance of Dover, that the peaceful Norfolk coast should -have to be protected against possible raids. - -At length Aubyn reached the commencement of the cliff path. It was a -starry night, sufficiently light to enable him to follow the -well-known track without risk of blundering over the edge of the -miniature precipice on to the sands twenty feet below. - -After a mile or so the path skirted a slight indentation of the -cliff. As Terence passed this spot he saw a light flash at the bottom -of the hollow. Then the gleam vanished. - -In the starlight Terence could discern the figure of a man. In spite -of the chilliness of the night air he wore no overcoat. He was -standing motionless, with his back towards the sub. - -"The fellow's dropped something," soliloquised Aubyn. "I'll go and -bear a hand." - -The sand muffled his footsteps till he was within ten yards of the -stranger. Hearing the sound the man faced about and flashed an -electric torch upon the ground. - -"Lost something, sir?" asked Terence affably. "Can I help you?" - -"My pipe," returned the other. "It must have fallen out of my -pocket." - -The voice seemed strangely familiar, yet the sub. could not call the -owner to memory. - -"You live about here, I presume?" asked Aubyn. "I think I recognize -your voice----" - -The next moment he uttered an involuntary cry of pain and clasped his -hand to his eyes. The stranger had suddenly thrown a handful of some -burning substance straight into the young officer's face. - -For some moments Terence stood still, with his hands up to his face. -The pain was excruciating. He could do nothing, but he could hear the -footsteps of the rascal as he ran from the scene of his dastardly -work. - -"The brute has thrown quicklime in my eyes," thought the sub. "I'll -have to find my way to the sea and try to save my sight. Good -heavens!" - -Like a flash he now recognized the voice. It was that of the spy, -Major Karl von Eckenhardt. - -Gradually Aubyn made his way down the gently shelving sands, guided -by the murmurs of the waves breaking on shore. Before he had gone -many yards he gave vent to a prodigious sneeze, quickly followed by -another. - -"That's luck indeed," muttered the young officer. "It isn't lime -after all; it's pepper." - -Presently the involuntary flow of tears cleared the irritating grains -from his eyes, and though they still smarted terribly he was now able -to see. In addition a veil had been lifted from before his mental -vision: hitherto rather sceptical concerning the reports of German -spies on the East Coast he was no longer in doubt on that score. - -There was also another aspect to the situation. Perhaps von -Eckenhardt had learnt the home address of the young officer who had -materially assisted in thwarting his designs upon the "Saraband." -Motives of revenge may have brought the German hither, possibly to -strike a blow at Aubyn through his parent. Terence tried to dismiss -the suggestion as absurd, but the presentiment grew upon him. He -resolved to get his mother to move into either Yarmouth or Norwich at -the first opportunity. - -Thus reasoning Terence retraced his steps. He meant to inform the -nearest patrol of what had occurred, and if the telegraph and -telephone could be pressed into immediate service the spy ought to be -apprehended before morning. - -"'Alt. Who goes there?" - -"Friend!" replied Terence promptly. - -"Rummy time of night to be taking a constitutional," commented the -sentry, stepping from the shelter afforded by a clump of furze; then -recognizing Aubyn's naval cap and great-coat-- - -"Beg pardon, sir," he said apologetically. - -"Have you seen anyone else pass this way recently?" demanded Terence. - -"No, sir; not during the last three-quarters of an hour. Is anything -wrong, sir? - -"I stumbled across a fellow using a flash lamp." - -"I wish I had, sir," declared the sentry, a smart young Territorial. -"Just my luck I didn't. If I had----" and he tapped the magazine of -his rifle significantly. - -All thoughts of making his way home had vanished from Aubyn's mind. -The demands of duty completely eclipsed the call of home. He hastened -back to Yarmouth and reported the matter to the naval authorities. - -Energetic steps were taken to capture the daring spy. Telegraph and -telephone were resorted to, verbal descriptions being transmitted to -all police stations in the vicinity, while orders were issued to the -Territorial troops guarding the railway stations to exercise -particular vigilance in this direction. - -It was also equally desirable to ascertain the vessel or vessels to -whom von Eckenhardt was signalling, and a number of small craft was -despatched to search Yarmouth Roads and an area bounded by imaginary -lines drawn through the Would, Smith's Knoll, Cross Sands, and Corton -Lights. - -By this time Aubyn had given up all idea of going home that night. -Rather than disturb his parent by knocking at the door at an -unearthly hour of the morning, he decided to crave the hospitality of -the naval officers attached to the Yarmouth base. - -"Hello, Aubyn, old chap! what brings you in these parts?" asked a -tall, broad-shouldered man in the uniform of a sub-lieutenant of the -Motor Boat Reserve. - -Terence looked keenly at his questioner. He was mystified, and the -officer keenly enjoyed his discomfiture. - -"You have the advantage of me," said Aubyn. - -"What. You don't remember Dick Waynsford? Come, come, that's base -ingratitude." - -"Well, old chap, if you will shave off that inelegant moustache of -yours--congratulations, old man." - -Dick Waynsford was a yachtsman who on the outbreak of the war had -applied for and had been given a commission in the newly formed Motor -Boat Reserve. His intimate knowledge of the intricate harbours and -creeks of the Suffolk and Essex coasts, combined with a strong liking -for the sea, made him fully qualified for the post. - -In Yarmouth Harbour were a dozen or so weatherly motor-boats, whose -duty it was to act as tenders for the fleet in the Roads, and to -undertake patrolling work. At all hours and in almost every state of -the weather these staunch little craft could be seen as they sped -upon their various duties. Unthinking people regarded the Motor Boat -Reserve as a soft job--an opportunity to wear His Majesty's uniform -and at the same time to be out of any possibility of danger. They had -yet to learn that the war was to be brought actually to the shores of -Old England, which they had hitherto considered impregnable. Then the -slighted "harbour patrol" boats would have their chance. - -"Have a run out with us, Aubyn?" suggested Waynsford. "We've just -had orders to look for a suspicious trawler--possibly the one to -which your friend the spy was signalling. Since you have partly -spoiled the game you may just as well see the end of it." - -"Right-o," assented Terence. "Lead on." - -Aubyn followed his friend to the quayside. Here, floating idly on the -dark waters of the tidal river, were four motor-boats, each painted a -dark grey and distinguished by a number on the bows, their outlines -feebly discernible by the feeble light of a partly shaded light on -the wharf. - -"That's my packet--the 'Lonette,'" announced Waynsford, indicating -the outermost of the tier. "Mind that ladder: it's horribly -slippery." - -"Fine little craft," declared Terence enthusiastically, as he stepped -into the diminutive cockpit of the motor-boat. - -"Yes, I'm lucky to get her. One of the swiftest of the whole crowd, -and a ripping sea-boat. Cast off there!" he ordered, addressing the -two deckhands, who with the engineer constituted the crew of the -"Lonette." - -Five minutes later the "Lonette" was gliding over the sullen -undulations of the North Sea, shaping a course towards the N.E. -Cockle buoy, marking the edge of a dangerous bank. - -A cable's length astern followed the "Pixie," another armed -motor-boat detailed to act in consort with the craft under -Waynsford's command. Neither vessel showed navigation lights, their -position being determined by the phosphorescent swirl as they cut -through the water. Overhead the stars shone dully, for a slight haze -was beginning to gather. - -Suddenly a dark shape loomed up in the darkness--an object that -resolved itself into a large unwieldy lighter attended by a small tug -which was lashed alongside. - -"Shifting the buoys," explained Waynsford laconically. - -"Shifting?" inquired Terence. "Surely you mean removing them -altogether." - -"Not much," replied his companion. "We've had orders to shift the -whole lot two miles to the east'ard. Should any of these rotten -German cruisers dare to come out--I don't fancy they will, worse -luck--the altered position of these buoys will puzzle them a bit: -unless your friend Eckenhardt has already signalled the fact to an -enemy vessel." - -Five minutes later the two patrol vessels ran across a number of -trawlers making their way to Yarmouth. These there was no need to -stop and examine. Their bona-fides were above suspicion, especially -as a long, lean destroyer was steaming slowly in their wake. - -For the next two hours the "Lonette" and the "Pixie" cruised between -the Newarp and the Cross Sands without sighting a suspicious craft. -It was now nearly dawn. - -"Sleepy?" inquired Waynsford, as Aubyn stifled a yawn. "Have a caulk -in the cabin: you'll find the cushions fairly comfortable, and they -were well aired this morning--yesterday morning, I mean." - -"Thanks, I'll stick it," replied Terence. "It's been a fairly long -day, but one must get used to it." - -"Trawler, or some such craft on the starboard bow, sir," announced -one of the "Lonette's" crew. "She's showing no lights." - -Waynsford immediately altered helm; the skipper of the -"Pixie", quickly followed suit, and the two motor-boats slowed down, -one on each quarter of the trawler, whose nets were out. - -"Trawler, ahoy. What ship is that?" shouted Waynsford. - -"Dis de 'Vanhuit' of Scheveningen, Hollander trawler," replied a -voice in broken English. "We goot way outside dree mile limit, -mynheer." - -"Stand by with a rope, then," rejoined the skipper of the "Lonette." -"We want to have a look at you." - -Somewhat reluctantly the Dutchman threw a coil of rope, the end of -which the bowman of the "Lonette" deftly made fast to a bollard. The -"Pixie" remained a boat's length or so off. - -"May as well come, Aubyn," suggested Waynsford. "A little exercise -won't do you any harm." The two subs, followed by one of the crew, -swarmed up the tarry side of the trawler and gained the deck. - -The strange craft was of about forty tons displacement, with a -considerable amount of sheer and ample beam. Steam was escaping -gently through the steam-pipe, while a faint wreath of smoke drifted -from her squat funnel. - -"Why no lights?" inquired Waynsford. - -"Accident, mynheer ver' bad accident," replied the Dutchman -apologetically. "See you here." - -He led the way for'ard. On the fo'c'sle were two burly fishermen -holding the remains of two lanterns. - -"Forestay halliard him part," explained the master. "Lights, dey come -down wit a run an' broke to pieces. - -"Then the sooner you send another pair of lamps aloft the better," -remarked Waynsford. "Now let's have a look round below." - -The Dutch skipper led the way. Aubyn lingered on the fo'c'sle. His -quick eye detected something that his comrade had overlooked. The -lanterns had obviously pitched on the deck, but there were no signs -of oil being spilled. - -At the head of the little companion ladder Waynsford paused to see if -Aubyn were following. The Dutchman had already disappeared. - -"Where's Mr. Aubyn?" asked the skipper of the "Lonette," addressing -his deck-hand. - -"For'ard, sir," replied that worthy. "I can just make him out in the -dark." - -"Coming below, Aubyn?" asked Waynsford, raising his voice. - -"Hold hard, I want to get something out of 'Lonette's' cabin," -replied Terence. - -Curiosity prompted Waynsford to delay his visit below. Going for'ard -he met Aubyn, who was making his way aft. - -"There's something queer about this craft," remarked Terence -hurriedly. "I'm going to smuggle myself on board, if you don't find -anything sufficiently suspicious to justify her detention. So if you -don't see me when you come on deck again, don't wait, but push off, -and come back for me in a couple of hours' time. If you can get in -touch with a destroyer, so much the better." - -"Right-o," assented Waynsford. He was perfectly willing to allow -Terence to put his plan into execution, but at the same time, his -suspicions aroused, he meant to do his level best to find sufficient -evidence to place the Dutch trawler under arrest. Extreme caution was -necessary, since he had been specially warned not to commit anything -that could be construed by a neutral state into an unfriendly act. - -Without another word Waynsford descended to the cabin. With rough -courtesy the Dutch skipper produced his papers, at the same time -offering the boarding-officer a glass of schnapps--an invitation that -was firmly yet kindly declined. - -"Your papers are quite in order," announced the sub. "Perhaps you -have no objection to my looking round?" - -"I no objec'," declared the Dutch skipper. - -Although his suspicions were aroused Sub-Lieutenant Waynsford had no -fear of treachery. One of his men had accompanied him below, while in -the interval a deck-hand from the "Pixie" had scrambled up the side -and was pacing the "Vanhuit's" planks. The engine-room, fo'c'sle, -fish-holds, and storerooms were each in turn visited, but there was -apparently nothing to give rise to any question that the vessel was -anything but a harmless trawler. - -At length Waynsford made his way on deck. The two fishermen on the -fo'c'sle were still devoting their attention to the damaged lamps. -Another was leaning over the low bulwark and engaging in conversation -in a queer sort of English with the crew of the "Pixie." - -"Thanks, mynheer," said Waynsford. "I'll wish you good-night. Sorry -to have caused you any inconvenience. - -"Der vas no drouble at all," rejoined the Dutchman. "Goot-night to -you." - -The sub descended the side and gained the cockpit of the "Lonette." -The rope was cast off and the motor-boat slipped astern. Not one word -did Waynsford say until the little craft was out of hearing distance, -then-- - -"Where's Mr. Aubyn? he asked. - -"Aboard yonder packet, sir," replied the member of the crew who had -been left in charge of the motorboat. "He asked me to drop a few -feet astern and then he slipped up over the Dutchman's quarter. Shall -I give a hail, sir?" - -"No," replied Waynsford. "Easy ahead." - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - -THE SECRET WIRELESS. - - -UPON regaining the "Lonette," Aubyn descended into the diminutive -cabin and made hasty preparations for his adventure. Unbuttoning his -great-coat he drew a small revolver from the inside breast pocket of -his monkey-jacket. Assuring himself that it was fully loaded, the -sub. thrust it into the right-hand pocket of his outer garment, then, -having readjusted his muffler, rebuttoned his coat, so that the -turned-up collar hid the white woollen comforter. - -He felt justified in making the attempt. During his brief visit to -the trawler the lack of oil from the broken lamps had first aroused -his suspicions. Secondly, he had made the discovery that the -foremast, although painted to resemble pitch-pine, was made of metal, -and was consequently hollow. A steel mast for a vessel of that -tonnage was a decided rarity, especially when the vessel was supposed -to be a trawler. Consequently Aubyn had already made up his mind to -investigate. - -It was impracticable to give Waynsford details of his plan. Without -demur the skipper of the "Lonette" had agreed to his chum's -proposition--for which Terence was truly grateful. Had Waynsford been -of a jealous or inquisitive disposition he might have wrecked his -friend's plans. Instead he had unquestionably complied with Aubyn's -wishes. - -Presently Terence emerged from the cabin and peered cautiously at the -high sides of the trawler. Fortunately none of the crew was visible. -Six feet abaft the motor-boat's quarter the outlines of the trawler's -mizzen chain-plates were just discernible in the darkness. - -Softly calling to the "Lonette's" bowman, Aubyn asked him to drop a -few feet astern. The man who in civil life had been a deck-hand on a -crack racing-yacht, immediately did so. His wonderment at the request -was overpowered by a sense of obedience acquired by years of training -that demanded instant response to the order of the sailing-master. - -As soon as the chain-plates came within arm's length Terence grasped -the tarred lanyards and swung himself up till his head was on a level -with the bulwarks. He peered cautiously along the deck. Aft the -trawler was deserted. Forward the two hands were fumbling with the -lanterns and the ends of the severed forestay halliard. They -evidently were in no hurry to rectify the damage, Terence decided a -deft-handed man could have re-spliced the rope in a quarter of the -time. - -Silently the sub. crawled over the bulwarks and made his way to the -lee side of the engine-room coamings. Here he paused to survey the -scene of action, at the same time devotedly hoping that his boots -would not creak and betray his presence. From below came the guttural -voice of the Dutch skipper punctuated by the clear decisive tones of -Dick Waynsford. Amidships, on the port side, one of the crew, -invisible from the place where Terence crouched, was still keeping up -a running fire of banter with the "Pixie's" crew. - -He began to unlace his boots, regretting that he had not left them on -board the "Lonette." Then he remembered that if they were discovered -suspicions would be aroused. He could not drop them overboard without -making a splash--and the footgear had cost him a guinea a pair. Lying -about on a wet deck with stockinged feet, he reflected, was a cruel -job on a cold night, so he hurriedly re-tied the laces. - -"It will be a ticklish job to give an account of myself if they find -me," he soliloquised, "that is, if the trawler's what she pretends -she is. Ten to one I'm on the right tack, though, so here goes." - -On all fours he crossed the only uninterrupted part of deck space -between the companion and the side of the fish-hold coaming. Here he -was fairly safe from observation unless one of the for'ard hands -chanced to come aft. - -The fish-hold hatches occupied the greater portion of the 'midships -part of the trawler. Two of the after-coverings had been removed. The -others were in place, a heavy tarpaulin being loosely thrown over -them, the canvas slack at the for'ard end. - -Beneath this covering, and wedged in between the coaming and the -deck, Aubyn crawled. Here he was within ten feet of the foremast--the -object of his suspicions. Thanks to the tarpaulin he was able to keep -fairly warm in his cramped quarters, while by means of a fold in the -canvas he was able to command a wide view of the fore part of the -vessel. - -Presently he heard Waynsford and the Dutch skipper, followed by the -"Lonette's" man, emerge from the cabin and make the round of the -deck. Once Waynsford's foot nearly trod upon him as he crouched under -the still tarpaulin. Then, after a seemingly endless delay, Terence -heard the farewell greetings and the gentle purring of the -"Lonette's" motors, as, followed by the "Pixie," she forged ahead, -circled and was lost to hearing in the darkness. - -For the next ten minutes Terence heard nothing but the heavy measured -tread of the skipper of the trawler as he paced the deck. Then, -stopping at the forward end of his beat, he said something in a low -tone. The words were German, not Dutch--Aubyn was certain of that. -Bitterly he regretted his almost total ignorance of the language of -Britain's greatest foe. - -Then came the clank of a steam winch. Apparently the men were hauling -in their nets. - -"I hope the old hooker won't make off towards the Dutch coast without -the 'Lonette' spotting her," observed Aubyn. "If it come overmisty I -won't give much for my chance. By Jove! I am getting stiff." - -Soon the winch was stopped, and men came for'ard. Two of them stopped -at the foot of the foremast and set to work silently and rapidly. -Slightly raising the fold of the tarpaulin the sub. could see that -they were removing a plate from the bulky steel mast. Others--for -more of the crew than had previously appeared came on the scene--rove -light steel wire rigging furnished with small circular objects that -the sub. recognised as insulators for wireless gear. - -His suspicions were well-founded. Inside the steel mast was a -telescopic spar that could be hoisted thirty feet above the truck. -From the head of this staff a line of light rope running through a -block automatically uncoiled itself, the falls dropping on deck. To -one end of this line the aerial was bent and sent aloft. - -Two men then came staggering forward with a huge cask. Upon knocking -off the upper and lower bands the barrel opened like an exaggerated -locket--the remaining bands being dummies--and disclosed a small but -powerful wireless apparatus. - -Hardly pausing to weigh the consequences, the sub. threw aside the -folds of the tarpaulin and sprang to his feet. A howl of rage and -surprise greeted his appearance. - -"Surrender!" exclaimed Aubyn sternly. - -For some minutes there was a dead silence on the part of the -astonished Germans, broken only by the moaning of the wind through -the rigging and the lap of the water against the trawler's sides. -Then, giving a hasty glance round to assure himself that no vessel -was within hailing distance, and realising that the daring Englishman -was alone, the skipper gave a hurried order. - -The next moment Terence was confronted by the muzzles of half a dozen -automatic pistols. - -"Surrender yourself, Englishman," replied the skipper. "You mad; you -all alone. Hands up, or you dead man." - -"Perhaps," remarked Terence, with outward calmness, although he -remembered with some misgivings that the hair trigger of an automatic -pistol is a delicate piece of mechanism for a horny-handed seaman to -play with. "If you shoot you'll make things a jolly sight worse for -you than they are already. You're properly cornered. The two -motor-boats are waiting a short distance off, and there's a destroyer -only too ready to bear a hand." - -"Vot you going der do?" asked the German, in a chastened tone. - -"To summon assistance and take possession of an enemy ship. The more -trouble you give, my friend, the worse it will be for you." - - -[Illustration: "Taking a quick yet steady aim, the Sub. pressed the -trigger."] - - -The skipper shrugged his shoulders, then hastily addressed his crew. -The latter put up their pistols, sullenly and almost mutinously. One -of the men hurried across the deck and drew a signal rocket from a -locker. This he affixed to the vessel's side and produced a match. - -"Stop!" exclaimed Aubyn authoritatively. - -"Dies still Zherman sheep," protested the skipper. - -The match flared, shielded from the wind by the partly clasped hand -of the man who was holding it. In obedience to a further order he -began to apply the light to the rocket. - -Terence whipped out his revolver. Hitherto, realising that a -premature display of the weapon might result in a volley from the -hostile pistols, he had kept the weapon out of sight. Now that the -crew were practically cowed that danger was over. - -The seaman hesitated only for a brief instant, then ignoring the -levelled weapon, bent over his task. One of his comrades chuckled -derisively. - -Taking a quick yet steady aim the sub. pressed the trigger. The heavy -ball went true to the mark, severing the rocket-stick and causing the -rocket to fall over the side. Luck more than good management had -enabled him to hit a target the thickness of a lead pencil on a dark -night, with only the flicker of a match to assist his aim. - -"If any man attempt to go below I'll wing him--tell them that," said -Terence sternly, addressing the master. "Order them to fall in on -the starboard side." - -All sign of resistance having disappeared the crew, ten in number, -formed up at the place indicated, while Aubyn drew his cigarette case -from his pocket and smoked. - -It was not an act of bravado on his part. Now that the crisis was -over he had an uncontrollable craving for a cigarette. So he smoked -contentedly as he awaited the return of the "Lonette" and her -consort. - -He had not long to wait. Already grey dawn was breaking. The wind had -dropped, and the short steep waves had subsided into a sullen roll. -Long before the two motor-boats came into view the purr of the -engines and the muffled roar of their exhausts could be distinctly -heard in the still morning air. - -"I thought the fellows had potted you when I heard that shot," -exclaimed Waynsford, as he clambered over the side. "Well done, old -man," he added cordially, as his glance fell upon the tell-tale -wireless gear. - -"You might send 'Pixie' to bring up the destroyer," suggested Aubyn. -"It will save a lot of trouble if she tows this packet into port. -Tell her to give the destroyer the tip: there may be German -submarines about." - -"What makes you think that?" asked Waynsford. - -"The anxiety on the part of one of those fellows to let off a rocket. -I'm glad I was able to stop his little game." - -"How?" - -"Oh, a pot-shot at five yards--sent the rocket-stick flying out of -his hands. Wonder I didn't hit him." - -"Serve him jolly well right if you had," added Waynsford. Already he -was fairly conversant with German methods of kultur in connexion with -nautical affairs, and to him every Teuton appeared in the light of a -skulking treacherous foe. - -"'Pixie,' ahoy!" he shouted, addressing his consort, which had now -slowed down about half a cable's length away on the port quarter. -"Get into touch with that destroyer: she's heading our way. Inform -her commanding officer that we suspect hostile submarines in the -vicinity." - - - - -CHAPTER X. - -H.M.S. "STRONGBOW" SAILS. - - -ALREADY the vessel indicated--H.M.T.B.D. "Lawley"--was within three -miles of the captured trawler, and at a good twenty-five knots was -momentarily decreasing the distance. Her lynx-eyed -lieutenant-commander had spotted the so-called "Vanhuit," and the -tell-tale wireless mast, and the presence of one of the patrolling -motor-boats alongside gave him a right impression that the trawler -had been engaged in illegal work. - -The "Lawley" made a fine picture as she pelted through the -leaden-hued water on that grey autumnal morning. She was cleared for -action. Men were standing by the three 4-inch guns ready to let fly -at the first sign of a hostile periscope, for German submarines had -been reported in the vicinity of Yarmouth Roads, and each of her -mast-heads had the White Ensign floating proudly in the breeze -created by her speed. The bunting was the only dash of colour about -her; all the rest of the destroyer was a sombre hue, from the black -hull and funnels to the great-coated forms of the crew. - -The skipper of the "Pixie," balancing himself on the cabin-top of his -lively craft, was semaphoring the warning. Almost as soon as his -message ended a triangular strip of bunting--the answering -pennant--was hoisted to the "Lawley's" signal yard-arm. Then, by -means of a megaphone, the lieutenant-commander shouted to the crew of -the "Pixie." The words were unintelligible to the watchers on the -captured trawler, but the skipper of the "Pixie" understood. With a -wave of his arm he descended from his precarious perch just in time -to prevent himself being capsized by the swell of the passing -destroyer, which, instead of making for the trawler, sharply ported -helm and made off in the opposite direction. - -"We're to take the prize into Yarmouth under our own steam," -announced the sub. in charge of the "Pixie," as he came within -hailing distance. - -"Right-o," assented Waynsford cheerfully. "Come aboard and we'll tow -both our boats. Now then, below there," he added, addressing the -German skipper and his crestfallen men. - -Waynsford literally hustled them into the forepeak and shut the -hatch. The German engineer and the fireman required no compulsion to -remain at their posts. In one sense they were glad at being captured; -it meant the end of the nerve-racking ordeal within sight of the -English coast and miles of mine-strewn waters--the work of their -fellow-countrymen--between them and their Friesian home. - -The crew of the motor-boats quickly buoyed and severed the nets that -the pseudo-trawler had out to cloak her true rôle, and having -drifted clear of these entanglements, the captured craft forged ahead -at a modest seven knots with the "Lonette" and "Pixie" towing -sedately astern. - -Terence Aubyn, feeling somewhat heavy-eyed by reason of his voluntary -night's work, was pacing the deck, his gaze directed towards the town -of Yarmouth and the low-lying Norfolk coast, now momentarily becoming -clearer in the rays of the early morning sun. - -Suddenly his thoughts were interrupted by a hurried shout from one of -the deck-hands, followed by a heavy list of the trawler as Waynsford -put the helm hard over. - -Fifty yards on the starboard bow was a black object resembling a -short spar floating vertically, yet the object had movement, for a -streak of foam marked the resistance of the water to its progress. - -It was Aubyn's first impression of the periscope of a submarine, and -a German one at that. - -With admirable presence of mind Waynsford had decided to ram the -lurking peril. Evidently the commander of the submarine had realized -his danger, for the periscope was sinking. - -Aubyn held his breath as the heavy hull of the trawler passed -immediately over the spot where the periscope had disappeared. He -waited for the dull grinding sound as the vessel's keel ripped -through the comparatively thin steel hull of the submerged -vessel--but he waited in vain. True, there was a slight -tremor--nothing more. - -"I believe we hit her," exclaimed Waynsford. "Did your hear -anything?" - -Aubyn was obliged to confess that he had not. The prize crew crowding -to the side looked for signs of a successful issue to their effort. - -"Oil and bubbles," declared the sub. in charge of the "Pixie." "She's -done for." - -Waynsford, far from being convinced, ordered one of his men to heave -a mark-buoy overboard and mark the spot where the periscope had been -last seen, at the same time a code signal was hoisted indicating the -fact that a hostile submarine had been rammed. - -Quickly the destroyer arrived within hailing distance, and Aubyn was -able to see what steps the Navy took to combat the unseen foe. Slowly -the "Lawley" circled round the mark-buoy, paying out over her stern -what appeared to be an exaggerated string of sausages--in reality a -"necklace" of guncotton ready to be fired by means of electricity. - -"Prize ahoy! you're much too close," sang out the bronzed -lieutenant-commander impatiently. - -Before the trawler was a cable's length from the mark-buoy a series -of columns of water rose two hundred feet in the air, accompanied by -a muffled crash and a haze of smoke. When the water had subsided and -the vapour had drifted on the light breeze the mark-buoy was no -longer to be seen. All around were the bodies of fish killed by the -submarine explosion. - -"That's settled her hash," declared Waynsford. "If she survived the -hit we gave her she didn't get over that little attention. See, the -'Lawley' is sending a diver down to report." - -"More copy for the Press," remarked his chum, the sub. from the -"Pixie." - -Waynsford shook his head. - -"Not much," he replied. "It's part of the game to keep this sort of -thing quiet. We don't want to frighten our friends the German -submarines, we want to lure them out and make an end of 'em." - -Terence made no remark. He was thinking, striving to picture the -shattered hull with its crew of corpses, lying fifteen fathoms below -on the sandy bed of the North Sea. - -Half an hour later the prize was moored alongside one of the Yarmouth -quays, while the German crew were marched off under an armed guard. - -Declining an invitation to breakfast with the naval officers of the -port, Aubyn hurried ashore. It was now six o'clock. Already a -wireless report had been received from the "Lawley" stating that her -divers had discovered the wreck of the hostile submarine, which was a -matter for congratulation. But there were no tidings of the spy von -Eckenhardt. In spite of a rigorous search he had contrived to get -clear away, and von Eckenhardt at liberty in in England was a more -serious menace than a dozen German submarines operating in British -waters. - -"I say, mater," remarked Terence, while Mrs. Aubyn and her son were -at breakfast, "I think you ought to evacuate 'Aubyn's Battery '--at -least while the war lasts." - -Mrs. Aubyn looked at her son in utter astonishment. - -"What, leave my home? For why? Surely you don't mean to suggest that -German troops are likely to land in England?" - -Terence shook his head. He scouted the idea of invasion, yet he knew -there was a possibility--that a raiding squadron might visit the -Norfolk coast. - -"No, I was thinking of the winter coming on," he said equivocally. -"You see, it's rather bleak and lonely for you here. Why not shut the -house up for the next six months and go and live with Aunt Margaret?" - -Mrs. Aubyn wavered. Her sister had a large house at Purbrook, a few -miles from Portsmouth. It certainly would be a pleasant change to -spend the winter in the south of England with her nearest relative -rather than exist in solitary state in her home on the bleak East -Coast. - -"Besides," continued her son, taking advantage of his parent's -obvious wavering, "the 'Strongbow'--that's the new name for the old -'Saraband'--is fitting out of Portsmouth, and more than likely she'll -make that place here home port. In that case, whenever we put in for -supplies or refit, I ought to be able to see you pretty frequently." - -The explanation was a lame one. Terence knew perfectly well that on -being commissioned the "Strongbow" would proceed to the North Sea for -patrol-work. Her connexion with Portsmouth would then be severed. But -to his satisfaction Mrs. Aubyn figuratively hauled down her colours. - -A telegram was despatched to her sister, accepting a long-standing -invitation, and at the expiration of his week-end leave, -Sub-Lieutenant Aubyn was accompanied by his mother on his journey to -Portsmouth to rejoin his ship. - -Three days later the "Strongbow," looking most business-like in her -garb of neutral grey, slipped unostentatiously between the old -fortifications at the mouth of Portsmouth Harbour, negotiated the -narrow gateway of the boom-defence, and in the pale dawn of a misty -October day shaped her course for the North Sea. - -She was one of perhaps a hundred vessels of whose very existence not -decimal one per cent of the population of Great Britain is aware. -Unless a striking success or a lamentable disaster brings them into -the limelight the great British public never hear their names. Yet -every one of that vast fleet of armed merchantmen was doing its duty -as a unit of the greatest Navy the world has ever yet seen, nobly -performing a service whereby the United Kingdom is spared the horror -of the yoke-mate of war--the scourge of famine. - -The "Strongbow" carried the same officers as in the days when she -sailed under the Red Ensign, while in command was a full-fledged -naval officer, Captain Hugh Ripponden. - -Captain Ripponden was one of those men who welcomed the outbreak of -hostilities as a godsend. July found him in a hopeless position as -regards seniority on the list of commanders. The prospect of -compulsory retirement at the age of fifty stared him in the face. By -sheer merit and perseverance he had attained his present position, -but unfortunately he lacked the necessary influence "up topsides" -to gain an additional advance in rank. - -The absorption into the Service of a fleet of armed merchantmen -proved to be his salvation from a distasteful retirement, and thus he -found himself in command of H.M.S. "Strongbow." - -Like many another talented naval officer Captain Ripponden had not -the gift of eloquence. He was a man of few words. A speech was beyond -his powers. - -While the crew of H.M.S. "Strongbow" first mustered for Divisions -after commissioning the captain's address was short and to the -point:-- - -"My lads, you look a smart crew. If you are as smart as you look, -I'll be quite satisfied. Now dismiss." - -He was quite right in saying the ship's company were a smart body of -men. In spite of the fact that they were made up of Royal Naval -Reserve men, Royal Fleet Reservists, and a sprinkling of Royal Naval -Volunteers, they presented an appearance that would defy criticism -even from the oldest martinet in the days when a smart lower-yard man -was considered as a greater asset to a ship's company than a good -gun-layer. - -The officers of the "Strongbow," from Captain Ramshaw (who now -assumed the rank of Commander, R.N.R.) downwards, quickly voted the -new skipper "a right good sort," while it did not take the crew long -to form the current opinion that "the owner" was a man who, not -shirking work himself, expected others to do their utmost. On board -H.M.S. "Strongbow" there was no room for shirkers or grousers. - -Before the vessel passed the Nab Lightship practically the whole of -the Naval Volunteers--men of good position in civil life, whose -previous acquaintance with King Neptune's domains was a view from the -deck of the "President" lying off Temple Pier--were prostrate with -sea-sickness. - -Captain Ripponden received the report that ten of his crew were -temporarily hors de combat with equanimity. - -"Let the men lie in their hammocks," he replied considerately. -"They'll be all the better for it when they recover their sea-legs." - -Therein he was right, and before the "Strongbow" arrived at her -cruising-station the Volunteers were as fit and as eager as the rest -of their comrades for the arduous work on hand. - - - - -CHAPTER XI. - -ALL IN A DAY'S WORK. - - -"LIGHT on the port bow, sir," sung out a hoarse voice in the -darkness. - -Sub-Lieutenant Aubyn rubbed his eyes with the back of his lamb-skin -glove. The action was necessary, for his face was encrusted with -frozen spray--icicles that, driven with terrific force by the howling -wind, cut so deeply into his weather-beaten skin as to draw blood. -Then, grasping his telescope with his benumbed fingers he steadied -the instrument on the edge of a "storm-dodger" and brought it to -bear upon the object indicated. - -Two months of monotonous patrol-work had passed since the day on -which the "Strongbow" left Portsmouth Harbour. The rigours of a -winter in the North Atlantic had severely tried the physical and -mental capabilities of the officers and crew. As the days shortened -and the nights correspondingly increased, and the periods of weak -sunshine became more and more rare, the stress upon the ship's -company grew. Buffeted by wintry gales, swept by icy seas, the -"Strongbow" kept doggedly to her station. For a week at a time no -strange sail would be sighted. The armed liner seemed to be an atom -of isolation in the midst of a deserted foam-flecked ocean; yet hers -was a particular duty to be done for King and Country. - -Coming from a regular route that for the most part lay in tropical -and sub-tropical seas the original officers of the ship felt the -climatic change acutely. Most of them, who hourly faced death in the -shape of unseen mines, quailed at the thought of having to use a -razor, and grew beards of wondrous trim. - -Aubyn was one of the exceptions, yet his appearance was such that he -resembled, to use Raeburn's expression, "a cross between a teddy-bear -and a golliwog." In addition to double underclothing he sported three -thick sweaters, a heavy great-coat and an enormous woollen muffler. -Over this perambulating bundle of clothing he wore a large yellow -oilskin and sea-boots. His naval peaked cap had given place to a -woollen "helmet" surmounted by a "sou'-wester" kept in place, against -the frantic efforts of the wind to dislodge it, by a black and white -plaid "comforter" tied tightly under his chin. And in spite of this -load of garments the cold chilled him to the bone. - -Terence's appearance in the matter of dress was in keeping with the -rest of the officers and crew. Gifts of woollen comforts from the -womenfolk of the Empire had been showered upon the Royal Navy, and in -spite of the apparent redundancy of garments every article was -utilized and appreciated. Commander Ramshaw had been heard to remark -that when the men were given an order they had to almost undress -before they could carry it out. He was not far out, for although the -amount of clothing worn was not superfluous it certainly hampered the -men's movements. - -The "Strongbow's" task was an arduous, necessary, and momentous one. -Like scores of her consorts the joy of battle was denied her. The -possibility of any of her crew smelling powder was a very remote one. -She was never likely to join in the chase of a fleeing enemy warship. -Her men would never, according to present circumstances, witness the -last plunge of a hostile cruiser, sent to the bottom by the guns of a -man-of-war. Honour and glory were not to be hers when the story of -the Great War comes to be written in letters of gold upon the pages -of the world's history. - -No, she was only a patrol-ship; doomed to cruise within certain -limits and examine all strange merchant-craft that passed within -sight of the alert lookout. Yet by so doing she was driving a nail -into the coffin of the vaunted German Empire. She was helping to -tighten the bands of economic pressure that were slowly but surely -crippling the resources of the Mailed Fist. - -It was not until Aubyn had removed the thick deposit of frozen spray, -which, in spite of the protective shade had encrusted the object -glass of the telescope, that he was able to distinguish the outlines -of the strange vessel. She was a three-masted topsail schooner, -close-reefed and on the starboard tack, showing her port light, which -was burning brightly. - -No vessel engaged in carrying contraband to Germany would be likely -to show navigation lamps while attempting to steal through the cordon -of British patrol-ships. The sub. knew that; yet it was his duty to -report the presence of the stranger in order that the "Strongbow" -could make a proper examination of her papers. - -Upon receipt of the intelligence that the armed liner was heading for -an unknown vessel, Captain Ripponden, aroused before he had "turned -in" for less than an hour, hurried to the bridge. Orders were issued -for the cutter's crew to stand by, while the "Strongbow" was -manoeuvred to take up a position to windward of the schooner. - -Promptly the stranger obeyed the order to heave-to. With her lean bow -plunging into the angry seas like a chopper she lost way two cables' -lengths from the British patrol-ship, a row of sou'-westered heads -lined the lee-rail, as her crew watched the approach of "Strongbow's" -boat. - -Half an hour later the boarding officer returned. - -"No luck, sir," he reported. "She's our old friend, the 'Sarmiento,' -of Boston, U.S.A., bound for Bergen." - -He was justified in calling the schooner an old friend. Three days -previously the "Strongbow" had fallen in with and had boarded the -self-same vessel. For three days the "Sarmiento" had tacked and -tacked in the teeth of the strong nor'-easter, never gaining a mile, -while the patrol-ship in keeping her to appointed limits had again -fallen in with her. - -"All in a night's work," remarked Captain Ripponden, as he prepared -to return to his cabin. "Better luck next time. Mr. Bury, you brought -the cutter alongside in excellent style." - -The sub. who had gone to the schooner as boarding-officer saluted. -The praise from his captain had amply recompensed him for the dangers -he and his boat's crew had undergone in traversing the stretch of -angry sea between the two vessels, only to find that he had departed -upon a fruitless errand. - -Philosophically he agreed with the skipper that it was all in a -night's work, and made a hurried bolt below to shed his saturated -garments, for in spite of oilskins and sea-boots he was drenched to -the skin. - -At eight bells noon on the following day another sail was reported, -this time on the port quarter. - -The "Strongbow's" helm was immediately put over and a course shaped -to intercept the stranger. - -"German, by all the powers!" ejaculated Commander Ramshaw. "She's -got the confounded cheek to hoist her rascally colours." - -The approaching vessel was a large steel barque. Her jibboomless -"stump" bowsprit and the absence of chain-plates betokened her to be -a modern craft and apparently a valuable prize. - -The stranger made no attempt to alter course. A score or so of -stolid, fair-haired Teutons were gathered on her short fo'c'sle, -gazing with a faint degree of interest upon the grey-painted vessel -approaching them, till a shot fired across the barque's bows, -followed by a peremptory signal to heave-to roused them to unwonted -activity. - -Away aloft swarmed the astonished German seamen. Sail was quickly -reduced, and curtseying to the short steep seas the barque was ready -to receive her prize-masters. - -Terence was in charge of the boat detailed to take possession of the -barque. Armed with a revolver and accompanied by fifteen of the crew -with rifles and bayonets, he took his place in the stern sheets of -the boat. Deftly the patent disengaging gear of the falls was cast -off, the men bent to their stout ash oars with a will, and five -minutes later the boat was alongside the barque. - -"Vot you vant?" demanded the skipper of the barque, which proved to -be the "Freya" of Bremen. "Your vessel is a prize of his Britannic -Majesty's Government," announced Terence. - -"Prize?--I no onderstan'," expostulated the master vehemently. "Dis -Zherman sheep. Zhermany not at war." - -"I'm afraid you are greatly mistaken," said Aubyn, as he swung -himself up the side by means of the rope ladder which the crew, -unsuspecting the nature of the visit, although mystified by the -display of arms, had meanwhile lowered. "Germany is at war with -Great Britain, France, Russia, Japan, and Servia." - -At the mention of each of these countries the skipper's eyes opened -wider and wider. - -"Mein Gott!" he exclaimed, and without another word turned on his -heel and made for his cabin, only to be brought back by a peremptory -order from the young sub. - -From the ship's papers it was ascertained that the "Freya" had a most -valuable cargo of nitrates and copper ore--a cargo that would be of -immense service to the German army had the barque escaped the British -patrol. She was a hundred and forty-three days out of Valparaiso, and -during the whole of that time she had not spoken a single vessel; -consequently her crew were in total ignorance of the European War. -Gales and head winds had delayed her; water and provisions remained -sufficient only for three more days. She had been blown so far out of -her course that her master had decided to make a passage round Cape -Wrath rather than beat up the English Channel, and when almost in -sight of the North Sea she had been snapped by the "Strongbow." - -Quickly the prize crew went about their work. The German seamen were -ordered below; guards were posted at the hatchways and outside the -officers' quarters. The red, white, and black ensign of the German -Mercantile Marine was lowered and rehoisted under the British flag; -canvas was stowed and preparations were made to take the "Freya" in -tow. - -After a considerable amount of skilful and dangerous manoeuvring a -stout hempen hawser was passed from the prize to the "Strongbow," and -wallowing heavily in the latter's wake the "Freya" was towed into -Dingwall. - -Almost the first thing that attracted Terence's attention on landing -at Dingwall was a poster on which appeared the words "German Fleet -attempts Bombardment of Yarmouth." - -"Another rumour--I'm getting sick of them," ejaculated Aubyn; -nevertheless, he bought a copy of the paper. He was wrong in his -surmise. It was a fact, not a rumour. Several German heavy cruisers -had suddenly appeared off the port in the grey dawn, and had opened a -furious fire. Unaccountably, it seemed, all the projectiles fell -short of their mark. A few, indeed, ploughed up the sand on the -shore, but no damage was done. Everyone was asking, "Will the hostile -cruisers get away safely?" - -That same afternoon the news was received that the raiders had -escaped. The chances were eagerly discussed on board the "Strongbow." -It seemed incredible that, in spite of the cordon of British light -cruisers and destroyers a dozen enemy ships should be able to retire -unharmed after their brazen attempt. - -"You fellows must remember we haven't official details," remarked -Lieutenant Lymore. "Another thing: you know what the North Sea is -like this time of the year, with the range of vision limited to -perhaps a couple of miles." - -"Think they'll try it on again?" asked Raeburn. - -"No doubt. Encouraged by their being able to avoid getting into -contact with our fleet they'll have another shot at it, but let's -hope they'll burn their fingers." - -Before the "Strongbow" left Dingwall, after coaling ship, a mail, -mostly of belated letters, arrived. Amongst them was one for Aubyn -from his chum Waynsford. - -"I suppose you know all about our little excitement here at -Yarmouth," he wrote. "We were rudely disturbed from our bunks by -tremendous firing, and when we turned out we discovered shells -dropping within five hundred yards of the shore. With the naked eye -one could make out the enemy ships fairly distinctly, and with -glasses quite plainly. The shells could be seen falling all around -the little 'Halcyon,' and it was most marvellous how she escaped. -Altering the position of those buoys the night you were here -doubtless upset the German gunners' calculations. - -"The Press report that none of the shells did damage is incorrect. Of -course it may be advisable not to give the public full details, but -in your case I think you ought to know." - -"Almost the last shell fired struck your mater's house. Went right -through the dining-room without exploding and buried itself five feet -in the earth on the other side of the building. Lucky you made your -parent clear out, wasn't it? - -"I'm under orders to leave Yarmouth and report myself at Scarbro'. -Goodness only knows what for, but 'orders is orders,' as -Coastguardsman Smith is so fond of quoting. If ever you are within -easy distance of Scarbro' and get short leave, look me up. - - "Yours most sincerely, - "RICHARD WAYNSFORD." - - - - -CHAPTER XII. - -MINED. - - -TWELVE hours later H.M.S. "Strongbow" was on her appointed station. -It was night. The wind had moderated considerably, yet there was -quite a heavy sea running. The young moon peeped between dark masses -of drifting scud, while to windward a bank of irregularly defined -clouds fringed with ragged tails betokened a repetition of the -unpleasant climatic conditions. - -It was Sub-Lieutenant Aubyn's "watch below." Seated in the plainly -furnished gun-room, the scuttles of which were carefully screened, -were most of the junior officers who were off duty. - -Some were playing cards, others were reading, in spite of the raucous -ragtime melodies ground out by a gramaphone that had already suffered -considerably from the effects of two months' buffeting. In the pauses -while the junior midshipman rewound the instrument of mental torture, -the slap of the waves against the vessel's side could be distinctly -heard. - -"In for another dirty night," remarked Raeburn inconsequently. - -The announcement was received in chilly silence. "Dirty nights" were -too frequent and too monotonous to form the subject of conversation. - -The assistant engineer tried another tack. - -"What do you make of the latest report from the Russian frontier?" he -asked. - -"Oh, dry up, old man!" expostulated O'Reilly feebly. "What with your -cackle and young Jones grinding away at that blessed -gramaphone--Jones, if you put on another record I'll throw this book -at your head! There's no peace in the gun-room." - -Aubyn smiled grimly. He realized that in the monotonous round of -routine his comrades were almost bored to death by their own company. -Even the versatile O'Reilly was becoming as surly as a bear with a -sore head. - -"Keep your wool on, old man!" exclaimed Raeburn. "Strikes me, we all -want shaking up----" - -Before he could complete the sentence the ship seemed to leap -vertically out of the water. A deafening crash followed. The gun-room -furniture was thrown in all directions, the occupants were either -hurled against the bulkhead or pitched violently on top of the -overturned gear, while the failure of the electric light left the -place in utter darkness. - -Terence found himself lying across the remains of the gramaphone, -with someone's heel beating a tattoo on the small of his back. - -For some seconds he remained where he was, his senses dulled by the -sudden shock. Then it occurred to him that the ship was not so lively -as usual. Her movements seemed decidedly sluggish. A confused roar, -the sound of many feet hurrying, mingled with the hiss of escaping -steam, recalled him to his senses. Either the "Strongbow" had struck -a mine or had been torpedoed. Above the tumult came the sound of the -bugle, the notes quavering to such an extent that the sub. hardly -recognized their significance. - -"That's 'General Quarters'," he exclaimed, and freeing himself from -the persistent attentions of the unknown's heels, he sprang to his -feet and struck a match. - -By its feeble glimmer he could form some idea of the chaotic aspect -of the gun-room. Many of his comrades had regained their feet, and in -their eagerness to obey the bugle-call were groping blindly for the -door. The concussion had jammed it badly. Two of the officers were -still prone amid the débris--stunned by the shock. - -The match flickered and died out, but before Aubyn could strike -another, one of the midshipmen thrust a hastily rolled newspaper into -the remains of the fire on the stove and held it like a torch. - -A combined effort on the part of O'Reilly and two of the midshipmen -burst the door from its hinges. Aubyn, assisted by Raeburn, lifted -one of the unconscious men and bore him on deck. Others performed a -like office for the second victim, while the rest filed up the -companion. - -By this time the short burst of uproar had entirely ceased. Officers -and men were quietly falling in on the upper deck, awaiting the -captain's orders. - -Silhouetted against the fitful moonlight could be discerned the cool -and resolute form of Captain Ripponden as he grasped the bridge-rails -and looked down upon the orderly mass of humanity. In that moment of -peril he was proud of his crew. They were worthy of upholding the -traditions of gallant British seamen. To what extent the "Strongbow" -was damaged he knew not. He was awaiting the carpenter's and the -boatswain's report. - -As he waited, with a true seaman's instinct, he glanced to windward. -The approaching storm was not far off. Should it be necessary to take -to the boats the chances of being saved were very remote. Nor did -there seem any possibility of rescue from any other ship, for the -explosion had dislocated the wireless apparatus. The only chances in -that direction were that a passing vessel might detect the wail of -the syren--as it sent forth its call for assistance in the long and -short blasts that corresponded to the dot and dash of the Morse -Code--or might sight the coloured star rockets that were being fired -from the bridge. - -Captain Ripponden deliberately delayed giving the order to take to -the boats. Although the "Strongbow" was sorely hit she showed no -immediate inclination to make her final plunge. The engine-room and -stokeholds were clear, and the engine-room staff still remained at -their posts below the water-line; nevertheless, the ship was making -water freely and was already considerably down by the head. - -Suddenly a short thick-set figure ran aft between the double line of -seamen drawn up as calmly and as steadily as if mustered for -Divisions. Terence could hear the man's laboured breathing as he -hurried. It was the ship's carpenter, on the strength of whose report -Captain Ripponden's orders for immediate action would be delivered. - -Up the bridge ladder the warrant officer made his way, then drawing -himself erect saluted his superior--a courtesy that the captain -punctiliously returned. Even in the presence of fearful and imminent -peril the regulation regarding the paying of proper compliments in -the matter of saluting were carried out to the letter. - -The eyes of every man on deck were directed upon the silhouetted -figures of the captain and the carpenter on the bridge. Captain -Ripponden's head was observed to nod slightly several times as he -listened to his subordinate's report; then he stepped to the -after-bridge rails. - -"My men," he shouted in stentorian tones that were clearly audible -amid the moaning of the wind and the hiss of escaping steam, "we'll -save the old ship yet. Twenty men to assist carpenter's crew. The -rest remain aft and stand easy." - -Away doubled the working party, their task being to build a temporary -coffer-dam in the after side of the for'ard transverse bulkhead. The -"Strongbow" had bumped upon a drifting mine, the explosion of which, -occurring right under the bows and close to the water-line, had -flooded the bow compartments. The watertight bulkhead was dangerously -strained. Water was entering in small jets under the terrific -pressure in the flooded compartments; but although the pumps were -quite capable of keeping the leak under control, the bulkhead, unless -shored up, was in momentary danger of giving way. - -Feverishly the carpenter and his men tackled the hazardous task. -Bolts of canvas, rolled hammocks and tarpaulins were piled against -the bulging steel bulkhead, and held in position by baulks of timber, -braced and chocked till the coffer-dam was as strong and firmly set -as human ingenuity could devise. - -Meanwhile, the rest of the crew were allowed to smoke--a concession -that was eagerly welcomed, and the quarter-deck glowered with the -dull glare of lighted cigarettes and pipes. Those men who had turned -up without adequate clothing were ordered to find additional garments -to protect them from the numbing cold, while the cooks were told off -to the galleys to make hot cocoa. Even in the midst of peril Captain -Ripponden's thoughts were for the comfort of his devoted men. - -As soon as the carpenter reported that in his opinion the strained -bulkhead was properly shored up, orders were given to the engine-room -for half-speed astern and a course shaped for Aberdeen. To drive the -ship ahead with her bows seriously damaged would be placing a -tremendous strain upon the coffer-dam, while when making sternway the -pressure would be considerably reduced. - -"Let's hope we don't hit another of those infernal mines," remarked -O'Reilly to Aubyn, as the two officers made their way below. "I -don't think we are in a regular minefield. The one we struck was -evidently a derelict." - -"Evidently," agreed Terence. "Judging by the damage done it must -have deteriorated, otherwise it would have sent us to the bottom like -a stone. I suppose it will mean turning over to another ship? - -"Six weeks, patching the old 'Saraband' up," declared O'Reilly, who -almost invariably referred to the ship by her former name. "I wish -to goodness they'd appoint us to a cruiser or a destroyer and give us -a chance of seeing some fun." - -"We have had a fair share." - -"Yes, of hard work--which I don't mind--and getting bashed about -without being able to strike a blow in self-defence. Of course, it's -the call of duty----" - -A muffled thud, coming from almost immediately below their feet and -followed by the unmistakable sound of rushing water, interrupted the -young officer's conversation. - -They looked at each other for one brief instant, hardly able to -comprehend the nature of the latest calamity. - -"Bulkhead started," announced Aubyn laconically. - -Snatching an oil lamp from its bracket Terence rushed below, followed -by O'Reilly. Guided by the feeble illumination, for the electric -lighting installation was hopelessly out of order, the two officers -made their way down several short ladders. On the orlop-deck they -almost collided with Raeburn. - -"After magazine flooded," announced the assistant engineer -breathlessly. "Huge rush of water. I was just off to get extra -hands, but you'll do. Be quick, there's no time to lose. The water's -pouring in like a sluice." - -Knee deep in water the three officers made their way aft till their -arrival at the door of the magazine. The sentry was fumbling with the -lock, while two artificers, one holding a lantern, were impatiently -urging him to make a job of it and open the door. The whole of the -magazine was full of water, while the pressure had forced a part of -the bulkhead containing the compartment. - -When the "Strongbow" struck the mine the concussion had caused a -hitherto undiscovered leak aft, the flow being concealed by the -locked door of the magazine until the pressure had become sufficient -to burst the thin steel walls. Being specially constructed for -flooding in case of emergency, the floor of the magazine was some -feet below the level of the orlop-deck. - -"We'll have to tackle the leak inside," announced Terence. "Here, -one of you," he added addressing the men waiting by the door. "Cut -up and inform the carpenter. Look alive." - -At length the marine sentry succeeded in shooting back the strained -lock. The officers hurled themselves against the door. It opened -inwards, at the same time releasing an additional flood of water, -that surged violently along the orlop-deck. - -At every heave of the ship frothing billows careered up and down the -length of the confined space, wellnigh sweeping the little group of -officers and men from their feet. Already, taking into account the -state of the flooded fore compartments, the volume of water admitted -into the ship was causing her to move sluggishly. The danger of -foundering was still imminent. - -Holding his breath and setting his jaw tightly, Aubyn literally leapt -down to the floor of the magazine. The mean level of the water was up -to his neck. Momentarily it would subside, then rise till it floated -him off his feet, yet gamely he struggled onwards, partly swimming, -partly wading. - -The "Strongbow" was built on the "single-skin" principle. Only a -thin steel shell, riveted to curved ribs of the same metal, formed -her hull. The after magazine was on the port side, at approximately -the spot where the "run aft" of her lines began. It was here, as -Terence suspected, that one of the seams had gaped open. - -Filling his lungs to their utmost capacity with the none too -wholesome air, the sub. dived. His fingers, already numbed by the -icy-cold water, came in contact with a gap through which a steady -torrent was pressing. His surmise was correct: several of the rivets -had been fractured, and between the lap of two adjoining plates a -serious leak had developed. - -Whipping off his scarf Aubyn attempted to thrust it into the gap. The -rush of water swept it away. Off came his pilot coat. Thrice he -essayed to hold it in position, but his body being practically -water-borne he could exert little or no force. He felt still more the -numbing effect of the sea. In the semi-darkness, for he had only the -reflected light from the lanterns, the horror of the position gripped -him. - -"If she goes, I'm done for," he thought, for in his fevered -imagination he fancied that the ship was already on the point of -making a final plunge. He felt tempted to desist from his efforts and -make a rush for safety. Then, as quickly as it had come, the wave of -panic left him. - -"Got a hand-spike there?" he asked. - -"Ay, ay, sir," replied one of the carpenter's crew who had just -arrived on the scene. "And some stoppers as well." - -Two of the men plunged into the flooded magazine. The hand-spike was -applied to the temporary plug until it was forced into the gap. - -"That'll hold, sir," announced one of the men confidently. - -"Let's hope so," replied the sub. Then to himself he muttered, "And -my very best pilot coat." - -For another ten minutes Aubyn stood and shivered, till one of the men -felt the sub.'s numbed hand shaking as he assisted to hold the -hand-spike. - -"Leak's well under control, sir, I think," continued the seaman, a -burly Devonshire man. "Might I make so bold, sir, as to suggest that -you stand easy? We'll see to this all right." - -The man spoke truly. All the available pumps working continuously -were sufficient to keep the remaining inrush of water well under -control. Already the orlop-deck was practically cleared. In the -magazine the water was just above the sub.'s waist. - -Aubyn did not reply. He was incapable of speech. In the semi-gloom -the Devonshire man saw that something was amiss. - -"Do'ee take hold of this a minute, Joe," he said to his comrade, as -he relaxed his hold on the hand-spike. "Now, sir, out you do come." - -With that he literally carried the numbed form of his superior -officer out of the partly flooded magazine, just as others of his -mates were preparing to complete the task which Aubyn had -successfully begun. - -Of what happened during the next few hours Terence had but a hazy -idea. He was dimly conscious of being placed into a hot bath, wrapped -up in blankets, and being put into his bunk. There, as far as he -personally was concerned, scarce troubling whether the ship went down -or otherwise, he fell into the deep sleep of utter exhaustion till he -was aroused by the officers' call followed by the shrill notes of the -bo's'un's mates' whistles. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII. - -THE RAID ON SCARBOROUGH. - - -"MY watch, by Jove!" ejaculated Aubyn. "What in the name of goodness -am I doing in my bunk at this time of the morning?" - -He sprang out of bed with his customary alacrity, only to find his -knees give way under him. Then it gradually dawned upon him that his -last fully conscious moments were whilst he was in the flooded -magazine. - -"Steady, old man!" he muttered reproachfully. "This won't do. Pull -yourself together." - -He began to dress, rummaging for his clothes in one of the -characteristically awkwardly placed drawers under his bunk. The -garments he had worn the previous day had been taken away to be -dried. Then he remembered the fate of his great-coat and wondered -what he should do without it when on the bridge. - -He glanced through the scuttle. The sea was still running high. -Flakes of snow, scudding before the wind, were falling rapidly. By -the motion of the water as it slipped past the ship's side he knew -that the "Strongbow" was still going sternforemost. - -The door of his cabin opened noiselessly, and Raeburn entered. - -"Here, this won't do, old fellow!" exclaimed the assistant engineer. -"You toddle off back to your bunk again. Pills will be on your -collar if you don't." - -"What silly idiot made the doctor look me up?" asked Terence. - -"Don't call yourself ugly names," protested Raeburn laughingly. -"Since you chose to have a cold bath and stay there till your nose -was as blue as a dungaree suit, and you looked liked a favourite for -the Triple Pneumonia Stakes, it isn't to be wondered at that Pills -had to have a chip in. But honestly, old man, you turn in, or it will -be a case for the sick bay. By Jove, you did a rattling plucky -thing!" - -Terence abruptly silenced his chum. - -"Rot!" he exclaimed. "I spoilt my only great-coat. If I'm to be -crocked every time I do a little job like that, the sooner I chuck -the Service the better. I'm off." - -Ignoring Raeburn's threats to call the surgeon, Terence hurried from -his cabin, and having borrowed a pilot coat, donned his oilskins over -the borrowed garment and went on deck. - -It was a weird sight which met his gaze. - -The "Strongbow" was in the grip of a North Sea blizzard. Her tapering -masts, funnels, ventilators, even shrouds and ropes, were outlined in -glistening snow. Owing to the extreme danger of men being overthrown -by the slippery state of the frozen snow underfoot, men were busily -engaged in sweeping the decks--an apparently interminable task, as -the flakes fell quickly and heavily. - -Unnoticed Aubyn gained the foot of the bridge-ladder. The ascent -caused him considerable effort. In spite of his natural activity the -prospect of a "trick" on the exposed bridge in that awful weather -damped his enthusiasm. Mr. Lymore was on duty. His back was turned -towards the sub. Before Terence could report himself the door of the -chart room was opened and Captain Ripponden appeared. - -"Good morning, Mr. Aubyn," exclaimed the latter, returning the sub.'s -salute. "I am rather surprised to find you here." - -"It's my watch, sir." - -"It would have been," corrected the captain. "Dr. Terry reported you -unfit for duty, and I must abide by his decision. So you will report -yourself to him." - -"Very good, sir," said Terence. - -"And," continued Ripponden, "allow me to congratulate you on your -plucky action. I will take the first opportunity of transmitting an -account of it to My Lords for their information." - -Aubyn grasped the captain's extended hand. Completely taken aback by -his superior's congratulations he could not frame a reply. - -Again saluting, Terence turned to leave the bridge. As he did so a -roar of cheering burst from those on deck. Those of the crew who had -witnessed the meeting between Captain Ripponden and the plucky sub. -had rightly interpreted the "owner's" action. There are moments -when spontaneous enthusiasm ignores the dictates of discipline, and -this was one of them. The men of the "Strongbow" cheered their young -officer to the echo. - -Terence Aubyn met with a boisterous reception in the gun-room. His -brother officers "chipped" him unmercifully on the subject of the -tribute of the crew. The sub. took it all in good part. He realized -that underneath the outward mask of levity was a substratum of -genuine admiration for his courage and judgment in tackling the leak. -Even the dangers through which they had so recently passed failed to -subdue the exuberant spirits of the denizens of the gun-room, and -entering into the fun, Terence soon felt so much better that Dr. -Terry was obliged to confess that his fears for the sub.'s health was -no longer justified. - -Before dusk the same day two tugs put out from Aberdeen and took the -"Strongbow" in tow. Three hours later she was safely docked, and for -the first time for many a long day the "watch below" were able to -turn in without being confronted by the possibility of sudden death -in the mine-strewn waters of the North Sea. - -Examination proved that the damage done to the ship was considerable. -Practically the whole of the bow portion would have to be re-built, -while in many places the hull-plating would have to be re-fastened -and re-caulked. Internal damage caused by the concussion was also -great. By dint of working day and night the shipbuilders might be -able to effect repairs in a month's time. - -The next day leave was given to the starboard watch. Officers and men -were, by the special consent of the Admiralty, granted seven days' -leave. Meanwhile, arrangements were being made to turn over the -ship's company to another vessel until repairs to the "Strongbow" -were carried out. - -The temporary substitute--the armed merchant-man "Vindex"--was lying -at Leith. Being of considerably lesser tonnage than the "Strongbow" -there was no necessity for the whole of the latter's crew to man her. -With mixed feelings Sub-Lieutenant Aubyn found that he was appointed -to H.M.S. "Terrier" as supernumerary. - -He was sorry to part company with his old messmates, even for a -comparatively brief period. Having won praise from his captain, -possessed of the friendship and esteem of his brother-officers, and -well liked by the lower deck, he felt a mental wrench at having to -say good-bye even for a few weeks. - -On the other hand, his appointment to the "Terrier" was after his own -heart, for the ship was a regular unit of the British Navy. She was, -it is true, an obsolete craft--a torpedo-gunboat of only 800 tons and -a speed of nineteen knots. - -Built more than twenty years previously, the "Terrier's" original -rôle had long since been usurped by the "destroyer" class. In later -years she had been employed as a fishery-protection cruiser, until at -the outbreak of war she had been hastily re-fitted and commissioned -as a mine-sweeper patrol-boat. - -The "Terrier," undergoing engine repairs, was still detained at -Newcastle, whither Terence proceeded to join her. - -"I hear you've been done out of your leave," was the remark of the -"Terrier's" captain, a tall, slimly built man, who looked about -Terence's age, although he must have been some years his senior in -order to have attained the rank of lieutenant-commander. "We won't be -out of dockyard hands for another week, so if you like you can go -ashore and report yourself on Saturday." - -"Can I be spared, sir?" - -"A more favourable opportunity may not occur again for some time," -replied Captain Holloway. "Lying alongside a dirty wharf with the -coal-dust flying into the officers' cabins all day doesn't make life -aboard very attractive. I'm in shore quarters myself until we're -ready to proceed to sea; so under the circumstances you will be wise -to take advantage of a few days' leave." - -The sub. thanked his captain for his consideration, and having given -orders for his gear to be placed in his cabin, proceeded to pack a -small portmanteau with articles absolutely necessary for his -well-earned holiday. While he was so doing he rapidly debated with -himself as to where he intended to go. According to the King's -Regulations he was bound to leave his address in the event of being -telegraphed to rejoin his ship. The limited time at his disposal, -coupled with the idea of the expense of a first-class railway ticket -to the South of England, did not permit a visit to his mother. He had -no friends in Newcastle, and he was not at all desirous of putting up -at an hotel in that city. - -Then he remembered Waynsford's invitation to look him up if he -happened to be within easy distance of Scarborough. - -"Somewhat of the nature of a busman's holiday," he mused, as he wrote -his proposed address in the leave-book: "R.M.B.R. 'Lonette,' -Scarborough." - -Dick Waynsford, apprised by telegraph, was on the station platform to -greet him. - -"Glad you're come, old man," he exclaimed. "Anything to buck a fellow -up?" - -"Why, what's wrong now?" asked Terence. - -"Nothing in particular; only I'm getting thoroughly fed up in this -place. Nothing much to do but to run errands to the mine-sweepers -that occasionally put into the bay. A fisherman could do the job -equally as well as I can. You've been having an exciting time, I -hear?" - -"Somewhat," replied Aubyn modestly. "Now, let's be making a move." - -The two chums jumped into a waiting taxi, Waynsford giving the -chauffeur directions to drive as straight as he jolly well knew how -to Sandside, and not to take them half-way round the town to get -there. - -"'Sandside'--that sounds all right," thought Terence, but his -expectations were unrealized as the taxi drew up in the rather dingy -quarter of Scarborough adjoining the harbour. - -"There she is," announced Waynsford, pointing to the grey hull of the -"Lonette," which, barely water-borne, was reclining against the lofty -wall of the harbour. "One of the best runs I ever had in her was -when we brought her round from Yarmouth." - -"Why, she's hard and fast aground." - -"M'yes," agreed Waynsford unconcernedly. "She spends most of her time -like that, It's all right sleeping on board, unless she happens to -take a list the wrong way. Then you've got to sort yourselves out of -a horrible muddle on the cabin floor." - -"What if you're wanted?" enquired Aubyn. - -"We have to jolly well wait till she floats," answered his chum, with -a grin. "It's a quiet berth, and heaps better than rolling all night -in the open bay. We had one taste of it--nearly upset the whole crowd -of us. Mind that ladder: it's horribly slippery." - -Waynsford indicated a perpendicular iron ladder, its lowermost end -hidden in black mud, over which the rising tide was slowly advancing. - -Throwing his portmanteau to one of the crew, who, as the result of -long practice, deftly caught the heavy article, Terence descended the -fifteen feet of ladder and stepped across the intervening space -between the water and the motor-boat's quarter. - -"Here's your bunk," announced Waynsford, pointing to a cot swung -against the side of the bin. "Nalder, my opposite number, sleeps on -the port bunk." - -"How about you?" asked Terence. - -"I'm going to turn in on the floor for the next few nights," replied -Waynsford. "I'm used to it. You see, we've another boat for actual -duty purposes in fine weather. She's smaller and handier. We use -'Lonette' mostly as a kind of parent ship. Now, I'll get the boy to -bring the grub in. Fire away and let's have all the news." - -During the rest of the day while daylight lasted Waynsford piloted -his chum round the Queen of Watering Places, taking him up to the -ruined castle and introducing him to some officers of Kitchener's -Army whose acquaintance he had recently made. - -"Jolly decent place in the summer, I should imagine," declared -Waynsford, as the chums wended their way back to the harbour. "But -deadly dull now. Not a light to be seen after dark. It makes one -almost wish that the Germans would pay the place a visit, if only to -make things a little more lively." - -"Eh, what's that?" inquired Terence. - -"Only wishing for the impossible, my dear fellow. Being an -unfortified town Scarborough will not be favoured with the attentions -of the Teutons. Apart from that they won't risk another raid. They're -too wary of our fleet." - -It was quite late in the night before the officers of the "Lonette" -turned in. The crew detailed for the duty boat had departed, their -"trick" commencing at midnight. Quietude settled upon the almost -lifeless harbour. Most of the fishing fleet that still remained at -its usual work were out. Five or six of the boats, locked up for the -night, were moored in the inner harbour. Three more, preparing to -leave at high water, were tied up to buoys at the entrance to the -outer basin, their crews working silently as if infected by the -solitude that overspread the once busy port. - -Suddenly Terence was awakened by finding himself slipping from his -bunk. In the darkness, for the moment, unable to recall his -surroundings, he imagined himself back in the old "Strongbow," and -that the vessel was rolling badly. But quickly he discovered that the -movement was different; there was no recovery. He felt his bunk list -more and more, until vainly endeavouring to hold himself in, he -subsided upon the still soundly sleeping Waynsford. - -"Confound it!" exclaimed that worthy. "She's heeled outwards. I -thought we'd taken proper precautions. Sorry to disturb you, old -man." - -"It's a case of my disturbing you, I fancy," replied Terence, after -he had extricated himself from the pile of blankets and cushions. "I -don't mind, if you don't. There goes the crockery," he added, as a -series of crashes came from the fo'c'sle. - -Striking a match Waynsford lit the cabin lamp and glanced at the -bulkhead clock. - -"Seven, by Jove!" he exclaimed. "It's close on low water. In another -two hours we'll be afloat again. No use attempting to turn in. -Nalder, you lazy bounder, get up and join in a hand of dummy whist." - -Sub-Lieutenant Nalder, who being in the port cot had been wedged -between the bunk cushions and those on the side, was sleeping -unconcernedly throughout the racket, as if such happenings were quite -in the usual order of things. Aroused by Waynsford's voice and a -hearty slap on the back, he sat up. - -"Right-o," he agreed. "Jones!" - -"Sir!" replied a muffled voice from the fo'c'sle. - -"Bring me my pack of cards, will you?" - -Terence heard the unmistakable sounds of someone trying to open a -jammed door. Then, after a moment's delay the fo'c'sle sliding door -was thrust open and the seaman thrust his dishevelled head into the -cabin. - -"Sorry, sir," he reported, "but the blessed condensed milk has gone -and upset itself all over the pack." - -"That's kippered our game," remarked Waynsford. "Let's turn out and -see what it's like. A stretch before breakfast will do us good." - -Donning their great-coats, the three officers contrived, without -mishap, to leap from the heeling side of the motor-boat to the rungs -of the ladder. - -"Beastly foggy morning," declared Nalder. - -"Just getting light enough to see," added Waynsford, as, in -contradiction to his statement, he stumbled and almost fell over a -mooring rope. - -Gradually the gaunt outlines of the ruined castle that towered high -above the harbour began to grow distinct against the grey sky. The -fog began to disperse, although the cliffs to the southern end of the -town were still invisible. - -"Let's stroll up to the castle," suggested Waynsford. "It will be -something to do." - -Acting upon this proposal the two ascended the stony path. As they -approached the coastguard station they noticed that the signalman was -peering seawards through a telescope. The man was so intent upon some -objects out to sea that he paid no attention to the new-comers. - -Presently the coastguardsman put down his telescope and seized the -mouthpiece of a telephone in the signal hut. Terence could hear him -speaking distinctly. - -"Strange vessels approaching from the nor'ard, sir," he reported to -the officer at the Naval Wireless Station behind the town. "I've -signalled them, but they won't pay any attention." - -The three subs. gazed seawards. Just visible through the haze were -four cruisers, moving sufficiently fast through the leaden-coloured -water to cause the foam to froth at their bows. Even as they looked -the young officers were mildly surprised to see a spurt of dull red -flame burst from the for'ard turret of the leading vessel. - -Mild surprise gave place to complete astonishment as a heavy shell -hurtled overhead, carrying away several of the telegraph wires, and -plunged with a terrific detonation into the fortunately unoccupied -barracks on the Castle Hill. - -Before the noise of the falling brickwork and masonry had subsided -the devoted coastguardsman could be heard shouting on the -telephone:-- - -"They're German cruisers: they're shelling us." - -The man had done his duty. He could do no more good remaining where -he was. At a quick double he tore for safety, shouting to the young -officers to get under cover. - -Aubyn, with his companions, quickly took this advice to heart. He had -in the action between the "Saraband" and the "Osnabruck" stood up to -the hostile fire, but then it was a fight on even terms. Now it was a -one-sided affair, and by the noise of the exploding shell Terence -knew that it was of much larger calibre than those that came from the -German armed liner. - -Scarcely had the fugitives covered a hundred yards when another -appalling crash, followed by a distinct blast of acrid-smelling air, -caused Terence to look back. A shell, better aimed than the first, -had completely demolished the signal hut. This missile was followed -by salvo after salvo, some forty shells of various calibre raining on -the Castle Hill. Others, striking the sheer cliffs, brought tons of -rock clattering down upon the Marine Parade, while what was far -worse, many projectiles skimming the ruins of the castle, fell with -disastrous results upon the congested buildings of the town. - -The three subs. were now under the lee of the frowning rock. Here -they were comparatively safe, except from stray fragments of -splintered shell and flying masonry. The coastguardsman had gone in a -different direction. - -"The swine!" ejaculated Nalder. "They're shelling a defenceless -town. And the 'Lonette' is high and dry too." - -In spite of the serious situation his comrades gave vent to a hearty -laugh. It seemed so incongruous that Nalder should have taken the -plight of the little motor-boat into consideration. Yet had Nalder -had his way it was quite possible that he would have blazed away with -a rifle at the huge steel monsters with as much result as a small boy -using a peashooter against an elephant. - -"Not a bad idea getting down to the harbour," added Waynsford. -"We'll be fairly sheltered, and we can see what's going on." - -Terence thought otherwise. Massive stone walls afford no protection -from monster guns. Nevertheless he raised no objection. For one -thing--and here the professional sailor scored heavily over the two -amateurs--it afforded a chance of making a note of the appearance of -the hostile vessels: information that might prove of immense service -to the Admiralty. - -Shells were raining upon the undefended town as the three reached the -harbour pier. In several parts of Scarborough fires, caused by the -exploding projectiles, had broken out, and dense columns of smoke -rose from the demolished buildings. Having, as they thought, -completely demolished the supposed batteries on Castle Hill the -German gunners were out to do as much damage to private property as -they possibly could. It was but a phase in the terrorizing operations -that these modern barbarians delight in calling "kultur." - -The attacking craft had now passed in front of the Castle Hill and -were clearly visible from the harbour, as they slowly steamed within -a quarter of a mile of the shore, vomiting death and destruction upon -the hapless town. - -The leading craft Terence recognized as one of the Derfflinger -Class--an inferior imitation of our Dreadnought cruisers. Astern of -her came the "Bluecher," a vessel whose construction the German -people hailed with acclamation as the most powerful craft afloat and -one that would outclass anything that the British had or would be -likely to have. Yet, ere the "Bluecher" took the water, she was -hopelessly outmatched by the "Indomitable" class. - -For once, however, these two ships were having things all their own -way. With the exception of the fiasco at Yarmouth, over a hundred -years had elapsed since the thunder of an enemy's guns had been heard -by the dwellers of our sea-girt island. British pride in the -impregnable position of our insular kingdom had received a nasty -shock, for without let or hindrance German guns were pounding her -shores in broad daylight. - -Half a mile or so behind the battle cruisers were two light cruisers, -which apparently took little part in the one-sided engagement. They -were engaged in the pleasant occupation of mine-laying, in the hope -that one of the British squadrons, summoned by wireless, would -flounder blindly into the dangerous zone. - -"Oh, for a couple of our submarines!" groaned Terence, as the hostile -craft moved slowly along the bay. "They'd bag the whole crowd of -them." - -Twenty paces from the spot where the subs. stood was an old bronzed -and bearded fisherman--a typical Yorkshire salt. Heedless of the risk -he ran, he leapt upon the stone parapet, and shaking his fist at the -German ships rated them in the choicest language of the Shire of -Broad Acres. Nor would he descend when Aubyn pointed out the risk he -ran, and it was only when a shell tore a huge hole in the side of the -lighthouse that the old fellow would deign to move. - -For a quarter of an hour or twenty minutes the two cruisers -maintained a hot fire with their starboard guns. Then came a pause in -the hitherto ceaseless roar of the ordnance, as the ships circled to -port. Retracing their course they reopened fire, till, gradually -increasing speed, they shaped a course nor'nor'east and disappeared -in the haze. - -"Let's gie into town an see t' damage," suggested the old fisherman, -who, like the rest of the hardy East Coast men, had little respect -for rank and persons. "Sith'a, lads, there'll be work for us over -yonder," and he pointed to the maze of houses, many of which showed -signs of the effect of the high-explosive shells. - -In the course of his sea-service Terence Aubyn had witnessed more -than one horrible sight; but in all his previous experience he had -never seen anything approaching the cold-blooded butchery of mere -civilians--men, women, and children--by the murderous German shells. - -With the energy and coolness that is characteristic of the born -seaman he dashed into a practically gutted house, whence cries of -pain had attracted his attention. - -The house was in one of the poorer districts, substantially built of -stone, as is frequently the case in the north of England. A -projectile had struck the building just above the ground-floor -window. The stonework had, for the most part, resisted the explosion, -the force of which had resulted in floors and roofs being either -demolished or reduced to a state of absolute insecurity. The ground -floors were piled high with débris, under which, though partly -visible, was the dead body of an old man. - -The cries for aid, uttered in a childish voice, came from the upper -storey. Here a part of the bedroom floor had collapsed, exposing to -view a wooden bedstead, so insecurely perched that it threatened at -every moment to topple over into the chaotic mass thirty feet below. -The stairs had vanished, only the iron handrail and a few of its -supports remaining. - -"What's the move?" demanded Waynsford, as Aubyn threw off his -great-coat and handed it to a boy who was watching the scene of -desolation with marked curiosity. "Don't be a fool, man! Wait till -they bring a ladder." - -"It may be too late then," replied Terence; then turning to the old -fisherman he bade him bring a coil of rope. - -"Thank goodness, there's one man who knows what he is about," thought -Aubyn, as the veteran salt hurried off. "No stopping to ask what -size or what length." - -The next instant the sub. was well on his hazardous climb. Grasping -the handrail and making fairly certain that it would bear his weight, -Terence hauled himself up, using the holes in the stonework, left by -the dislodged stairs, as footholds. As sure-footed as a cat, as -active as a panther, he swung himself up, hardly pausing till he -gained the uppermost landing, where a few square inches of -floorboards remained. Between that and the bedstead was a gap nearly -ten feet in width. A professional long-jumper might have essayed the -task with success, but in his case Terence realized that a leap would -be out of the question. - -Rapidly the sub. reviewed the situation. From where he stood he could -see the children distinctly. One was a girl of about nine years of -age, fair-haired and pale-faced. It was she who was screaming, more -with fright than pain, although there was a dark moist patch upon her -hair. Her companion was a child of about three, lying with his head -over the side of the bed to all appearances either dead or else -unconscious. - -Already the joist nearest the gap in the shattered floor was bending -ominously. Terence felt certain that even if he could get across the -intervening space his weight would precipitate the bed and its -occupants on to the mound of rubble and broken woodwork below. - -He looked above him. The laths and plaster of the ceiling had -vanished, the tiles had been blown into the street, leaving the gaunt -rafters practically intact. Raising his hand he found that he could -just grasp the sloping timber. - -"If it carries away, I'm done," he thought. "But it's no use hanging -on here, so here goes." - -With a resolute leap the sub. seized the two adjoining rafters. The -rough woodwork lacerated his hands, but he heeded it not. By sheer -muscular effort he raised himself sufficiently to pass his arms over -the timber, whence it was a comparatively simple matter to clamber on -top of the outside wall. - -Well it was that Aubyn had a good head for heights. Looking down from -that precarious perch would make most landsmen giddy, but as coolly -as if he were walking along a street, the sub. made his way round to -the opposite side of the shattered house immediately over the still -holding floor of the bedroom. - -The elder child, on seeing Terence approach, had ceased her cries and -was watching him with wide-open eyes. Then she raised herself, as if -to make a spring into his arms. - -"Don't move just yet," exclaimed the sub. as calmly as he could. -"I'll help you both very soon." - -He was desperately anxious lest the girl, by her action, would bring -about the calamity he was trying to prevent. At the same time he was -racking his brains to find out how he could get hold of the rope when -the fisherman returned with it. - -"Eh, little lass," he exclaimed, imitating to the best of his ability -the East Riding dialect, "just you hand me up one of those sheets. -Don't hurry." - -The girl obeyed, wonderingly but unhesitatingly. Terence began to -tear the cotton sheet into thin strips, binding them into one -continuous length, until he judged that he had sufficient to reach -the ground. - - -[Illustration: "'Don't move just yet,' said the Sub. 'I'll help you -both very soon.'"] - - -Hardly were his preparations completed when the fisherman returned, -puffing and blowing with his exertions. - -"Eh, lad, a've got 'en," he announced. "An' a block as well. Th' -knows it might come in handy. - -"Good man!" thought Terence. "He's solved an awkward problem." Then -addressing the old salt: "Stand by and bend the rope on to this," he -shouted, as he allowed one end of the cotton strip to flutter to the -ground. - -Steadily the sub. began to haul in his flimsy line, while the -fisherman dexterously paid out the coil of rope, the end of which he -had made to Aubyn's means of communication. Then, as soon as he saw -that Terence had secured one end of the rope, the old man hitched on -the large pulley and continued to pay out more cordage until the -block was within the sub.'s grasp. - -Whipping out his knife Terence cut off about six or seven feet of -rope, using the severed portion as a strop to make fast the block to -a pair of rafters. Then passing the rest of the rope through the -sheave his means of effecting the rescue of the children were ready -for service. - -"Stand by to lower away," he shouted, as he made a loop known as a -"bowline on a bight." - -"Ay, ay," replied the old salt, at the same time signing to Waynsford -and Nalder to bear a hand. - -Giving a final tug at the strop to make sure as far as possible that -the rafter would hold, Terence slid into the loop and swung himself -clear of the wall. - -"Belay there," he hailed after being lowered a sufficient distance to -bring himself level with the remains of the bedroom floor. "Now, -little lass, I'll hold you. Don't be afraid." - -The next moment the injured girl was safe in his arms. Although the -bed shook as the rescued child moved, it still withstood the tendency -to slip into the abyss. Twenty seconds later Terence handed his -charge over to a doctor who formed one of the rapidly-gathering crowd -in the street. - -"There's another child--a baby," announced Aubyn. "Badly hurt, I -fancy so haul me up smartly." - -Spinning round and round like a joint on a meat-jack the sub. again -ascended, till the smaller child's body was within reach of his arms. -As he whipped off the covering he gave an ill-suppressed exclamation -of horror. The left foot of the little victim had been torn away at -the ankle. - -"Good heavens, Waynsford!" exclaimed Terence, after the child-victims -had been removed, and the justly-exasperated crowd began to disperse. -"I'm not a vindictive fellow, but if I had that low-down German who -gave orders for this butchery, it would give me the greatest pleasure -in the world to punch his head." - -"You may have the chance yet," replied Waynsford. He had been -thinking deeply for the last few moments. "I'm afraid I'm on the -wrong lay. Here I am, wearing His Majesty's uniform, fooling about in -a rotten little motor-boat, when I ought to be taking a man's part -out there," and he pointed towards the North Sea." - -"You haven't done badly, when you come to think of it," remarked -Terence. "At Yarmouth, for instance." - -"A beastly fluke. You, my dear fellow, had most of the game then." - -"Buck up!" exclaimed Aubyn cheerily. "You may have a good sniff-in -yet. If you don't, remember there's some verse about people serving -who only sit and wait. I'm not fond of poetry myself, but perhaps you -may know the line I refer to. Let's make a move. There may be more -work for us amongst the ruins." - -"May I coom along wi' tha', maaster?" asked the fisherman, who was -coiling away the rope that had been so instrumental. "Eh, lad, -thou'rt real champion." - -"By all means," replied the sub. heartily. In spite of his years the -old fellow had his wits about him. If there should be any work of a -similar nature his assistance would be most valuable. - -Before they had gone fifty yards the attention of Aubyn and his party -was attracted by the sudden appearance of an elderly corpulent man -whose garments consisted of a pyjama suit, over which he wore a -woman's jacket with the sleeves tied round his throat, an old pair of -carpet slippers and a felt hat. He had just emerged from a cellar, -into which he had bolted during the earlier stages of the -bombardment. Blinking like an owl he asked plaintively if the danger -was at an end. - -"Eh, maaster," replied the fisherman. "They kind and humane Germans -sheered off half an hour agone." - -"It's disgraceful!" exclaimed the dishevelled man vehemently. "Didn't -the First Lord of the Admiralty tell us plainly, only a few months -ago, that we could sleep quietly in our beds? Weren't those his exact -words?" - -"Ay," replied the old salt, with a grim twinkle in his eye. "Ay, that -a' did. Th' knows the Huns gave us a look up at a time when most -folks ought to be up an' about. Naw, get you gone, friend Thomas; -thou'rt not fit to be seen in a respectable town like Scarbro'." - -Terence looked inquiringly at his humble friend, as the pyjama-clad -man waddled away. - -"He'll be one o' those fools as oratates on t' parade on Sundays -afternoons," explained the fisherman. - -"I knows him well. Always was trying to make us believe that those -Huns were our best friends, and that there weren't no use for a -British Navy. Th' knows t' sort. For one reason, sith'a, I'm not -sorry that those Germans came to Scarbro'." - - - - -CHAPTER XIV. - -THE END OF THE "TERRIER" - - -H.M. torpedo-gunboat "Terrier" lay at anchor just within the limits -of one of the numerous shallow estuaries of the Essex Coast. By the -aid of the lead-line and an Admiralty chart on too small a scale to -be of much assistance, Captain Holloway had taken his craft through -the intricate approach channel with often less than three feet of -water under her keel. Now she was lying head to wind, for it was high -water and no tide running, in six fathoms, and within two hundred and -eighty yards of the mud-fringed shore. - -The "Terrier" had spent an uneventful week on her station, patrolling -her appointed limits in the North Sea without a single incident to -break the monotony. Swept fore and aft by huge seas that her high -fo'c'sle failed to ward off; plugging away in a zig-zag course day -after day, till her grey funnels were bleached white with salt spray; -with her guns' crews standing by their guns through watch and watch -day and night, she was "doing her little bit" as one small unit of -the vast, tireless navy. - -A few hours previous to the torpedo gunboat's anchoring in the creek, -one of the crew had with great suddenness developed appendicitis. -Although the "Terrier" carried a surgeon, the case was one for a -shore hospital, and as one of the Admiralty "sick-quarters" was -situated in the village at the head of the creek, Captain Holloway -decided to land the patient with the utmost despatch. - -It was blowing fairly fresh. Outside the bar the sea was -foam-flecked. Rollers came tumbling in, breaking heavily on shore or -else expending themselves harmlessly in the creek. At her anchorage -the torpedo-gunboat was pitching slightly to the heave of the open -sea. - -"Do you see any sign of the boat, Mr. Aubyn?" asked Captain Holloway. -"Those fellows ought to be on their way back by this time." - -Terence, who was officer of the watch, brought his glass to bear upon -the shore, where a cluster of red-tiled roofs, dominated by the grey -tower of a church, marked the position of the village--a distance of -about a mile and a half from where the "Terrier" lay. - -"Boat's still at the hard, sir," he reported. "The boat-keeper is -sitting in the stern sheets." - -Lieutenant-Commander Holloway gave vent to a gesture of impatience. -He knew from the fact that the seaman left in charge was taking it -easy that the rest of the party were not on their way back to the -hard. - -On board the "Terrier" the crew were taking advantage of dry decks to -air their saturated clothing and bedding. The watches had just been -changed. Down on the ill-ventilated mess-deck grimy stokers, up from -the confined stokehold, were scrubbing themselves and changing into -clean rig. The fo'c'sle was packed with humanity. Amid the babel of -voices Terence could detect the burr of Glorious Devon, the broad -Scotch of the Highlands, the staccato voice of an excitable Welshman, -the rich brogue of Connemara, and the last but not least, the -unmistakable Cockney accent, but one and all stout-hearted British -seamen. The most frequent topic of conversation that drifted to the -sub.'s ears as he stood on the elevated bridge was football. Some of -the men were discussing home affairs in the blunt open fashion that -Jack Tar unconsciously adopts; others were debating the prospects of -Christmas leave. As for the war, the subject was almost entirely -ignored. - -Once more the sub. brought his telescope to bear upon the shore. -There were signs of activity on the part of the boat-keeper, so -Terence came to the conclusion that the hospital party were on their -way back. - -Then, with a true seaman's almost unconscious instinct he gave a -glance first to windward and then towards the open sea. As he did so -he made a sudden dash to the engine-room telegraph, signalling for -full speed astern with the starboard engine and full speed ahead with -the port, at the same time shouting in stentorian tones that -electrified the whole of the crew within hearing:-- - -"Submarine on the port beam!" - -A bugle blared. Ere the short notes of alarm had died away Captain -Holloway was beside his subordinate on the bridge. The guns' crews of -the two 4.7's sprang to their weapons. Clang went the breach-blocks. - -"Eight hundred yards!" announced the gunner calmly, as the copper -cylinders with their deadly steel heads were thrust home. - -But a deadlier weapon was already on its way towards the doomed ship. -A torpedo, set at its minimum depth in order to make sure that it -would not pass under the keel of its intended prey, was tearing -towards the "Terrier" with the speed of an express train. - -From his position on the bridge Terence watched its rapid progress. -He could do nothing beyond what he had already done. It was evident -that before the ship could swing on her cable, under the adverse -action of her twin propellers, until she was bows on to the deadly -missile, the torpedo would hit her. - -At times the gleaming steel cylinder was clear of the water between -the crests of the waves, yet unswerving either to right or left, it -headed with disconcerting accuracy towards the ship. - -The two 4.7's clashed almost simultaneously. The shell from her bow -gun, aimed at the now disappearing periscope of the hostile -submarine, missed it by a bare yard, and ricochetting, threw up five -distinct columns of spray ere it sunk for good and all. - -The gun-layer at the after gun with admirable presence of mind -launched a projectile at the torpedo in the hope of diverting its -course. He made one mistake: he forgot to take into consideration the -refractive properties of water, and consequently the missile struck -the surface too far in the wake of the torpedo to affect its -direction. - -"Stand clear there!" shouted the captain, seeing even in that tense -interval that several of the men were standing by the stanchions. - -There was a general rush to the starboard side to avoid the direct -effect of the explosion of the "tin-fish," then a strange silence -fell upon the ship's company. - -"Crash!" - -A hundred feet or so in the air rose a column of spray, as the deadly -torpedo exploded on the port side nearly abreast of the fo'c'sle gun. -The ship literally jumped a yard or so out of the water, then with a -sickening thud, followed by the unmistakable sound of water pouring -into her hull, subsided heavily in the agitated foam. - -With his senses practically numbed by the shock of the explosion, -Terence stood stockstill, grasping the bridge rail with both hands, -while unconscious of the fact he held his telescope under his arm. He -was dimly aware of the débris flying all around him, as the slender -pole-mast, ventilators, and other heavy objects went crashing over -the side. Then, as the cloud of spray and acrid smoke dispersed he -could discern the forms of the crew as with varying speeds the -majority regained their feet. A few, stunned by the concussion, were -lying inertly upon the deck. - -For quite ninety seconds Aubyn remained in his dazed condition. Then -he realized that the ship was done for, and that he was still alive. -Further, as an officer it was his duty to exert himself for the sake -of the men. He remembered that the captain had been on the bridge, -and turning saw his superior officer standing at the head of the -ladder. - -The captain was capless. There was blood upon his forehead. A -splinter had grazed his head, making a clean superficial wound. The -two men exchanged reassuring glances, then in clear, steady tones -Captain Holloway issued an order for all hands to fall in on the -quarter-deck. - -The men made their way aft at the double. There was no undue -scrambling or frantic haste, although the "Terrier's" raised fo'c'sle -was now almost flush with the water, and her after part, where the -freeboard was nominally only five feet, was thrice that height in the -air. - -Up through the small awkward engine-room stokehold hatchways came the -"black squad," not one man of whom had stirred from his post until -ordered to do so. Knowing full well that a catastrophe had befallen -the ship, but ignorant of the actual facts, or whether she was on the -point of making a sudden plunge to the bottom, these men had to -undergo the greatest ordeal of any of the ship's company. Yet, before -making his dash for safety, the artificer-engineer had taken care to -prevent an explosion of the boilers as the water poured into the -stokehold. - -Of the boats on the davits only one was fit for service. The others -were badly strained by the explosion or damaged by the flying -débris. The serviceable one was quickly lowered, and, although -leaking freely, was manned and brought alongside. - -"Pass all injured men over the side," ordered Captain Holloway. "The -rest of you can make the best of your way ashore--and good luck to -you." - -The crew gave three rousing cheers and prepared for the coming -ordeal, for although the distance to the shore was an easy swim the -bitter coldness of the water had to be taken into consideration. - -One by one the wounded were passed into the boat; after them as many -men as she could safely hold. The boat was ordered to lie off and -render assistance to any swimmers in difficulties. - -"With your permission, sir," said Aubyn, "I'll have a look down on -the mess-deck. There may be some of the hands left below." - -"Do so, by all means, Mr. Aubyn," replied his superior. "The old -boat shows no great hurry." - -"I fancy she's aground for'ard, sir," said the sub. "I'll be as sharp -as I can." - -Descending the now almost perpendicular ladder Terence gained the -shelving mess-deck. Already the water was surging over the forepart; -kit-bags, tables and stools were floating in a confused mass, while -those that were not yet reached by the rapidly rising flood had been -thrown about in all directions by the explosion. - -It was some time before the sub. grew accustomed to the semi-gloom. -His senses were still affected by the concussion; he could see the -water pouring in, but the noise it made was barely audible. The -situation reminded him of a cinematograph show unaccompanied by a -band. - -"All clear as far as I can see," he thought. "It's about time I -looked after number one. Heavens! What is that?" - -Lying almost buried by a pile of gear in one corner of the stokers' -mess was the body of a man. He was insensible, and, in the hurried -rush, had been overlooked by his companions. Already the level of the -water was up to the man's chin as he lay with his head and shoulders -propped up against a broken ditty-box. - -Knee-deep in water Terence hurried to the rescue. The man, a great -brawny specimen of humanity, was stripped to the waist. Surprised in -the act of washing, after coming off duty, he had been rendered -senseless by the explosion. His right leg was bent under him. The -limb, Terence knew at a glance, was broken. He was also bleeding -profusely from an ugly scalp wound in the back of his head. - -In spite of the unconscious stoker's weight--he turned the scale at -sixteen stone--Aubyn dragged him along the deck to the foot of the -ladder. Here he was temporarily baffled, for the metal "treads" were -now sloping downwards at such an angle that it would be difficult for -him to get a foothold unimpeded, much more when attempting to lift a -heavy man. - -It never occurred to the sub. to call upon Captain Holloway for -assistance. The captain, the only person now on deck, was -mechanically puffing at an unlighted cigarette, while his attention -was fixed upon the crowd of swimmers, good, bad, and indifferent, as -they struck out for the shore. Beyond removing his boots the captain -had made no preparations for safety, resolving to remain on his -quarter-deck until his ill-fated command disappeared beneath the -waves. - -Unseen by his superior officer and equally unconscious of his -presence, Terence gained the upper deck, secured a rope, and again -descended to the aid of the luckless stoker. Bending the rope round -the man's chest and back the sub. clambered up the ladder and began -to heave away. Under ordinary circumstances Aubyn would never have -attempted such a feat, but sheer nerve gave him the strength of a -giant. Unaided he succeeded in raising the senseless man and toppling -him over the coaming on to the deck. - -Just then Captain Holloway, having seen that the last of the swimmers -had reached the mud-fringed shore, remembered that the sub. had gone -below, and finding that he had not returned, hurried to the -companion. - -To his surprise he found Aubyn bending over the body of a badly -wounded stoker. - -"Found him below, sir," explained the sub. "Double fracture of the -leg and a nasty gash on his head." - -With his captain's assistance Terence proceeded to apply rough -splints to the injured limb and to staunch the flow of blood from the -man's head. - -"We'll soon have him out of it," remarked Captain Holloway. "The -gig's returning, and I see the whaler is coming up as hard as she -can." - -He pointed to the boat which had taken the invalid to the -sick-quarters. Alarmed by the explosion and concluding that something -had befallen the ship, the ship's crew had bent to their oars with a -will, to find on drawing clear of the hard that the "Terrier" was on -the point of sinking. - -The sub. felt himself shivering. The keen wind blowing against his -saturated nether garments reminded him that it was mid-winter. As he -stooped to wring the water out of the bottoms of his trousers he -realized that the unconscious stoker, who a few moments before had -been toiling in the hot stokehold, was now lying stripped to the -waist. - -Removing his great-coat and muffler Terence slipped the garments over -the unfortunate man, just as the gig and the whaler came alongside. - -This time there were plenty of helpers. Carefully the stoker was -lowered into the whaler and placed in the stern-sheets. - -"Give way, my lads," ordered Captain Holloway. "Run this man up to -the sick-quarters as hard as you know how." - -Then turning to Aubyn he added, - -"The old ship seems to be hanging on. We may as well have a look -below and see if there's anything of value in our cabins." - -Bidding the gig lie off at a boat's length from the ship, which was -now tilted at such an angle that her propellers were clear of the -water, Captain Holloway, followed by Terence, disappeared down the -little companion just abaft the after 4.7-in. gun. - -Although Aubyn had been on board the torpedo-gunboat only a week he -was thoroughly familiar with the appearance of the little box-room -dubbed by courtesy a cabin. It would be difficult to describe its -shape, for being well aft she was cut into by the "run" of the -ship's side as it approached the stern-post. It was lighted by two -scuttles, or circular ports. Immediately beneath these lights was his -bunk, extending from bulkhead to bulkhead, yet barely long enough for -him to lie at full length. - -Underneath the bunk were two mahogany drawers. In one of the two -corners of the cabin, which were rectangular, stood a wash-basin, -hidden from view by a green baize curtain. Against the opposite -bulkhead was a very small stove, its brasswork polished to a high -degree. Somewhere between the rest of the space was a chair which had -to be moved whenever the occupant of the cabin crossed from one side -of his personal and private domain to the other. Even the steel -ceiling, coated with cork cement, in a feeble attempt to prevent -"sweating" of the metal, was utilized for a secondary purpose; from -here hung the sub.'s enamelled iron bath. - -Being well aft Aubyn's cabin had escaped much of the force of the -explosion, but most of the loose gear had been displaced and lodged -in the angle formed by the sloping floor and bulkhead. Two -photographs in silver frames, their glasses smashed to atoms, lay on -the carpet in company with the sub.'s silver cigarette-case, his -watch and chain and a toilet-case--the latter a present from his -headmaster upon leaving school. That little heap represented -practically the whole of his worldly belongings in the way of -luxuries: he could have stowed the lot inside his sweater. - -Yet he did nothing of the sort. Like a man in a trance he stood in -the doorway. Unaccountably the dazed feeling that gripped him -immediately after the ship had received her death-blow took -possession of him again. There he remained, gazing at the scene of -disorder, without stirring a finger to save his treasures, until he -was aroused by Captain Holloway exclaiming:-- - -"Look alive, Mr. Aubyn. She's going." - -Up the companion raced the two officers. The ship was trembling -violently. Air bubbles, escaping through the submerged scuttles, -agitated the water alongside. The whole of the fore-part of the -"Terrier," as far as the base of the after funnel, was under the -waves. It was even a difficult matter to cross the deck from the -companion to the side. - -The gig backed. Captain Holloway signed to the sub. to leap; then -giving a last look round he followed Aubyn into the boat. - -"Lay on your oars, man," he ordered, after the gig had gone a hundred -yards from the sinking ship. - -Standing in the stern-sheets, Captain Holloway waited for the end. It -was not long in coming. With the White Ensign still fluttering -proudly in the breeze, the "Terrier" dipped more and more till ten -feet of the after-part of her keel was visible. For a brief instant -the towering mass seemed to hang irresolute, then with hardly a -splash the hull disappeared from sight, leaving only the after-mast -from the truck to the hounds above the surface. - -Raising his hand to the peak of his cap the captain gave his former -command a last salute, then resuming his seat, bade the men "give -way." - -All the inhabitants of the village were on the shore ready to offer -hospitality to the crew, many of whom had discarded most of their -clothing before jumping from the ship. One petty officer, three able -seamen, and a stoker were missing--doubtless killed outright by the -explosion. Four men were seriously injured, while a score more were -suffering from wounds and shock. - -"Hanged if I can quite realize it," remarked Captain Holloway, as he -walked with Aubyn towards the village. "I remember going down to my -cabin and grabbing a spare cap. There were two drawers in my locker. -In one was fifty half-sovereigns, and in the other over three hundred -pounds in notes. The gold is in my trousers' pocket, but, although I -recollect seeing the notes, I've let the whole lot go to Davy Jones. -Strange, eh? Why, what's the matter with you, man?" - -He turned and grasped Terence by the shoulders just in time to -prevent him from falling to the ground in a dead faint. - - - - -CHAPTER XV. - -VICE VERSÂ. - - -"TELEGRAM for you, mum." - -Mrs. Aubyn put down her newspaper and took the orange-coloured -envelope which her sister's maid had just brought in on a tray. -Telegrams were rather unusual at "Anchor Cottage," and the freckled, -red-haired girl, with eyes and mouth wide open, stood consumed with -ill-concealed curiosity. - -But she was disappointed. Deftly Mrs. Aubyn tore the envelope and -scanned the contents. - -"No answer, Jane," she announced, in a steady voice. - -Not until the maid had closed the door did the old lady betray the -anguish that the telegram had caused. - -"God grant that he is not blinded or crippled for life," she -exclaimed, in low, earnest tones; then she re-read the momentous -words of the telegram in the vain hope that she had not rightly -grasped its significance, and that on second reading the message -might not appear so terribly grim:-- - -"Regret to have to inform you that Sub-Lieutenant Terence Aubyn, -R.N.R., is lying here seriously wounded." - -The telegram was dispatched from Shotley Naval Hospital and bore the -signature of one of the medical officers. - -"Seriously wounded," she repeated. "An accident, perhaps. I must go -to my boy." - -She had read all the important news in the morning paper. There had -been no mention of a naval engagement, so there could be no other -explanation of how Terence received his injuries. She was thankful -indeed that she had not gone to Portsmouth for the day with her -sister. Thankful, also, that the said relative was not in the house, -for in contrast to the presence of mind displayed by Mrs. Aubyn, Miss -Wilson possessed a highly-strung temperament that frequently -expressed itself in hysterical outbursts. - -Mrs. Aubyn consulted a time-table and then rang the bell. - -"Jane," said the old lady in even tones, "I want you to run across to -Smith's and order a taxi to take me to the station at once, to catch -the 9.15 train." - -Quickly Terence's mother made her simple preparations. After dressing -for the journey she sat down and wrote a note to her sister, -explaining the reason for her hasty departure, and stating that she -would write the same evening and give full details. Upon second -thoughts she did not enclose the telegram, but placed it in her -handbag. Then, closing the envelope and sealing it with wax, she gave -it to the maid to hand to her mistress on her return. - -It was close on four in the afternoon when the train steamed into -Harwich station. Making her way through crowds of bluejackets who -formed the bulk of the passengers, Mrs. Aubyn called a cab and bade -the man drive her to Shotley as quickly as possible. - -The cabby looked curiously at her. - -"Shotley?" he repeated. "'Tis a long way. It'll cost you a quid, -mum--a sovereign. Couldn't do it for less." - -"A sovereign!" repeated Mrs. Aubyn aghast. - -"Not a penny less, mum," declared the man, stolidly. The old lady's -hand tightened on her purse. Her means were strictly limited. A -sovereign was to her a large sum. Yet, for her boy's sake---- - -"Excuse me, madam," exclaimed a deep, pleasant voice. - -Mrs. Aubyn turned. The cabby gave vent to an exclamation that, -although inaudible, clearly expressed his views upon "fussy toffs who -interfered with an honest chap's living." - -"Do I understand that you want to go to Shotley?" continued the -stranger, a tall, bearded gentleman in the uniform of a naval -captain. - -"Yes, to the hospital. My son, Sub-Lieutenant Aubyn, is lying there -seriously wounded." - -She spoke bravely, laying emphasis upon her boy's rank. She felt -certain she could enlist the entire sympathy and aid of a -brother-officer, notwithstanding he was a post-captain. - -"If you will allow me I will give you a passage in my gig," said the -naval officer. "It is only a short distance by water, but quite -twenty miles from here by land. I fancy that cabby knew you were a -stranger here. My name is O'Rourke--Captain O'Rourke." - -Outside the station boys were selling the early evening papers. -Catching sight of the naval officer three or four of them made a rush -towards him. - -"Evening paper, sir. H.M.S. 'Terrier' torpedoed and sunk." - -He bought a copy, and without attempting to read it thrust it into -his coat pocket. - -"When a ship is torpedoed, Captain O'Rourke, are the crew severely -injured?" inquired Mrs. Aubyn. - -"A strange question to ask," thought the naval man. He glanced -swiftly at his companion, trying to read an unexpressed thought that -might have prompted her query. Her face betrayed no sign whatever. - -"Well, it depends," he answered guardedly. "Unless there are men -below, close to the point of impact, there is generally very little -damage to personnel. The men would undoubtedly feel the effect of the -concussion. When the 'Hogue' and her consorts were torpedoed the loss -of life due to the actual explosion was absurdly small in comparison -to the number of men drowned. Of course, if the torpedo strikes the -magazine and caused an internal explosion, that is quite another -matter. But excuse me, what made you ask that question?" - -"My son was on the 'Terrier,'" she replied simply. - -"I hope----" he began; then he stopped and pulled out the newspaper. - -"There are no details," he continued. "In fact, I know far more -about the disaster and how it occurred than is stated in the Press. -The number of casualties is given but no names." - -Assisting Mrs. Aubyn into the waiting gig, Captain O'Rourke gave -orders to the coxswain to make for Shotley Pier. Then, having acted -the part of glorified ferryman, and handed the old lady into the -charge of a petty-officer with instructions to escort her to the -Sick-Quarters, Captain O'Rourke returned to his ship. - -The short winter's afternoon had now given place to night. Well it -was that Terence's mother had a stalwart seaman to show her the way, -for, owing to possible air-raids, both sides of Harwich Harbour were -shrouded in darkness. - -"Officers' wing, ma'am," announced the petty-officer. "If you'll -write particulars in the visitors' book you'll soon be attended to by -that chap--he's one of the assistant ward-masters." - -After a few moments' delay Mrs. Aubyn was ushered into a fairly large -room in which were half a dozen occupied beds. Eagerly she scanned -the faces of the patients. None of the five who on hearing the -visitor turned in her direction bore the slightest resemblance to her -son. The sixth bed--ominous sign--had a screen drawn round it. - -A nursing sister walked silently up to the assistant ward-master and -asked a question in an undertone, then turning to the visitor:-- - -"Mrs. Aubyn, I believe. You have come to see your son?" - -"I have; is he dangerously hurt?" she asked. - -The nurse inclined her head. - -"I am afraid so," she replied gently. "The surgeons are holding -another consultation tomorrow. It may mean amputation of the right -leg, but I think he'll get over it." - -"Amputation of the right leg ... he'll get over it." - -Mrs. Aubyn mechanically repeated the words as she followed the -nursing sister towards the screened bed. After all, it might have -been worse. Throughout the tedious journey the idea that persistently -occupied her mind was that her only son had been deprived of his -sight. She felt almost inclined to weep with relief. Compared with a -life-long existence deprived of the light of day, the lot of a maimed -hero--whose sacrifice had been for King and Country--was light -indeed. And, besides, he would be invalided out of the Service. She, -his devoted mother, would spend no more sleepless nights endeavouring -to picture her son somewhere on the wild North Sea, beset by perils -that had never, before the present war, threatened the gallant men -who defended our shores. - -She gave no sign of the emotions that surged within her. Outwardly -she was calm and self-possessed--a pattern of a modern Spartan -mother. - -The nurse moved aside the screen. - -On the bed, his forehead swathed in surgical bandages, and with a -rest over his injured limb, was an unconscious man. His face was -pallid, his closed eyes rimmed with red. His massive features, short -turned-up nose, long upper lip and square jaw unmistakably stamped -him as a son of the Emerald Isle. - -"But this is not my son," said Mrs. Aubyn calmly. - -"Not your son?" repeated the nurse. "Why, this is Sub-Lieutenant -Terence Aubyn." - -"He is some other poor mother's son," declared Mrs. Aubyn; then, with -unwonted eagerness she asked, "Were any of the other officers -missing?" - -"I think not," replied the nursing sister. "If you will take a chair -for a few minutes I will make inquiries. Perhaps you would like a cup -of tea in my room," she added, noticing the visitor's langour. - -"Thank you," was the grateful reply. "I would." - -While Mrs. Aubyn was drinking her tea the nurse held a hurried -consultation with the ward-master and one of the doctors. - -"Now you mention it," remarked the latter, "I did notice that the -patient looked a bit tough for a commissioned officer. A sub., even -though he be a reserve man, does not as a rule decorate his chest -with fanciful tattoo designs. Have you any of the 'Terrier's' ship's -company who can identify the patient?" - -The result of the consultation was that an able seaman, suffering -from slight shock, was brought into the officer's ward. - -The man's weather-beaten face relaxed into a broad grin when he saw -the supposed sub-lieutenant. - -"Strike me pink!" he ejaculated in undisguised astonishment, and -heedless of the fact that he was in the presence of a superior -officer. "Mike O'Milligan will have the time of his life when he -wakes up to find himself in with the officers." - -"Mike O'Milligan?" repeated the surgeon. - -"Ay; first-class stoker--that's what he is," declared the seaman, -with the air of a man who is instrumental in denouncing an impostor. -He seemed to imagine that it was a piece of audacity on the part of -the luckless O'Milligan, in spite of the fact that he was unconscious -when brought into the hospital. - -"Did you see Sub-Lieutenant Aubyn after the explosion?" asked the -nurse. - -"Ay, ma'am. He was all right. Saw him with my own eyes on the -quarter-deck when the hands mustered aft. Don't remember seeing him -after that, though." - -"I think there has been a mistake, Mrs. Aubyn," said the nurse on -returning to her private sitting-room, where Terence's mother was -striving to forget doubts and fears in a cup of tea. "A stoker was -admitted to the ward under the inexplicable error that he was your -son. Dr. Hardiman is making inquiries, and we hope to clear the -matter up satisfactorily. You need not worry about finding a hotel; -we can put you up for the night." - -The nurse remained in conversation with the old lady for some -minutes, then, excusing herself, returned to her duty. - -Left to herself Mrs. Aubyn remembered that she promised to write to -her sister. The news she was able to give was far from satisfactory; -in fact, the position of affairs was very vague. Nevertheless, she -sat down to write an account of what had occurred up to the present -time, in the hope that before she had finished the letter Dr. -Hardiman's investigations might produce definite and satisfactory -results. - -Suddenly the door opened. In the subdued gleam cast by the electric -table-lamp Mrs. Aubyn saw the figure of a man dressed in a long, pale -blue coat with broad red collar and cuffs. His face was darkened by -the shade of the lamp. - -Thinking the intruder was one of the hospital orderlies, the old lady -turned to her work, only to feel a pair of hands grasping her -shoulders. - -"Hullo, mother! What brings you here?" asked Terence. - -It was all because of the fact that Terence gave his great-coat to -the unconscious man he had rescued from the mess-deck of the sinking -"Terrier" that the sub. and the stoker had changed places. - -Upon Aubyn losing consciousness Captain Holloway feared that the sub. -had been wounded, and that he had kept the knowledge to himself. A -hasty examination by the naval surgeon resulted in the satisfactory -report that the young officer was not hurt beyond suffering from the -shock of the explosion. - -Captain Holloway, of course, could not stay with his subordinate. He -had plenty of work to do, looking after the survivors of the ship's -company, sending telegraphic reports to the Admiralty, and tackling -fifty other problems to which the sudden catastrophe had contributed. - -Owing to the limited room at the Sick-Quarters of the little village, -orders were received to send the wounded members of the crew to -Shotley. A fleet of motor-cars, lent by the well-to-do residents in -the district, was quickly organized and the work of transporting the -sufferers was put in hand. - -A message had already been received at Shotley warning the medical -authorities to prepare for the reception of one officer and so many -lower-deck patients. The latter were to be distributed amongst the -various wards. - -A small crowd of sick-berth attendants were in waiting when the -motor-cars arrived. The worst cases were taken into the building on -stretchers. Amongst these were Sub-Lieutenant Aubyn, clad in cloth -trousers and sweater, and Stoker O'Milligan decked in borrowed -plumage--to wit, a naval officer's great-coat. Both men were still -unconscious. - -Consequently it was excusable that the sick-bay staff made a slight -mistake. O'Milligan, after his leg was properly set in splints, was -put to bed in the officer's ward, while Terence was dumped into the -only vacant cot in one of the men's wards. - -He was a puzzle to the sick-berth attendants. They knew that the one -officer mentioned in the telegram had arrived. They could find no -mark of identification on the clothing of the supposed seaman. Being -particularly busy they let the matter of identification slide, -thinking that on the patient's return to consciousness he would be -able to give the necessary information as to his name and rating. - -When the doctor went his rounds he gave directions for a sleeping -draught to be administered to the patient as soon as he regained his -senses. - -Ten minutes after the medico's departure Terence opened his eyes. -Instantly the alert attendant pounced down, and, without giving the -patient a chance to speak, made him swallow the draught. Consequently -it was not until six o'clock in the evening that the sub. awoke, -feeling little the worse for his prolonged rest. - -He sat up and looked round the room. His surroundings were strangely -unfamiliar. The very bareness of the place had a lower-deck -atmosphere. - -He beckoned to the sick-bay attendant. - -"What's up now, mate?" asked that worthy. "Feeling better?" - -Somewhat taken aback by the familiarity of the man, Terence asked -where he was, and was informed that he was in "B" block of Shotley -Sick-Quarters. - -"What's your name and rating, chum?" asked the man, producing a book -and fingering a stump of indelible pencil. - -Like a flash the situation became apparent to the sub. He remembered -his great-coat--he seemed particularly unfortunate in the matter of -great-coats, he thought. He had lent it to the stoker, and as a -penalty he had been mistaken for the man he had rescued. The -ludicrous side of the affair tickled him. - -"A sub-lootenant?" queried the man incredulously. "Seems likely, eh? -Either you're barmy, or else you're trying some little game on. Won't -work, chum. Who's your raggie?" - -"Raggie," in lower-deck parlance, is a term used to denote a man's -particular pal. It was the sick-berth attendant's idea to get one of -the ship's company whom the patient named to identify the fellow who -was under the hallucination that he was one of the officers. - -"Try Captain Holloway," suggested Terence. The man shook his head -more in sorrow than in anger. - -"It would go hard with you, chum, if I did," he remarked. "Your -skipper wouldn't care to be bothered at this time o' night. 'Sides, -he isn't here." - -The patient in the next cot--of the crew of a destroyer that had been -in some minor action--began to grow interested. - -"Bill," he whispered in a stage aside, "'umour 'im. He's dotty. I -knowed a chap once who looked just like 'im. He was as mad as a -'atter. He would 'ave it he was the Right 'Onerable Somebody. Got -fair violent if you didn't believe 'im. So, 'umour 'im, says I." - -Terence, overhearing these remarks, laughed. - -"I don't claim to be anything so grand as a Right Honourable, my -man," he said. - -"Maybe, then, you're not so bad as the chap wot I was talking to the -poultice-slapper about. 'E was sent to Yarmouth Loonatic Asylum, pore -chap; maybe you won't need to be if you pulls yourself together," -retorted the seaman, with brutal candour. - -"Look here, my man," said Terence authoritatively, addressing the -"poultice-slapper," otherwise the sick-berth attendant, "you'll -please fetch the surgeon on duty--and be quick about it." - -There was something in Aubyn's tone that caused the man to wonder -whether, after all, there had been a mistake. He was one who was -disinclined to take any risks in the matter. He hurried off, striving -to recollect, as he went, what he had said to the unknown patient, -and whether he had used indiscreet language to one who might really -be a commissioned officer. - -The doctor arrived, tardily. Although the circumstances had been -explained to him, he, too, had his doubts. Patients suffering from -shock were apt to be light-headed upon recovering consciousness. - -He was a little, round-faced man, with a shiny pate surmounted by a -tonsure-like ring of jet black hair. War had dealt kindly with him. -Formerly a country medical practitioner in a poor district, having -great difficulty in making both ends meet, he had taken advantage of -the Admiralty regulations for the entry of Temporary Surgeons. With -free quarters, a home billet, and a comfortable rate of pay, he was -now "having the time of his life." - -He lacked the general brusqueness of naval doctors when dealing with -men. He was eminently a doctor; as a naval officer he made an -indifferent show. - -He was sympathetic as he questioned Aubyn, and although he observed -him narrowly he saw no sign that would be bound to betray to a -medical man any symptoms of lunacy. - -"You are well enough to get up," he said at length. "Get your things -on." - -Somewhat disdainfully Terence clothed himself in the garments -provided--rough underclothing and an ugly dressing-gown, arrangements -that My Lords think fit to provide for the lower-deck patients. - -"Fit as a fiddle," remarked the doctor. - -"Fit for a good dinner, anyhow," added Terence, who was feeling -desperately hungry--the craving for food accentuated by the fact that -one of the patients had just been given some roast chicken. - -"Ordinary seamen don't talk about having dinner in the evening," -thought the surgeon. "Perhaps there's some truth in his assertion -after all. I'll get him into the next ward; there are two of the -'Terrier' men there." - -Nor was the doctor greatly astonished when, as the quaintly-garbed -patient followed him into the ward, the men recognized their officer, -stood up and smartly saluted. - -"Well, Smith," said Terence, addressing a seaman-gunner by name, "how -goes it?" - -"Can't complain, sir. Got a proper whack in the ribs. 'Tain't much to -grouse about. And how's yourself, sir, if I may make so bold as to -ask? I seed the cap'n catch you as you pitched to starboard." - -In a few minutes Terence was taken to the officers' ward. Here he was -informed that his mother was waiting to see him. He wondered why. His -condition was hardly serious enough for the medical authorities to -send for her, so he settled the matter by going, just as he was, to -the room where Mrs. Aubyn was waiting. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI. - -THE FLOORING OF MR. MCNAB. - - -PROMPTLY discharged from hospital, Terence was given six days' -leave--a period which he spent with his parent. - -He thoroughly appreciated the brief spell of leisure. It was simply -great to be able to turn in at night and sleep soundly till seven -o'clock the next morning. There was no insistent voice of the -messenger: "Please, sir, it's ten minutes to four, and your cocoa's -ready;" no watch upon an exposed bridge in the cold dark hours of a -winter's morning; no monotonous round of ship routine with the -constant menace of being bumped upon a mine. - -Yet, in a way, he was glad when his leave was up. The call of duty in -Britain's time of peril was too urgent. He felt he must be doing -something. Even his well-earned leave savoured of "slacking." - -On the afternoon of the last day of his holiday Terence received his -order from the Admiralty to proceed to Whale Island for a second -gunnery course. Somewhat to his mother's and his aunt's consternation -he executed a war-dance round the drawing-room, to the imminent peril -of Miss Wilson's objects of art, with which the room was certainly -overcrowded. "A short gunnery course." He took it that that meant -another step to the height of his ambition. If he came through that -with flying colours he concluded that he would be sent to either a -battleship or a cruiser. There could be, he reasoned, no object in -putting a Reserve officer through the mysteries of _heavy_-gun drill -if he were to continue to serve in an armed merchantman, whose -heaviest ordnance consisted of the comparatively small 4.7-in. gun or -the 6-in. at the very outside. - -On the other hand, in spite of his experience as officer of the watch -on the "Strongbow" and "Terrier" he would be of little use as -watch-keeping officer on a battleship or cruiser in company. He had -no training in the delicate art of station-keeping, whereby lines of -huge ships keep their respective distances with mathematical nicety, -which can only be acquired by years of experience. - -Yet that troubled him but little. So long as he had a chance of -smelling powder under anything approaching equal conditions he would -be content. Rather selfishly he hoped that the German fleet would -skulk in Wilhelmshaven Harbour or in the Kiel Canal until the time -that he found himself on board one of the battleships or big cruisers -of the Grand Fleet. - -So with a brand new kit--for he had lost practically all his gear -when the "Terrier" made her plunge--Terence reported himself at Whale -Island--the principal gunnery establishment of the British Empire, -nay, of the whole world--an artificial island, constructed by means -of earth excavated from the huge basin of Portsmouth Dockyard. - -Officially Whale Island is a ship, appearing in all official naval -documents as H.M.S. "Excellent." It boasts of a "Quarter-Deck;" ship -routine is carried out almost as faithfully as if the several -thousand men were really afloat instead of being quartered in -barracks. There are spacious parade grounds, diving-tank for -instructing embryo seaman-divers, workshops, and, in the adjoining -Portsea Island, a rifle-range; but all these give precedence to the -gun-batteries. - -Almost the whole of the western side of the island is occupied by a -long, low building designated the heavy-gun battery. Here types of -guns, from the monstrous 15-in. downwards, are mounted under similar -conditions to those on shipboard, and used solely for the instruction -of officers and men. Even the "heave" of a ship in a seaway is -allowed for, since some of the ordnance are mounted on "rolling -platforms" designed to make a seaman gunner in training accustomed to -the motion of a vessel under way. - -Terence entered into his duties with the keenest zest. His ready mind -quickly grasped the points raised by the instructor. Difficulties -that proved well-nigh insurmountable to several of the class, he -overcame with an ease which astonished both his mentor and himself, -and at the end of the period of training he was the proud possessor -of a first-class certificate signed by the captain of the ship. - -Thus it came as a slight disappointment when Terence received orders -to proceed to Rosyth to join H.M. torpedo-boat-destroyer, -"Livingstone." Still, it was a step in the right direction, the sub. -agreed, and that was something to be thankful for. - -The "Livingstone" was a modern craft of 965 tons, carried three 4-in. -guns, and was propelled by turbine machinery, steam being raised -exclusively by oil fuel. It was one of the flotillas whose duty lay -in patrolling the easternmost limits of the North Sea, so as to be in -readiness to report the German High Sea Fleet should, in a rash -moment, the Kaiser or his minion Tirpitz give the order for it to -risk annihilation at the hands of Admiral Jellicoe's waiting seamen. - -Every alternate fortnight the flotilla to which the "Livingstone" -belonged proceeded to take its spell of arduous duty. The intervening -period it spent in harbour, giving the crew a well-earned rest. - -Terence joined his new ship on the second day of his return. The -officers, all young men full of spirits and on excellent terms with -each other, were busy planning how they were to spend the next few -days of comparative leisure. As usual the subject of the war was -hardly mentioned. After days of strenuous watching and waiting, with -the waves constantly sweeping the battened down decks, they were only -too glad to discuss matters other than "shop"--since the German fleet -showed no sign of leaving its lair. - -"We're off to Tuilabrail to-morrow, Aubyn," announced the -engineer-lieutenant. "You'll come too, I hope. McNab has issued a -general invitation to the officers of the flotilla." - -"Who's Mr. McNab?" asked Terence. - -"Oh, don't you know? I've forgotten it's your first time at Rosyth. -McNab is the laird of Tuilabrail--quite a swagger place, not far from -St. Margeret's Hope. There's plenty of sport--shooting and fishing, -and all that, you know." - -"'Fraid I'm not much of a hand with a sporting gun," remarked -Terence. "Last time I tried I made an awful ass of myself." - -"Fire away and let's have the yarn, old fellow," said a sub., as -cordially as if he had known Aubyn all his life. - -"There's not much to tell," replied Terence. "It was while I was -staying at a farm in Devonshire. The farmer asked me to go out -rabbit-shooting. It was tame work bolting the poor little beasts with -ferrets and bowling them over at twenty yards. Well, we were working -a hedge, set in a bank literally honeycombed with rabbit-holes. The -old farmer told me where to stand and cautioned me to let rip -directly I saw the rabbit, as there was plenty of cover about. - -"I waited for perhaps five minutes. Then something dashed out of the -hedge like greased lightning. I pulled the trigger and----" - -"Peppered the farmer?" hazarded the engineer-lieutenant. - -"No, bowled over a fox. Shot the brute dead as a door-nail." - -"You rotten sport!" exclaimed several of his listeners. - -"Try your luck again," said the lieutenant. "Have you a gun? If not, -I'll lend you one--it's a good one, I can assure you." - -So it was arranged that half a dozen officers, including Aubyn, -should go over to Tuilabrail on the following morning and have lunch -with the hospitable Mr. McNab. - -"Who is this Mr. McNab?" asked Terence. - -No one seemed to know exactly. He had only recently rented -Tuilabrail. Some one said that he had heard that McNab was a wealthy -manufacturer from the Lowlands, who had been obliged to retire early -on account of bad health, but amongst the officers there was a -general opinion that he was a real good old sport. - -The sub.'s first night on board a destroyer soon enabled him to -realize that there is a great difference between cruising in an armed -merchantman and serving with a flotilla. - -He was officer of the Middle Watch. The "Livingstone" and her -consorts, although supposed to be stationed at Rosyth during the -fortnight, were anchored far up the Firth of Forth, ready at a -moment's notice to steam out into the North Sea should there be a -"wireless" announcing that the German fleet was at last about to risk -The Day. - -From where the "Livingstone" lay, save for the anchor lamps of the -flotilla, not a light was visible. Culross and Kincardine on the -north shore and Grangemouth and Boness on the south shore of the -Forth might have been non-existent as far as sound and visibility -were concerned. - -It was a raw, misty night, with a keen easterly wind blowing in from -the North Sea. With the wind against the strong ebb tide the sea was -flecked with "white horses" that slapped viciously against the stern -of the destroyer. Overhead the insulated stays of the wireless aerial -moaned fitfully in the blast. - -"Boat ahoy!" The hail came from a seaman stationed aft. He had been -indulging in a surreptitious "few puffs" under the lee of the after -4-in. gun, and in a fateful moment had been trying to light his -refractory pipe when a red, white, and green steaming light within -twenty yards of the destroyer aroused him into super-activity. - -"Guard-boat!" shouted a gruff voice, intensified by means of a -megaphone. - -"Guard-boat, sir!" repeated the lookout for the sub.'s information. - -Accompanied by the quartermaster Terence hurried to the side, there -to find a dark grey launch, her outlines barely visible against the -leaden-coloured white-flecked sea. - -From a diminutive cabin aft, the yellow flicker of a lantern feebly -illuminated the bronzed features of an officer muffled in oilskins -and sou'-wester. - -"Night guard!" announced the officer, without any superfluity of -speech. "All correct?" - -"All correct, sir," replied the quartermaster. - -"P'raps," rejoined the officer of the night guard sourly. Making a -ten-mile round in a wet launch in the small hours of a winter's -morning tended to make him short-tempered. "Where's the officer of -the watch?" - -"Here, sir," replied Terence. - -"Very good. You might warn your lookout to lookout a little more -smartly, and not wait until we were alongside your quarter. Where the -dickens would you be now, do you suppose, if it had been a German -torpedo-boat? It's not unlikely, you know. Good-night." - -"Good-night, sir," replied Aubyn. - -The officer of the night guard closed the door of the cabin on the -unprotected light. In the engine-room a bell clanged, the artificer -started the engines to half-speed ahead and in ten seconds the launch -was lost in the darkness. - -Aubyn remained peering out into the night. He could just distinguish -the hail of the destroyer next ahead, followed by the reassuring -"Guard-boat." - -The luckless lookout man stood at attention awaiting the sub.'s -pleasure, and trying to forecast the punishment he would receive on -the following morning when his offence was entered in the captain's -defaulters' list. He uttered silent maledictions on the damp "navy -plug" that had distracted his attention for a few critical seconds. -In addition he was to go "on leaf" on the following day: his little -lapse would assuredly "knock the bottom out of that caboodle." - -"Well, what have you to say?" asked the sub. - -"Nothin', sir; I was properly caught napping," replied the seaman. He -was not going to attempt to bluff his officer by a feeble excuse. He -was too much of a man for that: he would "go through the mill" with a -good grace. - -"You were smoking?" - -"Yes, sir. I turned to loo'ard to light my pipe, an' that done it." - -"Listen, my man," said Aubyn. "I'll not place you in the captain's -report this time. Let this be a warning to you--and be more careful -in the future." - -The man saluted and returned to his duty. He was agreeably surprised. - -"He's a real jonnick," he muttered. "Sort of chap as 'as got some -regard for a bloomin' matloe who gets a bit adrift. If ever I gets a -chance to repay him I jolly well will, or my name's not Jim Stairs." - -After morning Divisions Terence went ashore in company with the other -officers who were to make up the party to visit McNab. Some were -armed with fishing-rods, others with guns, and some with both. All -were in excellent spirits, and evidently determined to "let -themselves go." - -A picquet boat took them to Culross, where their host's palatial car -awaited them. After an all too short run Terence found himself at -Tuilabrail Hall. - -The house, standing high and surrounded by spacious, well-kept -grounds, enjoyed an uninterrupted panoramic view of the Firth of -Forth. The Forth Bridge, the Grand Fleet lying off Rosyth, and -newly-constructed basins and workshops of the Scottish Portsmouth -were within easy range of vision, while, by the aid of a telescope -Grangemouth, Queensferry, Edinburgh, and Leith could be seen. - -This much Terence noticed as he waited under the portico while the -various members of the party were handing their sporting gear over to -the charge of a grave and dignified manservant. Then, escorted by a -liveried footman, the guests were shown into the McNab's -morning-room. - -"Our host has evidently overslept himself," remarked Gilroy, the -lieutenant who had offered to lend Terence a sporting-gun and had -faithfully kept his word. Gilroy was a young, pleasant-faced man of -twenty-eight, with three thousand a year, and capable of obtaining -any amount of influence. Yet, although he had more than once been -offered a job on one of the Royal Yachts, he had voluntarily -preferred to endure the obvious discomforts of a destroyer. "Look -here, you fellows, I'll introduce Aubyn when the laird puts in an -appearance. Don't be bashful, my boy; he's quite a free-and-easy -chap. No bally stand on ceremony, you know." - -"He's a lucky man to have a swagger show like this," declared the -engineer-lieutenant, who, being without private means and newly -married, found it a hard task to make both ends meet on his Service -pay and allowances. "What a decent view. Look, there's a -battle-cruiser arriving." - -The officers crowded to the window. A long, three-funnelled -battle-cruiser, mounting eight large guns and apparently brand new, -for there were patches of red-lead showing on her lofty sides, had -just picked up a mooring-buoy. - -"Must be the 'Tiger,'" suggested Gilroy. "I heard she was expected -round, but I didn't think she would put in an appearance so soon. By -Jove, if the Germans pluck up courage to attempt another Scarborough -business, they'll have something to reckon with." - -"More than likely----" began another sub., but a hurried footstep in -the corridor warned the guests that their host was about to enter. - -The McNab came into the room with an impetuous rush. Being a long and -somewhat narrow apartment, and the door being close to one angle, he -had some distance to traverse to where the officers stood with their -backs to the window. As he strode he seemed to be peering eagerly, as -if to discern the faces of the guests as they stood silhouetted -against the light. - -"Good morning, gentlemen," he exclaimed in slow, measured tones that -contrasted with his hurried arrival. "I'm sorry to have kept you -waiting." - -"Not at all," replied Gilroy easily. "Acting on your open invitation -we've brought a brother-officer along: Mr. Aubyn--the McNab." - -Terence made a step forward. His jaw was tightly set, his face pale -in spite of his tanned complexion. He made no attempt to grasp the -outstretched hand of the tenant of Tuilabrail, but kept his arms -close to his side with his fists firmly clenched. - -For a moment the McNab stood with a look of surprise upon his face. -Then his smile of welcome changed into a venomous look. His hand flew -to his pocket. - -"_Crash!_" - -With a swift and powerful left-hander Terence's fist shot forward, -caught the man full in the centre of the chest and sent him reeling. -The next instant Aubyn's brother-officers were astounded to see their -host prostrate on his back with his arms and legs beating a tattoo on -the carpet, while the sub. sat on his chest. - -"Are you mad, man?" demanded Gilroy, laying his hand on the sub.'s -shoulder. The apparently meaningless attack by the officer to whom he -stood sponsor--an outrage upon a man in the sanctity of his -home--could only be the outcome of the frenzy of a disordered mind. - -"Far from it," replied Terence. "You fellows might bear a hand and -secure Major von Eckenhardt." - -"Von Eckenhardt!" echoed the engineer-commander. "Impossible." - -For the name of von Eckenhardt, the master-spy, was only too well -known in naval circles. It was generally acknowledged that more than -one carefully-planned "scoop" had gone awry owing to warnings -received by the German Admiralty from the elusive secret agent. - -"Are you Major Karl von Eckenhardt?" demanded Gilroy, after the -officers had set the man upon his feet again. - -"Absolutely a mistake. I did not know until a few moments ago that I -had a double whose misdoings would be to my detriment," replied the -McNab, speaking with difficulty, for the effect of the blow he had -received had wellnigh deprived him of breath. - -Gilroy and his companions looked enquiringly at Aubyn. Perhaps, after -all, the sub. had made a mistake? - -"Under the circumstances, although Mr. Aubyn has shown mistaken zeal -for the Service," continued the McNab, "I am willing to forgive the -outrage, and no doubt Mr. Aubyn will tender an apology. There the -matter will end as far as I am concerned. If you'll excuse me, -gentlemen, I will go and remove the traces of your zealous friend's -super-abundant energy." - -Alarmed by the crash upon the floor three menservants had hurried -into the room. There they stood like automatons, each man concealing -under a wooden-like expression a burning curiosity to know what had -happened to their master. - -"Don't let him go: watch his hands!" exclaimed Terence. "I'll accept -all responsibility." - -The McNab's plausibility vanished. - -"Enough of this horse-play," he said vehemently. "James and you -two--throw this--er--gentleman out." - -"Stand back--stand back, I say!" ordered Terence, as the three -flunkeys showed signs of obeying their master. - -The men paused irresolutely. There were a few seconds of tense -silence. Then the servants revealed themselves in their true -colours--accomplices of the spy, von Eckenhardt. - -Drawing automatic pistols from their pockets they levelled them at -the now more than astounded British officers, while von Eckenhardt, -of whose identity Terence had not the faintest doubt, wrestled -furiously with his captors. - -It was not compulsion that kept the Germans from using their firearms -it was fear--a dread that their act would assuredly, in the event of -capture, make them indictable on a capital charge. - -"Shoot!" shouted von Eckenhardt in German. "Shoot, for the sake of -the Fatherland." - -It was Gilroy who saved the situation. Tall and powerfully built, and -a prominent member of the "United Services," he was far away superior -in physical strength to the denounced spy. - -With lightning-like rapidity he flung his arms around the Teuton, and -using him as a human buckler and a battering-ram combined, charged -the still irresolute flunkeys. - -Half a dozen pistol-shots rang out; not the result of a deliberate -act but of the nervous pressure on the delicate trigger of one of the -automatic weapons. The bullets, flying wide, chipped the oak -panelling, and--omen of ill-luck to the tenant of -Tuilabrail--shattered a mirror into fragments. - -In ten seconds Gilroy with his living weapon had cleared the room of -the enemy. The engineer-lieutenant locked the door, while Terence and -the others quickly bound von Eckenhardt with their handkerchiefs. - -"Stand clear of the door," cautioned Gilroy. "Now that those fellows -have started to let off fireworks they might take it into their heads -to put a few pieces of nickel through the woodwork. Nixon, cut off as -hard as you can and bring up a file of Marines: be careful going -through the grounds. The whole place is a nest of Germans--beastly -cheek sheltering under good old Scots' names." - -Gilroy's words, similar to those expressed by Chief Engineer McBride, -showed how deeply he, a thorough Scot, resented the colossal -impudence of the super-spy in assuming a respectable Highland -cognomen. - -It was, indeed, a daring piece of work on the part of Karl von -Eckenhardt. - -After his encounter with Terence on the cliffs at Yarmouth he had -succeeded in eluding the patrols and had taken refuge in London. Here -he lay low as a Russian subject. A fortnight later, by means of a -forged passport, he embarked at Shields upon a Swedish vessel bound -for Gottenberg. Thence he returned to his native country, where -during a period of activity at the German Admiralty he grew a full -beard. He was far too wily to adopt false hair as a disguise, -although he did not hesitate to dye his beard a ruddy tint. - -Without difficulty, this time making use of an American passport and -registering as a citizen of New York, he returned to England by a -different route. After a short stay in Liverpool he went on to -Glasgow, whence he transmitted valuable information to Berlin as a -result of a casual acquaintanceship with an overseer of one of the -Clyde shipyards. - -Gaining increased confidence his next move was to install himself in -the neighbourhood of Rosyth, in order to keep a watchful eye upon the -movements of the Grand Fleet. Plentifully supplied with money, he -assumed the honoured name of McNab, and completely deceiving a firm -of house agents, succeeded in getting the tenancy of Tuilabrail. - -Then, having engaged servants who with few exceptions were German -secret agents domiciled long enough in Great Britain to disarm any -suspicion of their nationality, he proceeded to get in touch with -certain of the junior officers of the Fleet and some of the civil -officials of the new and important dockyard of Rosyth. - -Fortune seemed to smile on his efforts. Acting as a friend in need to -a naval officer whose car had met with a breakdown, he found the -beginning of a chain of acquaintances. His hospitality became a -by-word amongst certain parties of naval men. He never asked -questions upon Service matters. He relied upon his sharp ears and -those of his minions to pick up useful information from the casual -conversations of his guests. Young officers were at times, he -reasoned, apt to forget the necessity for "official reticence and -reserve." - -One of his duties was to send a report to Berlin of all changes in -the personnel of officers of the Fleet. This was a comparatively easy -matter, since most appointments were published in the Press. - -Another was to notify movements of individual ships, both naval and -mercantile. This he did by means of a simple re-arrangement of the -International Code, the news being sent by a comparatively -low-powered wireless apparatus to a disguised trawler that was -cruising regularly off the tail of the Dogger. - -Unfortunately for him, Sub-Lieutenant Aubyn's appointment to the -"Livingstone" did not appear in the papers; had it done so he would -have been put upon his guard. Cool and calculating as he generally -was, the suddenness with which he found himself confronted by Terence -momentarily took him off his guard. In spite of his disguise the sub. -recognized von Eckenhardt immediately. - -It was an hour or more before Lieutenant Nixon returned, accompanied -by a party of Marine Light Infantry and a number of Metropolitan -police, who, amongst other duties, are entrusted with the guarding of -his Majesty's Naval and Military establishments. - -Seeing that the game was up, von Eckenhardt gave in with a good -grace, boasting, however, that having done a great deal of work for -the Fatherland he was ready to pay the price, although it was a -misfortune that he had not been able to do all that he had hoped to -accomplish. - -His assistants had already fled--one, out of perhaps half a dozen, -was arrested twenty-four hours later in a sailor's home at Leith; the -others got clear away. So hurried had been their departure that the -house was left untouched. A systematic search revealed the presence -of a secret wireless apparatus cunningly concealed in a bricked-up -chimney corner; while, amid the mass of documents impounded by the -police, experts discovered the system whereby von Eckenhardt was able -to communicate with the utmost freedom with the German Admiralty. - -"A smart move, that of yours, Aubyn," commented Gilroy, as the -officers made their way back to the flotilla. "I really thought you -had gone off your head." - -"It wouldn't be the first time people thought that," rejoined -Terence. "But I don't think we've done anything to brag about." - -"What? Not laying that dangerous spy by the heels?" asked the -engineer-lieutenant in surprise. - -"Perhaps," replied Gilroy, with a grim smile. "But the point is, -we've all been taken in by the rotter. Suppose at the court-martial -they inquired the reason why we went to Tuilabrail? We'll have to -admit that we were very nicely taken in, in more senses than one. -Then they'll make us sit up." - -The "sitting up" part of the business began immediately upon their -return to their respective destroyers, for a signal was made by the -admiral cancelling all shore leave. - -At four that same afternoon--being Saturday 23 January, 1915--orders -were received for the flotillas to weigh and proceed to a rendezvous -off the Isle of May. - -Speculation was rife amongst officers and crew as to the significance -of this move. No one guessed what was taking place at Tuilabrail -House: that the secret wireless was being made use of to send grossly -misleading information to Berlin; and that the authorities had great -hopes that the German swift armoured cruisers would be lured into -making another raid on the supposedly defenceless East Coast. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII. - -THE END OF THE "BLUECHER." - - -THE "Livingstone," second destroyer in the port-column of the -flotilla, was speeding through the long undulations of the North Sea -at a modest twenty knots. It was barely a quarter past seven on -Sunday morning. Dawn had not begun to show in the eastern sky, and -although a dozen or so of the destroyers were in company, only the -partly-screened stern lights of the one ahead and the phosphorescent -swirl of the one next astern betrayed the presence of others of the -flotilla. - -Something was in the air. Officers and crew knew that, but vaguely. -Orders, significant in their brevity, had been issued overnight for -the ship's company to bathe and change into clean clothes. That in -itself meant the possibility of an action, while the sudden call to -the flotilla to proceed to sea instead of completing the fortnight's -"stand-by" in the Forth indicated that no minor operations were -contemplated. - -The "Livingstone" was cleared for action. Ammunition had been served -up, fire hoses rigged, deck fittings removed, and every other -possible precaution taken to safeguard the frail craft in the -impending action. - -The crew were on the tip-toe of expectation: eager to get in touch -with the enemy and fearful lest they should find themselves out on a -wild-goose chase. - -The action, should it materialize, would not be of a minor character, -for broad on the starboard beam of the flotilla, though invisible in -the darkness, were the giant battle-cruisers "Lion," "Tiger," -"Princess Royal," "New Zealand," and "Indomitable." - -Flung out, fanwise, were the handy and hard-hitting light-cruisers, -supported by other destroyer flotillas, and serving as a screen to -the battle-cruisers should any hostile torpedo-craft attempt their -vaunted "lancer-thrust" against them. - -"Something doin' this time, Aubyn," remarked Gilroy, who was -responsible for keeping the "Livingstone" in station. "Wireless from -the 'Arethusa' just through, reporting strong enemy squadron. -There--look." - -The sub. turned his head just in time to catch the flash of a distant -gun, quickly followed by another and another. Half a minute later -came the dull rumble of the first report. The light-cruisers were in -touch with the enemy away to sou'-sou'-east. - -A signal lamp flickered from the flagship:-- - -"All destroyer flotillas proceed to support the light-cruisers. -Engage enemy destroyers." - -Like hounds released from leash the long, lean, black-hulled craft -dashed forward. No need to give a compass course: the now -rapidly-recurring flashes told them where their work lay. - -Under copious supplies of oil fuel, the "Livingstone's" engines -quickly developed more horse-power than they had ever done before. -Trailing lurid flames issued from her four squat funnels, and threw -their ruddy glare upon the determined faces of the guns'-crews. - -Ahead, and on the starboard hand, and astern the position of the rest -of the flotilla was likewise indicated by the spurts of flames from -their furnaces. Noxious oil-fumed smoke belched in dense columns, -glowing like fanned charcoal as it eddied clear of the funnels. The -scene resembled a section of the Black Country transferred bodily to -the North Sea on a pitch-dark night. - -"By Jove, we're in luck!" shouted Gilroy, in order to make himself -heard above the hiss of the wind as the destroyer tore at thirty-six -knots towards the scene of action. "We've just picked up a wireless -to the Flag. We're up against the 'Moltke,' 'Seydlitz,' and -'Derfflinger,' three of Germany's best battle-cruisers, with that old -crock the 'Bluecher' chucked in, to say nothing of a swarm of -light-cruisers and destroyers. Beatty's got his chance this time: -he'll bag the lot with the force he has at his disposal." - -And the lieutenant pointed in the direction of the British -battle-cruisers, whose position could now be faintly distinguished, -well on the port beam, by the splash of flame from their funnels. - -"We'll give them something in return for Scarborough, Whitby, and -Hartlepool," continued Gilroy. "Ten to one the beggars were off to -try the same game again. By Jove! I pity any German submarine that -gets foul of that crowd," and he indicated the far spread-out line of -destroyers speeding towards their foes. - -Just then the lieutenant-commander of the "Livingstone" ascended the -bridge. - -"Rotten luck, Gilroy," he announced. "The Germans are funking it. -They've turned tail." - -"The battle-cruisers will head them off yet, sir," suggested Gilroy -confidently. - -"I hope so--ha! what's this?" - -A signalman had just hurried up. - -"Destroyers to take up position on battle-cruiser's port quarter," -said the skipper. "Confound it! That's put the pot on it, Gilroy." - -"It's our smoke, sir, that's troubling the 'Lion,'" replied the -lieutenant. - -Dawn had now broken sufficiently to discern the lofty hulls, triple -funnels, and masts of the five battle-cruisers, as they raced at -their maximum speed on a south-easterly course. The four guns of the -two foremost superimposed turrets of the "Lion" were already trained -to their greatest elevation, awaiting the report of the fire-control -platform that their quarry was within hitting distance. - -Gilroy was right. The smoke from the destroyers was drifting across -the line of fire of the giant ships. - -"It's a case of get out and get under--their lee," commented the -lieutenant-commander, as a signal was sent up from the parent ship of -the flotilla ordering the destroyers to fall back out of the way of -the hard-hitters of the fleet. - -As the day dawned the thick haze of smoke that marked the position of -the runaway raiders could be seen, although from the bridge of the -destroyer the hostile ships were invisible. The cannonading away to -the sou'-east had now ceased; apparently the enemy torpedo-boats had -attained a temporary security under the wing of their larger craft. -Suddenly Terence remembered that he had not had his breakfast. -Although it was not his watch, excitement had kept him on deck, and -now in the lull the workings of the inner man demanded attention. It -was a quarter to nine when he entered the mess. Three minutes later, -before the steward had time to bring in the coffee, a terrific -detonation caused the "Livingstone" to shake like an aspen leaf. - -Breakfast completely forgotten, the sub. dashed on deck. He knew what -had happened: the "Lion" had fired the opening shot of the engagement -with one of her monster 13.5-in. guns. - -She was not yet within range. Terence realized that by the fact that -she did not follow the single shot by salvo after salvo, that the -projectile--weighing nearly a ton--had shrieked ineffectually towards -the rearmost of the German ships. - -To the sub. it seemed as if the fifty odd feet of steel cylinder that -projected from the "Lion's" B turret was rising slowly on its -complicated mountings. Obedient to the master-hand in the -fire-control platform the giant weapon was being "laid" upon an -invisible target 20,000 yards away. - -Then--_flash! crash!_ - -Flames of cordite enveloped the whole of the fore-part of the "Lion." -Above the bank of haze from the so-called smokeless powder, the -gunnery-lieutenant in the fire-control platform was coolly watching -the result of his second trial shot. - -There was no doubt about it. The British battle-cruisers, pelting -along at 28 1/2 knots, were slowly but surely overtaking their prey. -Already the "Bluecher," credited with but a fraction over 25 knots, -was falling astern of her consorts. In their frantic dash for the -safety of their own mine-fields the three swifter vessels paid no -heed to the fact that one of their own ships was sooner or later to -bear the brunt of the Englishmen's guns. - -Naval chivalry which caused the gallant "Monmouth" to share the fate -of the luckless "Good Hope" in the action off Coronel was found -wanting amongst the disciples of "kultur." Instead of attempting to -cover the "Bluecher's" retreat, the "Derfflinger" and her -fellow-raiders ran, abandoning her to her fate. - -Terence glanced at his watch as the first salvo burst from the -avenging "Lion." It was nearly ten minutes past nine. Truly, he -thought, it was a magnificent sight to see Beatty's flagship wreaking -vengeance upon the cowardly bombarders of Scarborough; yet in the -light of a general action it seemed a one-sided affair, as shell -after shell sped on its way towards the still invisible German ships -and none came in reply. - -Gilroy, perched upon the bridge weather-rail, was coolly taking -snapshots of the "Flag" with a pocket kodak. The men of the destroyer -were so impressed by the sight of the "Lion" in action that it was -with the greatest difficulty that they could be brought to realize -their position: to watch for any lurking submarine that might seize -an opportunity of loosing a torpedo against the swiftly-moving mass -of 26,000 tons displacement. - -A column of spray flung high in the air at fifty feet from the -"Lion's" starboard beam announced the fact that the German -battle-cruisers had been overhauled sufficiently for them to get the -range of their pursuers. Then shell after shell began to fall around -the flagship. Occasionally a projectile would strike a glancing blow -against the armoured sides of the British vessel, but unswervingly -she held on, if anything increasing her rapidity of fire. - -A hoist of flags fluttered up to the signal yard arm of the "Lion" -and stood out as stiff as if made of sheet iron in the strong breeze. - -From the leader of the flotilla came the answering pendant, each of -the destroyers acknowledging the signal in turn. Enemy torpedo-boats -were threatening an attack, and the British destroyers were to beat -off the hornets that had the audacity to attempt to hurl themselves -within torpedo-range of the battle-cruisers. - -"Now for it," thought Aubyn, as he left the bridge and took up his -station at the after 4-in. gun. - -Swift as was the "Lion" the speed of the destroyers was greater. -Forging ahead they left the battle-cruisers well on the starboard -quarter. Heavy projectiles, passing handsomely over the short masts -of the "Livingstone" and her consorts "straddled" the "Lion," some -falling short, others ricochetting from the water two hundred yards -in her wake. - -The contest between the rival destroyer flotillas was of short -duration. Apparently the German boats had no intention of joining -action. It was merely a manoeuvre on their part to screen their -already severely damaged battle-cruisers by means of dense columns of -smoke. - -In a sense they were successful, for under cover of the pall of black -vapour the larger German ships altered course and steered in a -northerly direction, but as the torpedo-boats drew off Terence -discerned for the first time one of the enemy battle-cruisers. - -She was listing heavily to port. Flames were bursting from her -amidships, her funnels had disappeared and two legs of her tripod -mast. Yet in spite of her damaged condition she was endeavouring to -crawl out of line, slowly shaping a course to the nor'-nor'-west. -Still firing as she wallowed in her death-agony, she was being marked -for special attention by the "Indomitable," which, under the -admiral's orders, had hauled to port to complete the work of -destruction. - -"Hurrah! The 'Bluecher's' done for!" shouted the torpedo-gunner of -the "Livingstone." - -Terence could hardly believe his eyes. Was that battered wreck the -same vessel that a few weeks before he had seen pouring death and -destruction into the peaceful town of Scarborough? - -He brought his glasses to bear upon the ill-fated raider. In spite of -her enormously thick armour huge rents were plainly visible in her -sides. One of her heavy gun-turrets had been blown clean away. 'Tween -decks the greater part of her was a glowing furnace. It seemed a -marvel how the crew could maintain even the feeblest fire, yet, under -the influence of morphia supplied by their officers, half-dazed men -still worked the remaining effective guns with the ferocity of -madmen. - -Then the "Tiger," showing scars of honourable wounds, but still -vitally intact, came up, hurling shell after shell into the doomed -vessel. - -Cat-like in her death-agonies the "Bluecher" sought to deal her -antagonist a _coup de grâce_ by letting loose a torpedo. - -Keenly alert to such a possibility, the cool and collected captain of -the British battle-cruiser detected the ripples that marked the -approach of the deadly "tin-fish." Ordering the "Tiger's" helm to be -put hard over, he had the satisfaction of seeing the torpedo miss its -mark by a bare twenty feet. - -As the "Bluecher" showed no sign of surrendering it was necessary to -hasten her end. Looming up through the black and yellow smoke that -drifted in huge volumes to lee'ard came the saucy "Arethusa." -Fearless in the midst of a rain of light projectiles her torpedo-men -gathered round two of her above-water tubes. At any moment a fragment -of a shell might strike the warheads of the two missiles ere they -took the water, and send the light-cruiser to her doom. - -Like a trick swimmer making a clean dive, the first of the gleaming -cylinders left the tube and disappeared amidst the feathery spray. -Five seconds later the second torpedo sped on its way to destruction. - -The first alone would have been sufficient. Striking the "Bluecher" -fairly amidships the powerful weapon blew a gaping hole in the hull -of the already foundering vessel. More and more she heeled, till the -whole length of her bilge keel became visible. - -With the characteristic consideration to a beaten foe the British -vessels ceased firing. Instinctively the German sailors knew that -they were free to leave the doubtful shelter of the armoured portions -of the ship and to save themselves, if possible. - -Aft poured the scorched and dazed survivors of the ship's company, -forming up upon the steeply shelving deck. Some, with a devotion to -their Fatherland, broke into song with "The Watch on the Rhine," -while the officers, linking arms, stood awaiting the final plunge--if -plunge it might be called. - -"Jump, you silly blighters!" shouted an excitable bluejacket from the -"Arethusa," and the invitation was taken up by others, while the -crews of the light-cruisers and the nearmost destroyers hastened to -lower boats to assist in the errand of mercy. - -"She's going!" ejaculated Gilroy, as the huge hull turned completely -over on its side, and with hardly any agitation of the sea slid -gently under the waves, throwing those of her crew who had not -already jumped into the water. - -The "Livingstone" by this time had come to a standstill at about a -cable's length from the spot where the "Bluecher" had disappeared. -The only boat she had fit for service was lowered, and into it -clambered Terence and four seamen. - -Before they had gone fifty yards Aubyn noticed that the boat was -leaking badly. Already the water was above the floor boards. One of -the men was obliged to use the baler vigorously, while the others -kept to their oars, the sub. holding the boat on her course by means -of considerable lee helm. - -"Lay on your oars, men," exclaimed Terence, and leaning over the side -he was just in time to grasp the hair of a scorched and blackened -German bluejacket as he was sinking for the last time. Two more men -were rescued, one stark naked, save for an inflated swimming collar; -the other wounded in half a dozen places by pieces of flying metal. - -So intent were the crews of the numerous boats upon their work of -saving life that they failed to notice a new peril. Only a warning -shout from the quarter-deck of the "Arethusa" recalled them to the -fact that they were not fighting civilized foes but enemies whose -methods of waging war were on a par with those of the old Red -Indians, the ferocious Boxers, or the fanatical tribes of Somaliland. - -Overhead was a Zeppelin, accompanied by a couple of German -waterplanes. Although it must have been perfectly obvious to the -observers that the British tars were rescuing their beaten foes, the -aircraft began a rapid bombardment with bombs. - -One missile, fortunately without exploding, dropped an oar's length -from the "Livingstone's" boat. Others, detonating with a sharp crack, -assisted in sending a score or so of the "Bluecher's" crew to their -death. - -Filled with fury, that during the engagement had been foreign to -them, the British tars were compelled to relinquish their task of -saving life. Back to their respective ships they rowed, and a hail of -projectiles was launched against the treacherous Zeppelin and her -consorts. - -This was more than the unwieldy gas-bag could stand. Circling and -ascending higher and higher she flew out of the danger zone and made -off back to Heligoland. - -But the engagement was not yet over. - -From the flagship of the admiral commanding the destroyer flotillas -came a signal:-- - -"Proceed to N.E. and engage enemy-destroyers and submarines." - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII. - -DERELICTS. - - -THE reason for this order was obvious to the officers of the -"Livingstone." The "Lion" had been disabled: whether by torpedo (for -several of the enemy submarines had been sighted) or by shell-fire -they knew not. But she was sufficiently mauled for it to be necessary -for Admiral Beatty to shift his Flag, first to the -torpedo-boat-destroyer "Attack" and afterwards to the "Tiger" as she -was returning from the sinking of the "Bluecher." - -With her engines out of order, and very much down by the head the -crippled "Lion" shaped a course to the north-west, making for the -Firth of Forth. Finding that the damage to the machinery grew worse, -the badly hit battle-cruiser had to appeal for assistance, and was -taken in tow by the "Indomitable." Speed was now out of the question, -while there was great risk of both battle-cruisers falling victims to -the lurking German submarines. Accordingly one flotilla of destroyers -was detailed to escort the "Indomitable" and her tow, another was -ordered to reconnoitre to the north-east and check any attempt on the -part of hostile light-cruisers and torpedo-boats from menacing the -crippled "Lion." - -The "Livingstone" was one of the flotilla told off for the latter -service. Hers was a hazardous undertaking, for ahead lay the almost -impregnable island of Heligoland, on her starboard hand was the -German torpedo-boat station of Borkum, while it was known that an -ill-defined mine-field was somewhere in this part of the North Sea. -Presumably the "Derfflinger" and her consorts, when they made a -somewhat abrupt change of course while screened by the smoke of the -destroyers, had put the mine-field between them and the British. The -supposition was mainly responsible for the breaking off of the action -and for the escape of the German battle-cruisers. - -In line abreast the various units of the British destroyer flotilla -pursued their course, an interval of nearly a mile separating each -boat. At two p.m. they were within sight of the rocky plateau of -Heligoland, yet no hostile craft hove in sight. The Zeppelin which -had frustrated the humane intentions of the British tars when the -"Bluecher" sank, was just visible as it made for its lair. Away to -the eastward, where a mist was lying over the Frisian Islands, the -thick clouds of smoke from the fugitive battle-cruisers was rapidly -merging into the bank of fog. - -"May as well get something to eat, Aubyn," remarked Lieutenant -Gilroy. "Nothing like taking advantage of a lull in the performance." - -Terence willingly acquiesced. Now that the excitement of the -engagement was past he was beginning to feel peckish so the two -officers went below. - -"Not a bad day's work," remarked the sub., as he attacked a tin of -biscuits and a cup of chocolate. - -"H'm, no," replied Gilroy. "We ought to have bagged the lot, and we -should had it not been for the 'Lion' being crocked." - -"I expect the Press will make a song about our not having done so," -remarked Aubyn. "It's easy for the arm-chair critics to expound -theories of what ought to be done." - -"Let 'em," declared Gilroy grimly. "If I had my will I'd ship a few -of these professional advisers--people who are ever ready to tell -their mother's mother how to extract the contents of a bird in -embryo--and let them see what's going on. I'll bet they'd change -their tune and not ask what the Navy is doing. It's impossible to ram -into their thick heads that sometimes it pays to sacrifice a small -craft in order to enable a battle-cruiser to get a sniff in. That's -what we are doing now." - -Aubyn looked at his companion in surprise. - -"Fact," continued Gilroy. "We have information that a German flotilla -of light-cruisers and destroyers is out: independently of the crowd -we sent home as fast as their engines could take them. What we have -to do is to get in touch with them, lure them on, and let our -light-cruisers come up and bag the lot. If the German boats won't -come out--and they are vastly superior in number to our lot--there -are two conclusions. Either they fear a trap, or else they cannot -negotiate their own mine-field. If they do pluck up courage and come -for us, we've got to make a running fight for it, and at the same -time watch these fellows' course." - -"So, apart from screening the 'Lion' we have to discover the passage -through the enemy's mine-field?" - -"Exactly," answered Gilroy. "The information is most necessary, -although I cannot at present say to what use it will be put. Hullo! -there's the 'Action.'" - -Both officers tore up the narrow companion to find that the periscope -of a submarine had been sighted on the port-bow. Evidently the -skipper of the "unterseeboot" had a great respect for the ramming -powers of British destroyers; for, without attempting to discharge a -torpedo, he promptly dived to such a depth that on the "Livingstone" -passing just ahead of the swirl that marked the submarine's -disappearance no tell-tale oil rose to the surface. - -By this time the mist had increased; the nearmost British destroyer -was just visible. The rest were swallowed up in the bank of haze. The -flotilla had changed course and was now running S.S.W. or practically -parallel with the chain of islands extending from the mouth of the -Weser to the Dollart. - -Suddenly out of the mist loomed the outlines of four grey -torpedo-boats: the forerunners of the Borkum flotilla. On they came -at a good twenty-six knots, the smoke pouring from their funnels and -obscuring any hostile craft that might be following in their wake. - -Boat for boat the "Livingstone" and her consorts were vastly superior -to the German craft. An action would result in annihilation of the -enemy unless the element of luck favoured the weaker side. But it was -not a time for fight. The first mission of the British destroyers was -to lure their foes, especially the supporting light-cruisers, well -away from the sand-banks and shallow mined channels protected by the -heavy guns of Borkum. - -Round swung the "Livingstone," heeling outwards till her rail was -almost awash: then steadying herself on her course, steamed due west. -Although the after 4-in. gun was trained on the leading German boat, -no order was given to fire. Shells began to hurtle past, as the -foremost enemy vessel attempted to wing her foe. It was tantalizing -for the "Livingstone" to be under fire with the knowledge that her -armament could dominate that of her enemy, but forbearance was -desirable: it was a part of the grim game. - -Suddenly a terrific glare flashed before Terence's eyes, followed by -an ear-splitting report. He was dimly conscious of clapping his left -hand over his eyes and feeling blindly with his right for some -support that was not forthcoming. His feet gave way under him, and he -fell--not upon the slippery deck of the destroyer but into the sea. - -It was in a sense fortunate that he fell in a huddled posture; had -his body been rigid the shock on striking the surface from a craft -travelling at close on thirty knots might have broken his back. -Winded by the blow and the sudden immersion he sank, swallowing -mouthfuls of salt water as he vainly gasped for breath. - -After a seemingly interminable time he knew by the light filtering -through the water that he was rising to the surface. Up he came, -spluttering and gasping. His thick clothing still retained air and -afforded a certain amount of buoyancy, enough to counteract the -weight of his sea-boots. - -He looked in the direction of the "Livingstone." She was by this time -several hundred yards off and still running at a high speed. Even had -his fall been noticed he knew that it would have been impossible for -the destroyer to stop and pick him up. It was one of the grim -realities of warfare. In the piping times of peace there would be a -cry of "Man overboard," a rapid working of the engine-room -telegraph, and a prompt backing and going easy astern of the engines, -while the boat was being hastily lowered to effect a rescue. But now, -although the loss of a man overboard was to be deplored it was the -fortune of war. Under the circumstances no captain would hazard his -ship in the presence of the enemy to save life. - -Terence also knew that there was no chance of rescue by the German -boats. For one thing it was an established fact that the disciples of -"kultur" had never been credited since the declaration of -hostilities with having saved a single British sailor, be he officer -or man. Again, it was not to be expected that the German destroyers -would cease in their efforts to overhaul a supposedly fugitive craft -to pull one of the hated English out of the sea. - -At a distance of about ten yards from the swimmer the leading German -torpedo-boat passed. The "wash" wellnigh overwhelmed him, for by -this time his clothes were becoming saturated and his limbs numbed by -the cold. He was seen by several of the crew, most of whom regarded -him with stolid indifference, while one or two openly jeered at him. - -The desire for life was strong within the young sub. He realized that -his case was hazardous in the extreme. More than likely cramp--the -dreaded foe of the swimmer--would seize him; if not there would be a -struggle for life until, numbed by the cold, he would sink through -sheer inability to move his limbs. Yet he meant to fight strongly for -his life. - -"I must first get rid of my boots," he thought, at the same time -ruefully reflecting that they were practically new, and had cost him -a couple of guineas only a few days ago. - -Turning on his back Terence began to fumble with his footgear. His -fingers had little or no sense of feeling. - -"All right, sir; hold up--I'm coming. You're saved," shouted a voice. - -Swimming towards him and pushing a lifebuoy was Stairs, the -bluejacket whose gratitude he had gained by letting him off with a -caution instead of putting him in the captain's defaulter's book. The -devoted man, seeing Terence blown over the side by the explosion of a -hostile shell, had without hesitation seized a lifebuoy and had -plunged into the sea with the laudable intention of either saving his -officer or sharing his fate. Swift though he was in making up his -mind, the "Livingstone" had put a hundred yards or so between her and -Terence ere the man took the fateful leap. - -Swimming strongly, and pushing the buoy before him he took nearly -five minutes in getting within easy hailing distance of his superior -officer. Even in that moment of peril, when he realized that the -chances of the pair of them were most remote, Stairs was governed by -the regulations. - -"'... approach the drowning person, assure him with a loud and firm -voice that he is safe,'" he repeated to himself. "It's a blessed lie, -but regulations is regulations, so 'ere goes. All right, sir; I'm -coming. You're saved." - -Had Stairs continued to act strictly in the spirit of the -before-mentioned regulations, he would have proceeded to "take fast -hold of the hair of his head, turn him, as quickly as possible on his -back, give him a sudden pull and this will cause him to float." But -fortunately the seaman, having committed one absurdity, wisely -refrained from doing another. Seeing that Terence was afloat, he -contented himself with pushing the lifebuoy into his grasp. - -"What on earth possessed you to jump overboard?" asked Aubyn. - -"Never you mind, sir, beggin' your pardon," replied Stairs. "Keep -your precious breath, sir you'll be wanting it afore long." - -The advice was sound, for by this time two more destroyers had -passed, one on either side of the submerged men, and the turmoil of -the water as they tore past had the effect of stopping any attempt at -conversation. Well it was that Aubyn had hold of the lifebuoy, -otherwise the buffeting of the waves would have sent him -under--perhaps for the last time. - -Just then a large object shot up from under the water about fifty -feet from the two men. It was part of a British whaler, possibly -abandoned previous to going into action, or it may have floated from -one of the torpedo-cruisers during the earlier stages of the war. - -The third German destroyer had cut through and had passed completely -over it. The greater part of the stern sheets had been torn off, but -there was a considerable amount of buoyancy by reason of the copper -air-tanks, some of which were yet intact. - -"Good business, sir!" exclaimed Stairs. "See yon wreckage? Strike -out, sir; I'll give you a hand. We'll fetch it yet." - -Before Terence had covered half the distance "striking out" was -beyond him. All he could do was to support himself by allowing his -arms to hang inertly on the curve of the buoy. For propulsion he had -to rely upon the powerful and seemingly tireless efforts of his -brawny companion. - -Awaiting his opportunity Stairs scrambled through the jagged gap in -the wrecked boat, then, bringing himself against the after thwart he -hauled Terence into a position of comparative safety. - -Even with the weight of the two men the buoyancy of the airtight -tanks was sufficient to keep the gunwale a foot above water. Within -the wrecked boat the water was about up to the thwarts, while the sea -dashed continuously over the frail planking and surged violently up -and down the bottom boards. - -Holding Terence by the arm, for the sub. was now incapable of -stirring a finger to save himself, Stairs cautiously raised himself -and looked around. The destroyers, both British and German, were now -lost in the mists. Everywhere was an unbroken stretch of water. The -waves, although not violent, were short and steep. - -He realized that there were two great perils. The waterlogged craft -might be capsized in the trough of the waves, in which case the two -men would either be stunned by the heavy woodwork or else have to -choose between drowning or suffocation under the upturned boat. Nor -was the danger of perishing from cold and exposure to be lost sight -of. Drenched to the skin, without food and water, and drifting about -in a waterlogged craft on the North Sea in mid-winter, their -condition was an unenviable one. - -"Sit up, sir, and swing your arms," said Stairs, with pardonable -sternness. - -Terence tried to obey, but the nerveless condition of his arms, -additionally handicapped by his wet clothing, resulted in a feeble -effort; but that was by no means satisfactory to his devoted -companion. - -Grasping the sub. by the elbows Stairs began to work his arms in an -energetic manner. Before long Aubyn began to feel the blood -circulating, while the exercise also served to warm the chilled body -of his rescuer. - -"Avast there!" exclaimed the seaman, after five minutes' steady -performance. "I'll take a spell a bit and then carry on. It's our -one chance." - -Terence agreed. He, too, realized that only by exercise could they -hope to retain warmth in their bodies. Dimly he found himself -wondering was it worth while to prolong their acute physical -distress, with no apparent chance of rescue. - -For nearly an hour Stairs repeated his operations at frequent -intervals, but it was evident that, robust and strongly built as he -was, even his bodily strength could not hold out much longer. - -Neither man spoke during that fearful hour. More than once Terence -wanted to ask the seaman why he had deliberately risked almost -certain death on his behalf. He was not conversant with the -circumstances under which Stairs had leapt from the "Livingstone's" -deck, but from the fact that he arrived on the scene with a lifebuoy, -the sub. concluded that it was not by accident but by design. Yet, in -spite of his desire to question the man and to thank him for his -gallantry and devotion, Terence was unable to frame a sentence, so -utterly acute was his distress. - -From time to time Stairs would stand upright, at the imminent risk of -losing his balance and being thrown out of the water-logged boat, and -scan the horizon--or rather the ill-defined blending of sea and sky. -In the vain hope that the British destroyers had vanquished their -foes and would put back to look for the missing officer, the seaman -kept a sharp lookout at regular intervals, but nothing save an -unbroken waste of water met his gaze. - -He knew also that in a water-logged craft and without means of -propulsion, the rate of drift would be extremely slight. Hours, -perhaps days, would elapse ere the wrecked boat grounded on the -sand-banks fringing the German and Dutch chain of islands on the east -coast of the North Sea. - -So intent was Stairs in looking for a distant sail that he failed to -notice a pole-like object appearing above the surface at less than -eighty yards from the boat. Terence noticed it; more, he remarked a -slight "wash," showing that the object had a forward as well as a -vertical movement. - -"A periscope! he exclaimed, finding his voice in the excitement of -the discovery. - -"Where, sir?" asked Stairs, with incredulity in his tones, for he -imagined that the sub. had become lightheaded in his distress. Then -following the direction indicated by Aubyn's limp fingers, he added, -"You're right, sir; it's a blessed submarine. I'll bet my last tanner -the brutes will poke charley at us, and sheer off. If I'd my rifle, -by smoke! I'd pepper that blessed periscope." - -In his indignation the seaman began to search the bottom of the boat -for a likely missile with which to vent his rage upon the modern -pirates; but finding none he folded his arms and awaited events. - -Like the wary water-rat that cautiously reconnoitres before it leaves -its hole, the submarine surveyed the seascope. For a brief instant -the eyepiece of the periscope was turned in the direction of the -waterlogged boat, then, having slowly and deliberately swept it all -round the compass, it again scrutinized the two unfortunate men. - - -[Illustration: "'She's one of ours!' exclaimed Stairs. 'Hurrah! we're -saved.'"] - - -The submarine was in no great hurry to rise to the surface. Her -commander had heard of decoys being employed to lure an inquisitive -craft within range of a distant quick-firer, so he used discretion. -Finally, having come to the conclusion that it was safe to ascend, -the submarine resumed her diagonally upward motion, and with the -green water pouring from off the fore side of her conning-tower and -surging from her narrow deck she emerged to the light of day. - -"She's one of ours!" exclaimed Stairs. "Hurrah! sir, We're saved." - - - - -CHAPTER XIX. - -THE SUBMARINE SCORES. - - -THE seaman was right. It was a British submarine, one of the E class. -Terence could hardly believe his eyes to see the craft emerge from -beneath the waves almost within sight of the German coast and -certainly within the limits of the hostile mine-field. He had yet a -lot to learn concerning the bravery and resource of the commanders -and crews of these marvellous craft, operating, without support from -the destroyer flotillas, at the very gates of Germany's naval -strongholds. - -The watertight hatch in the conning-tower opened and the head and -shoulders of a young officer appeared. He bent to give an order, then -leapt out and gained the navigating platform, where he was joined by -three of the crew, clad in "fearnought" suits and seaboots. - -"Come alongside as sharp as you can!" he shouted. - -"Can't sir," replied Stairs. "We've no oars, and we're pretty well -done up." - -The officer gave the order for "easy astern"; then judging that there -was sufficient room for the intended manoeuvre he ordered "easy -ahead," at the same time steering the submarine to pass about ten -feet to windward of the remains of the boat. - -Meanwhile, those of the crew on deck had detached two boathooks from -the handrail to which they had been secured by "beckets," and -standing by, awaited for their craft to pass within reach of the -object of their attentions. - -Simultaneously the two boathooks engaged, and the boat was drawn -alongside. While thus firmly held, one of the crew leapt into her, -and raising Terence, passed him on to the willing arms of his -companions. Without loss of time Stairs was likewise rescued, and -both men, practically "done up," were taken below. Then, the officer -and his men having returned to the shelter of the hermetically-sealed -steel hull, the submarine prepared to dive. - -While kindly helpers were assisting to strip the clothing from the -almost unconscious sub., massaging his body and limbs with more -energy than skill, and were pouring hot drinks down his throat, -Terence could hear as in a dream the order given by the captain of -the submarine. - -"Diving stations. Flood main ballast.... Flood auxiliary ballast -tanks!" - -Dimly Aubyn began to realize that he was actually in a steel prison, -several feet beneath the surface of a sea sown with deadly mines. - -"Easy ahead. Elevate horizontal rudders!" - -The submarine, now weighing nearly the same as the amount of water -she displaced, was ready for diving. That part of the operation was -performed by means of the horizontal planes or rudders, trimming them -to give the required angle of descent. - -"Down to seventy feet, sir!" reported a voice, sounding hollow in the -ribbed, vaulted space. - -"Stand by--let go!" - -With a subdued rattle the anchor, hitherto bedded underneath the -fore-part of the hull, dropped to the bed of the North Sea, -additional water ballast being admitted into the tanks of the vessel -to compensate the loss of weight of the ground-tackle. Save for a -faint pendulum-like motion as the submarine swayed to the tension on -the bight of her cable, the craft lay calmly in twelve fathoms, for -the time being safe from the perils of naval warfare. - -Warm both externally and internally, Terence dropped to sleep in a -comfortable bunk in the officers' part of the vessel. Three hours -later he awoke, feeling much his former self, for the beneficial -effects of the oxygen-charged atmosphere were as invigorating as the -air on the summit of a lofty mountain. - -The instant he awoke the circumstances which led to his being on -board the submarine flashed across Aubyn's mind with vivid clearness. -He contrasted his experiences with his regaining consciousness in -Shotley Sick Quarters. There his brain worked slowly--it took -considerable time for him to recall the events subsequent to the -torpedoing of the ill-fated "Terrier." Here, owing possibly to the -chemically charged atmosphere, his mind was as fresh as if he had -awakened from a normal sleep. - -The submarine was still at anchor. Beyond the purring of the dynamos -for supplying the electric light there was no noise of machinery. Men -were laughing and talking freely: he could hear Stairs' voice, -holding forth with a vivacity that betokened no ill-effects from his -voluntary immersion. - -Terence sprang out of his bunk and began to dress. His own clothing, -dried in the motor-room, was ready for him to put on. Just as he had -completed his toilet a man of about thirty, dressed in the uniform of -a lieutenant-commander, entered and introduced himself as Paul -Maynebrace, captain of Submarine "E Something." - -"Sorry we can't land you for a day or two," he remarked, after -inquiring after Aubyn's state of health. "We're on observation duty, -and are not due back at Harwich until noon on Thursday. However, -we'll do our level best to make you comfortable. Of course, I suppose -I am right in assuming that you haven't been on a submarine before? -It will be something of a novelty to you, but we are getting used to -it. Rather boring, in fact." - -"Boring?" repeated Terence. - -"Well, rather. We are stationed to observe the approach through the -mine-field to Wilhelmshaven. It means that every few hours we have to -pop to the surface and have a look round; and except for the -departure of some of the raiding German cruisers late on Saturday -night (which we duly reported to the Admiralty, by the by) it's -usually a case of a lot of work for nothing--for the beggars won't -come out." - -"Supposing a German warship did make a dash while you are down -below?" asked Terence. - -"We could tell by the noise of the propellors," replied the -lieutenant-commander. "She is bound to keep almost immediately above -us, owing to the narrowness of the passage through the mine-field." - -"Then what would happen?" queried Aubyn, keenly interested in the -information. - -"If she were unsupported we would try the effect of a torpedo," -replied Maynebrace, with a smile. "Ten to one the disaster to one of -von Tirpitz's pets would be put down to the accidental displacement -of one of the mines. In the case of the 'Derfflinger' and her -consorts we let the whole crowd go. It would be impossible to torpedo -the lot, and even if we hit one the remainder might scoot back to -Wilhelmshaven. On the other hand, by not giving them a scare we help -to keep their spirits up, so to speak, and let our battle-cruisers do -the smashing-up part of the business. By the by, the seaman who was -with you on the derelict boat told us of the result of the dust-up: -how the 'Bluecher' went under." - -"It was a pity we didn't get the rest," remarked Terence. - -"Fortune of war," declared the lieutenant-commander. "And, as luck -would have it, the three German battle-cruisers did not return to -Wilhelmshaven by the same channel, otherwise I might have had a try -for one or two of them. No, they made for Heligoland, I fancy, and -thence either to Kiel or Wilhelmshaven by a passage inside the -mine-field. Well, I must leave you for a while. I'll send young -Warborough--he's my sub.--to have a yarn with you. And as soon as I -get the chance I'll get off a wireless announcing that you are safe -and sound on board." - -It was not long before Sub-lieutenant Warborough arrived upon the -scene. He was a young, easy-going officer, wholeheartedly devoted to -his career; yet, when on leave he was a worry to the police in the -vicinity of each of the great naval ports. His brother-officers in -the submarine flotilla were apt to remark that Dick Warborough was a -"bit of a scorcher" in more ways than one. On one occasion a lively -scene in a Portsmouth theatre, in which Warborough played a leading -though unrehearsed part, almost ended in a police-court. Perhaps it -was lucky for the sub. that his father was a man of position and -influence. Warborough freely confessed to half a dozen endorsements -on his motor-driver's licence. The fines he had been ordered to pay -in his twelve-month amounted to almost as much as his pay and -allowance as a sub-lieutenant in the submarine service, so once again -he thanked his lucky stars that his parent was rich and, what was -more, generous. Yet, with all his foolish pranks ashore, he was keen -and a capable officer from the moment he passed through the dockyard -gates to return to duty till the time when he was again able to -proceed on leave. - -"Skipper says I'm to hold a pow-wow with you, Aubyn," began -Warborough, not with any suspicion of condescension but in a frank, -easy-going manner. "Glad to have someone to spin a yarn with. Do you -motor?" - -Terence had to confess that, except for trips in hired cars during -his brief visits to his home, his experiences in that direction were -few and far between; then, by way of altering the topic of -conversation, he asked what the young officer thought of the -submarine service. - -"Top-hole--absolutely ripping!" declared Warborough. "This lying in -wait is apt to be a bit tedious, but there are moments when you feel -downright happy at being in the submarine service." - -"Pretty dangerous?" hazarded Aubyn, who had not entirely got over the -feeling that he was imprisoned at the bottom, or nearly at the bottom -of the sea. - -"That's what gives a spice to the business," said Warborough. "If we -do bump a mine there's precious little chance for us. The worst part -of the job is when we are getting fairly close to Harwich, and -running awash. The helmsman of one of your destroyers might get a -trifle jumpy, you know--mistakes have been made in that direction, -especially at night." - -"That I can quite understand," rejoined Terence, recalling the many -anxious hours he had passed on the "Strongbow" as officer of the -watch, and straining his eyes in the darkness till he fancied he saw -the periscope and conning-tower of more than one submarine. - -"And the rotten part of the business is, the man in the street -grumbles," continued Warborough. "It's all very fine saying that the -Silent Navy is above public opinion and all that--it isn't, and it's -a bit rough. Our men come back from leave with the yarn that they are -continually being asked, 'What is the Navy doing?' And if people find -out that they belong to the submarine service they ask still more -pointed questions. Civilians forget that the German ships rarely put -to sea, except when they think they can do a sneaking bit of damage. -And after this recent scrap they'll be still more chary about coming -out. Now, if there's nothing or hardly anything afloat for us to go -for, it's not much use running a great risk of being rammed by our -own destroyers. Submarines can't fight submarines, and the fact that -a few German 'unterseeboots' have started playing the fool with our -merchant craft complicates the situation. However, there are four of -our submarines keeping an eye on the approach to the German North Sea -ports, so perhaps, after the war is over and people are let into the -know, we may be vindicated in the minds of the Great British Public. -Why, man, what's wrong now? Your nose has started to bleed." - -Terence brought out his handkerchief and applied it to his nasal -organ. It was a very rare thing for it to bleed, and he wondered -whether it was the result of the concussion when he was blown from -the deck of the "Livingstone." - -"I don't fancy so," remarked Warborough. "It's the excess of oxygen. -We are frequently affected that way. Shove your head in that basin -and let me pour cold water on your neck: that will stop it pretty -quickly." - -Aubyn's companion was quite right. In less than two minutes the flow -had entirely ceased. - -"How about the water?" asked Terence. "I suppose this is the pump?" - -"Yes. You'll have to exert a fair amount of strength to get rid of -the water, you know." - -Aubyn seized the pump lever, but in spite of his efforts he could not -force the water out of the basin. "Back pressure too much," commented -Warborough. "We're more than fifty feet below the surface. We'll have -to get rid of this water pretty quickly, so I'll ask the skipper to -bring the boat twenty feet or so nearer the surface." - -"Sorry to give you so much trouble," said Terence apologetically. - -"Not at all, my dear fellow. It will give the men something to do to -relieve the monotony. Come with me, if you're fit to move, and you -can see the operation." - -Terence followed the junior officer to the base of the conning-tower, -and upon Warborough explaining matters to the lieutenant-commander, -the latter concurred in the desirability of ascending. - -"While we are about it we may as well go up and look round," he -added. - -Word was then passed for the crew to stand at their stations. Inside -a water-filled compartment, separated from the rest of the vessel by -strong watertight bulkheads, the electrically-worked winch could be -dimly heard as it hauled in the cable, till the stockless anchor was -safely housed flush with the outer plating of the submarine. - -The reserve tanks were "blown," the electric motors for propelling -purposes were set in motion, and the horizontal fins trimmed for the -ascent. Steadily the pointer of the depth indicator began to fall -till it registered ten feet. At that distance below the surface it is -quite possible to make use of the periscope. - -The lieutenant-commander watched the seemingly monotonous changing -panorama depicted upon the bowl at the base of the periscope, as the -eyepiece swept the horizon. - -Suddenly he checked the training handle. A small and rather -indistinct object had appeared in view. - -"What do you make of that, Warborough?" asked the skipper calmly. - -"Light-cruiser, sir!" replied that officer, after a brief glance at -the reflected picture. "And a German, by all the powers!" - -"May as well have a look, Mr. Aubyn," said the lieutenant-commander -considerately. "She seems in no hurry, and unless she takes it into -her head to change her course, she'll pass within eight hundred yards -of us." - -Terence inspected the periscope representation of the German vessel. -Although she flew no ensign, her characteristic masts, funnel, and -derricks, as well as her protruding bows--a combination of both -clipper and ram--proclaimed her as one of the "Freya" class cruisers, -averaging 5600 tons. Her guns were trained abeam, but from their -direction it was evident that the Germans had no idea of the peril -that menaced them. - -The sub. felt his blood tingling. It was the "Terrier" incident over -again, only the boot was on the other foot this time. - -"Down to thirty feet--charge firing-tank--flood both -torpedo-tubes--stand by!" ordered the lieutenant-commander. - -He would not run the risk of allowing the tip of the periscope to -remain on the surface while the crew were thrusting the two steel -cylinders into their respective tubes. - -"All correct, sir!" reported the leading torpedo-hand. - -"To fifteen feet, then," was the order. - -Once again daylight filtered through the periscope. On the bowl stood -the image of the doomed cruiser, now showing with remarkable -vividness. A slight touch on the steering gear and "E Something" -swung a point or so to starboard to enable her tubes to be trained a -few feet in advance of the cruiser's bows--a sufficient allowance for -the vessel to be fairly in the path of the deadly weapon by the time -the torpedo travelled the intervening distance. - -A faint detonation, caused by the release of the propelling charge of -compressed air was followed by the rush of the water admitted into -the now empty tube to compensate the loss of weight of the torpedo. -The missile was on its way. - -A few seconds of tense silence followed, then came the muffled sound -of a terrific detonation, as the warhead exploded fifteen feet below -the surface and fairly amidships of the doomed cruiser. No need to -let loose a second missile. - -"Got her!" exclaimed the skipper laconically, as the submarine dived -to fifty feet to avoid detection and its natural sequence--a hail of -quick-firer projectiles from the already sinking vessel. - -A quarter of an hour later the "E Something" again showed her -periscope. The lieutenant-commander's surmise was correct. The German -cruiser had plunged to the bottom, while half a dozen boats, crammed -to their utmost capacity, were laboriously rowing towards the -invisible island of Borkum. - -"Thank you, Mr. Aubyn!" exclaimed the lieutenant-commander, extending -his hand towards the sub. - -"What for, sir, might I ask?" - -"For letting your nose bleed at a most opportune moment," was the -cool rejoinder. - - - - -CHAPTER XX. - -A DUEL WITH A ZEPPELIN. - - -AN hour after sunset "E Something" rose to the surface. Her hatches -were opened and the crew allowed on deck, five men at a time, to -enjoy the cold, fresh air. Owing to the possibility of the sudden -approach of a swift hostile cruiser or destroyer it was not advisable -to let more men out at once, in order that there would be no delay in -battening down and diving. - -It was a clear starlit night. Away to the east the sky was -illuminated by the steely rays of the searchlights on the German -batteries, where the garrisons, kept on thorns by the dread of a -visit from the British Fleet, maintained ceaseless watch. - -"I shouldn't wonder if we weren't honoured by the attentions of a few -German torpedo-boats," remarked Warborough to Aubyn, as the two -officers, sheltering from the wind under the lee of the -conning-tower, were enjoying their cigarettes. "By this time the -boats of the torpedoed cruiser ought to have reached land, and the -report of the disaster--cooked by the authorities for serving up to -the gullible Teutonic public--will have been issued." - -"It will probably be reported that she struck a drifting mine," said -Terence. - -"More than likely," agreed Warborough. "Drifting mines are a godsend -to the harassed German press agencies. But, all the same, those -fellows on the cruiser must have seen the wake of our torpedo, and -that's what makes me think that they'll be sending some of their -small craft to give us a shaking up--if they can." - -Meanwhile, the wireless mast, which during the period of submergence -had been housed on deck, had been set up, and a report of the -torpedoing of an unknown German cruiser of the "Freya" class had been -sent off to the Admiralty. A second message, reporting the rescue of -Sub-Lieutenant Terence Aubyn, R.N.R., and Seaman Stairs, was also -despatched. - -Twenty minutes later came the reply:-- - -"Admiralty express great satisfaction at prowess of submarine 'E -Something,'" while the news concerning the rescued officer and man -was acknowledged in stereotyped form. - -"Another 'buck-up' for the British Public," remarked Terence, -"although our little piece of work--excuse me saying 'our,' but it -sounds natural--will pale into comparative insignificance after the -'Bluecher' business." - -"Perhaps My Lords will not make the news public--at least, not for a -long while," rejoined Warborough. "They'll keep it in reserve until -there is a lull in the papers. Of course not a quarter of the work, -that would gladden the nation like anything, gets into the Press. It -isn't well to let the enemy know too much of their losses. By the by, -did you hear anything about a hostile submarine attempting to slip -past the Needles and into the Solent?" - -"No," replied Terence. "Is it a fact?" - -"Can't say, old man. Accounts differ. All I know is, that I was -staying at a house close to Lymington just before Christmas. It was -the first leave I had had since the outbreak of the war. Anyway, the -gunners on the Isle of Wight forts spotted something suspicious, and -promptly let rip for about twenty minutes." - -"Did they hit anything?" - -"They did," answered Warborough, with a grin. "They nearly plugged me -with a ricochet. Several shells fell inland, one of them demolishing -the chimney of a country pub. Next day I heard on good authority----" - -"Something moving up aloft, sir!" reported one of the submarine's -crew. "Listen, sir. There's a distinct purr." - -"A Zeppelin, by Jove!" exclaimed Warborough. "Pass the word to the -captain." - -The lieutenant-commander, termed by courtesy the captain, was resting -in his bunk. He was quickly on deck, for he had "turned in all -standing," with the exception of his boots. - -He looked aloft. Like a lead-pencil the Zeppelin could now be -distinguished as she rapidly advanced at an altitude of about a -thousand feet. Judging by her position she would, unless she changed -her direction, pass half a mile to windward of the submarine. - -"Mr. Warborough," exclaimed the lieutenant-commander, "I don't -propose to dive." - -"Very good, sir," replied the sub. of "E Something," as coolly as if -the Zeppelin were anything but a war-machine. - -With very little noise the guns'-crews mustered on deck. The two -anti-aerial guns were raised on their disappearing mountings, -ammunition was served out, and the submarine was prepared to risk an -encounter with the vaunted terror of the air. - -Although the petrol engines, used for running on the surface, were in -motion, the clutches of both shafts were disconnected and the exhaust -completely muffled. Thus the submarine was ready to forge ahead at a -moment's notice; but, until she was discovered by the giant gas-bag, -her captain preferred to lie low until the Zeppelin somewhat -incautiously would descend to investigate the scene of the -catastrophe to the torpedoed cruiser. - -At each of the 3-pounder quick-firers the gun-layers "stood easy." To -keep bending over the sights of the high angle firing-gun would be -putting an unnecessary strain upon the men. They waited alertly for -report of the range-finding officer and the order to open fire. - -"The brute is in no hurry to descend," grumbled Warborough. "She's a -good two thousand feet up now, and a pretty bad target, especially at -night. One thing, she doesn't stand much chance of dropping a bomb -within a couple of hundred yards of us, unless it's by a pure fluke." - -"She's descending," exclaimed Terence, as the long, aluminium -cylinder, under the influence of the compensating weights, began to -dip her nose. - -As he spoke a searchlight flashed from the foremost nacelle. The -rays, almost perpendicular in direction to the surface of the water, -played upon the sea at some three hundred yards from the quiescent -submarine. The Zeppelin had its suspicions, but as yet had not -located its intended prey. - -"Don't look up, men," cautioned the lieutenant-commander, knowing -that should the searchlight play upon the faces of the crew detection -would be certain. He, as well as Warborough, had taken the precaution -of wrapping a dark muffler over the lower part of his face, while his -forehead was shaded by his peaked cap. - -It was a hard thing to obey the order, but the men, subduing their -natural desire to see what menaced them from above, kept their faces -averted. - -"A thousand feet up," announced Warborough at length, speaking -softly, lest the sound, borne upwards with remarkable clearness, -should give the Zeppelin the alarm. "Actual distance, one thousand -five hundred yards." - -As he spoke the deck of "E Something" was bathed in a flood of -brilliant light. A sweep of the searchlight had caused the beam to -"pick up" the submarine. So dazzling were the rays that it would have -been impossible to sight either of the guns in the direction of the -airship. - -With admirable presence of mind the lieutenant-commander forbore to -open fire. Rigidly the men stood at attention, not one of them -risking the temporary blindness that would ensue if he raised his -eyes to the powerful glare. - -"Thank heavens," ejaculated the captain fervently, as the sweeping -rays swung round, "they haven't spotted us!" - -"Eight hundred feet--twelve hundred yards," reported Warborough. - -The Zeppelin was still descending; more, she had slowed down -considerably, since during the last four minutes she had travelled -three hundred yards. Heading dead into the eye of the wind her rate -over the sea was now roughly two and a half miles an hour. - -The Zeppelin now presented an easy target, as, moving slowly, she -stood out clearly against the starry sky. - -The lieutenant-commander raised his hand, the gun-layer of the -for'ard weapon sprang to the night-sights; in another second the -missile would have been hurtling on its way towards the bulky target, -when round swept the blinding searchlight, full on the submarine. - -This time there was no swaying round the rays were kept focussed on -the "E Something." The Zeppelin had spotted her foe. - -"Confound that light!" muttered the skipper, as he telegraphed for -full speed ahead. - -Quickly the vessel gained steerage way, the helmsman thrusting his -helm hard over, alternately to port and starboard at frequent -intervals in order to pursue a zig-zag course and thus baffle the aim -of the bomb-trainers. - -The first bomb was not long in making its presence known. From the -invisible and now noisy airship, for her engines were making a -terrific din, a powerful missile dropped fifty yards abeam of the -submarine, and burst with a loud report. - -Fragments of the shell flew in all directions, some glancing harmless -from the rounded side of the submarine, and others flying overhead. -Not a man was touched. - -The second bomb fell much further off and dead ahead. The Zeppelin -had overrun her quarry. - -With a sharp turn of the steering gear the helmsman brought "E -Something" smartly round in a semicircle till her bows pointed in -the opposite direction to which they had been heading a few seconds -before. So quickly was the manoeuvre executed that the submarine -swept out of the irritating rays of the searchlight. - -Both quick-firers barked simultaneously. One shell burst well beyond -the frail gas-bag; the other appeared to explode almost under the -foremost suspended car. Whether by accident or design the searchlight -was immediately switched off, while the Zeppelin, elevating her -horizontal rudders and frantically throwing out ballast, began to -rise in order to be out of range of the British shells. - -"Crash!" went the after anti-aircraft gun. This time the range was -obtained to a nicety, and the projectile, bursting almost in front of -the bows of the Zeppelin, gave her a mortal blow. - -To the watchers on the submarine the whole fabric of the airship -appeared to jump, then, with the slightest perceptible interval -following the explosion of the missile, a second detonation occurred -in the fore-part of the Zeppelin. There was a blinding triple flash, -followed by a deafening report. The aluminium envelope seemed to -disperse amidst a cloud of fire-tinged smoke, while the heavier -portions of the airship fell with ever-increasing rapidity. - -Amidst a series of heavy splashes, the wreckage plunged into the sea -at less than half a mile from the submarine. A quantity of heavy oil, -taking fire as it streamed downwards, remained burning upon the -surface of the water for quite a considerable time, then with a -number of spasmodic flashes the flames died out, leaving only a -slowly drifting cloud of smoke to mark the spot where the wreckage -fell. - -During the final catastrophe the men of the British submarine -remained almost spellbound. They had gained the victory, but all -thoughts of elation were subdued by the awfulness of the fate of the -vaunted terror of the air. - -The "E Something" was then run to the spot where the ill-starred -Zeppelin had disappeared, in the vain hope of rescuing any survivors. -For a radius of several hundred yards the sea was covered with oil -which had escaped combustion, but of actual relics of the airship -nothing was visible. Her twisted and bent aluminium framework lay a -hundred and twenty feet down at the bottom of the North Sea. - -Just before dawn the submarine descended and lay hidden, save for a -brief interval of reconnaissance, during the whole of the day. At -night she came up in order to give the crew a "breather." Nothing of -incident occurred, neither on the two following days, so Terence had -a good idea of the monotony of life in a British submarine on -observation duty. - -At daybreak on the following Thursday the "E Something" prepared for -her homeward run. She travelled awash, without sighting any enemy -cruiser or destroyer. At a rendezvous she fell in with her relief, -and having exchanged greetings the two submarines parted, one to -enjoy a welcome rest in Harwich harbour, the other to play her part -in sweeping the North Sea of the enemy's flag. - -"We're giving that fellow a rare funk, Aubyn," remarked Warborough, -as the two officers were standing on the navigation platform. - -"An example of the far-reaching effect of Teutonic kultur, I -suppose," replied Terence. "By Jove, I reckon her old man is shaking -a bit!" - -The subject of their conversation was a Dutch tramp steamer of about -1500 tons. Anticipating the execution of von Tirpitz's cowardly -threat to sink British merchantmen, she had lost no time in stating -her nationality in an unmistakable manner. Her wall sides were -painted in horizontal bands in the national colours, in addition to -her name and country in letters a yard or more in length. From her -ensign staff she flew a Dutch ensign far out of proportion to those -usually sported by vessels of that size, while, to make additionally -certain that no mistake on the part of a German submarine was -possible, she flew another Dutch ensign at her main-masthead. - -Directly they spotted the "E Something" running awash and with the -White Ensign prominently displayed, the tramp altered her course. -Dense columns of black smoke poured from her funnel; every available -man of her engine-room staff gave a hand in shovelling the "black -diamonds" into the furnaces. - -At the very best she could make only eleven knots; had the "E -Something" been a German vessel the Dutchman would have stood no -chance of escape. - -Even as the two officers were watching the panic-stricken tramp, a -column of spray shot up fifty feet in the air, about half a cable's -length astern of the submarine. - -To the accompaniment of a peculiar screeching sound another and yet -another column of foam leapt skywards. Both men knew at once from -experience what was the meaning of those pillars of spray; they were -caused by the series of ricochets of a "common shell." - -"Hard a-starboard!" ordered Warborough. The submarine awash presented -too big a target broadside on. End-on the area exposed to the distant -gun-layer was comparatively small. - -"Diving quarters!" shouted the junior officer of the submarine. - -In fifteen seconds the hatches were closed and the boat trimmed for -diving. At an unusually steep angle she disappeared beneath the -surface. - -"Just our confounded luck," declared the lieutenant-commander. "One -of our own cruisers trying her level best to smash us. That tramp -altering her course gave her the tip. But the fellow who laid that -quick-firer ought to have his cross-guns taken away for a bad miss," -he added grimly, referring to the "gun-layer's badge" worn on the -right arm. - -A careful survey by means of the periscope revealed no sign of the -cruiser or destroyer that had been so inconsiderate as to fire upon -one of her submarines; but the modern "Flying Dutchman" was well -within view, and about a couple of miles on the submarine's port bow. - -The lieutenant-commander knitted his brows in perplexity. His craft -was in an awkward predicament. She had been fired on at sight, owing -possibly to the tramp signalling to the British warship that she was -being chased by a German submarine. If "E Something" had remained -awash a second or third shot would in all probability have sent her -to the bottom for good and all, since it was impossible to convince -the cruiser or destroyer of her error in time to stop the -over-zealous guns'-crews. - -By diving, the submarine was safe from the effect of gun-fire so long -as she kept submerged; but directly she reappeared she might be -instantly fired upon or else rammed by the now alert cruiser, which -would certainly follow the supposed course of the unseen craft. - -Suddenly an idea flashed through the brain of the skipper of "E -Something." The Dutch tramp had been the cause of the somewhat -disconcerting incident: he would make her the means of getting out of -an awkward, not to say hazardous, position. - -Terence held his breath when he heard the order to ascend to the -surface. The operation savoured of suicide, for it seemed evident to -him that the mere showing of the top of the conning-tower would -result in a salvo from the guns of the cruiser, which must by this -time have greatly decreased the distance between the position from -which she fired the first shot and the spot where the submarine had -vanished. - -Up rose the "E Something," but no shell burst with devastating -effect within her vitals. Almost before she regained her normal -position the order was given to open hatches. - -"Now, Aubyn, up with you!" exclaimed Warborough. - -Terence needed no second invitation. Nimbly he ascended the iron -rings of the vertical ladder and gained the deck. To his surprise he -found that the submarine was close alongside the Dutchman's starboard -quarter and moving at practically the same speed and in the same -direction as she was. - -The submarine's White Ensign, which, owing to the hasty descent had -not been lowered and untoggled from the halliards, was hanging limply -from the staff, resembling an umbrella. For the purposes of -recognition it was useless. Even had it been otherwise, the minds of -the crew of the tramp were so completely obsessed with the idea that -the craft was a German submarine that they would have regarded the -ensign as false colours. - -Imagining that the game was up, the stolid Dutch skipper leant over -the bridge rail, while a dozen of the crew peered anxiously over the -side. - -"This is a Dutch ship," announced the skipper vehemently in German. -"Why are you stopping me?" - -"We are not stopping you, my friend," replied Warborough, in English. -"Can you understand?" - -"Yes, ver' well," was the reply; then pointing to the distant British -cruiser, which was now recognisable as one of the "Astraea" class, he -continued: "If you English, why dat sheep fire?" - -"Just what we don't want her to do," replied Warborough. "So we've -taken the liberty of ranging up alongside you. They can't very well -fire at us now, and they'll soon discover their mistake." - -Meanwhile, the signalman had hoisted the submarine's code number, but -owing to the confusing background afforded by the tramp's tricoloured -sides, the hoist was not readily "picked up" by the cruiser, which -was now approaching to ascertain the mystery of a supposedly hostile -craft that had the audacity to hold up a merchantman under the very -guns of a British man-of-war. - -"There's the answering pendant, sir--at the dip," announced the -signalman, pointing to a red and white strip of bunting hoisted -half-way up the cruiser's yard-arm. "Now it's hoisted close up, -sir!" he added after a brief pause. - -The cruiser had seen and had read the submarine's signal. Closing, -she ramped up at a cable's length from the little craft that she had -done her level best to sink. - -A facetious exchange of compliments by means of hand-flags was -indulged in, and with a mutual farewell the British vessels parted, -while the skipper of the Dutch tramp, devoutly grateful that things -were not so bad as he had imagined, resumed his course towards -Ymuiden. - - - - -CHAPTER XXI. - -THE LAST OF THE "SYNTAX." - -"YOU'RE a troublesome card, Mr. Aubyn; delaying the march of justice -by taking French leave." - -This was the greeting of Lieutenant Gilroy, after Terence had -reported himself on board the "Livingstone." - -The sub. looked inquiringly at the speaker. - -"Fact," continued Gilroy. "You are under notice to appear as -principal witness at the trial of Major von Eckenhardt. The business -was to have come off to-day, but in consequence of your tumbling -overboard (we had the wireless report of your rescue) the trial is -postponed till to-morrow. Congrats, old man, on your escape. -Apparently you've had a lively time on board 'E Something'?" - -"Fairly," admitted Aubyn, modestly. "But I wish to goodness I could -cut this trial business. Why couldn't they push on with the show -without me?" - -"Ask me another," replied the lieutenant, shrugging his broad -shoulders. "So buck up and make the best of a bad job. You'll be in -good company, my lad, for I'm warned as a witness." - -But the trial, which was to be held behind closed doors under the -summary authority of the Defence of the Realm Act, never came off. - -Von Eckenhardt succeeded in escaping from Edinburgh Castle during a -dark, tempestuous night. Although searched when received into -custody, he had contrived to secrete a small bottle filled with -corrosive acid. This liquid applied to the bars of his cell made -short work of those barriers. His knowledge of his environments must -have been remarkably accurate, for after dropping a height of -twenty-five feet from the window to the floor of the dry moat without -sustaining any injury sufficient to impede his movements, he found -his way down the precipitous sides of the Castle rock and got clean -away. - -The authorities left no stone unturned to attempt the recapture of -the dangerous and daring spy, but their efforts were in vain. The -disquieting thought remained that von Eckenhardt was still within the -limits of Great Britain. His activity, amounting almost to -recklessness, made it pretty certain that he would not return to the -Continent while there was scope for work amongst his enemies; and, -although it was unlikely that he would carry on his secret service -work either in the vicinity of Rosyth or Great Yarmouth, it was -surmisable that he would recommence operations in the neighbourhood -of another important naval or military centre. - -Shortly after the escape of von Eckenhardt the various units of the -torpedo-boat-destroyer flotilla to which the "Livingstone" belonged -were sent out on detached service. Since the repetition of the -luckless German raid seemed unlikely, at least until the extensive -repairs to the "Derfflinger" and "Moltke" were carried out, the -necessity for keeping the full complement of flotillas ceased to -exist. Hence the "Livingstone" was ordered to proceed to a certain -rendezvous off the Lizard, in the vicinity of which one of von -Tirpitz's pirate submarines was making itself a considerable nuisance -to British merchantmen bound up and down Channel. - -Twenty-four hours after leaving the Firth of Forth the destroyer -arrived at her appointed station, where she had the mortification of -hearing that a large tramp steamer, the "Quickstep," had been held up -and sunk only two hours previously. - -All the destroyer could do was to tow the ship's boats with the -survivors within an easy distance of Falmouth; then back the -"Livingstone" doubled, her officers and crew filled with the utmost -keenness to meet and destroy the skulking terror of the deep. - -About three bells in the First Dog Watch the lookout reported a sail -in sight, which quickly proved to be a large two-masted cargo vessel -bound down Channel. - -As she came within signalling distance she made her number, -announcing that she was the SS. "Syntax" of London, and inquired if -the destroyer had seen any of the enemy's submarines. - -"Tell them 'yes'," ordered Gilroy, who was the officer of the watch. -"And inform them that we will escort her as far as the Wolf Rock. -Beyond that she ought to be fairly safe." - -"Tough old skipper of that packet," remarked Terence, pointing to the -"Syntax." "He doesn't deign to sail under false colours--there's the -good old 'red' flying as proudly as any merchant skipper could wish. -And I wouldn't mind betting that there isn't a firearm on board, -except the signal gun and perhaps the old man's revolver." - -"We'll mother him all right," declared Gilroy optimistically. "It -would go hard with any German submarine that dared to show her -periscope now," and he indicated the man standing by the for'ard -4-in. gun, ready at the first alarm to shoot and shoot straight--for -the No. 1 was one of the best gunlayers of the flotilla. - -With her speed reduced to a modest twelve knots, in order to keep -station with her convoy, the destroyer turned and followed the -"Syntax" at a distance of one seamile astern and slightly on her port -quarter. - -Just as the sun was setting, the lofty needle-like pinnacle of the -Wolf Lighthouse was observed, rising above the horizon and backed by -the vivid crimson of the disappearing orb of day. - -There was little or no wind. The surface of the sea was as placid as -a mill-pond, broken only by the bow-wave of the two vessels. So calm -was the air that the savoury smell from the galley of the merchant -vessel was wafted to the nostrils of the officers on the bridge of -the destroyer. On the lofty fore-deck a seaman was about to hoist the -steaming-lamp. His figure silhouetted against the ruddy light was, -when viewed from the destroyer, just clear of one end of the bridge. - -For no apparent reason Terence kept his glasses focussed on the man, -who, awaiting the order to send the light aloft, was taking a -farewell view of the rapidly-receding coast-line of Old England, for -the Cornish hills were just visible abaft on the starboard quarter. - -Suddenly the fellow put the lamp on deck and shouted. Although Aubyn -heard no sound, he could distinctly see the seaman's mouth working as -he pointed to something on the starboard hand. Then heeling heavily -to port the "Syntax" circled in the direction indicated. - -"A submarine, by Jove!" ejaculated Terence. "On the tramp's starboard -bow--and the old man's trying to ram her." - -Gilroy, too, levelled his glass, but owing to the glare on the water -he could pick up no sign of the submarine. But Terence was right in -his surmise. A periscope had emerged from beneath the surface at less -than a cable's length from the "Syntax." The courageous old skipper -had put his helm hard a-port, with the laudable intention of ramming -and sending the submarine to the bottom. - -He missed; more, the hull of the cargo steamer screened the submarine -from the destroyer's bow-gun. - -"That's done it!" ejaculated Gilroy, as a column of water tore -skywards on the far side of the luckless vessel. The merchantman -heeled violently, recovered herself with a corresponding roll, as her -main-mast buckled, burst its shrouds and toppled across the deck. - -"Full speed ahead!" - -The engine-room telegraph gong had scarce ceased vibrating ere the -"Livingstone" leapt ahead like a greyhound released from its leash. -With the oil-fired engines running at their utmost capacity the -destroyer quickly circled round the doomed vessel, but not a sign of -the modern pirate was to be seen. Having shot the cowardly bolt, the -submarine had quickly dived, and perhaps was lying _en perdu_ eighty -feet beneath the surface. - -Even in the midst of peril the heart of the stout old merchant -skipper never failed him. Immediately his ship had been torpedoed, he -steered towards the distant shore, hoping against hope to beach his -vessel on the iron-bound Cornish coast. - -In less than ten minutes it was obvious that the attempt was in vain. -The "Syntax" was settling rapidly by the bows. Already the stern was -so high out of the water that the boss of the swiftly-revolving -propeller was visible amidst the cascades of spray churned up by the -blades. - -Presently the propeller ceased to revolve. Not until the water was -over the level of the engine-bed did the skipper give orders for the -engine-room staff to save themselves. Up on deck they poured, -hurriedly yet without undue confusion. The boats were already swung -out and made ready to lower. - -So sluggish was the partly-flooded vessel that she lost way rapidly. -One by one the boats were lowered, and the disengaging gear of the -falls cast off without a hitch. The old skipper was the last to -leave. With the ship's papers thrust inside his buttoned, -weather-beaten coat, he waved a salute to the destroyer that had -attended the "Syntax" in vain, then slid down into one of the boats. - -Before the boat had rowed a dozen lengths from the ship, the "Syntax" -all but disappeared from view, boisterously, amid a series of veiled -explosions as the compressed air burst from her seams. Amidst a -miniature maelstrom the stern hung irresolute for a brief instant, -with the red ensign still fluttering in the calm air. Then, with a -quick dive, the emblem of the Mercantile Marine vanished from view. - -"Shall I take you in tow?" shouted the lieutenant-commander of the -"Livingstone." - -"Better not, sir," replied the "old man." "That skulking submarine -may be showing her snout again. Another couple of yards and I would -have given her a bump. No, sir, we're all right. Sea's calm. All -being well we'll land at Sennen Cove before another couple of hours. - -"There's pluck," commented Gilroy. "I always had a certain respect -for the Mercantile Marine, and after this, by Jove----" - -Terence made no reply. He was thinking regretfully of that -magnificent specimen of British construction lying fathoms deep, a -victim to the brutal violation of all conventions and compacts of -modern civilization. - - - - -CHAPTER XXII. - -THE TABLES TURNED. - - -"THE swine!" ejaculated Gilroy furiously. "They know we play the -game, but if I had my will, I really believe I'd ship a couple of -captured German officers on board every merchantman clearing our -ports." - -"That wouldn't stop them, Gilroy," remarked the captain. "Not even if -you had old Tirpitz's son as a figure-head. Instead of which he's -living in luxury at our expense, while our officers and men are being -housed like cattle. No, we must do our work with clean hands." - -"Not even employ a ruse, sir?" queried Gilroy. - -"That doesn't enter into the question," replied his superior officer. -"As a matter of fact, I mean to have a little try on. It's hardly in -accordance with Admiralty procedure, but I'll explain, and if any of -you gentlemen have any objections, don't hesitate to say so." - -"I am willing to take the risk, sir," declared Gilroy, after the -captain had outlined his plans. "And if we succeed I don't think My -Lords will give us a rap on the knuckles." - -"And you, Mr. Aubyn?" - -"I am of the same opinion as Mr. Gilroy, sir." - -"Very good: we'll carry on," concluded the skipper of the -"Livingstone." - -Accordingly the destroyer returned to the rendezvous off The Start. -From there she sent a wireless announcing certain engine-room -defects, that might well have stood over to a more convenient time, -and requested permission to put into Brixham, where the work could be -carried out. - -Back came the reply: "Concur. Make good defects on relief by -'Radimus'." - -At ten p.m. the destroyer "Radimus" came up, and exchanged signals -with the "Livingstone," which at once steamed for Brixham. - -There was just enough water for the destroyer to enter the outer -harbour and tie up alongside the wall. An hour later she was aground; -a little later she was high and dry in the tidal harbour. - -Both the captain of the "Livingstone" and Lieutenant Gilroy had ample -private means, and they did not hesitate to spend money for the good -of the country and the Navy in particular. So within forty minutes of -the destroyer entering Brixham Harbour, the two officers, -notwithstanding the lateness of the hour, had concluded a bargain -with a local owner for the hire of three of the weatherly trawlers -for which that Devonshire port is so greatly celebrated. - -At two in the morning, when Brixham slept, the crew of the -"Livingstone" were hard at work, transporting stores and munitions to -the three hired trawlers. By dint of great exertion one four-inch gun -with its mountings was transferred to each of the trawlers and set in -position just abaft the mainmast. - -Directly the tide rose sufficiently, the trawlers, each containing a -third of the "Livingstone's" crew, in addition to the regular hands, -warped out into the Roads, hoisted sail, and with a fresh easterly -breeze "reached off" towards The Start. - -Thus Terence Aubyn found himself, for the first time in his career, -senior executive officer of an armed vessel--the ketch "Asphodel," -with a sturdy Brixham fisherman as his sailing master, and twenty -bluejackets lying upon the deck. - -The three trawlers maintained a "line ahead" formation, the captain -of the "Livingstone" leading in the "Myrtle," Lieutenant Gilroy -second in the "Cinema," and Terence as the rear-guard. To all outward -appearance the unofficial flotilla was off to the fishing-grounds. - -Five miles S.S.E. of the Devon promontory known as The Start, the -destroyer "Radimus" crossed the bows of the trawlers, bound for -Portland Bill, the eastern limit of her patrolling ground. -Unsuspecting, her officer of the watch brought his glasses to bear -upon the three peaceful ketches, and proceeded on his way. - -Half an hour later a large auxiliary barque came ploughing her way up -Channel. Although absolutely unarmed she showed no fear of the -threatened submarine blockade, her red ensign proudly and -unmistakably announcing the fact that she belonged to the greatest -mercantile navy the world has ever yet seen. - -"That rascally submarine, sir!" announced the master of the -"Asphodel" to Terence, pointing to a peculiar swirl in the placid -water about a mile astern of the barque, followed by the -sinister-looking conning-tower and twin periscopes of the German -pirate. - -Doffing his regulation cap, Aubyn raised his head just above the low -bulwarks and kept the submarine under observation with his telescope. -Owing to the "line-ahead" formation of the trawlers, the "Asphodel" -was nearest the enemy craft, which bore well on that trawler's port -quarter. - -The barque was helpless. Being under a full press of canvas she could -not even attempt to ram her antagonist, while the wind being light, -and her auxiliary engines of comparatively low horse-power, flight -was out of the question. - -The German submarine approached quickly and fearlessly. A survey of -the horizon revealed to her captain nothing formidable in sight, only -three harmless trawlers off to the fishing-ground. When he had -finished with the barque, he decided, he would send two of the -trawlers to the bottom, in order to let the English know that even -fish was to become a scarce article of food, and let the third craft -go with the crews of their sunken consorts. - -It did not take the submarine long to range up on the starboard -quarter of the barque. A brief argument took place between the German -captain and the British merchant skipper, with the result that the -latter, finding resistance useless, had the vessel hove-to. - -On the deck of the submarine, just in front of the after quick-firing -gun that had been raised from below and was trained on the barque, -stood a steel boat lashed down and secured in chocks. In the boat's -garboards were four large apertures, each capable of being closed -watertight by the manipulation of a single interrupted thread screw. -When open these holes allowed the boat to be emptied or flooded with -great rapidity as the submarine rose or dived. - -Yet for some reason the pirates made no attempt to use their own -boat; they ordered the barque to lower two of hers, and with three -men in each to row alongside the submarine. - -It was the intention of the Germans to rifle the prize before they -placed explosives on board. They were evidently short of provisions, -oil, and petrol, and these were to be found in abundance upon the -luckless barque. The ship's boats could be more conveniently employed -upon this business, as in the case of a surprise there would be delay -in hauling the steel tender on to the submarine's deck and securing -it, before she could dive. - -Terence watched this part of the operation with extreme annoyance. If -the pirate meant to keep some of the British crew on the deck of the -submarine, her destruction could not be accomplished without great -risk and peril to the men of the mercantile marine. However, he -decided the capture or destruction of the unknown submarine--for she -had no number painted on her grey sides or conning-tower--was -imperative, and acting in accordance with a prearranged plan, he gave -the master of the "Asphodel" instructions to steer towards the now -motionless barque, approaching on the starboard hand, while the other -trawlers held steadily on their course. - -It was sound strategy. The captain of the submarine evidently -imagined that the trawler was approaching out of sheer curiosity, or -that, seeing the barque hove-to, her master thought that the skipper -of the British craft wished to communicate with the shore. Lying -snugly under the port quarter of the barque, the submarine was now -invisible from the trawler's deck, while the crew of the captured -vessel were ordered not to give the alarm under penalty of death. - -Meanwhile, the "Myrtle" and "Cinema," having crossed the barque's -track, were able from a convenient distance to see what was going on. - -The pirates made their captives work with the utmost dispatch, and in -a very short time almost all of the barque's cargo and stores that -they were in need of was transported to the submarine and stowed -below. - -This done, the captain was ordered to surrender his papers, but the -stubborn old salt declared that he had heaved them overboard before -capture. As a matter of fact they were slipped into the lining at the -back of his coat. This act of non-compliance aroused the German -captain's anger. Ordering the boats back to the barque, he told the -skipper and crew that they had five minutes to clear out. At the -expiration of that time limit, he would sink the vessel by gun-fire. - -Directly the British officers on the "Myrtle" and "Cinema" saw that -there were no longer any of the crew of the barque on or alongside -the submarine a signal was sent to the "Asphodel." Instantly the -ketch luffed up, ran under the barque's stern and came in sight, and -within eighty or a hundred yards of the submarine, the crew of which -were standing by their quick-firers, ready to hull and sink the -prize. - -"Heave-to, 'Asphodel'!" shouted the German captain in good English, -as he read the name of the apparently unsuspecting trawler that had -blundered right into his clutches. "Heave-to, or we'll sink you -without mercy." - -"Let them have it!" shouted Terence. He had no scruples now. It was a -fair fight between a modern submarine, with her guns ready for -action, and a trawler manned by a trained Navy crew. - -Like a sheet of tissue paper caught in a furious wind the tarpaulin -concealing the gun was whipped off; cool and collected the -highly-trained gun-layer lingered a fraction of a second over the -sights, then--_crash!_ - -Almost before the recoil of the weapon had been taken up by the -hydraulic mountings the breech-block flew open with a clang and a -fresh cartridge was inserted. - -One round was enough. - -The shell, fired at almost point-blank range, had penetrated the -conning-tower, killing the captain and ripping the steel plating like -cardboard. More, the fragments of the exploded missile had put out of -action all the crew of the fore quick-firer. - -Terrified by the appalling concussion the engine-room ratings of the -submarine abandoned their posts at the motor and ran on deck, while -the after-gun's-crew, realizing that they were trapped, made no -attempt to use their piece, especially as they were covered by the -formidable 4-inch on the "Asphodel's" deck. - -With their hands held high above their heads the pirates raised a -monotonous shout of "Mercy, Englishmen!" - -The submarine was done for. With the conning-tower shattered she -could not dive; apart from the abandonment of the motors, she could -not seek safety in flight, for even if running on the surface she -would quickly be swamped by the seas pouring over her low freeboard. - -"Mercy, Englishmen! Mercy!" - -The cry was repeated over and over again. The recreant Teutons, taken -red-handed, were firmly convinced that their captors intended putting -them to death--the extreme penalty for their guilt. - -Terence glanced in the direction of the two trawlers. They were -approaching slowly, for the wind was still light. Before the arrival -of his superior officer the sub. realized that the mischief he -anticipated might be consummated. - -"Where is your captain?" he shouted. - -The babel ceased. One German, a petty officer, knew how to speak -English after a fashion. - -"He kapitan Schluk he dead," he replied. - -"The senior officer, then?" - -There was a movement on deck. Some of the men bawled down the -hatchway. After some delay a fat, fair-haired sub-lieutenant -appeared. Being unable to speak or understand English the new arrival -made use of the petty officer as an interpreter. - -"Do I understand that you surrender?" demanded Terence. - -"Yes; if our lives are spared," answered the German officer through -the medium of the interpreter. - -"Very good; I accept your surrender on conditions," agreed Terence, -speaking deliberately, and with a stern, menacing tone in his voice. -"Your craft must be given up exactly in its present condition. If -any attempt be made to open the valves no quarter will be given." - -It went against his sense of honour to speak in this strain. He knew -perfectly well that, happen what may, quarter would not be denied -these modern pirates. But experience taught him that on more than one -occasion a German submarine had surrendered to a British vessel, and -as soon as the crew was safe, the ballast tanks would be deliberately -flooded to let the boat sink for good and all, so that the secret of -their construction should not be revealed to the hated English. - -Consequently he was not surprised when the German officer, on hearing -the conditions, made a gesture of defiance and disappeared below. -Before many seconds had passed the crippled submarine began to sink -deeper and deeper in the water. The survivors of her crew, now -animated by the example of their young officer, lined up, -bare-headed, and joining hands burst into the words of "Deutschland -uber alles." One brawny, yellow-haired man produced a German ensign -lashed to a boat-hook stave, and held it defiantly aloft. It was -perhaps fortunate that they did not attempt to use the still intact -quick-firer, otherwise Terence might have been compelled to put his -empty threat into execution. - -The end was not long in coming. The slight reserve of buoyancy of the -submarine was quickly destroyed by the inrush of water, both through -the valves and through the huge rent in the base of the -conning-tower. - -The water mounted to the knees of the double line of men. Still -singing they looked death in the face. Then with a sudden lurch that -threw the ranks into complete disorder, the submarine plunged. -"Deutschland uber alles" trailed away into a grim silence, broken by -the rush of water and the hiss of escaping air. - -The next instant the submarine was lost to sight, taking with her the -resolute sub-lieutenant, whose devotion to the Kaiser had out-weighed -his conscience in the matter of the utter disregard of international -law. - -There was still life to be saved. More than a score of the German -crew were swimming strongly. - -"Out with the boats!" shouted the master of the "Asphodel." - -A dozen willing hands helped to launch the hefty boat which was -stowed bottom upwards on the trawler's deck. With a loud splash she -was thrust overboard and volunteers hastily tumbled into her. Already -the boats of the barque were heading towards the spot marked by -bobbing heads of the swimmers. The seamen knew that, but for a -fortunate change of circumstances they might be swimming for dear -life and jeered at by the crew of the submarine into the bargain but -petty spite and recriminations are not to be found in the creed of -true British seamen. - -Long before the "Myrtle" and "Cinema" came up, every one of the -swimmers had been rescued, and since the crew of the barque dumped -their living cargoes into the "Asphodel," the latter's decks were -packed with humanity. Round every half-drowned German a dozen British -tars, all more or less sympathetic, were gathered, doing their utmost -to assist their foes. - -"Smart shot, Mr. Aubyn," sang out the captain of the "Livingstone," -as his temporary command shot up into the wind within easy hailing -distance. "Your gun-layer took good care not to let us have a finger -in the pie." - -"We acted under your orders, sir," replied Terence. - -"You did," admitted the captain, with a hearty laugh. "You did, but -you might have given the others a chip in. They hardly--why, what's -that?" - -He broke off suddenly at the sound of a terrific cheer. The barque -had now gathered way. Her sails had been sheeted home. The weather -shrouds were black with men who were cheering the three trawlers with -all the force of their lungs, while aft stood the old skipper, waving -his cap with the vivacity of a schoolboy. - -Considering the unusual means whereby the German submarine had been -destroyed, the necessity of keeping the incident a secret, until the -Press Bureau thought fit to dole out another morsel of information, -was most desirable. There was also another reason. The enemy must not -know of the actual circumstances, otherwise the submarines still at -large would take steps to prevent a similar surprise. - -So the crews, both temporary and permanent, of the three trawlers -were mustered and sworn to secrecy, their respective naval officers -impressing upon the Brixham men the fact that, being an Admiralty -chartered vessel (this was a piece of pure bluff) they were liable to -the pains and penalties of the Naval Discipline Act, the Official -Secrets Act, and a dozen other statutes passed for the safety, -honour, and welfare of the King's dominions. - -The next question was how to dispose of the prisoners. Gilroy -proposed delaying the arrival of the trawlers till after dusk and -then setting the Germans ashore under an armed guard at a remote and -unfrequented cove in the vicinity of Dartmouth; but the captain -overruled. - -While the council of war was in progress the destroyer "Radimus," -returning on her patrol work, came in sight. In answer to a signal -hoisted on the "Myrtle" the destroyer altered helm and ran down to -investigate. - -Her officers and crew were good sportsmen all. Although chagrined to -find that the German submarine had been sunk almost under their -noses, and by three sailing trawlers, a type that the Admiralty -persistently deprecated as being of no service in the war, they -tendered their congratulations, in the spontaneous British way, by -giving three rousing cheers. - -To the "Radimus" the prisoners were transferred, while the captain of -the "Livingstone," having drafted a report, requested the officer -commanding the destroyer to forward it with all dispatch, and at the -same time to send a wireless to the Admiralty announcing the bald -fact that another modern pirate had been sent to its last account. - -Gilroy and Terence then boarded the trawler under the command of the -"Livingstone's" skipper. The latter, in spite of the success of his -ruse, looked somewhat anxious. He was not quite certain what My Lords -would think of the unofficial commissioning of the trawlers, and he -expressed his fears to his subordinates. - -"Never fear, sir," remarked the lieutenant. "We'll stand by you." - -"That you will not," replied the captain. "It's my pigeon. I take -the responsibility; you are under my orders." - -"I don't suppose there'll be any fuss up topsides, sir," reiterated -Gilroy. - -"H'm! Don't know so much about that. We've attacked a hostile craft -without displaying our colours: that's against the King's -regulations----" - -"But we've sent a far worse transgressor to the bottom, sir," -interrupted Gilroy. "After all, that's the main thing." - -"I suppose so," admitted his superior. "And we've done all we can to -impress upon the men the urgency of official reticence and reserve." - -So it happened that just before four in the afternoon the three -trawlers entered Brixham Harbour, and, amidst the wild and erroneous -conjectures of the inhabitants of that little Devonshire town, the -naval men landed and went aboard the "Livingstone," whose engine-room -staff had kept steam raised during the absence of their comrades. - -Half an hour later the destroyer put to sea to resume her interrupted -patrol duties. - -But, somewhat unfortunately, the carefully laid plans of the skipper -of the "Livingstone" went awry. The third hand of the "Myrtle" had a -wife. The wife was an excellent cook and studied her man's weakness -for the fleshpots of Glorious Devon. Moreover, she had a small cask -of prime cider in her cottage, and Dick Ottery, the third hand, was -very partial to the juice of the apple. Mrs. Ottery had a knack of -extracting information from her spouse, and curiosity prompted her to -question him as he fed and drank. Before the delayed meal was over, -Mrs. Ottery knew as much as her husband. - -At Brixham, like many other British towns, men had gone either to the -Front or else to adventure themselves on the High Seas; and a -committee of well-meaning ladies had volunteered to do this, that, -and the other for the wives of the absent warriors. - -That same evening one of the committee paid a visit to Ottery's -cottage, where his sister-in-law lived since the day when her husband -shouldered his kit-bag and went to report himself at Devonport as a -Naval Reservist. - -Mrs. Ottery, unable to keep the startling news of the sinking of the -German submarine, told full details and embellished them with highly -imaginative extras to the lady visitor. "Of course," she added, "it -be quite a secret, my man du say." - -Half an hour later the committee heard the news, also in strict -confidence, with the result that when the "Livingstone" put into -Portland to replenish her stock of oil-fuel the news of the exploit -preceded her. - -Magnified out of all proportion by the little additions it had gained -in being passed from mouth to mouth, the latest version was to the -effect that "the crew of H.M.T.B.D. 'Livingstone,' having been -compelled to take to their boats owing to their vessel being -torpedoed, were rescued by a Brixham trawler. They thereupon rammed -three German submarines, sinking them with all hands." - -"Absolutely without foundation," was the Press Bureau's comment, but -people in the know winked solemnly. It was significant that the -captain of the "Livingstone" was appointed to the command of a -light-cruiser; that Lieutenant Gilroy was promoted to the rank of -lieutenant-commander, and that Sub-Lieutenant Terence Aubyn, N.R., -blossomed out into a lieutenant. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII. - -THE STRUGGLE IN THE CUTTING. - - -POSSIBLY no one was more astonished than Terence to find himself a -full-blown lieutenant. Yet it was a fact and a pleasant surprise, -especially when he had misgivings as to the unorthodox method of -destroying the hostile submarine. - -Promotion, he knew, meant an appointment to another ship. That was -the fly in the ointment, for in spite of certain discomforts that -life on a destroyer brings in its train, he had become thoroughly -attached to the "Livingstone." - -He had hopes that his old skipper, Captain Holloway, late of the -"Terrier," might use his influence in getting him appointed to the -"Bombard"--a modern light-cruiser which Captain Holloway had recently -commissioned, and which, according to well-founded rumours, was to -proceed to the Mediterranean to take part in the operations against -the Dardanelles. - -It was therefore with mixed feelings that Terence found himself -appointed to his old ship, the armed merchantman "Strongbow," which, -having completed her extensive repairs and refit at Aberdeen, was to -be recommissioned, as far as practicable, with her former officers -and crew. - -The newly-appointed lieutenant was sorry, since it meant being -relegated to the somewhat monotonous, although necessary task of -patrolling, instead of having a chance to smell powder on one of the -fighting ships. Unless an unforeseen incident occurred, the -possibilities of quitting the patrol service seemed very remote. The -number of hostile mines in the North Sea had been steadily reduced by -systematic sweeping while the German pirate submarines seemed to give -the northern area of the North Sea a wide berth--possibly owing to -the fact that there was more scope for the despicable energies in the -Channel and in the vicinity of the great mercantile ports. Thus the -element of risk that prevailed in the earlier stages of the war had -been considerably diminished; henceforth, according to Aubyn's -opinion, patrol work would be one long round of cruising, examining -neutral vessels, and, perhaps, making a few isolated captures of -ships carrying suspected contraband. - -Yet it was his duty, and he accepted it in the spirit of a true -British seaman: he had to obey orders even if they entailed work of a -cheerless and uneventful character. - -On the other hand, Terence was pleased at the thought of having to -meet his former comrades. Nor would the severe climatic conditions be -so intense. The days were longer and the nights correspondingly -shorter, and although the temperature was low and the Equinoctial -gales about due, the fact that spring was rapidly approaching was in -itself sufficient compensation for the passing rigours of patrol work -in the North Sea. - -The lieutenant had two clear days before rejoining the "Strongbow," -which had left Aberdeen and put into Leith to replenish magazines and -bunkers. Owing to the dislocation of the train service through the -moving of large numbers of troops from the North to Salisbury Plain, -Terence knew that it would be unwise to delay his journey. He -therefore decided to proceed straight to Edinburgh, put up for the -night, and go on to Leith on the following morning. - -Arriving in London he seized the chance of visiting a theatre in -company with some friends, knowing that it might be months before a -similar opportunity occurred again; then, having had supper, he -caught the night mail train to the north. - -There were comparatively few passengers. The lieutenant, finding that -he had a first-class carriage to himself, thought it best to spend -the tedious journey by snatching a few hours' sleep. - -Accustomed to slumber under awkward conditions he was soon lost in -oblivion. How long he slept he had no idea. Suddenly he was awakened -by the hurried application of the brakes. The train slowed down so -quickly that the alteration of momentum wellnigh threw him off the -seat. He glanced at his watch. It was ten minutes past two. Under -ordinary circumstances the journey was a non-stop one, the mails -being dropped or taken up by means of nets while the train was in -motion. - -Curiosity prompted Terence to open the window and look out. It was a -pitch dark night. Rain was falling in a steady drizzle. The lamps in -the carriages had been screened by drawing the blinds, as a -precaution against hostile air-raids, but in many cases the -passengers had rushed to the windows. Thus the glare of the lamps -showed the lieutenant that the train had come to a standstill in a -rocky cutting. - -"Rotten night," commented Aubyn to himself. - -He looked along the line. The signals were not set at danger, for a -hundred yards ahead of the engine a bright green light gleamed -through the mirk. - -"What's up, guard?" asked Terence, as that official, followed by two -or three passengers, walked briskly along the permanent way. Already -he had gone to the front part of the train to confer with the driver, -and was now on his way back. - -"Man killed or something," replied the guard vaguely. "A soldier -stopped the train--one of them chaps guarding the tunnel. You're not -a doctor, by any chance, sir? We had half a dozen ships' doctors in -the train last night." - -"I am not," replied Terence. "But I'll go with you, in case I can be -of any use." - -Buttoning his great-coat up to his chin and pulling the peak of his -cap well over his eyes, the lieutenant descended and joined the -little band of volunteer helpers. - -The rear end of the train was only just clear of the tunnel, so -promptly had the driver brought the engine to a standstill. Lying by -the side of the rail was a motionless figure in khaki, while standing -by him and still grasping his rifle and bayonet was another soldier. - -"No doctor, my man," declared the guard. "I've inquired of every -carriage. How did it happen? We didn't run over your mate, did we?" - -"No," replied the Tommy, an elderly National Reservist. He was -shaking like a leaf. "No, it was that goods train. Cut his foot off -as clean as a bloomin' whistle. But that ain't the point. Poor old -Bill was put across the metals, only the bloke didn't do the job -properly." - -"What?" exclaimed the guard incredulously. - -"Truth--honest truth--an' my eyesight ain't at fault, even though -it's a beastly dark night. Bill was standin' easy over there. I was -about here. S'elp me, as true as I'm a-standin' here, I saw a bloke -spring upon my chum and push him across the line. Afore I could up -with my rifle the train comes tearing along. When it had gone it was -too late. The bloke had done a bunk. And," he added reminiscently, -"Bill was a right good sort. Never had a grudge against nobody, so it -licks me why the fellow wanted to out him." - -Meanwhile, Terence had been paying attention to the unfortunate -sentry. The man was dead. His left foot had been severed at the -ankle. That in itself would hardly be sufficient to cause death. - -"Turn your light this way, guard," said Aubyn, as he began to -unbuckle the man's ammunition pouches and to unbutton his coat. A -thin streak of blood upon the victim's shirt told its own tale. He -had been shot--evidently by a small yet powerful pistol at close -range, for the great-coat and buff straps were pitted with the grains -of powder. - -"Did you hear a shot fired?" demanded Terence. - -"No, sir," replied the Tommy. The suggestion of a shot being fired -aroused a new train of ideas in his mind. "No, sir; see, his rifle -hasn't been discharged." - -"I mean, did you hear a shot being fired at him?" - -The sentry shook his head. - -"The man's been murdered by a pistol shot, right enough," declared -Terence. "Either the noise of the train deadened the report, or else -the murderer muffled the weapon in a cloth. The best thing you can -do, guard, is to take the poor fellow's body on to the next station." - -"An my relief ain't due for another hour and a quarter!" gasped the -remaining sentry. He had been completely unnerved at the sight of his -chum being foully done to death. - -"All right, my man," said Terence, "I'll stop with you. I suppose I -can get to Edinburgh by another train, guard?" - -"Yes, sir," replied that official. "Next station's only a matter of -three or four miles. But you won't be lonely. There's half a dozen -troop trains on the up-line within the next three hours. I'll take -the corpse, sir, if these gents'll bear a hand. 'Tain't the first -poor chap that's been done in like this: not by a long way. -Good-night, sir, and good luck." - -Presently the mail train resumed its journey. The sentry, nervously -fingering his rifle, seemed grateful to the young officer, but at the -same time he regarded him with a certain amount of suspicion. Perhaps -his naval uniform was a disguise. He might be an accomplice of the -man who had murdered his chum. Troop trains? That started a fresh -chain of surmises. This dastardly act might be that of a spy, intent -upon damaging the tunnel and wrecking the crowded trains. - -"Look here, my man," said the lieutenant, "are you game to going and -standing where your chum was posted?" - -"What for, sir?" asked the soldier, with obvious reluctance at the -suggestion. - -"Oh, never mind. I'll go. You remain here. If you see or hear -anything suspicious, don't hesitate--shoot. You're a fairly good -shot, I hope?" - -"Don't know about that, sir; I feel all of a tremble." - -"Then fire anywhere, as long as you don't wing me. I want you to prop -yourself between these two rocks and keep as quiet as you possibly -can. Don't let yourself be seen. I'll take your chum's rifle. If you -hear me fire, hop across the line as sharp as you can, with your -bayonet at the charge. Buck up, man, and keep your nerves." - -Having seen the sentry take up the position indicated--in a niche -formed by two large boulders in the side of the cutting--Terence -secured the rifle and bayonet of the dead man. The rifle was a -magazineless '303, with Martini action, similar to those issued to -troops engaged in home defence. - -Donning the pouches of the unfortunate sentry, the lieutenant took -out a cartridge, inserted it into the breech and closed the -breech-block. Then, having ascertained by touch that the back-sight -was down, he crossed the line and commenced to walk the murdered -sentry's beat. - -In the darkness his naval cap and great-coat were not to be -distinguished from those of the man he was impersonating. He felt -certain that should the crime have been committed by a German agent, -the reason was the destruction of the tunnel. When the mail train -stopped, the miscreant would certainly betake himself to a safe -distance; but with his work uncompleted, he would almost certainly -return. He had marked the time when the two sentries were posted he -knew when their reliefs were expected. Before that time he must -render the second sentry incapable of raising an alarm and then -proceed with the blocking of the line. - -In his operations the spy had made one serious blunder. He had shot -the sentry, as had been surmised, and had thrown his body on the line -in front of the goods train, so that it would be taken for granted -that the luckless man had been knocked down while incautiously -walking his beat. But instead of the train mangling the victim's body -and thus destroying all traces of the fatal shot, the wheels had only -severed one of the unfortunate man's feet. - -For half an hour Terence maintained his sentry-go. The rain was now -falling heavily. His great-coat felt as weighty as lead. The moisture -dropped from the peak of his cap and filled the palm of his left hand -as he held the butt of his rifle. - -The sub.'s nerves were in splendid condition. The hand that held the -rifle was as steady as a rock. With eyes and ears strained he paced -to and fro, prepared at the least sound to face about, bring his -rifle to the ready and fire. - -From a strategic point of view his position was an unsound one. By -the remaining sentry's description the miscreant must have retired -from the scene of action not by running into the tunnel but by -scaling the fairly accessible wall of rock. Consequently the -anticipated attack would be from that direction, and Terence was -liable to be fired at from a height of from ten to fifty feet above -his head. - -Presently a dull but increasing rumble greeted his ears. It was a -local down-train, which had just entered the far end of the tunnel. -Instead of grounding the butt of his rifle and facing the line, as he -had seen other sentries do, the lieutenant marched to the mouth of -the tunnel; then, leaning his shoulder hard against the massive stone -buttress, waited for the train to pass. - -A vivid flame spurted from the opposite side of the cutting, followed -practically simultaneously by a sharp report that outvoiced the roar -of the train. The sentry, without waiting to challenge, had "let -rip." - -Bringing his rifle to the ready, Terence waited. He had not long to -wait. Silhouetted against the gloomy rain-laden sky--for by this time -Terence's eyes were used to the darkness--appeared the head, arms and -shoulders of a man. In his right hand he held an automatic pistol, -and was now blazing away indiscriminately, judging by the splash of -flame that stabbed the night in varying directions. He seemed to be -leaning over a rock in the side of the cutting with the intention, -now that he had been fired upon, to get at close quarters with the -sentry. - -Bringing his rifle to his shoulder Terence aimed low and pressed the -trigger. The fellow gave no convulsive spring; he merely toppled over -and fell on the permanent way just as the train emerged, with a rush -and a roar and a dense cloud of steam, from the tunnel. - -Jerking the lever of his breech-block, the lieutenant inserted a -fresh cartridge. He still kept close to the buttress, even after the -train had passed. Experience had taught him the necessity for caution -in dealing with a wily foe. Not that he feared anything from the man -who had been shot. His headlong tumble down the almost precipitous -side of the cutting was too realistic for a person shamming death. - -The soldier, emerging from his shelter, began to cross the line. -Before he was half-way across, another shot rang out from the top of -the cutting. The Tommy collapsed in a heap. - -Terence let him lie. His whole attention was centred upon the spot -from whence the last bullet had sped. With his rifle ready to be -lifted to his shoulder, Aubyn waited like a hunter stalking his prey. - -He knew that he would not have to wait long. A desperate attempt was -being made to destroy the tunnel--an attempt in which the lives of -two or more men mattered but little provided success attended the -miscreants' efforts. The firer of the last shot, he reasoned, -imagined that with the murder of the first sentry, he had only one -man to deal with, and now he was lying motionless on the ballast. -Thinking that "the coast was clear" the desperado would presently -show himself. - -A hunched-up shape appeared at the top of the embankment. Some one -was descending with his face towards the rock. He was progressing -slowly and cautiously, making certain that he had obtained a firm -foothold before he groped for a lower one. Every now and then he -would turn his head and look towards the doubled-up body of the -sentry, till, satisfied that there was no danger in that direction, -he gave his whole attention to his descent. - -Levelling his rifle, Terence took deliberate aim. He had no qualms in -so doing. The fellow was a murderer and train-wrecker, and -undoubtedly an agent of the German Government. The lieutenant was -alone and unsupported. If he should be "done in" there would be no -further obstacle between the miscreant and the success of his -diabolical scheme. Besides, there might be more than two men engaged -in the enterprise, which, if it matured, might mean the death of -perhaps hundreds of human beings. - -Terence aimed fairly in the centre of the climber's back. It afforded -the best target in the darkness. - -With no more compunction than if he were shooting a rat, the -lieutenant pressed the trigger. - -The report of the rifle was outvoiced by a loud detonation, -accompanied by a vivid flash. For one moment Terence stood stock -still, his eyes temporarily blinded by the sudden glare. Then he -realized that his cap had gone. His face was wet, not with the chilly -rain but with a warm moisture. Something had struck him on the cheek, -inflicting a small cut from which the blood flowed freely. - -"A pretty rumpus!" he soliloquized. "The rotter has plugged me--no, -it can't be that. It's only a slight gash. I wonder if he hurled a -bomb." - -"Blowed to atoms, sir; that's what's happened to him--the blighter!" -exclaimed a voice that seemed to come from the ground. - -"I thought you were a dead man, by Jove!" exclaimed Terence bluntly, -as he recognized the sentry by his voice. - -"Not yet, sir," replied the man. "He put a bullet through my -leg--just above the knee. It don't hurt much, but it kippered me, so -I thought I'd lie low and see what happened. I'd a cartridge ready, -though, in case of an accident." - -"We ought to stop the next train," said Terence, as he stooped to -recover his cap. "The rail might be damaged. I think that fellow had -a few detonators on him, and my shot did the trick. How did you stop -the train I was in?" - -"Had a lantern, sir. It's somewhere along the line. But our chaps -must have heard the racket, an the sergeant'll be coming along in -half a tick." - -"Wind the wrong way," declared Terence laconically. "I'll bandage -that leg of yours and then I'll get the lantern." - -The miscreant's bullet--from a small calibre high velocity -pistol--had passed completely through the soldier's leg, fortunately -without severing any arteries. Having attended to the wound and -bidden the man sit down by the side of the bank, Aubyn set out on his -search. - -It was a fruitless quest. Other means had to be found to bring the -troop train to a standstill. - -"There's a signal a couple of hundred yards down the line, sir," -announced the sentry. "It's worked from a box a long way off. Maybe, -sir, you can climb up and tie this red handkerchief of mine over the -green light." - -Terence took the handkerchief. He knew that the plan was a useless -one, since the result would be a semi-opaque gleam, as the red would -neutralize the green. But the red cloth might come in handy. The -matter was urgent, for the train was about due. - -As he passed along the up-line his progress was checked by an -enormous boulder that, dislodged by the explosion, had fallen on the -permanent way and across one of the metals. Its weight was far beyond -his strength to move. - -Skirting the obstruction the lieutenant broke into a run, keeping up -a hot pace till he reached the foot of the signal post. Already the -red disc had changed to green, showing that, to the signalman's -belief, the line was clear. - -Terence knew that if the operating rod could be severed the signal -arm would, by reason of a weighted lever, rise to the "stop" -position. He tugged savagely at it, but without success. A spanner -might have saved the situation, but he was without such an article. - -Suddenly an idea flashed through his mind. Ascending the swaying -ladder, he gained the platform just below the arm. Here he could -reach the discs with comparative ease. - -"Wind's right direction," he muttered. "Can't blow the light out -very well, so here goes." - -Unlacing and pulling off his boot, Terence made a determined -onslaught upon the thick green glass. It stoutly resisted several -blows, cracking at the sixth and shivering out of its frame at the -two next. As the lieutenant had foreseen the now open space was away -from the wind, and beyond a slight unsteadiness the lamp burned well. - -Knotting the red handkerchief across the open disc, Terence descended -to take a more remote view of his handiwork. The red light shone -sufficiently bright to be observed at a considerable distance, but as -a matter of precaution he held his rifle ready to fire into the air -to attract the attention of the driver of the on-coming troop train. - -"Here she comes," exclaimed Terence, as a dull rumble could be heard -in the distance. Presently a cloud of flame-tinged smoke announced -that the engine had rounded the curve. - -Terence raised his rifle, but there was no need to fire. With a loud -grinding of brakes, accompanied by showers of sparks, the train drew -up, the engine coming to a standstill within eighty yards of the -signal post. - -"What's up now, mate?" demanded the engine-driver, as, leaning over -the side of the "cab" he saw what he imagined to be one of the -soldiers whom he knew to be stationed on either side of the tunnel. - -"Line blocked," replied Terence. "And what's more, two men killed -and another injured." - -Leaving the driver to act for himself, Terence passed along the row -of stationary carriages, filled with troops, who, for the most part, -were singing uproariously. A few were looking out of the windows, but -the pulling up of the train had aroused but little curiosity. They -were already too used to being held up on sidings, even in the course -of a comparatively short journey. - -At the first first-class carriage he came to, Terence clambered on to -the foot-board and opened the door. Within were a couple of majors, a -captain and a lieutenant enjoying a hand of cards. Briefly Aubyn told -them of what had occurred, and suggested that an investigation should -be made of the victims while the line was being cleared. - -"Good idea, by Jove!" exclaimed the senior field-officer. - -Alighting, he blew a whistle. The uproar ceased as if by magic, and -the men began to descend from the train. For the most part they -imagined that a Zeppelin had been sighted. They treated the -possibility almost with indifference, but their interest was quickly -excited when they learned that an attempt had been made to derail or -blow up the train. - -Accompanied by several of the officers, and escorted by the driver -and the guard of the train and a score of soldiers, Terence led the -way. The obstruction had, fortunately, not fractured either the rail -or the chairs. By the aid of plenty of willing helpers, the rock was -levered back into a shallow ditch at the foot of the cutting. Then -there was just room for the train to pass, for the stone was nearly -ten feet in circumference. - -"Here's the sentry," announced Terence, indicating the wounded -soldier. - -A number of men carried the luckless Tommy into one of the carriages, -where he was promptly attended to by a captain of the R.A.M.C., while -it was decided to detail two of the men from the troop train to mount -guard until the proper reliefs arrived. Meanwhile, the wounded man -could be taken to the nearest station, close to which was a hospital -where he could be well looked after. - -By this time there was light in plenty. Terence had no idea that a -train carried so many lamps. - -The next task was to look for the bodies of the two miscreants. That -of the first was discovered in a ditch. He had been shot through the -forehead and through the body, either wound being sufficient to cause -death. - -The explanation was simple: one of the wounds had been caused by the -bullet from the sentry's rifle. The victim in his death agonies had -convulsively gripped the trigger of his automatic pistol, and thus -had caused the fusillade Terence had seen and heard. When he fired, -the lieutenant's bullet had also struck the fellow, but by that time -he was already a corpse. - -A further search revealed a considerable cavity blown into the side -of the embankment. The rocks around were scorched by the heat of the -explosion, which had horribly mangled the corpse of the second -conspirator, although strangely enough his features were hardly -injured. - -A light was flashed upon his face. Terence recognized it instantly. -It was that of Major von Eckenhardt, master-spy and desperate -plotter. - -The rascal had met with his deserts. After his escape from Edinburgh -Castle he had, according to his usual practice, laid low for a time. -Then, owing to the adroit manner in which the authorities had made -use of his secret wireless installation, the German Admiralty found -itself landed into a very awkward situation on more than one -occasion. It was not until von Eckenhardt contrived to send a secret -message to his employers, explaining the reason for his failure, that -the German authorities realized that they had been tricked. In reply -came a message savouring of a reprimand. Von Eckenhardt ought, it -said, to have taken greater precautions to prevent such -eventualities. Finally the message hinted pretty broadly that an act -of signal service to the Fatherland would alone atone for the -blunders that the spy had made. - -Von Eckenhardt was desperate. He knew that the German Secret Service -had no mercy for its servants who had failed. Indeed, he wondered why -he had been given another chance. By the implied tone of the -communication he realized that he had to undertake a "forlorn hope." -If successful, then, perhaps, he might be reinstated into favour; -otherwise it would be preferable to die rather than face the penalty -for failure. - -Hitherto, he had been more or less a director of the spy system. With -the exception, perhaps, of the part he played in attempting to wreck -the "Saraband," he had kept aloof from the actual espionage work. -Now, he decided he must employ his energies in a direct attack upon -the resources of the British Empire. - -The news of forthcoming movements on a large scale of troops from the -North of England and Salisbury Plain suggested the great possibility -of a striking example of German "frightfulness." He knew that the -bridges and tunnels would be slenderly guarded, for the precautions -adopted by the British Government at the commencement of hostilities -had slackened. - -Accordingly, accompanied by an accomplice who had acted the part of -servant at Tuilabrail Hall, he motored to a town within a few miles -of the tunnel he had selected for his nefarious designs. It was a -simple matter to bluff the proprietor of their hotel, while to excuse -their late hours, von Eckenhardt resolved to send a wire from a place -twenty miles distant, announcing the breakdown of the car. Then, -returning to within half a mile of the tunnel, the two miscreants -left the car in a field and walked stealthily towards the scene of -their proposed operations. - -"Time I was out of this," thought Terence. He had no desire to be -dragged into a long-winded coroner's inquest and the subsequent -official inquiries. His evidence would not alter matters in the -faintest degree. Von Eckenhardt would be identified without his help, -and publicity he shrank from. - -No one attempted to question the lieutenant as to his name. In the -excitement such a procedure never entered the heads of the military -authorities. So, without attracting the least attention, Terence -walked quietly away, scaled the embankment, crossed a couple of -ploughed fields and struck a roadway. - -It was growing light as he entered the town. At a drinking fountain -he washed the dried blood from his face, and having brushed the mud -from his uniform, made his way to the railway station. - -Here, exciting little attention, he obtained a ticket to York; had -breakfast at the station, and boarded the next express to Edinburgh. -For the time being, at least, he had evaded the consequences of -having performed another duty for King and country. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV. - -THE "STRONGBOW'S" PRIZE. - - -BEFORE eight on the following morning Terence rejoined the -"Strongbow." The heartiness of his welcome almost banished the sense -of disappointment he felt at having to serve on patrol duty instead -of in a sphere of belligerent activity. - -Captain Ripponden honoured him by requesting his company at -breakfast; Commander Ramshaw was enthusiastic at seeing his former -fourth officer again; even the somewhat taciturn Lymore smiled grimly -as he shook Aubyn's hand; while Chief-Engineer McBride delivered such -a welcome in the broadest Scotch that he was seized with a fit of -violent coughing that did not subside till he rushed to his cabin and -drained a stiff glass of "Hie'land Dew." - -Kenneth Raeburn, who happened to be on watch in the engine-room on -Terence's arrival, quickly sought out his chum as soon as he was off -duty. - -"I hear you've been having a high old time," he exclaimed -boisterously. "You always were a lucky chap, old man. Let's hear all -about it." - -"I'll begin stern-foremost," began Terence, and to Raeburn's -astonishment he related the circumstances that culminated in the -death of Karl von Eckenhardt. - -"By Jove, old man, you'll be lionized over this business!--saving a -troop train and settling that bounder." - -"I think not," rejoined Terence. "Fact is, I slipped away while they -were all busy with the investigations. Didn't want to be detained -over a rotten inquest. Don't believe in them myself." - -"Neither do I," asserted Raeburn. "I had to attend one once, and the -whole thing struck me as an utter farce, beginning with the false -evidence of the village bobby and finishing up with the doctor's -report. I know for a fact that when he examined the body he was as -drunk as a fiddler. But is there anything in the papers?" - -"Can't tell," replied Terence. "The bumboat hasn't come alongside -yet. Anyway, I don't want you to say a word to anybody about the -business; I want to be afloat. Any idea of the programme?" - -"Same old game," said Kenneth, with a grin. "Between the south of -Iceland and the Faroe Islands. Hullo, here's the bumboat! Now for a -paper." - -The "Strongbow" was lying about a mile from the West Pier of the port -of Leith in company with half a dozen Admiralty craft of various -sizes. Communication with the shore was maintained by means of -frequent picquet boats, while tradesmen were allowed to supply -luxuries to the ships by means of sailing craft known from time -immemorial as bumboats. - -Terence showed no hurry in securing his copy of the paper, but his -interest was none the less acute. Having received one he retired to -the seclusion of the deserted smoking-room and opened the damp -sheets. - -Quickly he scanned the news columns. Nothing escaped him, but there -was no mention of the attempted outrage on the troop train. For good -reasons, mainly to avoid creating any alarm on the part of the public -and partly to conceal the fact from the German authorities that their -master-spy had paid the penalty for his activities, the news had been -completely suppressed by the Censor, although already eight-hundred -soldiers were spreading the report amongst their comrades on -Salisbury Plain. - -Terence gave vent to a chuckle of satisfaction. Nevertheless, he kept -an anxious eye on the boats putting off to the ship, in case one of -them contained a messenger bearing a demand for the lieutenant to -report himself to the civil authorities. Nor did his uneasiness -subside until the "Strongbow" weighed and proceeded towards her -station. - -For weeks she cruised, save for the short visits she was compelled to -pay when requiring coal and provisions. Yet nothing occurred to mar -the uneventfulness of that lone patrol. - -The principal topic on board was now the question of the Dardanelles -operations, of which reports were received by wireless. - -Amongst the officers there were two distinct parties in the matter of -opinion. One, headed by Commander Ramshaw, expressed the belief in -the success of the attempt to force the supposedly impregnable -waterway. The other, though smaller, was represented by Lieutenant -Lymore, who pessimistically regarded the operations as hopeless. - -"It's not the Turkish guns," he declared. "It's that rotten current -setting down from the Marmora. I've been there, and I know what it's -like. The Turks will be chucking cartloads of mines overboard, and -there'll be no end of a mess up." - -The very next morning came the news of the totally unexpected -appearance of the Super-Dreadnought "Queen Elizabeth." Ramshaw was so -elated that he upset a cup of coffee over the ward-room tablecloth, -and cheerfully paid up the sixpence demanded by McQuid, the assistant -paymaster, who in his capacity of member of the Mess Committee was as -sharp as needles in mulcting a delinquent. - -"That's the way," declared the commander. "Taking those forts in the -rear. They'll be through within a week." - -A week passed, and still no news of the successful forcing of the -Dardanelles. Then came the disquieting tidings of the sinking of the -"Ocean," "Irresistible," and "Bouvet" and the disablement of the -"Gaulois." - -"Just what I said!" declared Lymore. "It's those beastly mines. Now, -if I had a prominent voice----" - -"You have, old man!" exclaimed the assistant paymaster. - -Lymore glared at the interrupter. - -"I'd chuck the idea of pushing up through the Narrows." - -"A pretty figure you'd cut," remarked McBride. "There's nae true -Briton wha'd back down once he's taken on the wurrk." - -"I didn't mean that, my dear sir," continued the lieutenant. "I'd -devote my energies in another direction. There's the Peninsula of -Saros, about five miles in width and about eighty feet in height." - -"Well?" inquired the assistant paymaster. - -"I'd land a strong force under cover of the warship guns, whip -together a regular army of navvies and all the steam navvies I could -lay my hands on. In six weeks, and at a cost of less than that of the -battleships we've already lost, there would be a canal twelve feet in -depth from the Gulf of Saros to the Sea of Marmora. And, remember, -both seas are practically tideless." - -"Sounds feasible, laddie," remarked McBride. - -"And then it would be a simple matter to send out the monitors. With -their draught of seven feet they could easily pass through, as well -as our earlier type of destroyers. Without paying the faintest -attention to the Dardanelles forts the monitors could strike hard at -Constantinople." - -"Lymore, you ought to be on the Board of Admiralty," said Commander -Ramshaw gravely. - -"Instead of which I'm only a Reserve officer on the armed merchantman -'Strongbow'," added Lymore, with a grim smile. - -At that moment came a knock at the wardroom door, and a messenger -announced that an accident had occurred in the engine-room. - -McBride was on his feet in an instant. The thought of anything -happening to his beloved engines acted like a red rag to a bull. - -All the executive officers not actually on duty gathered round the -engine-room hatchway, from which clouds of steam were issuing. It was -as far as they dared go towards setting foot in McBride's domain. - -After ten minutes' wait, two stokers were sent on deck, both -suffering from severe scalds. These were followed by Kenneth Raeburn, -whose right arm was swathed in cotton waste soaked with oil. - -"Rotten luck, old man!" he exclaimed, with forced cheerfulness, as he -caught sight of his chum, Terence. "It's not much as far as I am -concerned; merely a slight burn." - -Aubyn could see by the expression upon the assistant engineer's -features that he was suffering acutely. He did not know at the time -that in addition to being severely scalded by the bursting of a steam -pipe, Raeburn's wrist had been broken in a gallant attempt to rescue -the two stokers as they lay, overcome by the hot steam, upon the -floor of the stokehold. - -Terence accompanied his chum to the sick-bay, where the surgeon -quickly made the discovery that the plucky officer had sustained -injuries that would probably necessitate his being invalided out of -the Service. - -Kenneth read the doctor's fears as clearly as if he had been bluntly -told the truth. - -"Hard lines," he exclaimed. "Looks as if I'm to be chucked out of -the old 'Strongbow'." - -"Only for a time, I hope," rejoined the surgeon. "Now, keep as steady -as you can. I may hurt you a bit." - -Aubyn watched his chum's face as he proceeded to dress the doubly -injured limb. Beads of perspiration stood out on the young assistant -engineer's face, but not a sound escaped from his lips, but before -the dressing was completed Kenneth fainted. - -"He's real pluck," declared the surgeon. "I dare not give him an -anaesthetic, and the fracture of the wrist, complicated by the burns, -made it a fearfully painful business for him. It's as well he's -unconscious." - -"Will he be invalided?" asked Aubyn. - -"I'm afraid so," replied the medico. "The effect of the burn upon -the tendons will probably result in a permanent weakening of the -muscular action of the hand. I may be wrong--I hope so; but time -alone will tell." - -For the next week Raeburn was confined to the sick-bay. At the end of -that time he was able to get on deck, with his bandaged arm in a -sling. The doctor suggested to Captain Ripponden the desirability of -landing the patient at the first opportunity, and the captain -concurred. - -Two days later a sail was reported. Of late the "Strongbow" had not -fallen in with any craft, either British or neutral, and the news was -hailed with mild excitement. Anything to relieve the monotony of the -daily routine was welcome. - -As soon as the stranger sighted the British merchant-cruiser he -turned tail and steamed as hard as he could. A thrill of expectancy -took possession of the "Strongbow's" crew. They were out to chase -something, and the mere fact that the unknown vessel had shown her -heels went to prove that she was a of suspicious character. - -Calling every ounce of steam, Captain Ripponden stood in pursuit. It -was the first time in her existence as an armed merchant-cruiser that -the "Strongbow" was called upon to engage in a chase. Hitherto every -craft she had subjected to examination had submitted passively. Now -she was having a run for her money. Her hull quivered under the rapid -pulsations of her powerful engines. The grey paint on her funnel -casings blistered and peeled in large flakes, while for miles astern -the thick cloud of smoke gave some indication of the activities of -the "black squad" as they piled shovelful after shovelful of coal -into the furnaces. - -Half an hour's chase showed that the "Strongbow" was overhauling her -quarry. Twenty minutes later the merchant-cruiser dropped a plugged -shell a hundred yards abeam of the fugitive. Even this was not -sufficient to impress upon the stranger that the game was up, and it -was not until the "Strongbow" planted another shot within fifty feet -of the unknown vessel that she slowed down and hoisted Norwegian -colours. - -The craft proved to be the "Roldal," a passenger and cargo steamer, -of Bergen; but the fact that she had attempted to escape was in -itself significant. - -"Boarding-party away." - -Into the boat tumbled fifteen bluejackets. In command was Lieutenant -Terence Aubyn. - -"I protest against the outrage," exclaimed the Norwegian captain in -good English, as the boat ran alongside the "Roldal," which was now -hove-to within two cables' lengths of her successful pursuer. "This -is a neutral ship." - -"And carries twenty passengers--citizens of the Republic of the -United States of America, sonny," added a man standing by the -gangway, whose "twang" would in itself be a sufficient indication of -his nationality. - -"Sorry, captain," replied Terence, "but my duty compels me to board -you." - -"Then a curse upon your duty!" retorted the captain. "Your -Government will regret this outrage." - -"If you will kindly allow me to come on board," remarked the -lieutenant courteously, according to his instructions, although he -felt he would have given a month's pay to have spoken his mind, -"I'll go through the formality of examining your papers, and if they -are in order you will not be detained more than a few minutes." - -After intentional delay a tarry rope-ladder was lowered. Terence -could have insisted upon having the accommodation-ladder let down, -but instead he swarmed up the swaying perpendicular means of access, -and followed by six of his men gained the "Roldal's" deck. - -Ignoring the studied rudeness of the passengers, one of whom loudly -protested against the "darned interference of cocksure Britishers!" -Terence requested the captain to produce the ship's papers. - -Grudgingly these documents were handed over. The "Roldal" was a -Norwegian-owned vessel, bound from Boston, U.S.A., to Bergen. Her -passenger list showed that there were nineteen American subjects and -four Norwegian. Her cargo consisted of wheat and iron ware. - -Glancing down the passenger list Terence saw the name "Octavius P. -Rand, of Norfolk, Virginia." Going to the door of the cabin he -requested the owner of the name to step forward. - -There were looks of blank astonishment on the faces of eighteen of -the American citizens. The nineteenth, the fellow who had protested -so emphatically, began nudging a round-faced man in the group. - -"You are Octavius P. Rand?" inquired the lieutenant, and receiving an -affirmative reply, conveyed by means of a decided inclination of the -head, he asked the man a few questions of various places in -Norfolk--a town with which Terence happened to be fairly well -acquainted. It was quickly apparent that the so-called Octavius had -never set foot in that part of Virginia. By his Teutonic accent he -was either a German or a German-American. - -Of the others not one could speak English properly. They were -eighteen Germans, domiciled in the United States, but on the way to -the Fatherland to join the reserves. The nineteenth was a Yankee -agent for a munition business in Hamburg. - -A peculiar buzzing from the wireless-room of the "Roldal" told -Terence that the operators were at work. Ordering two armed seamen to -follow him, the lieutenant peremptorily told the wireless men to -cease operations, and having placed sentries outside the door, he -returned to his work of examination. - -The Bills of Lading, Manifest, and Charter Party were palpable -forgeries, while a survey of the hold showed that a quantity of the -"iron ware" was copper ingots. - -"You must consider your ship under arrest," declared Terence to the -still aggressive skipper. - -Without a word the captain flung himself into his cabin. He did not -mind the ship being taken as a prize. His liberty would not be -affected, since he was a Norwegian subject, while a substantial sum -of money had already been paid to him by his employers, and the money -had been sent by mailboat to his home. He had no interests at stake, -but he was determined not to render his captors the slightest -assistance in navigating the ship. - -Leaving a strong armed party on board the prize, Terence returned to -the "Strongbow" and made his report. On the strength of this Captain -Ripponden had no hesitation in taking possession of the ship. A -wireless was sent to the Admiral of the Armed Merchant Fleet -announcing the capture, and proposing that the "Strongbow" should -escort the "Roldal" into Cromarty Firth. - -Promptly came the reply: "'Strongbow' not to escort prize. Send -'Roldal' into Cromarty Firth with a prize crew." - -"Very good," commented Captain Ripponden when the message was -delivered. "Mr. Aubyn, you will please take command of the prize, -and upon arrival at Dingwall hand her over to the authorities for -disposal. Then bring your men on to Leith. We will be putting in -there for coal on the 26th, and you can rejoin the ship on that -date." - -The lieutenant saluted, and turned to go to his cabin and make brief -but urgent preparations for his independent command. - -"One moment, Mr. Aubyn." - -Terence saluted and awaited the captain's pleasure. - -"You may as well take Mr. Raeburn with you," continued Captain -Ripponden. "Dr. Hardiman seems to think that the sooner he is ashore -and able to obtain hospital treatment the better. Now, carry on, and -good luck to you." - -Ten minutes later Terence and Kenneth were ready to proceed to the -prize. The assistant engineer, in spite of the fact that his right -arm was still crippled and showed no immediate prospects of healing, -was in the best of spirits and, unassisted, gained the stern-sheets -of the boat amid a fire of farewell greetings from his -brother-officers. - -"Give way!" ordered Terence. - -The men bent to their supple ash oars with a will, while the -lieutenant steered towards the prize. - -"What's up, old man?" he asked, suddenly noticing a perplexed look on -Raeburn's face. - -"Left my best pipe behind," was the dejected reply. "No, don't put -back--'tis beastly unlucky." - -He faced aft, then using his sound hand as a speaking trumpet he -shouted to another assistant engineer. - -"I say, Smithers, I've left a presentation pipe in my cabin. You -might look to it, old man." - -"Right-o!" was the reply. "I'll send it off as soon as we arrive at -Leith. You can rely upon getting it by Monday morning. So don't get -into a tear." - -"If I don't, look out for squalls," retorted Kenneth. - -Smithers shouted something in reply that was evidently intended to be -facetious, but by this time the distance between the "Strongbow" and -the receding boat was too great for the words to be understood. - -"I'll never forgive old Hardiman for having me sent ashore," declared -Raeburn. "It isn't as if I were properly crocked. I could do a trick -in the engine-room even with a damaged hand. It's hard lines on -Smithers and the others: they'll have to put in extra time." - -Terence did not reply. He knew that it would be a long time--perhaps -never--before Kenneth Raeburn would be on duty in the engine-room of -a British warship, or even on a merchantman. - -By the time the boat came alongside the "Roldal" those of the -"Strongbow's" crew who had been left on board the prize had cleared -away and lowered the accommodation-ladder. The Norwegians had stood -sullenly aside, not a man stirring a finger to help. The skipper had -made up his mind to adopt an attitude of passive resistance, and his -crew took their cue from him. - -As soon as the rest of the prize crew boarded the ship and their -scanty gear and provisions hoisted up, the boat returned to the -"Strongbow." - -From the yard-arm of the latter a string of bunting fluttered in the -breeze. It was the signal to part company. Then gathering way the -armed merchantman circled to port, and steamed in a westerly -direction. - -Left to himself Terence proceeded to take the necessary steps for the -safeguarding of his charge. The Norwegian crew were ordered to keep -for'ard; the officers were allowed the run of the deck aft, while the -passengers, with the exception of the American, were placed under -arrest as German subjects capable of bearing arms. - -Since the ship's officers bluntly refused to take any part in -navigating the ship, Terence had a bed prepared in the chart-room. He -knew that it meant forty-eight hours' duty. - -He was short-handed. With sentries posted at the wireless-room, the -fo'c'sle, and over the prisoners, the number of men at his disposal -was far too small. He could not compel the engine-room staff to work; -so some of his own men were sent to the stokehold and engine-room -under the charge of an experienced engine-room artificer. Yet in -spite of the willingness of the volunteer stokers, it was impossible -to keep a full head of steam. Eleven knots was the maximum speed that -could, under these circumstances, be screwed out of the captured -"Roldal." - -Before night the wind freshened. By six bells in the middle watch it -was blowing a gale from the east'ard. The "Roldal" made bad weather -of it. Broadside on to the direction of the wind she rolled like a -barrel, shipping green seas amidships. - -Clad in oilskins Terence remained on the bridge throughout the -terrible night. He mentally condemned the fate that put him in charge -of a cranky tramp-steamer, when he might be sleeping soundly on board -the weatherly "Strongbow." Hour after hour he stood gripping the rail -of the erratically swaying bridge and peering through the welter of -broken water and pitch-dark sky. For the first time in his nautical -existence he realized the responsibility of being in sole charge of a -ship and of the lives of men. - -Before it was dawn a hideous clamour, distinctly audible above the -howling of the gale, came from somewhere for'ard. Terence strained -his ears to try to detect by the nature of the sound what had gone -adrift. It was the clanging of metal against metal. - -Watching their opportunity during the slight interval when the broken -water receded from amidships, two of the prize crew dashed aft from -the fo'c'sle and sprang up the bridge-ladder. - -"Starboard anchor broken adrift, sir," reported one. "It's hammering -against the bows for all it's worth." - -Aubyn considered the problem for a few moments. To send some of the -scanty crew to work upon the exposed fo'c'sle to secure and re-cat -the recalcitrant anchor would be a difficult task even with -sufficient hands and in a moderate sea. Better by far unshackle the -cable and allow the anchor to go. - -He gave the order. Between the pounding of the heavy mass of forged -steel, for the anchor weighed more than a ton, could be heard the -blows of the mauls as the two seamen knocked out the pin of the -shackle. Then, after the whirr of the chain through the hawse-pipe, -the noise ceased. Terence knew that the anchor had plunged to the -bottom of the Atlantic. - -A babel of shouting came from the forepeak. The Norwegian seamen were -clambering to be let out. There was no need for Terence to ask why: -the damage was already done, for the "bills" of the anchor had -penetrated the hull below the water-line. - -The sense of danger had overcome their resolution to remain passive. -They had attempted to plug the hole with hammocks, but the inrush of -water was too great. Already the forepeak was flooded to a depth of -three feet. - -Shouting orders to the engine-room for the bilge and condenser pumps -to be brought into action, Terence bade the quartermaster turn the -ship head to wind. Even as the "Roldal" swung round, a terrific sea -slapped her quarter and wrenched away the rudder brackets. The strain -upon the insufficiently supported rudder resulted in the carrying -away of the sole means of steering, for being a single screw vessel -it was not possible to control her by means of the propeller. - -Her only chance lay in forging ahead and trusting to luck that she -did not fall off and wallow in the trough of the mountainous seas. - -Mechanically the quartermaster stood by the steam steering-gear. -Years of implicit trusting to a vessel to answer to her helm had left -such an impression upon the seaman that he could not realize that the -sole means of keeping the vessel on her course was denied him. - -The "Roldal" was slowly turning to starboard. At one moment her stern -would be deep in the waves, at another it would be high in the air, -accompanied by a nerve-racking jar as the propeller, lifted from its -natural element, raced wildly. Then, _swish!_ A cascade of surging -green water would sweep across the deck and pour in a smother of -white foam to leeward. - -Another appalling crash aft caused Terence to turn his head. To his -dismay he saw that one of the fore mainmast derricks, which had been -triced up and housed in a perpendicular position, had broken adrift. -Like a gigantic flail it swept from side to side, clearing rails and -deck-fittings as easily as if they were made of matchwood. - -For a few seconds the heavy spars would bring up against the foremast -iron wire shrouds supporting the mainmast, then, with the roll of the -vessel, it would fly against the corresponding one on the other side, -making the stay sing like a gigantic harp-string. A few minutes of -that sort of game, Terence knew, would result in the carrying away of -the shrouds and the loss of the mainmast. - -The lieutenant motioned to some of the men: his own crew and a few of -the Norwegians were sheltering under the lee of one of the intact -deck-houses. At all costs the erratic derrick must be secured. - -The men obeyed the unspoken order, for it would be useless even to -shout in the midst of the tumult. Rigging a tackle they awaited an -opportunity to slip a stout strip over the end of the terrible flail. -Over came the spar, missing a man's head by a hair's-breadth. Two of -the Norwegians sought to secure the derrick during its temporary -inactivity, but an extra roll to leeward caused the spar to give an -irresistible lurch. The next instant the men were hurled into the -mountainous sea. - -Nothing could be done to save them. To lower a boat would be a worse -than useless act. It would be simply throwing away human life in an -impossible attempt to save two already doomed men. - -One of the unfortunate wretches was apparently stunned by the blow, -for he was never seen again; the other could be discerned for a brief -instant as he raised his arms in a mute despairing appeal for aid -that was not humanly possible; then he was lost to sight in the chaos -of the dark turmoil of broken water. - -Dawn was just breaking as a sudden rush of steam through the -engine-room fidley, followed by the slowing down of the engines, -announced the disconcerting fact that the water had put out the -stokehold fires. Quickly losing way the "Roldal" rolled excessively, -helpless in the trough of the raging sea. - -Hanging on to the rail like grim death the now thoroughly chastened -Norwegian skipper mounted the bridge. Terence offered no objection. -In the hour of danger little unpleasantnesses were lost sight of. -They were now human beings fighting against a common foe. - -"Can you set canvas on her?" shouted Aubyn. - -The Norwegian understood. - -"Ay," he roared in reply. "I will see to that." - -Calling half a dozen of the men the skipper, accompanied by the first -and second mates, made their way for'ard, not without imminent danger -of being washed overboard. From the partly flooded sail-locker a -storm staysail was produced. It had been rolled up for months, -perhaps for years. Its hanks were stiff with rust. It took ten -minutes' hard work to bend the canvas to the forestay; then slowly it -was sent up and sheeted home. Gradually the vessel's head began to -pay off. Under the pressure of the sail she would run before the -wind. It was her one chance. Scudding before the mountainous seas the -"Roldal" might keep afloat some hours longer, in which time she might -be sighted by another ship and her crew given a fighting chance of -being rescued. - -Without warning came a sharp, whip-like crack. The clew cringle of -the sail had burst. With a series of terrific reports, like the bark -of a quick-firer, the rotten canvas flogged itself to ribbons. In two -minutes hardly a vestige of the staysail was to be seen. - -Once again, helpless and in imminent danger of foundering, now that -the steam-pumps were useless, the ship rolled broadside on in the -trough of the waves. The motion was now decidedly sluggish, her -recovery slow. Another hour, or two at the very most, would see the -end unless something totally unforeseen occurred to baulk the sea of -its prey. - -"Land ahead!" - -Five miles to leeward appeared a chain of rugged cliffs, topped with -treeless ground that culminated in a gaunt peak. Here and there were -gaps of varying sizes, but whether these were inlets, or merely -patches of low-lying ground, invisible owing to the curvature of the -ocean, the lieutenant could not for the time being decide. - -All this while, from the moment the Norwegian operator thought it -advisable to relinquish his attitude of passive resistance, the -wireless had been sending out calls for aid; but, although Terence -swept the horizon with his glasses, no smoke announced the approach -of a succouring steamer. - -Presently a line of surf, as the tremendous seas hurled themselves -against the rock-bound coast, became visible. The "Roldal" was -evidently doomed either to founder or else be driven upon the bleak -and frowning cliffs. - -Suddenly the quartermaster, forgetting disparity in rank in his -excitement, grasped Terence by the arm. - -"Look, sir!" he exclaimed. "A submarine!" - - - - -CHAPTER XXV. - -THE WRECK. - - -THE Norwegian skipper saw the twin periscopes almost at the same -time, as, owing to the "jump" of the submarine, they bobbed up and -down in the raging sea. At one moment they would be completely -submerged; at another the top of the conning-tower would appear above -the surface. - -"German, eh?" asked the skipper, with a shrug of his shoulders. -"Them everywhere; but I think they will not hurt us--we Norwegian -ship. They go to read name on our stern." - -Terence did not reply. He gripped the rail and looked stedfastly in -the direction of the latest menace. It reminded him of that awful -period of suspense when the torpedo came speeding towards the -ill-fated "Terrier." - -Perhaps, seeing the desperate plight of the "Roldal" the German -commander would not waste a precious torpedo. If he did, Terence -reasoned it would only hasten the seemingly inevitable end. - -"By Jove, what a chance if we had a quick-firer!" exclaimed a voice -in his ear, and turning the lieutenant saw that Raeburn had emerged -from the chart-room, where he had been during all those hours of -danger. - -"And if we had use of the helm we would settle her," added Aubyn. -"As it is----" - -A glistening object cleaving through the waves caused him to break -off suddenly. The submarine, with a fiendish disregard of humanity's -laws, had let loose a torpedo. - -It came straight towards the luckless "Roldal," at times jumping -clear of the terrific seas, at others cutting through the great waves -with a hiss of escaping air and a smother of foam from its double -propellers. - -Fully expecting the missile to strike fairly amidships and -immediately under the bridge the three officers scurried to the -starboard side, Kenneth being assisted by his chum as he lurched -across the steeply shelving planks. - -"Missed!" he shouted, as the wake of the receding torpedo caught his -eye. The weapon had, owing to an erratic roll of the ship, passed a -few inches beneath her keel and was now expending its store of -compressed air in a useless run. - -"The lubbers! The lubbers!" exclaimed the Norwegian skipper, using a -term which he considered to be the last word of nautical malediction. -Whatever sympathies he had for the Teuton had now flown to the winds. -The torpedo from the recreant submarine had converted one more -biassed neutral into a staunch moral foe of kultur. - -Chagrined by the failure, the German submarine did not discharge -another torpedo. Her periscopes disappeared, and although Aubyn kept -a vigilant lookout, he saw no more signs of her. - -By this time the "Roldal" was badly down by the head. At intervals it -seemed as if she would not shake herself free of the tons of water -that poured over her decks. Her very sluggishness suggested to the -experienced seamen that there was very little life left in the -vessel. - -"Release the prisoners, Saunders," ordered Terence, leaning over the -bridge rails and addressing a petty officer. "See that they are -served out with lifebelts." - -"Ay, ay, sir," replied the man, as he hurried below, where eighteen -frenzied Germans were clamouring to be let out. - -There was nothing more to be done to safeguard the lives of the crew. -The men, British and Norwegian, were steady and under perfect -control. All wore either life-belts or inflated swimming-collars, -although the possibility of gaining the shore seemed very remote in -view of the mountainous seas breaking against the sheer wall of -iron-bound cliff. - -"Let me give you a hand, old man," said Terence, offering a life-belt -to Raeburn. - -The assistant engineer shook his head. - -"Thanks, I'm not having any," he replied. "I never was fond of icy -cold water, so the sooner it's over the better. Wonder what old -Smithers will do with my pipe? I wish I had it now." - -"Try a cigarette," suggested Aubyn. - -Kenneth took one from the proffered case, and, awaiting his -opportunity, made a dash for the lee side of the chart-house. In a -few seconds he was back again, with the cigarette between his teeth. -A shower of ice spray extinguished it, but seemingly unconscious of -the fact he puffed away at the unlighted cigarette. - -One of the "Strongbow's" men ascended a few rungs of the ladder and -saluted. Terence beckoned him to come close. - -"Beg pardon, sir," announced the seaman, "I know the coast. We're -drifting on to a bad part of the Shetlands. Yon island's Unst; -t'other is Fetlar, and beyond it, though it looks all one island, is -Yell. D'ye happen to know what time o' tide it is, sir?" - -"High water at about seven o'clock at Lerwick," replied Terence. - -"Then, sir, if we hit to the south'ard of Fetlar, God help us. It's -sure death; but if so be we get swept to the nor'ard of it, there's a -'swilkie'--that's what they call a race in these parts--that'll take -us into Dalsetter--unless we founder first," he added, as an -after-thought. - -Anxiously Aubyn kept his telescope levelled on the north end of -Fetlar. By taking a bearing he was able to realize that the ship had -a perceptible northerly drift. If this movement were maintained it -might be possible to escape being cast upon the perpendicular cliffs, -otherwise all hopes of rescue must be abandoned. - -In breathless suspense the crew watched their vessel bear down upon -the forbidding shore, till caught by the "swilkie" she was swept -clear of the dreaded cape. Yet so close had she shaved the land that -in fine weather it would have been possible to "toss a biscuit" -ashore. - -Although the sea still ran high the force of the wind was lessened by -the slight shelter afforded by the island. Ahead lay the large island -of Yell, wherein could be distinguished the comparatively safe haven -that terminates at the village of Dalsetter. - -"Look, sir," exclaimed the seaman, who at Terence's request had -remained on the bridge. "There are people ashore. They're signalling -to us to edge to starboard." - -"Would if we could," muttered the lieutenant grimly. "By Jove, -they're sending out a couple of boats." - -Such was the case. In spite of the mountainous seas, some of the -hardy Shetlanders had put off in two of the typically seaworthy craft -for which Lerwick and the fishing harbours of these islands are -justly celebrated. - -Tack after tack they made. At times only the peaks of the closely -reefed dipping lugsails were visible. The rest of the boats were lost -to sight between the crests of the waves. - -It was soon evident to the Shetland fishermen that they could do -nothing in the way of salvage, and having been able to ascertain that -the distressed vessel was not under control and incapable of -answering to her helm, they contented themselves by tacking to and -fro to wind'ard, waiting for the "Roldal" to make her final plunge. - -Yet the Norwegian vessel showed no undue haste. She had reached a -certain stage when she retained just sufficient buoyancy to keep her -afloat. After all, it seemed as if she would ground rather than -founder. - -"We can't fetch the creek, sir," declared the seaman. "We're setting -too much to the nor'ard. It's only a question of time, sir." - -Almost as he spoke the "Roldal's" hull shuddered under a terrific -blow. Heeling to port, she swung almost broadside on to the waves; -with a crash her masts went by the board, the foremast buckling close -to the deck, and about ten feet of the main-mast remaining. - -Two more heavy bumps she gave, then, settling on hard rock, merely -quivered as the seas broke over her. - -"Hold on, men, for your lives!" shouted Terence. "The tide's ebbing. -We may be all right even yet." - -The crew needed no caution in this respect. Hanging on desperately to -whatever came to hand they resisted the efforts of the breakers to -sweep them overboard and into the chaos of broken water between them -and the low cliffs. - -The fishing-boats had gone. Brave as were their crews the hardy -Shetlanders knew that to venture anywhere in the vicinity of the -stranded vessel meant almost certain death without the slightest -chance to render any assistance. - -Then, with surprising suddenness, the summit of the hitherto deserted -cliffs was teeming with people--men, women, and children. The -inhabitants of the little village had been waiting by the side of the -sheltered firth, fully expecting to see the disabled vessel crawl -into safety. But with the news that she had failed to weather the -headland they rushed to the cliffs, and, what was more, they brought -a rocket apparatus with them. - -The first rocket, deflected by the wind, fell fifty feet from the -wreck. The second was fired immediately on the deck of the "Roldal." -Several of the seaman, at imminent risk of being swept overboard, -secured the light line and began to haul away. - -In ten minutes a means of communication with the shore was -established. Beginning with the prisoners, the shipwrecked party were -hauled to land, one by one till only Raeburn and Terence were left, -for in spite of Aubyn's representations that the partly disabled -officer should be sent early in the course of the operations, Kenneth -stoutly refused to budge until all the passengers and crew were -saved. - -"Now, then, old man," exclaimed Terence. Gently he assisted his chum -into the breeches-buoy, and, since the assistant engineer was -incapable of raising his right hand and arm, the lieutenant made him -additionally secure by lashing a rope round his shoulders and to the -slings of the buoy. - -"'Fraid I'll get a ducking after all," remarked Kenneth, with mock -ruefulness. "Never mind, I'll get my pipe again." - -Terence gave the signal. The strain on the hauling rope increased, -and Kenneth started on his semi-aerial, semi-submarine journey to the -cliffs of Yell. - -Anxiously the lieutenant followed his chum's progress. He knew how -hard the tail of a wave can hit, and that Kenneth was in serious -danger of having his still unhealed arm broken again by even a fairly -light blow. White-crested waves were breaking right over the occupant -of the breeches-buoy, for he was now nearly half-way to the shore and -at the lowermost limit of the sagging rope. At times lifted by the -seas, he would be swung into an almost horizontal position. At others -he would be suspended in the air, with the water pouring from him -like a miniature cascade. - -"He's making slow progress," thought Terence. Then he looked at the -endless travelling line. It was not running through the block. -Something had jammed and the men on the cliff were unable to haul the -breeches-buoy another foot. - -Frantically Terence signalled for them to slack away. Putting every -ounce of strength into his effort he tugged at the line in the hope -of freeing it from the jammed block, but without avail. - -"He'll be drowned, or he'll die of exposure," thought Terence, as he -desperately taxed his powers of resourcefulness to devise some means -of extricating his comrade from his dangerous position. - -"There's only one thing to be done," he continued. "It's kill or -cure, so here goes." - -Pulling out his pocket-knife, Terence made his way to the stump of -the mainmast, to which, ten feet above the deck, was bent the "tail -jigger," or rope through which the endless line was rove and the -stout hawser from which the breeches-buoy was suspended. - -Securing a foothold on the spider-band Aubyn found that he could now -easily reach the object of his attack. The blade of his knife, though -small, was sharp. The strain on the hemp aided his efforts, and in a -very short time both means of communication with the shore were -severed. - -His own retreat was cut off, but the helpers on the cliff were now -able to haul Kenneth through the breakers. They understood the act of -self-sacrifice of the solitary figure on the wreck and acted -promptly. - - -[Illustration: "The strain on the hemp aided his efforts."] - - -Anxiously he followed the progress of that small black object that -was being towed rapidly towards the base of the cliffs. He knew the -risk. Even in the case of a man in full possession of the use of his -limbs the danger of being hurled against that almost perpendicular -wall of rock was appalling. - -He held his breath. Kenneth was clear of the waves--no, almost, for a -smother of white foam had hidden him temporarily from the -lieutenant's sight. The next moment the surf had subsided, revealing -the breeches-buoy and its occupant like a spider at the end of its -thread. - -The rope was swinging violently, but owing to the fact that here the -cliffs overhung the sea Raeburn was not being continually bumped -against the rocks. Instead he seemed to be clear of that danger, and -the higher he was pulled up, the shorter became the swing of that -exaggerated pendulum. - -Men were lying flat upon the brink, waiting to receive the rescued -officer. Others, still hauling, but with less speed, awaited the -order to belay. The last ten feet of the ascent were the most -difficult of all, for here Kenneth's body and maimed limb were in -actual contact with the rugged granite. Yet, from where he stood, -Terence could see no sign of life in the saturated burden of the -breeches-buoy. - -Now the rescuers had the object of their attention within arms' -reach. Grasped by the muscular hands of the hardy Shetlanders, -Kenneth was lifted clear of the jagged edge of the cliff. Willing -helpers released him from the buoy, and still without showing signs -of movement Raeburn was carried out of his chum's sight. - -Leaning against the lee side of the chart-house, for the bridge was -now at an alarming angle, Terence quietly reviewed the position. The -"Roldal" was breaking up fast. Already the bow portion had vanished, -and the 'midship portion seemed in a great hurry to disintegrate -itself under the sledge-hammer like blows of the waves. - -His first idea was to throw himself into the sea and trust to fate. -He might perhaps escape being dashed against the cliff and contrive -to seize a bowline lowered from above; but the possibility of getting -safely through that turmoil seemed wellnigh hopeless. - -The tide was still falling. Every few minutes meant the uncovering of -the reef on which the vessel struck, and a compensating diminution of -the force of the waves. On the other hand, delay resulted in the -increase of the numbness of his body and limbs, which were already -feeling the effects of the cold and wet. - -Hundreds of eyes were fixed upon him. In addition to the inhabitants -of the village and the surrounding district, his own men and the -Norwegian crew were standing on the cliffs in apparent helplessness, -waiting for the final act of the tragedy. - -Presently a hand-cart drawn by half a dozen fishermen appeared upon -the scene. It was another life-saving apparatus, for the first had -been rendered useless owing to the accident. - -With a hiss the light-line fell handsomely across the wreck, the rope -almost falling into Terence's hand. To it was attached the hawser, -but the lieutenant knew that it was beyond his strength to attach the -stout rope to the stump of the mast. Since Raeburn had been hauled -through the breaking seas, he argued, why could he not follow his -example? - -Securing the running rope round his waist, and making sure that no -part of the gear was likely to foul any part of the wreckage, Terence -made his way down the shelving bridge. The lee side was now only six -or seven feet above the water. The whole structure was quivering -violently. At the most it could not hold together for many minutes -longer. - -Using his arms as a semaphore the lieutenant signalled to those on -shore that he was ready to be hauled through the surf. A reply to the -effect that he was understood came from the "Strongbow's" men. Then, -making a leap clear of the bridge, Terence plunged into the sea. Even -as he did so, the chart-house and the weather part of the bridge were -swept bodily away. - -Upon rising to the surface Aubyn found himself being dragged through -the water at a rapid rate. Ten yards or so behind him was an enormous -mass of woodwork--a part of the bridge-planking--bearing down on the -crest of a billow. Swift as was his progress, the floating timber -threatened to overtake and overwhelm him. - -The rescuers, too, saw the danger, and redoubled their efforts to -haul the lieutenant clear of the pursuing mass. Buffeted by the -waves, his limbs completely numbed by the action of the icy-cold -water, Terence was hardly conscious of what was happening, till he -found himself being lifted clear of the chaos of broken water. - -Before he was out of danger an exceptionally heavy sea completely -buried him as he swung with irresistible force towards the base of -the cliff. The "backlash" of the foam alone saved him from being -dashed to death against the solid mass of granite. As it was he -received such a severe blow that he lost consciousness. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVI. - -"THE PRICE OF ADMIRALTY." - - -WHEN Terence recovered his senses he was lying in a crofter's -cottage. A white-haired venerable dame was busying herself with a -large iron pot over a peat fire, while an old fisherman, her husband, -was spreading the lieutenant's clothes to dry. The reek of the peat -and the vapour of the steaming garments seemed to fill the confined -space. - -Through the diamond panes of the small window Aubyn could see the -heads and shoulders of several of his men. The devoted tars, having -been provided with dry clothes of weird fit by their poor but -hospitable hosts, were mounting an impromptu guard outside the -cottage in order to hear the news of their popular young officer's -return to consciousness. - -Terence sat up. As he did so he became aware of a throbbing pain in -his left hip and leg, while he noticed that his left arm was roughly -bandaged. Fearful lest his leg should be broken, he raised his knee. -Although it caused him agony he realized to his intense satisfaction -that he was capable of moving it. - -Hearing him move the old fisherman spoke to him, and although Terence -could not understand one word of the broad Shetland dialect the -lieutenant guessed rightly that the man wanted to know whether the -patient would like to see those of his crew who were disconsolately -lingering outside in spite of the howling wind. - -In trooped the seamen; seven burly and extremely diffident specimens -of the Royal Naval Reserve, who, slow of speech except when amongst -themselves, could hardly find means to express their thoughts. They -did not know whether to congratulate their temporary skipper on his -escape or to commiserate with him on his injuries. - -"How is Mr. Raeburn, Griffiths?" asked Terence. - -The Welsh petty-officer fidgeted with his hands, attempted to reply, -but at last turned with mild entreaty to his comrades. - -"Fairish, sir, only fairish," vaguely declared another. "But how's -yourself, sir, if we may make so bold as to ask?" - -"Stiff, bruised, but otherwise all right, I think," replied Terence. -"And awfully peckish. Have you men been fed?" - -"Yes, sir, we were victualled down at the village," announced the -man. "They did us right well. They say as how we'll have to hang -about on this island till the gale moderates; but they've -communicated with the authorities at Lerwick, sir, and the senior -officer is going to send a vessel to pick us up." - -Dismissing his men Terence contrived to borrow some clothes from his -humble yet kindly hosts, and making his way with considerable -difficulty to an upstairs room, proceeded to dress. - -Considering the terrific buffeting he had received Aubyn had come off -pretty lightly. He was black and blue from his shoulders to his -knees, his forehead was grazed through coming in contact with the -rock, and there was a clean cut across his cheek. Rigged out in rough -ill-fitting Shetland tweeds, his chin and cheeks black with a stubble -of forty-eight hours' growth, he looked anything but a spruce officer -of his Majesty's Service. - -His efforts to borrow a razor were fruitless. His host had never -shaved in the whole course of his existence, and he was now over -eighty years of age. Nor did he know of any of his neighbours who -would be in a position to oblige his guest. - -Having found out where Kenneth had been taken, Terence went to see -him. He had to traverse nearly half a mile of bleak moorland, over -which the wind blew with great force. Shelter there was not, except a -few stunted thorns and patches of gorse. - -Looking seawards the vista was a turmoil of broken water, divided by -the Island of Fetlar. Close under its lee the sea was comparatively -calm, but owing to the tidal race, the "Sound" or intervening -channel seemed too violent for any craft to navigate in safety. - -Cautiously the lieutenant approached the brink of the cliff and -looked down to the cauldron of foam beneath. The tide had ebbed -considerably. Fang-like rocks showed their jagged heads above the -breakers for nearly a quarter of a mile off shore. It seemed -marvellous how the almost waterlogged "Roldal" had contrived to be -swept over those dangerous rocks. In vain he looked for traces of his -first independent command: the ship had literally gone to pieces. - -After considerable difficulty Terence succeeded in finding the little -cottage to which his chum had been taken. A big-boned, gaunt-featured -man answered his knock, and without betraying the faintest surprise -at his visitor's garb, invited him into the room. The Shetlander -asked no questions; he seemed to know Aubyn's business. Like the rest -of the islanders, most of whom had played a prominent part in the -rescue of the survivors of the "Roldal," he already know the officers -and most of the men by sight. - -Impressed by the gravity of the man's manner, Terence fully expected -to find his chum in a desperate plight, but to his surprise he was -greeted by an outburst of laughter. - -"Excuse me, old man," exclaimed Kenneth, "but you do look a sketch! -Who's your tailor? And are you about to cultivate a torpedo beard?" - -"How's that arm of yours?" asked Aubyn. - -"Feels a bit rotten," admitted Kenneth, "or rather, I can't feel it -at all. It seems a bit numb. But it will be all right in a day or so, -I guess. It was a real plucky thing of yours, old man. Looked like a -case of attempted suicide, when you cut that rope. - -"I should have felt like your murderer if I hadn't," retorted Aubyn. -"But it's over and done with. We're lucky to get ashore. By the by, -I suppose you know that they're sending a steamer from Lerwick as -soon as the weather moderates?" - -Terence could not talk rationally. He touched upon half a dozen -subjects in as many minutes. His mind was full of sorrow for his -chum's misfortune. He knew what Raeburn was yet to learn: that the -lack of sensitiveness in Kenneth's arm meant that never again would -his chum be able to use the limb. - -Raeburn's sanguineness was most pathetic. He had fully made up his -mind to get to Leith and await the "Strongbow's" return. He rehearsed -the little scene he would have when Smithers restored to him his -cherished pipe. - -Two days later the sea moderated sufficiently for the shipwrecked men -to be taken to Lerwick. Here they were split up. The German -reservists were sent into detention quarters to await the decision of -the War Office as to their disposal; the Norwegians, whose -indignation towards the apostles of kultur showed no signs of -abatement, were forwarded to Aberdeen, whence they were permitted to -return to their native land, while the detachment of the 'Strongbow' -were given a passage as far as Dingwall, whence they were told to -proceed by train to Leith. - -Kenneth Raeburn did not go with them. Upon arrival at Lerwick he was -promptly taken to hospital. A preliminary examination resulted in the -doctors' seriously considering the advisability of amputating his -wounded arm, but upon a further consultation it was found that there -was a possibility of saving the limb, although it would be -practically useless for the rest of his life. - -Raeburn was not told of this. In spite of his disappointment at not -being allowed to go with the rest of the prize crew his optimism was -remarkable. - -"Can't understand why those doctors insist upon keeping me here, old -man," he remarked to Terence, when the lieutenant came to bid him -good-bye. "I feel as fit as a fiddle, except for the long-winded -business over my arm, you know. And it's rotten not being able to see -the 'Strongbow' come into port. You'll take good care to remind -Smithers to send along that pipe of mine, won't you?" - -"I won't forget," asserted Terence. - -"And another thing," continued Kenneth. "If you get a chance to go -to Edinburgh you might look up my tailor--you know, the fellow in the -Hogmarket--and get him to knock me up another No. 5 rig. I can't -possibly present myself in this shabby uniform when I have to report -myself for duty. Explain to him that my arm is crocked and I can't -write at the present moment." - -The lieutenant could not commit himself to reply. Gripping Raeburn's -left hand he bade him "buck up," and made an undignified retreat from -the man who was never again to wear the uniform of the R.N.R. - -Throughout the tedious journey to Leith, Aubyn was on tenterhooks, -for he was a day and a half overdue. During that time the "Strongbow" -might have arrived, coaled, and put to sea again, without waiting for -the men who had formed the prize crew of the "Roldal." - -As the train swept across the Forth Bridge, Terence anxiously scanned -the shipping below, on the off-chance of "spotting" his ship should -she by any possibility leave the open roadstead and ascend the Firth. - -At Leith he ordered his men to fall in and marched them down to the -harbour. Inquiries of various naval officers elicited no information -of the "Strongbow's" presence. Almost all of the people he questioned -were convinced that the armed merchant-cruiser had not put in an -appearance. - -Allowing the men to "stand easy," Terence made his way to the office -of the admiral commanding the Forth division of the auxiliary -cruisers. On sending in his card he was received by the admiral in -person. - -"We've had no news of the 'Strongbow' for the last three days," said -the admiral. "She is now forty-eight hours' overdue." - -"Has anything happened to her, sir?" asked Terence. - -"There is no saying. On Tuesday we received a wireless from her, -reporting all well and giving her position. From that hour till now -there has been a complete blank. Of course, she may have had to stand -by a prize, and if her wireless has broken down her silence is -explicable. However, I wish you to say nothing about the matter. Send -your men to the 'Sailors' Home' and report yourself here at noon. -Remember to leave your telephone number at the office as soon as you -have completed your hotel arrangements, so that, if necessary, we can -send for you." - -Terence carried out these instructions and resigned himself for a -disquieting wait. Something serious, he argued, must have befallen -the armed merchant-man. He was somewhat reassured when, on giving his -men orders to proceed to temporary shore quarters, the prize crew -expressed astonishment neither by word nor gesture. His peace of mind -would have been greatly disturbed, however, could he but have heard -the men discussing the "Strongbow's" non-appearance amongst -themselves. - -Upon making his third call at the office Terence was again received -by the admiral. The sturdy old officer's face was grave. - -"I'm afraid it's a case, Mr. Aubyn," he said. "The 'Strongbow's' -hopelessly overdue. I have just reported her to the Admiralty as -regarded as lost. You had better proceed on leave, and I will notify -Whitehall accordingly." - -Terence almost reeled out into the street. The blow had temporarily -unnerved him. Not one thought did he give at the time to the fact -that Raeburn and he had been almost miraculously preserved from -sharing the fate of their gallant comrades: his whole mind was -centred on the appalling disaster. - -He mentally pictured the old ship ploughing along in that terrific -gale. A staunch vessel such as she was would have made light of the -climatic conditions. It was fairly safe to conclude that she had been -sunk either by a mine or a torpedo--and sunk so suddenly that there -had been no time to send out a wireless call for aid. The state of -the sea, he knew, would render it impossible to lower the boats even -had there been time. Out in the wild North Sea, miles from land, and -with no means of recording her end in the course of duty, the -"Strongbow" had vanished utterly. - -He thought of his comrades. The cool and collected Captain Ripponden; -Commander Ramshaw, one of the very best; Lymore, taciturn, yet a man -who set duty on a high pedestal; slow and deliberate McBride, and -more than a dozen others. All of them, tried comrades in stress and -storm, had given up their lives for their country. Only Raeburn and -he were left--and Raeburn incapacitated for further service afloat. - -Verily, the "price of Admiralty" is a huge one, but men will ever be -found ready to comply with its demands. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVII. - -"MEPHISTO" AND THE SUBMARINE. - - -"GOOD business! Now there's a chance of seeing life!" exclaimed -Lieutenant Aubyn. - -"I should have thought you have been seeing plenty of life already, -Terence," remarked his mother, with a faint tinge of reproachfulness, -"and death also," she added. - -"Ay, and death," agreed Terence. "Unfortunately, yes; but it's part -of the work. It was the future to which I was referring. Fancy, -mother, a real cruiser at last--not an armed merchantman, nor a -destroyer, although I'll admit I had a real good time in the -'Terrier'--but a modern cruiser." - -Terence's appointment had arrived in the form of an Admiralty -telegram, ordering him to join H.M.S. "Sunderland" as soon as -possible. - -H.M.S. "Sunderland" was a light cruiser of the "Town" Class, a vessel -of a little over 5000 tons displacement, and armed with eight 6-in. -guns, four 3-pounders, and two submerged 21-in. torpedo tubes. Her -speed was nominally 25 knots, but this rate had been considerably -exceeded when conditions called for her to do her level best. - -Accordingly, within four hours of receiving his appointment, Terence -bade his parent farewell and proceeded by rail to Devonport, where -the "Sunderland" was lying. It was nearly dark when he alighted at -Millbay station. Here he called a taxi and was whirled off to the -Dockyard, whence a picquet boat conveyed him to the cruiser, which -was lying at a buoy in the Hamoaze. - -"We're off under sealed orders at six o'clock tomorrow morning," -announced one of his new shipmates, a junior lieutenant, Teddy -Barracombe by name. "Of course, we are quite in the dark, but there's -a strong idea floating around that the ship's off to the Near East. -Just my mark! According to all accounts we'll be pretty busy in the -Dardanelles." - -"That's all very fine for you," commented Oswestry, the torpedo -lieutenant, "but where do I come in? We can't use torpedoes against -fortifications, you know, and there's precious little floating about -for us to go for." - -"Don't take on, Torps," said Barracombe cheerfully. "You never know -your luck. Wait and see." - -"I'd rather t'were the other way about," corrected Torps. "Seeing -your torpedo leave the tube and waiting for the enemy ship to be -blown up. No Dardanelles for me. So I hope to goodness it's the North -Sea. By Jove, I do!" - -As soon as the "Sunderland" was clear of the breakwater the momentous -orders were opened. It was not to the Near East; the cruiser had to -proceed to Dover and await further instructions. - -All the way up Channel a rigorous watch was maintained, for hostile -submarines had made their presence unpleasantly felt off Prawle -Point, the Bill of Portland, and south of the Royal Sovereign -Lightship. The cruiser pelted under forced draught, steering a -zig-zag course in order to baffle the carefully-planned calculations -of the lurking tigers of the deep, while the guns were manned and -trained abeam ready to be laid upon the first suspicious object -resembling a periscope. - -Being the first day of the month the ship's company was to be paid, -and soon after six bells final preparations for the solemn rite were -in progress. - -At a quarter to one two "G's"--the officers' call--sounded, and the -first hundred men, mustering by open list, assembled in the Port -Battery. On the quarter-deck tables were placed in position, on each -of which were teak trays divided into small compartments by brass -strips. In each of these divisions a man's monthly pay and allowance -money had already been placed and checked by the paymaster and his -staff. - -Owing to the conditions of war-time the captain was not present, his -duty of superintending the payment being taken by the commander. At -the tables stood the staff-paymaster, the R.N.R. assistant-paymaster, -and the chief writer. - -The staff-paymaster glanced at the commander, indicating that all was -in readiness. The commander gave the word to carry on, and the -disbursing of coin began. - -The assistant-paymaster called the men's names from a book. Each -seaman stepped briskly forward to the chalk line, removed his cap, -and, according to instructions, looked the accountant officer -squarely in the face and gave his name and rating. Then, receiving -his money in the crown of his cap, the recipient saluted and moved -away to make room for the next man. - -All was proceeding smoothly and with the regularity of clockwork when -suddenly a diversion occurred. - -The ship's company had a mascot in the shape of a young African -monkey, that had been presented to the "Sunderland" by a French -cruiser during a visit to an Algerian port. Although usually -good-tempered "Mephisto" could and did exhibit fits of sulkiness and -outbursts of insubordination that would have earned a lower deck man -ninety days' "confined to detention quarters." But the monkey being a -sort of chartered libertine, was idolized by the ship's company and -mildly tolerated by the officers. - -Mephisto was lazily sunning himself under the lee of the quarter-deck -6-in gun shield when his eye caught sight of the chief writer's -silver watch, which that petty officer had occasion to consult. - -Probably the monkey imagined that it was one of the tins of condensed -milk for which he had great partiality. - -Getting on his four feet Mephisto ambled across the quarter-deck, -past the line of men drawn up at attention. Before he could cross the -chalk line, a symbol for which he had no respect, the chief writer -had replaced his timepiece. - -Foiled in that direction the monkey made a grab at a pile of brand -new copper coins, and before any of the officers and men could -prevent, had made a rush for the weather-shrouds. - -"Stop him!" yelled the commander. - -A dozen men hastened to comply, jolting against each other in their -alacrity to pursue the animal, which with marvellous agility had -gained the extremity of the signal yard-arm. - -Here he perched, hanging on with his hind paws while he tasted each -coin with his teeth--at first with an expression of hopefulness upon -his features that rapidly changed into one of profound disgust. - -Holding the rest of the coins against his chest Mephisto hurled one -on to the sacred precincts of the quarter-deck. It landed in one of -the compartments of the pay-table, displacing a sovereign, that -rolled between the staff-paymaster and the assistant-paymaster. - -Both officers simultaneously stooped to recover the errant piece of -gold. The result was that their heads met with a thud in spite of the -protection afforded by their peaked caps. - -Several of the men could not conceal a grin. One broke into a laugh, -and meeting the stern glance of the commander tried to side-track -into a painful cough. - -Fortunately for the culprit the commander was inwardly affected by a -similar complaint, for he, too, saw the humour of the business. - -"Confound you!" shouted the staff-paymaster, removing his cap and -rubbing his bald head. "Confound you, you brute! Throwing away the -money from the public chest!" - -The only reply from Mephisto was another penny that, thrown with -splendid aim, rebounded from the staff-paymaster's shiny pate. - -"The ship's company will have to make up the loss," he muttered. -"They're responsible for their confounded pet." - -"But you're responsible for the money, Staggles," remarked the -commander drily. "At any rate, Mephisto is paying you back by -instalments." - -It wanted all the self-control at their command to keep the lookout -men's attention from the comic scene to a duty of a serious nature, -while the gun's crews temporarily forgot their duties to watch the -encounter between the mascot and the staff-paymaster. - -"Catch it--oh, you rotten butterfingers!" groaned the accountant -officer to the assistant-paymaster, who, missing a coin thrown by the -animal, allowed the sum of one penny to be committed to the deep. -"Here, ship's steward, nip below and open a tin of condensed. That -may tempt the brute below." - -"You're condoning an offence, Staggles," said the commander in an -undertone, with a humorous gleam in his eye. - -Another coin tinkled on the deck. The commander promptly placed his -foot on it to check its career towards the side. - -"Where did that go?" asked the staff-paymaster, who, curiously -enough, had a miserly regard for any money except his own, which he -spent liberally. - -The commander shifted his foot and pointed to the retrieved coin; as -he did so, another penny, hurtling through the air, hit him smartly -on his bent neck and promptly slithered inside his collar and down -his back. - -Unfortunately the commander was a man of a most ticklish temperament. -The contact of the metal disc with his back caused him to writhe like -a lost soul in torment. He had recently unflinchingly faced death in -a hotly-contested engagement in the North Sea, but this rear attack -completely unnerved him. His grotesque efforts to capture the elusive -coin was too much for the rest of the officers and men. They were -unable to conceal their amusement. Finally the commander dived down -below and divested himself of his uniform. - -Just then the ship's steward appeared with the tin of condensed milk, -and handed the unopened can to a seaman. Away aloft the man made his -way till he gained the cross-trees. Owing to the "Sunderland" -altering her course she was swinging considerably to starboard, and -the motion made the man advance cautiously, his feet sliding along -the foot-ropes while he held on grimly with his free hand to the -spar. - -Mephisto eyed the approaching delicacy with marked approval. Letting -the remaining coins drop, some of which tinkled on deck although most -of them fell overboard, he whisked along the yard-arm, and before the -seaman realized the brute's intention, snatched the can from his -grasp. - -A snarl warned the bluejacket that if he advanced it would be at his -peril, and unwilling to risk an encounter with an agile monkey on the -swaying yard, he followed the precept of discretion being the better -part of valour, and regained the deck, leaving the spoils in the -hands of the elated ape. - -Presently the monkey had another disappointment. The intact tin -baffled him. He tried his teeth upon it--but unavailingly, so he -began to batter it upon the metal eye of a band encircling the spar. - -"There'll be an unholy mess, by Jove!" ejaculated the commander, who -had now reappeared upon the scene, for the tin showed signs of -capitulating to the strenuous frontal attacks on the part of -Mephisto. - -"Bring up another tin--and take care to open it this time," ordered -the staff-paymaster recklessly, who had now taken the precaution of -covering the pay-tables with a green baize cloth. - -"Bang, bang, bang!" went the tin under the muscular efforts of -Mephisto. Already large drops of the viscous fluid were descending -upon the hallowed quarter-deck, bespattering officers and men -indiscriminately, for owing to the ship's speed a strong current of -air was drifting aft and spraying the stuff far and wide. - -"Clear the quarter-deck," ordered the commander. "Up aloft a couple -of hands and collar the brute. By Jove! if it gives much more -trouble, I'll have it shot." - -Suddenly, above the scuffling of feet as the men doubled for'ard, -came the shout: "Submarine on the port quarter." - -Sharply the bugle sounded "Action," and as the "Sunderland" began to -circle to starboard in answer to a quick movement of her helm, the -quick-firers began to bark at a pole-like object four hundred yards -off. - -The unexpected detonation, as a gun was discharged fifty feet under -his nose, completed Mephisto's brief spell of unalloyed liberty. -Temporarily stunned by the terrific concussion the monkey relaxed his -grip and fell. - -Just at that moment the staff-paymaster, who was scurrying below with -one of the pay-trays, happened to be passing in the direct line of -Mephisto's descent. The next instant the portly officer was rolling -on the deck in a puddle of condensed milk with the monkey's paws -clutching at his scanty crop of hair, while to complete the -staff-paymaster's discomfiture most of the money he was carrying -rolled overboard. - -Regaining his feet Staff-paymaster Staggles contrived to reach the -companion, and with Mephisto still firmly attached to him, -disappeared below. - -But the men's attention was now directed towards more serious -matters. An ever-diverging line that rippled the placid water denoted -the approach of a deadly torpedo. Now it was heading as if about to -hit the bows of the "Sunderland," a second later and the arrow-like -ripples seemed to be approaching directly abeam; then, as the cruiser -swung almost on her heel the wake of the formidable missile was -merged into the churning froth astern. It had missed by a bare yard. - -From the fire-control platform telephone bells were clanging and men -shouting through the voice-tubes. From their elevated position the -watchers could discern a long, dark shadow that marked the position -of the submarine. - -Completely circling the "Sunderland" was steadied on her helm and -steered straight for the spot. In vain the submerged craft attempted -to dive to a depth greater than that of her enemy's draught. - -Terence, who was stationed on the after-bridge, felt a faint shock as -the five thousand tons vessel literally cut the luckless submarine in -twain. For a brief instant the lieutenant caught sight of the -after-portion of the "U" boat, as, rendered buoyant by the trapped -air, it drifted past. Then amidst a smother of foam and oil the -wreckage vanished. - -"The eleventh to my certain knowledge," remarked the commander, as -coolly as if he were reckoning up the score at an athletic meeting. - -"Any damage for'ard, Mr. Black?" - -"No, sir; all as tight as a bottle as far as I can see," replied the -carpenter, who immediately after the impact had hurried below to see -if any plates had been "started." - -A little later in the afternoon several of the ward-room officers -were enjoying their cups of tea and biscuits, when the -staff-paymaster entered. - -"Well, Staggles, what's the shortage?" asked the commander -facetiously. - -The accountant officer eyed his tormentor reproachfully, as if that -officer were responsible for his former discomfiture. - -"One pound three shillings and threepence--and two tins of condensed -milk," he announced stiffly. "According to paragraph 445 of the -Admiralty Instructions there will have to be two separate reports on -the shortage." - -The staff-paymaster spoke seriously. The man was heart and soul in -his work, and his mental horizon was bounded by official forms and -other red-tapeism connected with the accountant branch of H.M. -Service. - -"By the by," interposed Oswestry, "Staggles ought to be recommended -for the V.C." - -"What's that, Torps?" asked Barracombe. "Our staff-paymaster the -V.C.?" - -"What for?" inquired the staff-paymaster innocently. - -The commander entrenched himself behind a double number of an -illustrated periodical. - -"For bringing Mephisto in out of action," he replied with a chuckle. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVIII. - -THE FOILED AIR RAID. - - -LATE that evening the "Sunderland" brought up in the Admiralty -Harbour at Dover, in company with three other light cruisers, two -monitors, and a flotilla of destroyers. All night long the men slept -at their guns, while the cruiser's searchlights aided those of the -forts both ashore and on the breakwater in sweeping the approach to -the sheltered harbour. - -"Nothing to report," announced Barracombe, as Aubyn relieved him as -officer of the watch. "A jolly fine night. I shouldn't wonder if we -were favoured by a visit from a Zeppelin or two." - -"A pretty jamb in the harbour," said Terence, giving a quick glance -at the maze of vessels. "Fortunately, I hear, we've several seaplanes -at our disposal." - -Barracombe wished his relief good-night and descended the ladder to -retire to the seclusion of his cabin and sleep the sleep of -exhaustion, for he had had a strenuous time before the cruiser left -Devonport. - -During the first hour nothing unusual occurred. The midshipman of the -watch reported "Rounds all correct, sir," to which Aubyn replied with -the stereotyped "Very good." Across the harbour came the faint hail -of the Night Guard as the picquet boat studiously visited every -vessel within the limits of the breakwater. - -The masthead light of the flagship began to blink. A signalman on the -"Sunderland's" bridge snatched up a slate. - -"General call, sir," he announced. - -Deftly the man took down the message, then hurried to the chart-room -to decipher the code. - -"Submarine E27 reports three hostile aeroplanes passing S.W. by W. -Position eleven miles N.N.E. of North Goodwin." - -The warning was a brief one, for hardly had the ship's company been -called to their action stations when a faint buzzing, immediately -becoming louder and louder, announced that the raiders were -approaching the town and harbour of Dover. - -Searchlights flashed skywards, while from beneath the old castle on -the lofty chalk cliffs half a dozen intrepid British airmen ascended -to meet the foe. Already the anti-aerial guns were stabbing the -darkness with lurid spurts of flame, while their shells, bursting -perilously close to the hostile aeroplanes, caused the calculating -Teutons to think better of the attempt. - -It was an easy matter to steal over an unfortified town or village -and drop explosives; but for once the Germans were to learn the -wisdom of discrimination. Higher and higher they banked, until -catching a glimpse of the British seaplanes as they passed through -the path of one of the searchlights they precipitately turned tail. - -"'Sunderland' and destroyer flotilla to proceed in support of -seaplanes," came the signal. - -Hastily the pins of the mooring shackle were knocked out. Steam was -already raised, and in a very few minutes the light cruiser and her -attendant destroyers were slipping between the heads of the detached -breakwater and the Admiralty Pier. - -But swift as were the light cruisers the seaplanes were quicker. -Already they were five or six miles out to sea, their position being -revealed by the flashes of the light guns as they exchanged shots -with the fugitive Taubes. - -Suddenly with a dazzling flash a bomb exploded hardly twenty feet -from the "Sunderland's" starboard quarter. Five seconds later another -struck the water almost under the cruiser's bows, and a waft of -evil-smelling gas drifted across the navigation bridge, causing -officers and men to cough and gasp for breath. - -The captain tried to give an order, but was unable to utter a sound. -Mutely he signed for the helm to be put hard over. - -Terence understood. Literally groping his way through the thick -vapour, that even in the darkness showed an unmistakable greenish -hue, he found the quartermaster, who was clutching his throat and -struggling for breath. - -Pushing the man aside Aubyn rapidly revolved the steam steering-gear. -Obediently the cruiser swung round, narrowly escaping a high -explosive missile that, had she maintained her course, would have -played havoc with her fo'c'sle. - -All around the "Sunderland" the destroyers were dodging hither and -thither in order to attempt to avoid the hail of bombs that rained -from the sky. It was little short of a miracle that collisions did -not take place, for owing to the darkness, the suffocating fumes from -the missiles, and to the fact that most of the helmsmen were -temporarily blinded and choked, all attempt at formation was out of -the question. - -From the after-bridge of the cruiser a searchlight flashed skywards. -For a few seconds even its powerful rays failed to penetrate the pall -of smoke, till an eddying gust freed the "Sunderland" from the -noxious fumes. - -Then the source of the mysterious missiles was revealed. At a height -of over two thousand feet were a couple of Zeppelins. Taking -advantage of the fact that the attention of the British seaplanes and -destroyers was centred on the fugitive Taubes, these giant airships, -by reason of their altitude, were able to manoeuvre immediately above -the flotilla. - -It was an opportunity too good to be missed, for although the -objective of the Zeppelins was a raid on London--they having decided -upon a circuitous course over Kent and Sussex borders in order to -avoid the air-stations at the Isle of Grain--the chance of raining a -shower of bombs upon the British cruiser and her attendant destroyers -was too tempting. - -For once, at least, the German Admiralty had not been kept well -posted as to the details of armament of the cruisers of the "Town -Class," for the "Sunderland" and her consorts had recently been -equipped with a couple of 12-pounder anti-aircraft guns. These -weapons fired a shell of unique character. Somewhat resembling a -shrapnel, the missile was packed with short lengths of chain and -charged with a high explosive. - -Almost as soon as the Zeppelins were discovered both guns barked -venomously. From the point of view of the observers on the -"Sunderland's" bridge the shells appeared to burst close to the frail -targets. Both airships were observed to pitch violently, while one, -with her nose tilted downwards, began to descend. - -"She's done for!" exclaimed Terence. - -A round of cheering burst from the throats of the crew. It seemed as -if nothing could arrest the seaward plunge of one of the Kaiser's -gas-bags. Not only had her bow compartments been holed but the -nacelle containing the propelling machinery was completely wrecked. - -Both Zeppelins began to throw out ballast with frantic haste. They -also released the whole of their remaining supply of bombs, which -fell with a rapid series of deafening detonations more than half a -mile from the nearest destroyer. - -With the release of the ballast the undamaged Zeppelin shot skywards -until her altitude was not less than ten thousand feet. Comparatively -safe for the time being from the effect of the anti-aircraft shells, -she floated, a mere speck in the concentrated yet diminished glare of -a dozen searchlights, and awaited events. - -Meanwhile, the damaged Zeppelin had checked her plunge, and, in spite -of a hot fire, was slowly rising. By dint of strenuous efforts her -crew succeeded in shifting aft the travelling weight that served to -trim the unwieldy craft. Even then her longitudinal axis was sharply -inclined to the horizontal. - -Everything that could be jettisoned was thrown overboard. Guns, -ammunition, stores, and the metal framework of the wrecked car were -sacrificed, till without being hit by the British guns, she rose to a -terrific height. - -"We've lost her!" exclaimed Oswestry savagely. - -"One thing, she won't trouble us again," added the commander. "And -I'm not so certain that she will get clear. We've wirelessed the -seaplanes, and they'll have a chip in. Hullo! What's the game now?" - -A searchlight flashed from the undamaged Zeppelin and played in -ever-widening circles until it picked up her damaged consort. The -latter was consequently more plainly discernible to the crew of the -"Sunderland" than it had hitherto been, since the distance between -the two airships was less than a thousand yards and was visibly -decreasing. - -"They're going to take her in tow, by Jove!" ejaculated Aubyn, who -had brought his binoculars to play upon the scene. - -Oswestry gave a snort that implied disbelief in his brother-officer's -assertion, but presently he exclaimed:-- - -"Well, blest if you aren't right, old man. And a deuced smart move," -he added, with a true sailor's admiration for a smart manoeuvre, -whether executed by friend or foe. - -"What a chance for our seaplanes!" said the torpedo lieutenant. -"They ought to have been on the spot before this." - -"They're on the way all right, Torps," declared the commander. "I -wouldn't mind betting a month's pay that they've spotted their -quarry. By Jove, they've established communication!" - -The undamaged Zeppelin had circled round her consort and was now -forging gently ahead. An upward jerk of the other's bows announced -that the strain on the towing hawser was beginning to be felt. -Gradually the hitherto uncontrollable airship began to gather way, -both vessels rolling sluggishly in the light air-currents. - -The aerial searchlight had now been switched off, but by means of the -rays directed from the British ships the progress of the two -Zeppelins could be followed as their huge shapes, showing ghost-like -in the silvery light, moved slowly in a north-easterly direction. - -Having resumed their respective stations the cruiser and the -destroyer flotilla followed. Owing to the greatly reduced speed of -the hostile aircraft it was an easy matter to maintain a fixed -relative distance between them and the British vessels, whose -attention was divided between the prospect of an aerial meeting with -seaplanes and the risk of being intercepted by the torpedo of a -German submarine, to say nothing of floating mines. - -"She's cast off!" shouted a dozen voices. - -Such was the case. The two Zeppelins had parted company, one flying -off at a terrific speed, rising rapidly as she did so, while the -other, being without means of propulsion, drifted at the mercy of the -winds. - -It was now dawn. The grey light of morning was already overcoming the -strength of the searchlights and it was already possible to discern -the outlines of the abandoned Zeppelin by the natural light of day. - -Pelting up from the eastward came the air squadron of seaplanes. Half -a dozen circled and started off in pursuit of the fugitive airship, -which, travelling at high speed, was now but a faint speck against -the ruddy sky. - -The rest advanced boldly upon the disabled Zeppelin, although -ignorant of the fact that she had jettisoned her guns, and, save for -a few rifles, was without means of defence. - -The seaplanes' automatic guns spat viciously, and as the range -decreased almost every shot began to tell. The huge fabric once more -began to drop, as the small projectile ripped through the flimsy -aluminium envelope. - -Presently the seaplanes ceased firing and circled triumphantly over -their vanquished foe. They knew that the Zeppelin was doomed, and -instincts of humanity forbade them to take undue advantage of the -plight of her crew. - -"Away, boats!" ordered the "Sunderland's" captain. - -Instantly there was a rush to man the boats and to stand by the -falls. With an alacrity that was part of his nature, Jack Tar -prepared to rescue his enemy, in spite of the fact that that enemy -had sallied forth with the deliberate intention of hurling bombs with -the utmost indiscrimination upon combatants and non-combatants alike, -not excepting helpless women and children. - -Before the boats could be lowered a lurid blaze of light rolled out, -rivalling the rays of the rising sun. Where the Zeppelin had been -only a cloud of flame-tinged smoke remained, while from the -mushroomed pall of vapour that marked a funereal pyre of yet another -unit of the Kaiser's air-fleet, scorched and twisted girders and -other débris streamed seawards. - -Whether by accident or design the only remaining petrol tank had -exploded, and the flames instantly igniting the huge volume of -hydrogen had in the twinkling of an eye completed the work of -destruction. - -For ten minutes the destroyers cruised over the spot where the -débris had disappeared, but there were no signs of survivors, not -even of wreckage. The remains of the Zeppelin had been swallowed up -by the insatiable sea, and no visible trophy remained in the hands of -the men who had baulked an attempted raid on the largest city of the -world. - -Before the flotilla regained Dover Harbour the remaining seaplanes -came in sight. Unfortunately their efforts at pursuit were futile. -The Zeppelin developing a turn of speed far in excess of which she -had been credited by her detractors, had shaken off the British -aircraft, and when last seen she was high over the Belgian coast. - -Nevertheless, her wings had been clipped, although she survived to -tell the tale that the hated English were still able vigorously and -successfully to dispute the mastery of the air. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIX. - -"LIEUTENANT AUBYN, R.N., D.S.O." - - -ON the evening following the return of the "Sunderland" to Dover, -Terence obtained leave to go ashore in order to visit a -brother-officer who, owing to his ship being under repairs, was -temporarily installed in the Lord Warden Hotel. - -Aubyn was proceeding along the Admiralty Pier when his progress was -barred by a tall, bronzed young fellow in the uniform of a -flight-lieutenant of the Naval Air Service. - -"Hullo, Aubyn, old man!" exclaimed the latter cordially, as he -extended his hand. "Forgotten me already?" - -"Waynsford, by Jove!" ejaculated Terence. "Bless you, Dick, I never -expected to see you here and in this rig. What has happened?" - -"Oh, I chucked the Motor Boat Reserve," declared Waynsford. "It was a -bit too dull. They sent me to Southampton, and that was the limit. A -superannuated postman could have done my job, which was delivering -letters to transports. So I applied for the Naval Air Service. It's -more in my line." - -"Been across yet?" asked Terence, indicating the twenty odd mile -strip of water that separated Great Britain from the scene of land -hostilities. - -"Dunkirk twice," replied Waynsford. "Was there when the Germans -started shelling the place. But we're off again early to-morrow -morning." - -"Yes, I heard," said Aubyn. "Big operations. We are to engage the -Zeebrugge and Ostend batteries while the Allied airmen play with the -German lines of communication. So I may see something of you." - -"I hope so--after the fun is over," replied the young airman. "Well, -I must be moving. Early hours and a good night's rest are essential -to this sort of work." - -The two friends parted, Terence making for the hotel, while Waynsford -walked off in the direction of the castle, in which the airmen -detailed for the great raid were temporarily quartered. - -Precisely at one hour before sunrise the first British waterplane -rose from the surface of Dover Harbour. Almost simultaneously an Army -aeroplane "kicked off" from the sloping ground beyond the chalk -cliffs. Each was followed at regular intervals, until a double row of -swift air-craft flying with methodical precision headed towards the -Flanders shore. - -Already the "Sunderland" and three other light cruisers, accompanied -by a torpedo-boat destroyer flotilla, were shaping a course for the -Belgian coast. - -Off the East Goodwins they were joined by two monitors and three -pre-Dreadnought battleships, and the battle line was formed. Away -steamed the destroyers to act as screens to the heavier vessels, and -to guard them from submarine attack. The monitors led the main -division, the cruisers acting as links between them and the -battleships, which, owing to their greater draught, could not -approach the coast nearer than a distance of from four to seven -miles. - -From Aubyn's point of view the forthcoming operations were entirely -new. For the first time in his experience he was to take part in an -action between ships and shore batteries, the latter being both fixed -and mobile. It was a comparatively easy matter to plant shells into -forts the position of which were known, but the Germans had brought -up heavy guns mounted on travelling platforms, which could be moved -with considerable celerity behind the long, low-lying sand dunes -between Nieuport and Zeebrugge. - -It was partly to locate the latter that the airmen had preceded the -bombarding ships, and also to harass the enemy's lines of -communication. Moreover, hostile submarines were reported to have -been brought in sections to Zeebrugge, where they were being bolted -together ready to take the offensive against the British vessels -operating off the Belgian coast. - -The "Sunderland," like her consorts, was already cleared for action. -All the crew were behind the protected portions of the ship, but the -captain and seven of the officers elected to fight the ship not from -the armoured conning-tower but from the fore-bridge. - -"By Jove! They're at it already," exclaimed Oswestry, as a series of -rapid detonations came from across the dunes. - -By the aid of their glasses the officers could discern the fleecy -mushrooms of smoke caused by the bursting of the anti-aerial guns -directed against the British airmen. Viewed from a distance it seemed -impossible that a frail aeroplane could exist amid that tornado of -shell. - -"Wireless reports mobile battery three hundred yards sou'-sou'-east -of Clemskercke church, sir," reported a signalman. - -Promptly the news was transmitted to the fire-control platform. In -his lofty perch a gunnery-lieutenant was busy with a complication of -instruments, assisted by a midshipman and three seamen. - -"Fire-control to for'ard 6-inch gun: stand by!" came the telephonic -order. "Fire-control to port battery stand by." - -Round swung the guns, "laid" by the master hand of the -gunnery-lieutenant on the fire-control platform. Docilely obedient to -the delicate mechanism they reared their muzzles high in the air. - -Then, with a crash that shook the ship, five of the 6-inch guns spoke -simultaneously. To the accompaniment of a long-drawn shriek the -100-pound missiles hurtled through space. - -"Eighty yards short," came the wireless report of the observing -seaplane that, hovering a bare five hundred feet above the German -mobile battery, had marked the point of impact of the shells. - -Again a salvo was let loose. This time came the encouraging statement -that the hostile guns were knocked clean out of action, and that -swarms of artillerymen and infantry were scurrying across the dunes. - -The next discharge practically annihilated the fugitives. In one -minute and twenty-five seconds the "Sunderland's" particular task was -accomplished. It was but the beginning, for acting upon orders from -the flagship she was ordered to engage a battery at close range. - -Meanwhile, the rest of the battleships and cruisers had not been -idle. A perfect tornado of shell was being directed upon the Belgian -shore. - -"Hard aport!" shouted the captain of the "Sunderland." - -Round swung the cruiser, only just avoiding the tell-tale line of -bubbles that marked the track of a torpedo. With consummate daring a -German submarine had dived under a part of the torpedo-boat destroyer -flotilla, and had discharged a weapon at the British cruiser. The -torpedo, having missed the "Sunderland," was tearing straight for one -of the monitors, which, having to go full speed astern to avoid a -collision with a couple of damaged destroyers, was now practically -stationary. - -Owing to the light draught the weapon passed six feet beneath her -keel, and finishing its run rose to the surface three hundred yards -beyond; for, instead of the torpedo sinking at the end of its course, -the Germans, in direct contravention of the laws of naval warfare, -had closed the sinking valve so that the torpedo virtually became a -floating mine. - -In this instance the trick did not avail, for a well-directed shot -from one of the monitor's quick-firers exploded the war-head and sent -the missile into a thousand fragments. - -"A feeble reply," observed Oswestry to Terence. "These fellows seem -afraid to stand to their guns." - -Even as he spoke the air was torn by a terrific salvo of shells from -powerful batteries hitherto well concealed in the dunes. The -"Sunderland," being fairly close, seemed the special mark, for in six -seconds she received as many direct hits. One of her funnels showed a -jagged gash ten feet in length and was only prevented from toppling -overboard by the steel-wire guys. A three-pounder gun, that -fortunately was not manned, was blown completely from its mountings, -while the rest of the shells passed clean through the unprotected -parts of the ship, totally wrecking the ward-room and the stokers' -mess-deck. - -Terence felt a strong desire to make a hasty rush for the shelter of -the conning-tower, for splinters were flying and wafts of pungent -smoke from the hostile shells were drifting over the bridge, but the -sight of his captain standing cool and collected and without a -vestige of protection tended to restore his confidence. - -With unabated fury her guns replied to the German fire. The -"Sunderland" proved that she could receive as well as give hard -knocks. - -It was time to give the almost overheated starboard guns a chance to -cool, so orders were given for the helm to be starboarded. Seeing the -cruiser in the act of turning, a destroyer tore across her bows, -purposely throwing out huge volumes of black smoke from her four -funnels in order to mask the "Sunderland" as she circled. - -Terence recognized the destroyer as his old ship the "Livingstone," -as she darted swiftly round the turning cruiser, then, leaving a -thick pall of smoke in her wake, hastened off to assist another -destroyer that was evidently in difficulties. - -The "Livingstone's" manoeuvre undoubtedly saved the "Sunderland" from -destruction, for a fifty-two centimetre shell, aimed to hit the exact -position where the cruiser would have been had she not altered -course, struck the water with a tremendous splash not fifty yards on -her beam. - -Before the "Sunderland" had drawn clear of the friendly cloud of -smoke she had increased her distance from shore by nearly five -cables' lengths; while, until the German gunners had found the range -anew, she was able to enjoy a brief respite. - -"Seaplanes returning," announced the gunnery-lieutenant on the -fire-control platform, who from his elevated post could command a -wide and almost uninterrupted view. - -Their task done, the seaplanes, which had been engaged in dropping -bombs on the railway stations in the rear of the German batteries, -were on their homeward way. Anxiously Terence counted them. Thank -heaven! Not one was missing. - -Apparently the last but one of the aerial procession was in -difficulties, for the seaplane was rocking violently, and in spite of -a dangerous tilt of the elevating planes was appreciably descending. - -Suddenly the frail craft plunged, literally on end, towards the sea, -the force of gravity, acting with the pull of the propeller, greatly -increasing its velocity. - -When within two hundred feet of the surface the seaplane made a -complete loop, then after climbing a hundred feet or so, began to -side-slip. - -"By Jove! He'll be drowned for a dead cert," exclaimed Terence, for -he knew for a fact that the aviator had not been thrown from the -chassis when the seaplane "looped the loop," and in consequence must -be strapped to his seat. - -"Away sea-boat," ordered the captain, at the same time giving -directions for both engines to be reversed. - -The "Sunderland" was considerably the nearest warship to the -descending airman. Already the "Livingstone" and her two sister-ship -destroyers were a mile or so away, and wearing at full speed to -investigate a suspicious swirl in the water. - -Shells were again dropping unpleasantly near to the cruiser as Aubyn -hurried towards the boat which was, owing to being cleared for -action, secured inboard, abreast the after funnel. - -Before he reached this spot the seaplane had struck the surface of -the water. Falling obliquely and at a sharp angle, the impact had -shattered one of the floats. When the cascade of spray had subsided -the wrecked craft could be seen still afloat but listing acutely. The -aviator had survived the shock and was hurriedly unbuckling the strap -that held him to his seat. - -"Boat's done for, sir," announced one of the would-be crew. Such was -the case. The explosion of a shell had wrenched her keel and -garboards out of her. - -"Then overboard with that!" ordered Terence, indicating a Carley -life-buoy, which, though scorched by the blast of the shells, was -still practically intact. - -The Carley life-buoy is a "new departure" in life-saving appliances -on board ships of the Royal Navy. It is a glorified edition of an -ordinary buoy, but elongated in shape and provided with gratings, and -capable of being propelled by oars. - -Half a dozen bluejackets seized the huge buoy and slung it overboard. -Held by means of a line it floated alongside the cruiser until -Terence and three men clambered into it. - -Although the rate of propulsion was not by any means so rapid as that -of a boat the progress of the rescuers was far from slow. More than -once they were splashed by the spray thrown up by a ricochetting -projectile, as the German gunlayers were gradually correcting their -aim, yet unscathed the rescue party came alongside the gradually -sinking seaplane. - -"Hullo, Aubyn!" shouted a well-known voice. - -The airman was Waynsford. In his pneumatic helmet and huge goggles he -was unrecognizable, but his voice proclaimed his identity. - -"Hurt, old man?" asked Terence. - -"Not a bit," replied Waynsford coolly. "They clipped a couple of -stays just as I was getting out of range. But we did the trick, by -Jove! Blew the railway station to Jericho." - -"Hurry up," interposed Terence. "She's going." - -The young airman methodically gathered together several important -instruments, and giving a final look round at the aircraft that had -served him so faithfully, stepped into the waiting "Carley." - -Before the men had pulled five yards the wrecked machine gave a lurch -and capsized completely. Supported by trapped air in the partially -intact float the seaplane sank slowly, and with hardly a ripple -disappeared from view. - -With the least possible delay rescuers and rescued were taken on -board the cruiser. Gathering way the "Sunderland" steamed in a -westerly direction in order to baffle the range of the shore -batteries, using her after guns with terrific speed. - -Somewhat unceremoniously leaving his friend Terence hastened towards -the bridge. Just as he was abreast of the wreckage of the shattered -funnel a deafening detonation, that completely surpassed the roar of -the cruiser's guns, seemed to burst over his head. Staggering under -the blast of the explosion and temporarily blinded by the pungent -smoke, the lieutenant groped his way until his progress was checked -by a jagged mass of plating rendered almost red-hot by the impact of -a huge shell. - -Recoiling, he stood stock still for quite thirty seconds, his senses -numbed by the nerve-racking concussion. Then, as the smoke drifted -away, he could discern the débris of the bridge. Charthouse, -stanchions, semaphore, signal-lockers--all had vanished, and with -them the captain and those of the officers and men who had dared fate -by rejecting the shelter afforded by the conning-tower, which, -stripped of its surroundings, stood out a gaunt, fire-pitted steel -box. - -The shell, a 42-centimetre, had literally cleared the forepart of the -ship, from the for'ard 6-inch gun to the second funnel. Everything in -its path had been literally pulverized, with the exception of the -conning-tower. Had the projectile burst on or below the main deck the -fate of the "Sunderland" would have been sealed; as it was, she was -still intact under the waterline. - -Instinctively Aubyn realized that the ship was not under control. -Steaming rapidly she was heading towards the "Bradford"--her sister -ship--which was steering in a north-easterly direction at about five -cables' distance on her port bow. - -With a tremendous effort of will-power Terence cleared at a bound the -formidable glowing plate of metal that obstructed his path. Making -his way across the scorched and splintered planks, some of which gave -under his weight, he reached the entrance to the conning-tower. - -The steel citadel was full of acrid-smelling smoke that eddied in the -air-currents which drifted in through the observation slits. - -Bending, and holding his left hand over his mouth and nostrils, -Terence entered. As he did so he stumbled over the body of the -quartermaster. - -Propped against the circular walls were the first lieutenant and two -seamen. All the occupants of the conning-tower had been overcome by -the noxious fumes from the highly-charged projectile. - -Gasping for fresh air Terence flung himself upon the steam-steering -gear and put the helm hard over. A glimpse through one of the slits -revealed the fact that the cruiser was answering to her helm. Yet so -narrowly had a collision been averted that the "Sunderland's" -starboard side was within twenty feet of the "Bradford's" port -quarter as the two vessels swung apart. - -The guns were now silent, for with the destruction of the foremast -the fire-control platform and its occupants had been swept out of -existence. The cruiser was temporarily out of action. - -Terence was beginning to feel dizzy and faint. Why, he knew not. -Perhaps it was the pungent fumes. Leaning over the mouthpiece of the -speaking tube he ordered a couple of quartermasters to be sent to the -conning-tower. He could hardly recognize the sound of his own voice. -It seemed miles away. - -Again he looked ahead. The cruiser was still drawing further and -further out of range. Having satisfied himself on that score and that -there was no fresh danger of colliding with any of the rest of the -fleet, he staggered into the open air and leaned heavily against the -outer wall of the conning-tower, He was barely conscious that the -metal was still hot. - -Up came the quartermasters. At their heels was a sub-lieutenant, his -face grimed with smoke and his uniform torn. - -"Take over, Garboard," ordered the lieutenant brokenly. "Report to -the flagship and ask instructions. I'm feeling deucedly queer." - -"Why, you're wounded!" exclaimed the sub-lieutenant, noticing a dark -and increasing patch upon Aubyn's coat. - -"Am I?" asked Terence incredulously. - -Turning his head to ascertain the nature of his injury, of which -hitherto he was unconscious, his shoulder slipped along the curved -steel wall. Garboard was only just in time to save him from -collapsing inertly upon the deck of the ship he had brought safely -out of action. - - - -"Congratulations, old man. You'll have to get your tailor to make -some alteration in your uniform." - -"What do you mean?" asked Terence. - -Two months had elapsed since the day on which Lieutenant Aubyn had -received a dangerous wound in his right side in the fight off Ostend. - -He was sitting in the grounds of the Royal Naval Hospital at Chatham, -having made a fairly rapid recovery. - -The officer who offered his congratulations was Oswestry, the -torpedo-lieutenant of the "Sunderland," who was also a convalescent, -having managed to intercept a flying fragment of metal during the -momentous engagement. - -"Torps" flourished a newspaper with his left hand, for his right arm -was in a sling. - -"Stop press--Latest news and appointments," he read. "The Admiralty -has approved of the following transfer. From R.N.R. to R.N.: -Lieutenant Terence Aubyn, to date 3rd of June, 1915." - -For a moment Terence looked incredulously at the torpedo-lieutenant. -"Torps," he knew, was fond of a practical joke, but if he were -playing a prank it was carrying the game a little too far. - -"Here you are," continued Oswestry, noting the expression on -Terence's face. "Read it for yourself." - -"It's worth getting this," said Aubyn, indicating the position of his -wound. "All I want now is to be afloat again." - -"Young fire-eater!" exclaimed "Torps" facetiously. "Don't you -worry--you'll have a look-in before The Day comes. By Jove, Aubyn, -you'll have to ask the surgeon if he'll allow you to hold a -fête----" - -The crunching of boots upon the gravel path caused both officers to -turn. Standing at attention was a Marine orderly; behind him a -telegraph boy. - -"Congratulations pouring in already," remarked "Torps." - -Terence took the buff envelope and opened it. - -"Great Scott!" he exclaimed brokenly, and without another word he -handed the telegram to his companion. - -"It never rains but it pours," quoted "Torps." "You'll attain -Flag-rank in another fifteen years, mark my words. Lieutenant Aubyn, -D.S.O." - -The "wire" was a private tip from a personal friend at the Admiralty, -informing Terence that His Majesty had been graciously pleased to -bestow upon him the Distinguished Service Order for gallantry in -bringing H.M.S. "Sunderland" out of action during operations off the -Belgian coast. - -"Torps" was not far short of the mark, for a D.S.O. almost invariably -means a rapid promotion to the fortunate and heroic recipient. - -"Flag-rank," echoed Terence. "There's plenty of time for that. -Meanwhile, that's where duty calls," and with a wave of his hand he -indicated the distant North Sea, on which the supreme contest for the -supremacy of the waves will prove that the heritage of Nelson is -still worthily upheld by Britannia's sons. - - - - -ABERDEEN: THE UNIVERSITY PRESS - - - - - [Transcriber's Notes: - - This book contains a number of misprints. - The following misprints have been corrected: - - [the prisoner nonchalently.] -> [the prisoner nonchalantly.] - [to commuicate with wireless] -> [to communicate with wireless] - [was calculated to be from] -> [was calculated to be seen from] - [of what had occured,] -> [of what had occurred,] - [hostilites as a godsend] -> [hostilities as a godsend] - [a courtesey that the captain] -> [a courtesy that the captain] - [its horribly slippery] -> [it's horribly slippery] - [the concusion had caused] -> [the concussion had caused] - [with the laudible intention] -> [with the laudable intention] - [he crosssd the line] -> [he crossed the line] - [a stragetic point of view] -> [a strategic point of view] - [the faintest attenion to] -> [the faintest attention to] - - A few cases of punctuation errors were corrected, but are not - mentioned here. - - A list of illustrations has been added. - ] - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's A Sub. of the R.N.R., by Percy F. 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Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search -facility: www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. - diff --git a/old/50578-0.zip b/old/50578-0.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 158d46e..0000000 --- a/old/50578-0.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/50578-h.zip b/old/50578-h.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index a912c03..0000000 --- a/old/50578-h.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/50578-h/50578-h.htm b/old/50578-h/50578-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index ca49830..0000000 --- a/old/50578-h/50578-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,11280 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> -<html> -<head> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1"> - <title>A SUB. OF THE R.N.R.</title> - - <style type="text/css"> - - BODY {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%} - - p {text-indent: 2%} - - .p_no_indent {display: block; - margin-top: 0.5em; - margin-bottom: 0.5em; - margin-left: 0; - margin-right: 0;} - - sup { - vertical-align: super; - font-size: 50%; - } - - sub { - vertical-align: sub; - font-size: 50%; - } - - body {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} - - .standard {font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal;} - - .indent02 {margin-left: 2%; margin-right: 10%;} - .indent10 {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} - .indent20 {margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 10%;} - .indent30 {margin-left: 30%; margin-right: 10%;} - .indent50 {margin-left: 50%; margin-right: 10%;} - .indent60 {margin-left: 60%; margin-right: 10%;} - - .fontsize80 {font-size: 80%;} - .fontsize60 {font-size: 60%;} - .fontsize133 {font-size: 133%;} - - /* for big and small caps on one line. Usable as class in a 'span' tag around text or in the 'p'/tag */ - .smallcaps {font-variant: small-caps;} - - /* use for Transribers Notes and such */ - .notebox {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; margin-top: 5%; margin-bottom: 5%; padding: 1em; border: solid black 1px;} - - </style> - - -</head> -<body> - - -<pre> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of A Sub. of the R.N.R., by Percy F. Westerman - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world 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. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - -Title: A Sub. of the R.N.R. - A Story of the Great War - -Author: Percy F. Westerman - -Illustrator: W.E. Wigfull - -Release Date: November 30, 2015 [EBook #50578] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A SUB. OF THE R.N.R. *** - - - - -Produced by R.G.P.M. van Giesen - - - - - -</pre> - - -<a name="cover"></a> -<center><img src="images/01_cover.jpg" alt="Image: 01_cover.jpg" style="width:100%; height:auto; max-width:600px;"></center> -<center>[Illustration: cover art]</center> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<center><h2>A SUB. OF THE R.N.R.</h2></center> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> - - -<br> -<br> -<center> -<a name="02_crash"></a> -<img src="images/02_crash.jpg" alt="Image: 02_crash.jpg"></center> -<center>["Crash! went the anti-aircraft gun, and the -projectile, bursting almost in front of the bows, gave her a mortal -blow."]</center> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<center> -<h1>A SUB. OF THE R.N.R.</h1> - -<h2><i>A STORY OF THE GREAT WAR</i></h2> -<br> -<br> -BY -<br> -<h3>PERCY F. WESTERMAN</h3> -<h5>AUTHOR OF "THE RIVAL SUBMARINES," "THE DREADNOUGHT OF THE AIR" -<br>ETC., ETC. -</h5> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br><i>ILLUSTRATED BY W. E. WIGFULL</i> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br>LONDON -<br>S. W. PARTRIDGE & CO., LTD. -<br>OLD BAILEY -</center> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h3 align="center">CONTENTS.</h3> -<table align="center" width="80%" summary="contents"> - -<tbody><tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">CHAPTER</td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> </td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">I. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a class="smallcaps" href="#chapter01">Foul Play in the Engine-room</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">II. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a class="smallcaps" href="#chapter02">On the Scent</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">III. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a class="smallcaps" href="#chapter03">The Declaration of War</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">IV. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a class="smallcaps" href="#chapter04">A Double Arrest</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">V. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a class="smallcaps" href="#chapter05">Boarded</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">VI. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a class="smallcaps" href="#chapter06">An Ocean Duel</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">VII. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a class="smallcaps" href="#chapter07">Von Eckenhardt Scores</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">VIII. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a class="smallcaps" href="#chapter08">The Dutch Trawler</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">IX. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a class="smallcaps" href="#chapter09">The Secret Wireless</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">X. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a class="smallcaps" href="#chapter10">H.M.S. "Strongbow" Sails</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">XI. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a class="smallcaps" href="#chapter11">All in a Day's Work</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">XII. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a class="smallcaps" href="#chapter12">Mined</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">XIII. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a class="smallcaps" href="#chapter13">The Raid on Scarborough</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">XIV. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a class="smallcaps"href="#chapter14">The End of the "Terrier"</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">XV. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a class="smallcaps" href="#chapter15">Vice Versâ</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">XVI. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a class="smallcaps" href="#chapter16">The Flooring of Mr. McNab</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">XVII. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a class="smallcaps" href="#chapter17">The End of the "Bluecher"</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">XVIII. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a class="smallcaps" href="#chapter18">Derelicts</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">XIX. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a class="smallcaps" href="#chapter19">The Submarine Scores</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">XX. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a class="smallcaps" href="#chapter20">A Duel with a Zeppelin</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">XXI. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a class="smallcaps" href="#chapter21">The Last of the "Syntax"</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">XXII. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a class="smallcaps" href="#chapter22">The Tables Turned</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">XXIII. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a class="smallcaps" href="#chapter23">The Struggle in the Cutting</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">XXIV. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a class="smallcaps" href="#chapter24">The "Strongbow's" Prize</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">XXV. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a class="smallcaps" href="#chapter25">The Wreck</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">XXVI. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a class="smallcaps" href="#chapter26">"The Price of Admiralty"</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">XXVII. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a class="smallcaps" href="#chapter27">"Mephisto" and the Submarine</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">XXVIII. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a class="smallcaps" href="#chapter28">The Foiled Air Raid</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">XXIX. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a class="smallcaps" href="#chapter29">"Lieutenant Aubyn, R.N., D.S.O."</a></td> -</tr> - -</tbody></table> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> - -<center> -<table style="padding: 2em;" summary="illustrations"> - <thead> - <tr> - <th>ILLUSTRATIONS</th> - </tr> - </thead> - <tbody> - <tr><td></td></tr> - <tr><td><br></td></tr> - <tr><td><a href="#02_crash">"Crash! went the anti-aircraft gun, and the - projectile, bursting almost in front of the bows, gave her a mortal - blow."</a></td></tr> - <tr><td><br></td></tr> - <tr><td><a href="#03_machinery">"Both men dropped over the edge immediately above the - ponderous machinery."</a></td></tr> - <tr><td><br></td></tr> - <tr><td><a href="#04_aim">"Taking a quick yet steady aim, the Sub. pressed the - trigger."</a></td></tr> - <tr><td><br></td></tr> - <tr><td><a href="#05_help">"'Don't move just yet,' said the Sub. 'I'll help you - both very soon.'"</a></td></tr> - <tr><td><br></td></tr> - <tr><td><a href="#06_hurrah">"'She's one of ours!' exclaimed Stairs. 'Hurrah! we're - saved.'"</a></td></tr> - <tr><td><br></td></tr> - <tr><td><a href="#07_strain">"The strain on the hemp aided his efforts."</a></td></tr> - - </tbody> -</table> -</center> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<center><h2>A SUB. OF THE R.N.R.</h2></center> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<a name="chapter01"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER I</h3> - -<h4 align="center">FOUL PLAY IN THE ENGINE-ROOM.</h4> - - -<p><span class="smallcaps">"Well,</span> Mr. McBride?"</p> - -<p>"It's verra far from weel, sir," replied Jock McBride, chief engineer -of the SS. "Saraband." Captain Ramshaw folded his arms and waited. He -knew that it was practically a matter of impossibility to urge the -rugged Scottish engineer beyond his usual gait. McBride could and did -work at high pressure, but when it came to making a report he was as -slow and stolid as the proverbial obstinate mule.</p> - -<p>The SS. "Saraband," 5260 tons, intermediate boat of the Red Band -Line, had developed engine troubles shortly after leaving Cape Town. -In spite of the assiduous care and attention of the staff the fault -developed. Two hundred miles from Las Palmas the breakdown reached a -climax. Wallowing like a porpoise the steamer lay helpless in the -trough of the Atlantic rollers.</p> - -<p>"Ye ken ye tauld me to do three things, sir," resumed McBride. -"Firstly, to discover the fault, secondly, to remedy it, an' lastly, -to prevent it from occurring again? We'll take case the furrst: here -'tis."</p> - -<p>The chief engineer extended a black greasy hand. In the outstretched -palm was an oily mass of metal chippings.</p> - -<p>"This is a sample from the high-pressure slide valves. They're badly -scored. It's nae fair play, for as sure as ma name's Jock McBride, -this muck has been put in the gear deliberately. I'll hae ye to ken -that both port and starboard engines are damaged."</p> - -<p>"While we were in Table Bay?"</p> - -<p>"Of course, sir, when we took down the high-pressure cylinders."</p> - -<p>"The work was performed by our own staff?"</p> - -<p>"Aye, wurrst luck, by one of our ain people."</p> - -<p>McBride's lean, tanned face was purple with ill-suppressed anger. -"If I could discover the mon I'd not wait for the law to wurrk its -course; I'd lay him oot an' stand the consequences. The remedy, sir, -is simple, but 'tis the prevention that troubles me. If it is done -wance, 'twill most likely occur again—unless I lay my hand on the -mon."</p> - -<p>"How many of the staff know of this?" asked Captain Ramshaw, pointing -to the steel filings.</p> - -<p>"Only Meester Raeburn, sir, and he's as guid a lad as ever I hope to -have under me. It was he who removed the stuff an' showed it me."</p> - -<p>"Then caution him to keep his mouth shut on the business, Mr. -McBride. When can you promise to have steam raised?"</p> - -<p>"A matter of twa' hours after we've re-assembled the high-pressure -slide valves and the auxiliary starting valves, sir."</p> - -<p>"Very good, Mr. McBride, that will do."</p> - -<p>The chief engineer saluted and hurried off to the engine-room, while -Captain Ramshaw made his way to the bridge, which was in charge of -Chief Officer Lymore and the fourth officer, Terence Aubyn.</p> - -<p>Mr. Lymore, a short, broad-shouldered, powerfully built man, looked -inquiringly at his superior officer as the skipper mounted the -bridge.</p> - -<p>"McBride's found the cause of the mischief, Mr. Lymore," announced -Captain Ramshaw. "I do not want either you or Mr. Aubyn to mention -the matter to any of the passengers and crew, and Mr. McBride has -undertaken to conceal the knowledge from his staff with the exception -of Mr. Raeburn. I think the secret can be safely trusted with those -whose names I've mentioned."</p> - -<p>"You can rely upon us, sir," said the chief officer, and Terence -Aubyn touched his cap in acquiescence.</p> - -<p>"There's underhand work somewhere," continued the "old man." "McBride -informs me that metal scrap has been surreptitiously placed in the -high-pressure cylinders, and that it must have been done while the -engines were being overhauled at Cape Town. As we had no outside -help, the culprit or culprits must have been one of our own men."</p> - -<p>"For what reason, do you suppose, sir?"</p> - -<p>"That I cannot say. The engineers are, I think, absolutely -trustworthy. The firemen are apparently contented. They are paid at -rates considerably higher than those demanded by their Union. They -have no cause to be affected by labour troubles. And yet some one has -deliberately attempted to delay the ship by maliciously tampering -with the engines.</p> - -<p>"Will it be a long job, sir?" asked Lymore.</p> - -<p>"I think not. One blessing, the sea's fairly calm and the passengers -don't appear to be unduly anxious. There is now no necessity to send -a call for assistance. You might go to the wireless-room, Mr. Aubyn, -and tell the operator to inform our agents that the repairs are well -in hand, and that we hope to arrive at Las Palmas by daybreak -to-morrow."</p> - -<p>Terence Aubyn saluted and hurried off. Keen on his work he realized -the desirability of executing all orders "at the double." Alacrity -afloat, he knew, is a sure password for success, and already he had -the reputation of being a smart young officer.</p> - -<p>He was barely twenty-two years of age, tall, slimly built yet -well-proportioned. His complexion was normally fresh, but constant -exposure to a tropical sun and the stinging salt spray of the -Atlantic had tanned his skin to a rich deep red. His dark brown hair, -in spite of being closely cut, showed a decided tendency to wave. His -eyes were rather deep set and of a greyish hue, and were surrounded -by a pair of regularly curved eyebrows. The depth of his forehead -indicated a sound judgment, while his powerful square jaw betokened a -firmness almost bordering on obstinacy.</p> - -<p>Terence Aubyn had from his earliest days a strong and passionate love -of the sea. He came of an old naval family. For generations back the -Aubyns had served their sovereign worthily as officers in the Royal -Navy, and Terence fondly hoped to tread the quarter deck of a British -battleship as a fully commissioned naval officer.</p> - -<p>But hitherto the fates had not been kind to the lad.</p> - -<p>While he was still a lieutenant Terence's father had to retire, owing -to ill-health. His disability pension was absolutely insufficient for -him to hope to send his son to Osborne. Two years later Mr. Aubyn -died, leaving Terence, then a promising youth of fourteen, to make -his own way in the world.</p> - -<p>The lad had plenty of grit. He was determined to go to sea, although -the immediate prospect of service under the White Ensign seemed to be -very remote. There was a way—the hitherto somewhat despised "back -door" method via the Red and Blue ensigns; and although he could not -hope to be anything more than a Royal Naval Reserve officer, the -chance of serving as such in a British man-of-war slowly but surely -changed from a shadow to a substance.</p> - -<p>So Terence offered himself at the "Red Band" Line offices as an -apprentice and was accepted. Perhaps it was a mistake. It might have -been better for him to have served part of his apprenticeship in a -sailing vessel. Be that as it may his application and activity gained -him the good opinion of the various masters under whom he served, and -with flying colours he obtained his Mate's and First Mate's -certificates.</p> - -<p>Two years later, having secured his "Master's Ticket," he was -appointed to SS. "Saraband." The way was now clear for him to apply -for a sub-lieutenancy in the Royal Naval Reserve, for, although only -fourth officer, the ship exceeded 5000 tons; otherwise he would have -to wait until he was advanced another grade in mercantile rank. At -the end of the present voyage he hoped to put in his first -twenty-eight days training on board a battleship or cruiser.</p> - -<p>The "Saraband," though by no means a crack liner, was a fairly swift -boat. Built before the days of turbine engines she could even now -develop nineteen knots. She was homeward bound, carrying thirty -first-class passengers, seventy second-class, and a hundred and -seventy "steerage." In addition to a heavy cargo, specie and bullion -to the value of a quarter of a million was locked up in her -strong-room.</p> - -<p>Almost as soon as the "Saraband" cleared Table Bay trouble developed -in her engines. Unaccountably the bearings of the main shafting -became badly overheated, then a peculiar grinding noise, so foreign -to the smoothly purring engines that were the pride and delight of -Chief Engineer McBride, became apparent. Finally, to prevent a -complete breakdown, the "Saraband" was stopped in mid-ocean while -McBride and his staff ascertained and rectified the damage.</p> - -<p>The old Scotsman was right. Some one had maliciously tampered with -the machinery—but for what purpose?</p> - -<p>The fourth officer made his way to the wireless-room and knocked at -the door. He was answered by Wilcox, the second operator. A glimpse -into the room revealed Grant, the senior man, seated at a table with -the receivers clipped to his ears.</p> - -<p>"Anything special?" asked Aubyn casually, after he had delivered the -"old man's" instructions.</p> - -<p>"Slightly," drawled Wilcox. He invariably drawled, no matter the -importance of whatever he was about to convey. "Message just come -through. Germany has declared war on Russia and has invaded French -territory."</p> - -<p>"By Jove! That sounds exciting," commented Aubyn.</p> - -<p>"Perhaps," rejoined the wireless operator. "For one thing it will -give the ship's newspaper a friendly lead. There's been precious -little in it for the last three days. I'm just sending out the -notices," and he held up a sheaf of duplicated papers for -distribution in various parts of the ship. "Would you mind taking -them to the bridge."</p> - -<p>In five minutes the news had spread all over the "Saraband." The -hitherto lethargic passengers developed intense excitement, and great -was the speculation as to when the trouble would end.</p> - -<p>"A jolly good thing for us," observed one of the first-class -passengers, as Terence passed along the promenade deck. "It will -spoil Germany's trade for a while, and we can collar the lot while -her hands are full."</p> - -<p>"Unless we are drawn in," remarked another.</p> - -<p>"Rot!" ejaculated the first contemptuously. "The Government would -never allow it. Take my word for it: we'll adopt the same attitude as -we did in '70—strict neutrality and make as much as we can out of -all the belligerents. The idea of war between Great Britain and -Germany is preposterous."</p> - -<p>The fourth officer passed on. Much as he would have liked to hear the -continuation of the argument he was unable to delay returning to his -post.</p> - -<p>Shortly after Aubyn's arrival on the bridge, a large German liner, -the "Hertzolf," bore down upon the "Saraband." She had some time -previously picked up the British vessel's wireless reports of her -disabled condition, and in spite of Captain Ramshaw's refusal to -accept assistance, had steamed out of her course to investigate.</p> - -<p>After receiving reiterated assurances that the work of repairing the -machinery was well in hand, the "Hertzolf" inquired how long the task -would take.</p> - -<p>"Tell them we are almost ready to get up steam," ordered the "old -man," somewhat nettled. "Thank them for their inquiries, and say -that we will not detain them longer."</p> - -<p>Five minutes later the "Hertzolfs" propellers began to churn the -water. Gathering way she dipped her red, white, and black ensign, a -compliment that the "Saraband" promptly returned. This done she -shaped a course to the sou'-west and was soon hull-down.</p> - -<p>"Too jolly inquisitive for my liking," muttered Captain Ramshaw. "I -wish to goodness old McBride would get his job finished." He moved -towards the telephone communicating with the engine-room, then, -abruptly wheeling:—</p> - -<p>"Mr. Aubyn," he exclaimed. "Present my compliments to the chief -engineer, and ask him if he can give me any definite information as -to when he will be able to raise steam."</p> - -<br> -<a name="chapter02"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER II.</h3> - -<h4 align="center">ON THE SCENT.</h4> - -<p><span class="smallcaps">Fourth</span> Officer Aubyn knew that it was for no ordinary purpose that he -had been sent with a message to the chief engineer. It was most -unusual for a deck-officer to have to go to the engine-room on duty. -There was something beyond a normal anxiety to know when the ship -would be able to raise steam that caused Captain Ramshaw to make an -inquiry from the bridge without using the telephone.</p> - -<p>It was a diplomatic stroke on the part of the "old man." He knew by -experience that McBride could be easily led, while on the other hand -the dour old Scotsman would not be driven. It was not a case of -preferential treatment in the case of the chief engineer. Captain -Ramshaw invariably treated all his subordinates alike, giving his -orders in a bland, courteous manner that rarely failed to produce an -instant response on the part of those with whom he had to come in -contact. Yet from the chief officer down to the pantry-boy no one on -board would dare to take undue advantage of the skipper's courtesy. -Woe betide the unlucky man to whom Captain Ramshaw had to give the -same order twice. There had been instances, but not on board the SS. -"Saraband." The good understanding between the captain, officers, and -crew made her the counterpart of a "happy ship" in the Royal Navy.</p> - -<p>But now, for the first time on record during Captain Ramshaw's -command, a dirty piece of work had been done on board—seemingly -unaccountably. Some one in the engine-room had committed a dastardly -crime. Captain Ramshaw would not rest until the culprit had been -spotted; for with the safety of the ship, passengers, crew, and -cargo, and in the interests of the owners, it was absolutely -necessary to discover the identity of the offender.</p> - -<p>Terence opened the door of the engine-room and paused. Between the -bars of the "fidley" wafts of hot air and steam, mingled with the -nauseating odours of burning oil, eddied upwards. At his feet gaped a -vague, ill-lighted cavern, the only approach to which was by means of -a series of short, shining steel ladders.</p> - -<p>As his eyes grew accustomed to the semi-gloom the outlines of the -gleaming masses of intricate machinery became apparent; a bewildering -array of polished steel, copper, and brass. A subdued roar, mingled -with the clatter of drills and tapping of hammers and men's voices -shouting peremptory orders came from the metal cavern. The auxiliary -engines, for supplying power to the derricks and for lighting -purposes, were fortunately intact.</p> - -<p>It was new ground to Terence Aubyn, and hardly a place where "white -ducks" could be considered <i>de rigeur</i>. Grasping the hand-rail he -descended cautiously till his feet came in contact with the slippery -iron gangway by the side of the now motionless piston-heads. At the -extremity of the platform, confronted by a number of indicators, the -senior engineers on duty were generally to be found; but McBride was -not there.</p> - -<p>Another length of vertical ladder had to be negotiated, with -seemingly little space for the descending man between the rungs and a -complication of gleaming copper pipes that threatened to hit him in -the back. To add to Aubyn's discomfort, the motion of the vessel in -the trough of the sullen rollers was unpleasantly noticeable. On deck -he revelled in the undulating movement. In the stuffy engine-room it -was very different.</p> - -<p>"A proper death-trap if anything goes wrong," thought he. "Thank -goodness I'm a deck-officer."</p> - -<p>Terence had to descend three more lengths of ladder before he reached -the plates of the engine-bed. Here there were men in swarms, for the -most part greasers in dungaree suits. Amongst them Aubyn spotted -Kenneth Raeburn, looking very different from his spruce appearance in -the engineers' mess or when he went ashore.</p> - -<p>Raeburn and Aubyn were good pals. Whenever, between the intervals of -stowing and unloading the cargo in the holds, Terence was able to get -ashore, they generally contrived to be in each other's company.</p> - -<p>The third engineer was generally voted "a decent sort" by his -messmates. His case was very similar to that of Terence Aubyn; for he -had been intended for the Royal Navy until a drastic modification of -the regulations, whereby cadets had eventually to specialize in -marine engineering, had put him out of the running. He, too, held a -commission in the Royal Naval Reserve, and in the natural buoyancy of -his spirits, Kenneth Raeburn often hoped for the time when Great -Britain and Germany were to measure their strength for the supremacy -of the sea. Then, he realized, would be the chance for mercantile -officers in the R.N.R. to prove their worth as effective assistants -to their comrades of the Royal Navy.</p> - -<p>"Looking for McBride?" repeated Raeburn. "He's down the tunnel. The -main-shaft bearings are seized up. Beastly job. You won't be able to -get to him, old chap."</p> - -<p>"I must," said Terence firmly.</p> - -<p>"At the expense of your uniform then. I'll find him. Follow me."</p> - -<p>At the head of the next ladder Raeburn paused.</p> - -<p>"I think I've spotted the rascal," he announced. "Keep behind me. -When I drop a spanner, have a look at the fellow we're passing. I'll -tell you more later on."</p> - -<p>Along the electrically lighted platform the two young officers made -their way, frequently stepping over the prostrate bodies of greasers -who were tackling an intricate job under the supervision of the -second engineer.</p> - -<p>With a clatter the spanner dropped on the metal floor within a few -inches of a tall, broad-shouldered, fair-haired man, dressed like his -companions in a very dirty boiler suit. The fellow was lying on his -side with his hands above his face as he secured an -intricately-placed hexagonal nut. Hearing the clatter he turned his -head, stifled an imprecation, and grasping the spanner, held it at -arm's length for Raeburn to take.</p> - -<p>Aubyn glanced at the man's face. Although outwardly a casual look he -marked the fellow's features. He was convinced that he had not seen -him before, but that was not to be wondered at, as there is no -necessity for the deck-officers to know the greasers and firemen -individually as in the case of the deckhands. Nevertheless, he felt -certain that he would know the man again.</p> - -<p>"Hang on a few moments," bawled Raeburn, for the noise in this -quarter was deafening. He vanished, leaving Terence in his -unaccustomed and distasteful surroundings while he went to find his -chief.</p> - -<p>Presently McBride appeared, dirty, smothered in oil and perspiring -like the proverbial bull. The chief engineer was one of those -officers who was not content with mere supervision. When work of an -urgent nature, such as the present, was at hand, he tackled it -methodically and deliberately.</p> - -<p>"Ma compliments to Captain Ramshaw," said McBride, when Terence had -delivered his message, "but I'll nae commit mesel'. The wurrk is -takin' longer than I anticipated, and we're doin' double shifts to -set things aright. Gie' him to onderstan' that directly we are able -to raise steam, steam will be raised, but not before."</p> - -<p>"Haven't you any idea?" asked Aubyn.</p> - -<p>"Nay, I'll nae commit mesel'," reiterated the chief engineer, and -without another word he hastened back to his cramped quarters in the -tunnel of the starboard main shafting.</p> - -<p>Raeburn followed his chum to the engine-room door.</p> - -<p>"Look me up at seven bells to-night," he said. "We'll do a little -amateur detective business. That greaser I pointed out is new to the -ship. Joined us at Southampton. There's nothing out of the ordinary -about that, but on one or two nights I've noticed him talking to a -second-class passenger. On the first occasion I stumbled upon them by -accident, and they shut up like oysters. Then when the trouble -developed, I remarked this somewhat unusual meeting and kept a watch. -At the same hour these two met, and the passenger handed our man a -small packet of something. It might have been tobacco, of course; but -curiously enough we've discovered the cause of the bearings of the -two main shafts seizing and getting almost red-hot. There were -phosphor-bronze filings in the drip lubricators. Now, it's a -remarkable thing that it was part of this greaser's duties—Stone is -his name, by the by—to attend to the lubrication of these bearings; -and I'll swear he couldn't get hold of phosphor-bronze filings from -the engineers' stores. So I want you to keep a lookout on the -passenger; I don't know his name, but if you see them you can easily -find that out."</p> - -<p>"Why not inform McBride?" asked Terence.</p> - -<p>"When I have proof," replied Raeburn. "So look out for me at seven -bells."</p> - -<p>The fourth officer returned to the bridge and reported the result of -his brief interview.</p> - -<p>"Very good, Mr. Aubyn," was Captain Ramshaw's only comment.</p> - -<p>The "old man" was disappointed but not nettled by McBride's message. -H e had great faith in the old Scotsman, and only sheer anxiety had -prompted him to obtain a report of the progress of operations from -the chief engineer. There was nothing to do but to wait patiently.</p> - -<p>The rest of the day passed almost without incident, except that -Grant, the wireless operator, reported a partial "jamming" of the -aerial waves. Messages were received in a very disjointed form, and -in spite of the fact that Grant requested the unknown disturber to -release the "jamb," owing to the receipt of unintelligible reports, -his efforts were in vain. Some vessels on shore-stations using a -differently "tuned" installation were literally holding the air. The -curious part of the business was that the "Saraband" received several -messages in which the words "neutrality of Belgium" figured largely, -but beyond that no enlightening context was obtainable.</p> - -<p>During the afternoon Terence Aubyn had to exercise the gun-crews at -drill with one of the two 4.7's that had recently been fitted to the -ship. These weapons, mounted aft, one on each quarter, were for the -purpose of keeping up a running fight in the event of the outbreak of -war. They would enable the ship to beat off the possible attack of a -hostile commerce-destroyer, or at any rate prolong the action until -the arrival of a British cruiser.</p> - -<p>Aubyn was very keen on this part of his duties. It was, until he had -undergone his training in the Royal Navy, a purely honorary task. -Later on he might hope to draw a modest ten pounds a year from the -National Exchequer for his ability to perform a combatant duty. From -a pecuniary point of view it did not seem very promising, but the -fourth officer was used to meagre pay for much work. He had to be -able to "read the heavens," to use at least a dozen highly -complicated nautical instruments, to undergo a strenuous scientific -training, and to take sole charge of a ship during his watch. Lives -and property of incalculable value were in his hands, yet his pay was -an amount at which many a sleek, discontented clerk would turn up his -nose in utter disgust.</p> - -<p>For half an hour Terence kept his gun's crew hard at it, going -through imaginary loading exercises and training the docile weapon at -imaginary targets, to the great interest of most of the passengers -and to the ill-bred scorn of others who derided the whole business as -idiotic make-believe.</p> - -<p>This done the fourth officer was at leisure for rest and sleep until -turned out at 4 a.m. to take his watch.</p> - -<p>At the hour agreed upon Aubyn met Raeburn outside the engineers' -mess. It was now pitch dark, for in the Tropics there is little or no -twilight. The sky was overcast, although the glass was steady, and -not a star shed its light on the waste of waters. The "Saraband," -brilliantly lighted, still floated idly, drifting at the rate of -fifteen miles a day under the influence of the weak Counter -Equatorial Current.</p> - -<p>Selecting a hiding-place in a corner thrown into deep shadow by the -glare of a powerful lamp, the churns waited. Half an hour passed -without result. They began to feel stiff and cramped in their -confined quarters.</p> - -<p>Presently Raeburn nudged the fourth officer.</p> - -<p>Strolling along the alley-way was a short, sparely built man. He was -dressed in a white flannel suit with a dark red cummer-bund. He was -bareheaded, and as a ray of light fell upon his features Terence -could see that his were of a yellow cadaverous appearance. His hair -was black, thick, and closely cut. His moustache was heavy and -drooping. His eyes turned furtively from side to side as he advanced, -although he kept his head as rigid as if immovably fixed to his body.</p> - -<p>He passed by their place of concealment. Aubyn could hear his soft -shoes pattering upon the deck. Presently he returned, promenading the -whole length of the alley-way. Thrice he did this, then, giving a -swift glance behind him, stepped into a store-room immediately -opposite the companion to the greasers' and firemen's quarters, the -after bulkhead of which formed with the side of the ship the recess -in which the two chums lay concealed.</p> - -<p>The fellow was breathing heavily. Through the iron partition the two -watchers could hear his laboured gasps which were the result not of -unusual activity but of intense mental strain.</p> - -<p>Again Raeburn touched his companion on the shoulder. Some one else -was approaching—not from the engine-room hands' quarters but along -the alley-way.</p> - -<p>It was a woman, slight of build, and in spite of the heat, closely -veiled. Without hesitation she went straight to the place where the -suspected man was waiting.</p> - -<p>For ten minutes the pair talked, rapidly and in low, excited tones; -then together they made their way aft.</p> - -<p>"A rotten sell," remarked Aubyn, as soon as the coast was clear. "We -came to spot a pair of conspirators—not to witness a meeting between -a pair of lovers."</p> - -<p>"Shouldn't think the woman was sweet on that chap, but there's no -accounting for taste," rejoined Raeburn. "That's the fellow right -enough. Did you hear what they were talking about?"</p> - -<p>"Not I; it wasn't my business," replied Terence.</p> - -<p>"It ought to. They were talking in German."</p> - -<p>"Don't understand the lingo," declared the fourth officer. "Besides, -what if they did? There are seven German passengers on board; and -it's hard lines if they can't speak in their own tongue if they want -to, especially if they avoid lacerating the ears of their -fellow-passengers with the saw-edged language."</p> - -<p>"There's more in it than you imagine, old man. That fellow is an -intermediary between the woman and Stone, the greaser. Apparently -Stone—referred to by the woman as Hans, although the name he gave is -Henry—is holding out for more money for doing something. The woman -maintains that he failed to do his allotted task satisfactorily—that -he bungled badly over it. She wanted to tackle Stone himself, and the -passenger fellow, whose name is Karl, objected. Possibly it was owing -to her presence that Stone failed to put in an appearance."</p> - -<p>"By Jove, Raeburn, I believe you're on the right track after all!"</p> - -<p>"I think I am," replied the third engineer quietly. "At all events -we'll keep this to ourselves for a little until we obtain further -evidence. If I don't see you before, we'll meet here to-morrow night -at seven bells, and trust that Stone will show his hand."</p> - -<br> -<a name="chapter03"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER III.</h3> - -<h4 align="center">THE DECLARATION OF WAR.</h4> - -<p><span class="smallcaps">Just</span> before eight bells (4 a.m.) Terence Aubyn was called to prepare -for his spell of duty on the bridge. Hastily dressing and donning his -pilot-coat—for in spite of being within a few degrees of the line -the air was cold compared with the temperature during the day—the -fourth officer drank a cup of coffee and hurried on deck.</p> - -<p>Exchanging a few words with the officer he was relieving Terence -began to pace the bridge. On this occasion there was little to do, -since the "Saraband" was not making way. Men were on the watch on the -fo'c'sle, and hands were stationed in the crow's-nest in order to -report the possible approach of other vessels. The apprentices on -duty—termed, by courtesy, midshipmen—made their stereotyped -reports, the quartermasters went the rounds and announced that all -was correct on and 'tween decks. Not being actually under way the -ship did not display her customary red and green navigation lamps. -The white light on the forestay was the only one visible. Even the -chart-room window had been screened, in order to avoid dazzling the -eyes of the officer of the watch.</p> - -<p>Down below the passengers were sleeping more or less soundly in their -bunks. Most of the crew were also asleep in the forepeak. From the -depths of the engine-room came the muffled, barely audible sounds of -men still hard at work, under the tireless and energetic supervision -of Chief Engineer McBride.</p> - -<p>Terence had barely been on duty for ten minutes when Wilcox, the -junior wireless operator, mounted the bridge ladder.</p> - -<p>"Something rather important," he drawled. "Guess Captain Ramshaw -ought to be informed."</p> - -<p>He handed Aubyn a slip of paper, and without waiting further backed -slowly down the ladder.</p> - -<p>"Quartermaster!" exclaimed Terence.</p> - -<p>"Sir?"</p> - -<p>"Stand by, will you? I am going into the charthouse."</p> - -<p>The man saluted. Aubyn entered the screened compartment and shut the -door. Here by the aid of the electric light he was able to read the -momentous message at which Wilcox had hinted.</p> - -<p>"That fellow ought to have been an undertaker's mute!" he ejaculated -under his breath. "Fancy hardly turning a hair over a thing like -this."</p> - -<p>For the wireless message was one that had stirred the British Empire, -nay, the whole of the civilized world:—</p> - -<p>"Great Britain has declared war on Germany." Aubyn's heart gave a -bound. He realized that the chance of a lifetime was in front of him. -In the titanic struggle that seemed bound to take place on the High -Seas every officer and man of the Royal Naval Reserve would be called -upon to assist their comrades of the Royal Navy. The Reserve would be -put upon its mettle; it had a high duty to perform. It had to -vindicate its existence and prove to captious critics that it was a -fighting force that carried weight. It had to carry out its work as -one of the triple barbs of Britannia's trident.</p> - -<p>The news was far too important to entrust to a messenger. Again -telling the quartermaster to stand by, and giving a comprehensive -glance over the expanse of sea to make sure that there were no -vessels' navigation lights visible, Aubyn hastened towards the -captain's cabin.</p> - -<p>As he passed the wireless-room he pushed open the door. Both -operators were on duty. Wilcox was vainly endeavouring to "call up" -a station; Grant was "standing by."</p> - -<p>"You haven't mentioned the news?" asked the fourth officer.</p> - -<p>Grant shook his head.</p> - -<p>"We're getting out the notices for distribution," he said.</p> - -<p>"Better not," declared Aubyn authoritatively. "Keep the news dark -until Captain Ramshaw decides what is to be done."</p> - -<p>At the door of the captain's cabin Terence paused, then knocked. -Under ordinary circumstances the panelled door was tapped discreetly, -but Aubyn gave a decisive double knock.</p> - -<p>"Come in!" exclaimed a very tired voice.</p> - -<p>Captain Ramshaw was in his bunk. At the first sound he had switched -on a light.</p> - -<p>"Well, Mr. Aubyn?"</p> - -<p>Terence did not say a word in reply. He handed his chief the paper -bearing the momentous news.</p> - -<p>"I am not surprised," was Captain Ramshaw's comment. Already he was -out of his bunk and dressing with the swift, deft manner of men who -are apt to be roused from sleep to face danger at any moment of the -night. "You may return to the bridge."</p> - -<p>Terence flushed slightly. He knew that he had committed a breach of -discipline in leaving his post during his watch.</p> - -<p>"I would respectfully suggest, sir," he began, "that this news be -kept back from the passengers."</p> - -<p>"For why, Mr. Aubyn?"</p> - -<p>"There are Germans on board."</p> - -<p>"Bless my soul, what if there are? Surely you don't expect me to put -non-combatants under arrest?"</p> - -<p>"I have good reason to believe, sir, that some of them are -responsible for the breakdown of the engines.</p> - -<p>"When did you first have suspicions?"</p> - -<p>"Last night, sir."</p> - -<p>"Then why was I not instantly informed?"</p> - -<p>"That I can explain, sir."</p> - -<p>"Carry on, Mr. Aubyn," rejoined Captain Ramshaw quietly.</p> - -<p>As briefly as possible Terence related the circumstances under which -he and Raeburn waited for an expected secret interview between the -German passenger and Stone, the greaser; how, in the absence of -conclusive evidence, the two young officers had decided to keep the -result of their investigations to themselves until further -developments justified their suspicions.</p> - -<p>"I suppose you two were out for kudos?" remarked Captain Ramshaw -grimly.</p> - -<p>"Oh, no, sir," Aubyn hastened to explain. "We were hoping to witness -the meeting between Stone and the German passenger to-night. Then -there might be enough evidence to justify an accusation. But the -declaration of war has altered matters, sir."</p> - -<p>"It has," agreed the "old man." "I have my orders in the event of -hostilities. I did not think they would ever be put into force. The -Admiralty instructions are that if homeward bound, or within -forty-eight hours' steaming of a British port, the ship must make for -home waters at full speed. And at present she's as helpless as a -log," he added mirthlessly.</p> - -<p>Captain Ramshaw had now finished dressing. With his hands behind his -back he paced the cabin floor deep in thought.</p> - -<p>"Very good, Mr. Aubyn," he continued, after a lengthy pause, "I'll -take steps to prevent the news getting amongst the passengers. You -and Mr. Raeburn can carry on with your investigations, but I would -advise you to have a couple of reliable hands within hail. You can -go."</p> - -<p>Terence saluted and withdrew. Left to himself the skipper rapidly -formulated his plans. He was in an awkward position. The "Saraband" -was temporarily crippled, not by accident but by design. The time by -which she would be able to get under way was indefinite. There was a -frequent and apparently deliberate "jamming" of the wireless. He -knew that there was a German liner in the vicinity. He also knew -something that many Englishmen derided: that this liner, like scores -of others, was ready to be converted at a few hours' notice into a -commerce destroyer.</p> - -<p>The wireless message had said that Great Britain had declared war. -His keen insight told him that the declaration had been forced upon -her. Germany had been preparing more or less secretly for years, and -unless he was greatly mistaken she had forestalled the momentous -time-limit.</p> - -<p>Yes, Aubyn was right. It was not a private or personal reason that -was responsible for the outrage to the machinery. There were German -agents on board, who had already been given to understand that war -would be declared before the "Saraband" reached Southampton. -Crippled, she would be an easy and valuable prize to the first -hostile armed merchantman that she fell in with.</p> - -<p>Presently he left his cabin and ascended the bridge. His first act -was to ring for Lymore, the first officer.</p> - -<p>"What do you think of this, Lymore?" he asked.</p> - -<p>The first officer took the paper and was about to make off to the -charthouse when Captain Ramshaw stopped him.</p> - -<p>"It's war with Germany," he said.</p> - -<p>Lymore set his jaw tightly. He was a middle-aged man, and realized -more forcibly than did Aubyn the possibilities of a conflict with the -second naval power of the world.</p> - -<p>"If it's not over in a week, sir," he remarked, "it will be a long -drawn-out business. Either the Germans will attempt a surprise raid -on our fleet or else they'll sit tight and carry on a sniping warfare -with submarines and mines."</p> - -<p>"Think so?" asked the "old man." "Mines aren't much use if you don't -hold command of the sea. They can only be used to defend their own -harbours."</p> - -<p>"They'll be dumping them overboard in shoals, sir.</p> - -<p>"What, adrift? Remember Germany is a highly civilized country, bound -by the laws of the Geneva Convention and the Hague Conference."</p> - -<p>"Let's hope she will respect those laws, sir. Personally, I don't -think she will."</p> - -<p>"Well, Mr. Lymore, it's no use talking. We must act. I propose to -keep the information from the passengers, but to take officers and -crew into my confidence. Will you pass the word to muster both -watches for'ard? Instruct the bos'un that the men make no unnecessary -noise. We don't want to alarm or excite the passengers."</p> - -<p>Ten minutes later the officers, deckhands, and engine-room staff were -mustered abaft the foremast. Those who were keeping "watch below" -were not unreasonably curious to know why they were turned out early -in the morning, before it was yet light. Every available member of -the crew, including firemen and greasers who could be spared from the -boiler and engine-rooms, the large staff of stewards and cooks formed -up till the space between the fo'c'sle and the for'ard bulkhead of -the promenade and boat decks was a seething mass of humanity. The men -conversed in whispers, striving to solve the mystery of being -mustered at such an unearthly hour, but when Captain Ramshaw stepped -upon a hatch cover and held up his hand a hush fell upon the -representative throng of the British Mercantile Marine.</p> - -<p>The sole means of illumination was a hurricane lamp held by one of -the messenger boys. The feeble rays fell upon the captain's face. It -was stern and resolute.</p> - -<p>"My men!" he exclaimed, speaking slowly and deliberately. He did not -roar, after the manner of the old sea-dogs, but his voice carried -with perfect distinctness. "My men, I have great news. But first let -me impress upon you the extreme urgency for silence and secrecy. The -matter can be discussed amongst yourselves, but should the news -travel beyond you the safety of the old 'Saraband' is gravely -imperilled.</p> - -<p>"War was declared between Great Britain and Germany at eleven o'clock -last night. That is all I know, being the news received by wireless. -My duty is to get the ship back to port as quickly as possible, and -hand her over to the Admiralty for whatever purpose they think fit.</p> - -<p>"Meanwhile, an accident to the engine has left us helpless. It is -proposed to rectify the damage with the utmost dispatch. German -commerce destroyers are, in all probability, lying in wait on the -recognized trade routes. We can only hope that there are also British -cruisers to foil their little game.</p> - -<p>"In spite of our adverse circumstances I know I can rely upon every -man jack of you to do his duty cheerfully and manfully, and to help -to keep the old flag flying. Now, dismiss."</p> - -<p>Before daybreak the "Saraband" was ready as far as possible for -eventualities. Ammunition was served up for the two 4.7 in. guns. The -vital part of the bridge was protected by plates of boiler iron -backed with bags of flour. Hoses were coupled up, water poured over -boats hanging in the davits, in case of fire caused by the explosion -of a hostile shell.</p> - -<p>Below, Chief Engineer McBride and his staff were still striving their -utmost to bring the engines up to their customary state of -efficiency.</p> - -<br> -<a name="chapter04"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER IV.</h3> - -<h4 align="center">A DOUBLE ARREST.</h4> - -<p><span class="smallcaps">Captain Ramshaw's</span> next step was to hold a consultation with some of -his officers as to the advisability of coping with the internal peril -that threatened the ship.</p> - -<p>Accordingly Lymore and Aubyn, as representatives of the -deck-officers, and McBride and Raeburn for the engine-room staff, -were called to the captain's cabin. For once that cosily-furnished -apartment reeked of paraffin, for the chief engineer and his -assistant had come practically straight from their work, merely -stopping to remove from their faces and hands the greasy black oil -and had used paraffin for that purpose.</p> - -<p>"Don't apologize, Mr. McBride," said the "old man" affably. -"Circumstances alter cases, and it is far preferable to have the reek -of honest oil than the fumes of a German shell. Now to get straight -to the point: have you a plan, Mr. McBride, whereby we can secure -this man of yours, Stone, without occasioning comment amongst his -comrades; and especially not to alarm the passenger who has taken -such a violent fancy to him?"</p> - -<p>The chief engineer rubbed his chin and knitted his shaggy brows.</p> - -<p>"I can arrange, sir, to have him sent on deck, the miserable worrm. -Beyond that, sir, I venture to suggest 'tis a matter for yoursel' to -keep the passenger in the dark."</p> - -<p>"Now, Mr. Lymore, have you made inquiries about the passenger Mr. -Aubyn described?"</p> - -<p>"I've interviewed the chief steward, sir. He says that this man -registered as Mr. Duncan McDonald, of Port Elizabeth."</p> - -<p>"There's by far too many of these rascally Germans going about with -guid old Scots names," declared McBride vehemently.</p> - -<p>"Quite so," agreed Captain Ramshaw, "but unfortunately we have no -evidence to prove that this fellow is a German, except that he spoke -the Teuton language. He might be a Britisher after all."</p> - -<p>"He's nae Scot, then," said the chief engineer hotly.</p> - -<p>"I think I can suggest a good plan, sir," said Raeburn.</p> - -<p>"Carry on, then," remarked Captain Ramshaw encouragingly.</p> - -<p>"One of the greasers in my watch—a rattling good fellow—he's made -five trips in the ship, sir—strongly resembles Stone in appearance. -If you could arrest Stone and clap him in irons, we could get -Tretheway, the man I refer to, to impersonate him and lure this -Duncan McDonald——"</p> - -<p>"Steady, laddie; 'tes nae Duncan McDonald," remonstrated McBride.</p> - -<p>"The passenger who goes by the name of McDonald," corrected Raeburn. -"He could be lured into putting in an appearance. Then we could nab -him, too."</p> - -<p>"It's feasible, certainly," said Captain Ramshaw. "You think you can -arrange this?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir," replied Raeburn.</p> - -<p>"Very good; then perhaps Mr. Aubyn and you will be at the rendezvous -at seven bells. Mr. Aubyn will tell off a couple of hands in the -event of any display of resistance. The man may be armed."</p> - -<p>"We'll take the risk, sir," said Terence.</p> - -<p>"Then that's settled. If you'll send Stone on deck, Mr. McBride, the -sooner we have him under arrest the better."</p> - -<p>"And the sooner I'm back in the engine-room the better, I'm thinking, -sir," asserted McBride. "Nae doubt the dirty rogue will be up to his -tricks again while I'm not there tae keep an eye on him."</p> - -<p>A few minutes later Stone, sent under the pretence of fetching some -article from the bos'un's store, was promptly pounced upon by a -couple of quartermasters.</p> - -<p>"What's the game, old sports?" he asked in a strong Cockney accent -and with well-feigned innocence.</p> - -<p>His captors made no reply, but led their unresisting prisoner for'ard -and placed him in a compartment under lock and key.</p> - -<p>As soon as the greaser's arrest was reported, Chief Officer Lymore -and Aubyn went to inform him of the charge.</p> - -<p>"Attempting to cripple the engines, eh? Strikes me, sir, you're on -the wrong tack," muttered the man.</p> - -<p>"Your fellow-conspirator does not seem to think so," remarked Lymore -at a venture.</p> - -<p>The accused's features flushed, then turned deadly pale.</p> - -<p>"You've got von Eckenhardt, then?" he asked, taken completely aback.</p> - -<p>"Yes, the game's up," assented the chief officer, who, although -equally astonished, had the presence of mind to entirely conceal his -feelings.</p> - -<p>"Then I may as well make the best of things. It won't be for long," -declared the prisoner nonchalantly. "Our cruisers will soon make -short work of the 'Saraband,' and then the boot will be on the other -foot."</p> - -<p>"Your cruisers?" exclaimed Lymore.</p> - -<p>"Yes; I'm a German subject, Mr. Chief Officer, and don't you forget -it. I demand to receive proper treatment as a prisoner of war."</p> - -<p>"You'd get it, my man, if I had my way," retorted Lymore grimly.</p> - -<p>"Von Eckenhardt!" exclaimed Captain Ramshaw when his subordinate -reported the result of their interview. "Then that is the real name -of the so-called Duncan McDonald. It was a cute move of yours, Mr. -Lymore."</p> - -<p>The chief officer flushed with pleasure.</p> - -<p>"I presume, sir, we can now arrest him, without waiting till this -evening?"</p> - -<p>"No, we'll stick to our original plan, Mr. Lymore. I have good -reasons."</p> - -<p>During the day the passengers were restricted to a limited portion of -the decks allotted to the various classes. None were permitted to -approach the 4.7-in. guns. The sight of the ammunition and the gun's -crew standing by would occasion comment. A simple excuse was given -for this restriction, and the passengers accepted it without demur.</p> - -<p>For several hours the wireless was still "jammed." Occasionally -messages were received, but none could be sent. Those that did get -through were of slight importance and had no reference to the war.</p> - -<p>At noon McBride's strenuous efforts were crowned with success. The -engines were once more in working, order and speed was soon worked up -to sixteen knots. A course was immediately shaped for Las Palmas, -where the "Saraband" would have to coal before resuming her homeward -voyage.</p> - -<p>Just after four bells (2 p.m.) the wireless resumed uninterrupted -activity. A message asking the name and position of the ship was -recorded and referred to the bridge. "Ask them what ship is calling," -ordered Captain Ramshaw.</p> - -<p>"H.M.S. 'Padstow,' lat. 5°0'30" N., long. 30°1'15" W. Shape a -course towards me. Enemy cruisers are about," was the reply.</p> - -<p>Captain Ramshaw called for a Navy List. H.M.S. "Padstow" was found -to be a light cruiser of 4600 tons.</p> - -<p>"Very good; I am acting according to your directions," was his answer -by wireless, but in reality it was very different. He ordered the -course to be altered until the "Saraband" would pass three hundred -miles to the eastward of the position given by the supposed British -cruiser. In addition he gave instructions that no wireless messages -were to be sent from the ship, in order that she might not betray her -presence, for he felt convinced that the call was a decoy sent by one -of the German commerce destroyers.</p> - -<p>During the afternoon the chief steward reported the result of his -observations upon the pseudo Duncan McDonald. The man, he declared, -was a regular "hanger-on" to his fellow-passengers. He seemed to -have plenty of money and squandered it at card-playing. Yet he did -not associate with the German passengers, nor could the steward -discover who was the woman that had conferred with McDonald on the -night when Aubyn and Raeburn had him under observation.</p> - -<p>Just before seven bells the arrangements were completed for von -Eckenhardt's arrest. Terence and the fourth engineer took up their -positions in the empty storeroom; two burly quartermasters were -hiding just inside the engine-room door, while Tretheway, in the -guise of the now detained Stone, was idling in the alley-way.</p> - -<p>Presently von Eckenhardt appeared. Tretheway, keeping his face from -the light, turned his back upon the approaching German.</p> - -<p>Twice the fellow walked softly past the supposed Stone, then tapping -him on the shoulder said something in German. What it was Tretheway -did not understand, but acting upon instructions he turned and -grasped the Teuton by the wrists. Aubyn and Raeburn dashed from their -place of concealment and the two quartermasters ran towards the spot.</p> - -<p>Taken wholly at a disadvantage von Eckenhardt at first offered no -resistance. He sullenly regarded his captors, without uttering a -word. Then, with a sudden effort, he almost wrenched himself clear.</p> - -<p>Raeburn, doubled up by a knee-punch in the wind, subsided heavily -against the metal wall of the alley-way. The two quartermasters -cannoned into each other in attempting to regain their grip upon the -captive. Tretheway, hit upon the point of the chin, tripped over the -coaming of the engine-room doorway; while Terence, in spite of a -vicious kick on the shin, managed to retain his hold upon von -Eckenhardt's collar.</p> - -<p>To and fro they swayed, now locked in a deathly embrace. Before the -quartermasters could recover their wits, Aubyn and the German toppled -over the coaming, and on top of the body of the prostrate Tretheway.</p> - -<p>Inside the door was a slippery steel platform, barely three feet in -width and protected by a light handrail. To the right and left iron -ladders led to the floor of the engine-room. Seven feet below the -edge of the platform was the piston-head of one of the cylinders—a -vision of gleaming metal partly veiled by wreathes of eddying steam.</p> - -<p>In an instant Terence realized his adversary's plan. Rather than -submit to being made a prisoner von Eckenhardt was striving to throw -himself into the midst of the moving machinery. And not only that: he -meant to take one at least of his antagonists with him. He, Terence, -was the one singled out for this wholly unwelcome attention.</p> - -<p>In vain Aubyn tried to get a foothold. The slippery iron plate -afforded no grip. His arms, locked about the body of the German, were -imprisoned by the fellow's powerful grasp, for although small in -stature and sparely built, frenzy had given the German the strength -of a Hercules. Suddenly von Eckenhardt planted his feet against the -inside sill of the door. With a terrific jerk he hurled himself under -the handrail. Aubyn had just time to bend his partially held wrist -and grasp the stanchion; then both men dropped over the edge -immediately above the ponderous machinery.</p> - -<p>There they hung, swaying with the result of the sudden jerk. Aubyn's -hand retained his grasp upon the oiled metal stanchion in spite of -the fact that he was sustaining the weight of himself and another, -and that the edge of the platform was pressing cruelly against his -arm. All the while von Eckenhardt, clinging to his antagonist like a -monkey, was punching blindly with his disengaged left hand in the -hope of making the fourth officer relax his hold.</p> - -<p>It was now that the quartermasters were able to come to the aid of -their young officer. During the struggle on the platform there was no -opportunity for them to intervene—no foothold on that slippery -surface. Raeburn, too, was temporarily "out of action," but by this -time was beginning to take a renewed interest in life.</p> - -<p>One of the quartermasters grasped Aubyn by the collar of his white -drill uniform coat. Even in his dire peril Terence wondered whether -his tailor had put good stitches into his work. He fully expected to -find the collar being torn from the rest of the garment.</p> - -<p>Then the second quartermaster helped. Lying at full length on the -metal platform he seized the still struggling Eckenhardt by the -waist. Then with a powerful blow with his disengaged fist the man -struck the Teuton full on the temple.</p> - -<br> -<br> -<center> -<a name="03_machinery"></a> -<img src="images/03_machinery.jpg" alt="image: 03_machinery.jpg" style="width:100%; height:auto; max-width:600px;"> -</center> -<center>[Illustration: "Both men dropped over the edge immediately above the -ponderous machinery."]</center> -<br> -<br> - -<p>Stunned by the force of the blow the German relaxed his hold. Were it -not for the quartermaster's iron grasp he would have fallen into the -maze of machinery.</p> - -<p>"Now's your chance, Tom," exclaimed the man breathlessly. "I'll hold -this chap while you haul up Mr. Aubyn."</p> - -<p>Assisted by Raeburn the first quartermaster succeeded in raising -Terence on the platform and thence into the alley-way. Well-nigh -exhausted Aubyn was glad to sit down while the others proceeded to -secure the senseless von Eckenhardt.</p> - -<br> -<a name="chapter05"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER V.</h3> - -<h4 align="center">BOARDED.</h4> - -<p><span class="smallcaps">While</span> von Eckenhardt was recovering consciousness and the two young -officers were pulling themselves together after their trying ordeal, -Captain Ramshaw, who had been informed of the successful issue of the -affair, proceeded to the cabin taken by the German under the name of -Duncan McDonald.</p> - -<p>It was a single berth cabin, furnished in the luxuriant style that -the Red Band Line provided for their first-class passengers.</p> - -<p>The "old man" first directed his attention to an unlocked -portmanteau. It was filled with clothes. Methodically the chief -steward, under Captain Ramshaw's supervision, went through the -pockets. He found nothing incriminating. There was some -correspondence in English of a commonplace order, which gave no rise -to suspicion.</p> - -<p>A second portmanteau was doubly locked. The steward cut the Gordian -knot by ripping the cowhide with his pocket-knife. Inside the case -were more clothes, but between the folds was a metal case half filled -with phosphor-bronze filings. There were also a revolver and two -hundred rounds of ammunition, the presence of which in a passenger's -possession was in itself a breach of the Company's regulations.</p> - -<p>"Now, that cabin trunk, Saunders," exclaimed Captain Ramshaw, -pointing to a large, strongly made box. "You won't open that with -your penknife, my man."</p> - -<p>"One minute, sir," said the steward.</p> - -<p>He left the cabin, returning in a very short space of time with a -heavy hammer and a cold chisel.</p> - -<p>He was about to attack the lock when the "old man" interposed.</p> - -<p>"Avast there, Saunders!" he ejaculated. "We'll have the job tackled a -little more quietly. Go and ask the doctor for a small bottle of the -strongest acid he has."</p> - -<p>"That's good, Saunders," he remarked when the man returned. "Now lay -on the acid all round the lock. Mind your eyes: it will splash a bit. -We'll ruin the carpet, I fancy; but there'll be more serious damage -done to the Company's property before long, unless I'm much -mistaken."</p> - -<p>Rapidly the powerful acid ate its way into the metal. The cabin -reeked with the pungent fumes.</p> - -<p>Captain Ramshaw waited until he considered that the corrosive fluid -had sufficiently weakened the metal, then he soused the side of the -trunk with water.</p> - -<p>A gentle pressure of his boot brought the lock clean away. He raised -the lid. The portmanteau was apparently full of clothes. Von -Eckenhardt evidently had an extensive wardrobe.</p> - -<p>"There's a double bottom, sir," announced the steward.</p> - -<p>"I thought so," replied the captain quietly. "Be careful, Saunders. -You will find a secret spring. Don't use unnecessary force."</p> - -<p>Wondering why the skipper harped upon the necessity for caution the -steward continued his investigations. At length he discovered an -invisible push, close to the bottom of the trunk. As he pressed it, -the false bottom opened upon a pair of hinges. The space contained -several sealed envelopes and a tin case measuring about ten inches by -six, and two inches in depth.</p> - -<p>"You might hand over those papers," said the captain. "Now, open -that tin."</p> - -<p>"It's full of gummy string, sir ."</p> - -<p>"Powerful explosive, Saunders, enough to blow a big hole in the old -'Saraband.' There are fuses and detonators, too. I wonder the fool -hadn't more sense than to stow this stuff in a cabin trunk."</p> - -<p>"What shall I do with it, sir?" asked the steward, eyeing the box of -latent death and destruction with undisguised apprehension.</p> - -<p>"Overboard with it," decided the "old man" promptly.</p> - -<p>Before Captain Ramshaw could proceed further with his investigations -a messenger brought the news that a strange vessel, apparently a -warship, was bearing down in the direction of the "Saraband."</p> - -<p>The skipper broke all records in his dash for the bridge. Bringing -his binoculars to bear in the direction indicated by the chief -officer he saw that a large grey-painted cruiser was shaping a course -to cut him off.</p> - -<p>"If she's a German we're nabbed, Lymore," said the captain. "She's -heavily armed, and we are within range of her guns. Unless I'm much -mistaken, she can give us points in speed."</p> - -<p>"Will you alter our course and run for it, sir?" asked the chief -officer.</p> - -<p>"Useless," decided Captain Ramshaw, with a shrug of his shoulders. -"If she were a hostile armed merchantman I'd engage her in a running -fight, but she'd blow us out of the water in two minutes. There are -the passengers to consider."</p> - -<p>Rapidly the cruiser approached. She made no attempt to communicate -with wireless, but when within signalling distance she hoisted the -letters E.C. meaning, in the International Code, "What ship is -that?"</p> - -<p>The "Saraband" immediately "made her number" and hoisted her ensign. -By this time the approach of the cruiser had been noticed by the -passengers, whose interest became intense, although they were still -in ignorance of the fact that a state of war existed between Great -Britain and Germany.</p> - -<p>"Thank Heaven!" ejaculated Lymore fervently, as the White Ensign was -hoisted to the masthead of the cruiser, which was, it was remarked, -fully cleared for action.</p> - -<p>"Don't be too cocksure," remonstrated the "old man."</p> - -<p>"She's a British cruiser, sir," protested the chief officer. "One of -the 'Town' class, that I'll swear. There she goes: code flag over -'H,' sir."</p> - -<p>The signal to stop was quickly complied with. Orders were telegraphed -to the engine-room for half-speed astern until the "Saraband" lost -way. The cruiser swung round in a semi-circle and likewise stopped -within two cables' length. A boat was lowered, manned, and rowed -towards the "Saraband."</p> - -<p>"Clear the promenade deck, Mr. Lymore," ordered the captain. -"Request the passengers to go below. Don't give them any reason—let -them think what they jolly well like. Mr. Aubyn, see that the -accommodation ladder is shipped. You will receive the naval officer -and pay him the proper compliments."</p> - -<p>The boarding officer proved to be a youthful lieutenant. Terence -escorted him to the bridge, where he immediately subjected Captain -Ramshaw to a close examination.</p> - -<p>"Have you sighted any German armed merchantmen?" asked the officer, -whose ship, it transpired, was the light cruiser "Padstow."</p> - -<p>"The 'Hertzolf:' that was before war was declared."</p> - -<p>"Have you communicated by wireless with any craft?"</p> - -<p>"Only your ship," replied Captain Ramshaw. "You may remember you -requested us to alter our course and fall in with you in a certain -latitude and longitude."</p> - -<p>"Rather lucky for you that you didn't, then," rejoined the -lieutenant. "We sent out no wireless message. We had good reason to -keep the knowledge of our presence south of Las Palmas a secret. Do -you remember the position?"</p> - -<p>Captain Ramshaw gave the desired information, Chief Officer Lymore -corroborating the statement by a reference to the log-book.</p> - -<p>"It's a decoy message from the 'Hertzolf,'" announced the naval -officer, "she's been particularly active. Sunk the 'Walrus' and 'The -Star of Hope,' and captured two colliers. We're on her track now. If -I were you, Captain Ramshaw, I'd give Las Palmas a wide berth. Coal -at Gib., if you can fetch there with what coal you've on board."</p> - -<p>"Very good, I will," answered the master of the "Saraband."</p> - -<p>Courteously declining an offer of refreshments the lieutenant went -over the side and was rowed back to the "Padstow." Almost before the -boat was hoisted up the cruiser pelted off at twenty-five knots to -attempt to intercept the already too active "Hertzolf."</p> - -<p>It was now no longer necessary in the interests of the ship to -withhold the momentous news of the outbreak of war from the -passengers. Notices were posted on the various saloons, their -appearance being hailed by rousing cheers. Instructions were also -given that in the event of the "Saraband" being chased, the -passengers were to assemble for'ard in such places as would be -pointed out, in order to be as safe as possible from shells from the -pursuing vessel.</p> - -<p>At two bells in the second dog watch the ship's doctor reported to -the captain that von Eckenhardt was sufficiently recovered to be -interrogated. Accordingly Captain Ramshaw, Aubyn, Raeburn, and the -two quartermasters proceeded to the cabin in which the German had -been kept a prisoner.</p> - -<p>"Now, von Eckenhardt, what have you to say in answer to the charge of -conspiring to cripple the vessel?" demanded Captain Ramshaw.</p> - -<p>At the name von Eckenhardt the Teuton started wildly. He had, like -his companion in the outrageous attempt, been completely taken aback.</p> - -<p>"So Slieber has given me away," he exclaimed passionately. "I am not -surprised. Slieber is not a true German. He worked for money. I did -what I could for the sake of the Fatherland. Remember I demand to be -treated as a prisoner of war."</p> - -<p>Captain Ramshaw did not immediately reply. He, too, was taken by -surprise. Von Eckenhardt had blundered badly. He had revealed the -fact that the real name of the greaser who passed under the name of -Stone was Slieber. Also von Eckenhardt was fully aware that a state -of war existed between Great Britain and Germany. He claimed a -similar privilege to that demanded by Slieber, yet the passengers had -been kept in ignorance of the news until half an hour ago. In the -captain's mind there was no doubt that both Germans had received -information from official sources that a rupture was planned to occur -on or about the 4th day of August; and that, even had Great Britain -not delivered her ultimatum, the German Empire would have taken the -initiative almost at the same time as she threw down the gauntlet to -France and Russia.</p> - -<p>"The pair of you have quaint notions concerning the rights of -prisoners of war," remarked Captain Ramshaw. "No doubt they are -perfectly in accord with the views of the German Government, but -unfortunately for you, you are not in uniform. In that case you are -liable to be placed upon your trial as a spy."</p> - -<p>Von Eckenhardt shrugged his shoulders. Although at the moment of -detection he had attempted to put an end to his existence by throwing -himself into the engine-room, it was because he feared summary -vengeance on the part of the officers and men of the "Saraband." Now -that that immediate danger was over he took a calm view of the -situation. Previous experience told him that German spies brought to -trial in England were treated lightly as compared with the severe -punishment meted out in the Fatherland to Englishmen accused of -espionage.</p> - -<p>"I am not a spy," he declared vehemently.</p> - -<p>"That remains to be proved, Major von Eckenhardt," rejoined the "old -man," in his cool, deliberate manner. "At the same time I may as well -express my opinion that, with these documents in the hands of the -public prosecutor, you will have some difficulty to prove to the -contrary," and he held up the bundle of papers he had removed from -the German's cabin.</p> - -<p>Von Eckenhardt's jaw dropped, but only for a moment. Then his teeth -closed together with a snap like those of a rat-trap. He seemed to be -on the point of hurling himself upon the skipper. Then, controlling -himself with an effort:—</p> - -<p>"There is nothing more for me to say at present," he remarked with a -slight inclination of his head.</p> - -<p>"Very well. You will be under close arrest till we arrive at -Southampton."</p> - -<p>The German smiled sarcastically. Under his breath, just loud enough -for his captor to hear, he muttered "Perhaps."</p> - -<p>Captain Ramshaw resisted the inclination to answer. Obviously the -taunt was meant as an insult. More, it suggested the possibility that -hostile commerce destroyers had marked the "Saraband" with her -precious cargo as a most desirable prey. Without another word he left -the cabin, signing to the quartermasters to double-lock the steel -door.</p> - -<p>The captain was convinced that he had made an important capture. From -the documents found in von Eckenhardt's cabin it was clear that the -prisoner was a major in the Prussian Guards, and that he had been -detailed for secret service to report upon the military and political -situation in South Africa. Von Eckenhardt's instructions were written -in guarded language and signed by the initial X. Captain Ramshaw had -yet to learn who the mysterious X was, and the most important part he -played in the extensive and highly active espionage system fostered -by the Government of the German Empire.</p> - -<br> -<a name="chapter06"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER VI.</h3> - -<h4 align="center">AN OCEAN DUEL.</h4> - -<p><span class="smallcaps">The</span> new course taken by the "Saraband" was in accordance with the -instructions given by the lieutenant of H.M.S. "Padstow." Avoiding -Las Palmas the vessel made for the African coast, making a landfall -in the neighbourhood of Cape Verd. Thence by a judicious use of his -coal, and by hugging the shore as close as possible without risk of -grounding on the outlying shoals, Captain Ramshaw hoped to bring his -command safely into Gibraltar.</p> - -<p>At nights all lights were screened. Board of Trade regulations in the -matter of the use of navigation lamps were deliberately ignored. The -"Saraband," at a steady seventeen knots, forged blindly ahead through -the black waters.</p> - -<p>During this anxious period Captain Ramshaw rarely quitted the bridge. -If he did so it was only for a few minutes. When compelled by the -demands of nature to rest, he slept on a deck-chair in the -chart-room, ready at an instant's notice to give orders for the -safety of the ship.</p> - -<p>On the second night after the meeting of the "Padstow" the -quartermaster had just reported four bells—the actual ringing had -been dispensed with as a matter of precaution—when a wireless S.O.S. -call was received.</p> - -<p>It was Terence Aubyn's watch. Promptly the young officer informed the -skipper of the call—a summons for aid that is never ignored by the -vessels that are within range of wireless.</p> - -<p>"S.O.S. call, sir; H.Q.C.P. reports being in collision with a -derelict—lat. 22°5'10" N., long. 15°50'20" W."</p> - -<p>The thought flashed through the "old man's" mind that the message -might be a decoy; yet the claims of humanity urged him to alter -course and steam at full speed to the rescue.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile Aubyn had referred to the "British Code List," in which he -found that the signal letters H.Q.C.P. denoted the SS. "Corona," of -West Hartlepool, of 2576 registered tonnage and of 720 horse-power. -The "Corona," he knew, was a tramp engaged in running between the -Tyne Ports and the Gold Coast.</p> - -<p>Captain Ramshaw gave no inkling of the doubt that existed in his -mind. He immediately ordered the "Saraband" to be steered towards the -position indicated, although he would not allow the wireless to be -made use of in order to acquaint the distressed vessel that help was -forthcoming. This was one of the steps he took to guard against the -base misuse of the hitherto inviolate S.O.S. call. In addition, as -previously, the guns' crews stood by their two powerful weapons.</p> - -<p>Hour after hour passed as the "Saraband" sped on her errand of mercy. -Fitfully the S.O.S. was received as if the ill-fated crew of the -"Corona," despairing at not having news that their message had been -picked up, were still calling for aid from passing vessels.</p> - -<p>Down below McBride's staff was working heroically. The firemen, -stripped to the waist, were shovelling coal with rapid yet dexterous -haste. Stoking is an art: it requires more than merely piling fuel -into the furnaces; but there was no lack of capability on the part of -the "Saraband's" stokehold staff. Quickly the old boat worked up to -her maximum speed.</p> - -<p>"Light on the port bow, sir," sung out the mastheadman. "Red flame -throwing out red stars."</p> - -<p>"That's the 'Corona' then," declared the "old man." "Starboard your -helm, quartermaster: keep her at that. Mr. Lymore, see that the -cutter is cleared away."</p> - -<p>"Ay, ay, sir," replied the chief officer.</p> - -<p>The signal of distress flare was calculated to be seen from twelve to -fourteen miles off In three-quarters of an hour the "Saraband" would -be on the spot, by which time daylight would have dawned.</p> - -<p>As the distance decreased the frequent flares could be observed from -the bridge of the "Saraband." Anxiously the officers brought their -night-glasses to bear upon the scene, as the dull patch of ruddy -light rose higher and higher above the horizon.</p> - -<p>"It's a four-masted vessel, sir!" exclaimed Terence. "The 'Corona' -has only two. She looks to be about six thousand tons displacement."</p> - -<p>"By Jove, you're, right Mr. Aubyn!" said the "old man." "Hard a-port, -quartermaster. It's a ruse."</p> - -<p>The steam steering-gear snorted as the helm flew hard over. Listing -heavily outwards as she swung round the "Saraband" sought to avoid -the danger. Alarmed by the sudden heel several of the passengers -rushed from below.</p> - -<p>"Reassure these people and send them to their cabins," ordered -Captain Ramshaw, addressing his third officer. "Stand by——"</p> - -<p>A vivid flash burst from the supposed disabled ship, and a shell, -hurtling a cable's length astern on the now fleeing "Saraband" -announced the stranger in her true colours. She was a German armed -liner. Her keen lookout had detected the phosphorescent swirl from -the bows of the British vessel as she swung to starboard.</p> - -<p>The peremptory greeting was quickly followed by a wireless order:—</p> - -<p>"Heave-to, or I'll sink you. Disconnect your wireless. Stand by to -receive a boat."</p> - -<p>To this demand Captain Ramshaw paid no attention. His true British -blood was up. As long as he could run and fight he would keep the Old -Flag flying.</p> - -<p>With the whole of her fabric trembling under the vibrations of her -powerful engines the "Saraband" began her bid for safety. The -passengers, according to previous instructions, were ordered forward, -while the stewards calmly went about distributing life-belts, at the -same time assuring the more timorous of their charges that the -procedure was merely a matter of precaution.</p> - -<p>From her wireless-room messages were sent for aid from any British -cruisers likely to be in the vicinity, while at the same time -warnings were issued for all merchantmen to avoid the danger that now -threatened the hard-pressed "Saraband."</p> - -<p>For hard-pressed she certainly was. When day broke the German liner, -identified as the 25-knot "Osnabruck," was now five miles astern. In -spite of her supposed superior speed she was not doing her best, -although her two huge funnels were belching out enormous clouds of -black smoke.</p> - -<p>That she was prepared for the work of destruction there was no doubt. -Her black hull, white deck houses, and lofty yellow funnels had been -repainted a neutral grey. For'ard she mounted two guns, while the -muzzles of several others could be discovered trained abeam.</p> - -<p>She was steadily gaining. Shells from her guns were ricochetting on -either side of the fleeing "Saraband," throwing up columns of spray -fifty feet into the air.</p> - -<p>"You'll have to do better than that, my friend," said the "old man" -grimly. The spirit of fight—the old Bersark strain in his blood—was -strong within him. But for his passengers he would have risked an -engagement. As it was, he had to run for it, but he meant to show -that even a British merchantman could show her teeth.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, Terence Aubyn had made his way aft to take charge of the -starboard quarter 4.7-in. gun, the other one being under the orders -of the third officer, a hot-blooded Irishman, named O'Reilly, who -could hardly prevent himself from giving a premature order to open -fire.</p> - -<p>"Let her have it: at six thousand yards," came the order from the -bridge.</p> - -<p>Both guns spoke simultaneously. Almost before the powerful weapons -had recovered from the recoil, which was taken up by the hydraulic -mountings, the breech blocks were thrown open and another shell in a -gleaming brass cylinder was thrust into each gun.</p> - -<p>"A hit, sir!" shouted one of the gun's crews, for even with the naked -eye a dense haze of yellow smoke was seen to be enveloping the fore -part of the "Osnabruck."</p> - -<p>Whatever the damage it did not compel the German vessel to cease -pursuit. Soon her grey outlines were observed to be emerging from the -mist of smoke that partly hid her from view. Spurts of yellow flame, -stabbing the early morning air, showed that her bow guns were still -in action.</p> - -<p>An appalling crash, outvoicing the simultaneous barks of the British -guns, denoted the disconcerting fact that one, at least, of the -hostile projectiles had "got home."</p> - -<p>Pungent fumes drifted aft; splinters, hurled high in the air, began -to fall all around the gun's crews.</p> - -<p>"Steady, men, steady!" shouted Aubyn encouragingly, for some of the -crew were attracted by the sound and were endeavouring to ascertain -the result of the havoc. "Never mind that. Keep at it."</p> - -<p>Even as he spoke the "Saraband" swung round quite fifteen degrees to -port, thus exposing her length and lofty freeboard to the German -vessel. The gunners of the latter were not slow to take advantage. -One shell crashed through the side amidships, just above the -water-line, and completely wrecked the passengers' third-class -dining-room. Fortunately, owing to Captain Ramshaw's precautions, -this part of the ship was unoccupied.</p> - -<p>A second shell, ricochetting a hundred yards off, leapt up and -wrecked the after-funnel, causing dense volumes of smoke to eddy -along the alleyways.</p> - -<p>The first projectile that hit the "Saraband" was responsible for the -damage done by the other two. Bursting underneath the bridge it -demolished that structure, sending the breastwork of sacks of flour -far and wide like an avalanche.</p> - -<p>Captain Ramshaw and Chief Officer Lymore were both flung from the -crumbling structure on to the cargo hatch abaft the foremost. -Fortunately beyond being considerably shaken, they were not seriously -hurt, but with the destruction of the bridge the steam steering-gear -was affected, and this caused the "Saraband" to begin to circle to -port.</p> - -<p>Although partly dazed by the fall, the "old man," with a true -seaman's instinctive sense, knew that the ship was fairly off her -course. Staggering to his feet he made his way across the chaotic -pile of flour-sacks, many of which had been ripped open by fragments -of shell, and ordered the hand steering-gear to be manned. In five -minutes the "Saraband" was once more under control, although the -demolition of one of her funnels and the consequent reduction of -draft caused an appreciable diminution in speed.</p> - -<p>While the ship was broadside on to the enemy the gun under Aubyn's -orders was temporarily out of action. It could not be trained upon -the "Osnabruck" without a serious risk of injury to the second gun's -crew by the blast from the weapon.</p> - -<p>It was indeed fortunate that while in this position she was not sent -to the bottom. According to the rules of naval strategy and tactics -she ought to have been, were it not for the indifferent aim of the -German gun-layers.</p> - -<p>On the other hand, the British 4.7-in. guns were getting in hit after -hit with admirable precision. Already the "Osnabruck's" upper works -appeared to be a mass of scrap iron. Fires had broken out in several -places, yet she held grimly in pursuit, under the erroneous -impression that the few shells she did get home would terrorise the -"Saraband" into surrendering.</p> - -<p>Presently the fourth officer's gun made a splendid hit. Striking the -German vessel's bows almost on the water-line the shell made a clean -hole before exploding. When it did the damage in the confined space -was terrific. Her thin bow plates were burst outwards, while the -for'ard watertight bulkhead was strained till it admitted the sea -like a mill sluice.</p> - -<p>A cheer broke from the parched lips of the "Saraband's" crew. Her -antagonist was settling down by the head. Her speed slackened -rapidly. Her engines were going half-speed astern in the hope of -checking the inrush of water.</p> - -<p>"She's done for, sir!" exclaimed Terence excitedly, as Chief Officer -Lymore, his face and clothes mottled with flour and smoke, came aft.</p> - -<p>"Ay, she's settled with," agreed Lymore grimly. "Cease firing. It's -no use wasting ammunition."</p> - -<p>"If only we would slow down and pepper her till she surrenders," -declared Terence, the lust of battle in his heart.</p> - -<p>"She will, right enough," said the chief officer consolingly. "We've -our passengers to consider. The 'old man' is going to take the ship -out of range and wait. We'll have to pick up the survivors somehow, -but there isn't a boat that won't leak like a sieve."</p> - -<p>Such, indeed, was the case. Those of the boats that were not -shattered by direct hits or holed by flying fragments of shell, were -so utterly strained by the concussion as to be unfit for use. Already -the carpenter's crew were setting to work, caulking the gaping seams -of the boats which seemed likely to be used for the forthcoming work -of rescue.</p> - -<p>When well out of range, the "Saraband" swung round and stopped, her -bows pointing in the direction of the foundering "Osnabruck," that -appeared to be little more than a dot upon the horizon. By the aid of -glasses brought to bear upon the scene, the German vessel was -observed to be listing slightly to starboard and very much down by -the head. All her upper works were hidden by a thick cloud of smoke.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, Captain Ramshaw took up his position on the boat-deck, -owing to the demolition of the bridge. Here receiving reports from -various officers concerning the amount of damage done to the ship and -giving brief and concise orders as to what was to be done, he was as -busy as ever he had been in the whole course of his thirty-odd years -at sea.</p> - -<p>Now that the danger was over the passengers were allowed to leave -their cramped quarters, and, subject to certain restrictions, allowed -to make use of most of the decks. One, a short, pompouslooking -individual, holding a camera, boldly approached the skipper.</p> - -<p>"I say, Captain Ramshaw," he began in a high, affected voice, "don't -you think you could take us a little nearer, so as to get a view of -the object of our triumph? The sinking ship would be a unique object -to snapshot, don't you think?"</p> - -<p>The "old man" showed not the slightest sign of annoyance or surprise -at the interruption.</p> - -<p>"My dear sir," he replied affably, "would you put your fingers -within snapping range of a mad dog, even if the animal were chained -up and dying? I think not. Yonder vessel will bark as long as the -muzzles of her guns are above water. Remember, sir, that this is the -real thing, and that we are up against an enemy that we cannot afford -to underestimate. I am sorry that I cannot comply with your request."</p> - -<p>The passenger went away. Captain Ramshaw and the chief officer -exchanged glances. The latter uttered a short laugh.</p> - -<p>"I think if I'd been in your place, sir, I would have booted him out -of it," declared Lymore.</p> - -<p>"So I should have done," rejoined the skipper, "if I had been in my -own place—but I'm not. I'm an employee of the Company, and have to -study their interests. By Jove, Lymore, we do look a pair of -ragamuffins! Talk about the dignity of the Company's uniform! But I -wouldn't have missed the fun for a thousand pounds."</p> - -<p>Captain Ramshaw was as elated as a young subaltern who had donned -uniform for the first time. He had reason to be so. He had fought -against considerable odds, and had come out "top dog." It was but -one of many instances where the peaceful British mercantile marine -officer shows that the training he has had amid the perils of the sea -can be utilized as a powerful asset to the armed strength of the -Empire upon whose banner the sun never sets.</p> - -<br> -<a name="chapter07"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER VII.</h3> - -<h4 align="center">VON ECKENHARDT SCORES.</h4> - -<p><span class="smallcaps">"She's</span> surrendered, sir; she's hoisted the white flag," shouted the -crow's-nest man.</p> - -<p>Ordering full speed ahead, Captain Ramshaw directed a course to be -steered for the sinking "Osnabruck." While the carpenter and his men -were still working feverishly in the boats, others of the crew were -preparing lifelines and getting life-buoys ready to throw to the -luckless wretches who, up till half an hour ago, had done their -utmost to send the "Saraband" and her passengers and crew to "Davy -Jones' Locker."</p> - -<p>Rapidly the foundering vessel came clearer and clearer into view. -Already her fo'c'sle was awash. Her crew had mustered aft, waiting -for the final plunge; there was not one of her boats that was not -rendered useless by the straight firing of the two 4.7-in. guns of -her antagonist.</p> - -<p>"By Jove, those fellows are brave and disciplined!" remarked Lymore, -who was standing close to Terence. "Germany has a comparatively new -navy, without any of the glorious traditions that ours has; yet——"</p> - -<p>"They copy us, as much as possible, in that respect," added Aubyn. "I -believe the Kaiser had the story of our 'Birkenhead' printed and -distributed amongst his fleet as an example of what they ought to do -in the face of death. Look, there she goes."</p> - -<p>Quietly, without any suspicion of a swirl, the sea closed over the -ill-fated "Osnabruck." She did not turn turtle. In fact, she partly -righted herself as she disappeared, leaving a pall of smoke that -obscured the awful vision of two hundred human beings struggling for -life, to mark the spot where she took her last plunge.</p> - -<p>Fortunately the sea was calm and the water warm. The cannonading had -frightened away the tigers of the deep, so that the terrible danger -of being seized by sharks was not added to the horrors of the scene. -All around the surface was dotted with the heads of men swimming for -dear life. Many of the German sailors were supporting their wounded -comrades. They swam in silence, neither indulging in careless jest -nor appealing for aid. They were too stolid to meet danger with the -light-hearted bravery of the British tars; they were too confident in -their belief that their enemies would do their utmost to save them to -waste their breath in shouting for help.</p> - -<p>The three boats were lowered almost simultaneously, and urged by the -powerful strokes of the oarsmen as they bent to the ash blades, were -quickly upon the scene. Men were hauled into the boats with all -possible despatch, the officers in charge giving their crews special -orders to pick up those who were wounded and exhausted.</p> - -<p>Other Germans were saved by lifelines, while in several instances -members of the "Saraband's" crew dived overboard from a height of -thirty feet to rescue hapless Teutons who were on the point of -sinking.</p> - -<p>In all, eleven officers and one hundred and sixteen men, most of them -partly dazed by the ordeal through which they had passed, were saved. -F Provided with dry clothing by their captors, the officers were -marched aft and placed under lock and key in the second-class -passengers' smoking-room, while the men, save those whose state -required medical or surgical attention, were secured in the fore part -of the ship.</p> - -<p>The German officers took their defeat badly. They had been informed -of the "Saraband's" approximate position by wireless from their -consort, the armed liner "Hertzolf," and had hoped to make an easy -capture. Nor could they credit that the casualties on the British -vessel numbered only eight men slightly wounded. They scoffed openly -at the statement, till Captain Ramshaw, indignant that his word -should be doubted, invited the German commander to witness a muster -of the crew and compare the numbers with those on the ship's papers.</p> - -<p>Without further incident the "Saraband" arrived at the Rock. Here, -escorted by a naval vessel, since Gibraltar was under war conditions, -she went inside the Mole and coaled. Temporary repairs, beyond the -resources of the ship, were also carried out. The authorities, -however, declined to take off the German prisoners, nor would they -allow any of the passengers to land.</p> - -<p>Four days later the "Saraband" brought up in Sandown Bay, off the -Isle of Wight—the recognized "Examination Ground" for all merchant -vessels making for either Portsmouth or Southampton. Here she was -boarded by a naval officer who was detailed to pilot her through the -intricate channel between the submarine defences of Spithead. In -war-time nothing was left to chance in the safeguarding of the -kingdom's greatest naval port. No vessels were permitted to enter by -the Needles Channel. All movements of craft other than naval were -forbidden to take place after dark, while at night the approaches to -the historic anchorage were swept by dozens of powerful searchlights.</p> - -<p>Terence Aubyn was naturally curious to know in what capacity he was -to be employed by the Admiralty. He knew that with the calling up of -the naval reserve he would for the time being sever his connexion -with the Red Band Line. He hoped he would be appointed to a -battleship or cruiser.</p> - -<p>He was not long left in suspense. As the ship rounded the Nab -Lightship her orders were received:—</p> - -<p>"Make for Southampton and disembark passengers: then proceed to -Portsmouth. 'Saraband' is to be converted with all due haste into an -armed merchant cruiser."</p> - -<p>No patriotic demonstrations, no outbursts of cheering greeted the -badly battered vessel as, under reduced speed, she glided up the -land-locked Southampton Water and made fast alongside the dock-wall. -Save for a gang of stevedores and the mooring-party the docks were -absolutely devoid of the civilian element. Khaki and naval uniforms -were strongly in evidence, for the great commercial port had been -given over entirely for warlike purposes, chiefly in connexion with -the secret departure of the British Expeditionary Force.</p> - -<p>Almost five hundred years previously an English army had embarked at -that self-same town to wage a glorious campaign on French soil. -Fifteen hundred small vessels, bedecked with banners, their lofty -bulwarks lined with the shields of the flower of English chivalry, -carried the array commanded by Henry V in person. With shouts and -fanfares of trumpets and amid the acclamations of the worthy -townsfolk, the fleet dropped down Southampton Water, bearing the -knights, men-at-arms, and archers who were destined to win immortal -glory on the field of Agincourt.</p> - -<p>And now history was repeating itself—but with a difference. The -forces of the Mighty Empire were once more leaving Southampton for -the land of France: not as enemies of that country but as sworn -allies against a common, powerful, and unscrupulous foe. These forces -were working silently. There were no boisterous farewells, no braying -of brass bands, no flamboyant speeches. The silent armies meant -business.</p> - -<p>Berthed in a secluded portion of the docks the "Saraband" immediately -began to disembark her passengers. A train was waiting to take them -away from the scene of military activity, for the sooner they were -out of the way the quicker was the Embarkation Officer pleased. Then -came the turn of the survivors of the "Osnabruck."</p> - -<p>At the dock-side a strong body of khaki troops with fixed bayonets -was drawn up, ready to form an escort to the prisoners. Two closed -cabs were waiting for Major Karl von Eckenhardt and his confederate, -Hans Slieber, who were to be indicted on several counts before a -civil court.</p> - -<p>The German sailors, finding that they were well treated, gave no -trouble. In a quiet, orderly manner they trooped down the gangway and -formed up in fours. In spite of their nondescript garments they -presented a military bearing that characterizes the German seaman -whether he be a member of the Imperial Navy or of the Mercantile -Marine. One and all were permeated by the cast-iron discipline that -is one of the results of a rigid system of conscription.</p> - -<p>Surrounded by their guards they were marched off to cool their heels -in a concentration camp.</p> - -<p>"Now, Mr. Aubyn," said Captain Ramshaw, after the captive seamen had -departed, "take the quartermaster with you and accompany these -gentlemen."</p> - -<p>He pointed to the four police officers who had been detailed to -conduct the German spies to prison.</p> - -<p>"We'll soon relieve you of further responsibility, sir," remarked one -of the police. "According to information these gentlemen have caused -a lot of trouble: I reckon they won't do so again, once we've laid -hold of them."</p> - -<p>"I won't be sorry to see the last of them," agreed Terence. "I only -hope I shan't be kept about in connexion with the trial. I want to be -afloat again."</p> - -<p>The quartermaster unlocked the door of the cell in which Hans -Slieber, alias Stone, was confined. The man sullenly submitted to be -handcuffed; then, escorted by two of the police, was taken on deck.</p> - -<p>"You didn't keep your two birds together, I see," commented one of -the remaining officers.</p> - -<p>"Rather not," replied Aubyn. "The two of them might put their heads -together and do mischief. Alone, each can be kept in perfect safety. -Now, quartermaster."</p> - -<p>The quartermaster unlocked the door of the cabin in which Major von -Eckenhardt had been placed. Then he gave a gasp of astonishment. The -room was empty.</p> - -<p>Unable to disguise his chagrin Terence dashed into the cabin, -followed by the two police officers.</p> - -<p>"It's as clear as daylight how he managed it," announced one of the -representatives of the law, pointing to a portion of the steel -bulkhead that lay on the floor. An oval section, wide enough for a -man to crawl through, had been filed out of the partition. The -aperture communicated with the second-class passengers' smoking-room -in which the surviving officers of the "Osnabruck" had been -quartered. Von Eckenhardt had been released from his place of -confinement by them. Once in their company he shaved off his -moustache and donned a naval uniform. Since some of the prisoners -wore civilian garb, it was a comparatively easy matter for the spy to -march out of the ship with the others.</p> - -<p>"Anyway, we'll nab him at the concentration camp," declared one of -the policemen confidently. "I'm afraid, sir, you'll be one of those -who will have to identify him."</p> - -<p>"If you can manage to stop the train you'll save me a lot of bother," -declared Terence. "I must inform Captain Ramshaw at once."</p> - -<p>Acting upon the fourth officer's suggestion the police succeeded in -intercepting the train before it got clear of the docks. The German -officers were closely inspected, but without result. By means of an -astounding sang-froid the redoubtable spy, von Eckenhardt, had -slipped past the guards while the prisoners were entraining, and was -no doubt well on his way to liberty, and, what was worse, to renew -his activities against the British Government.</p> - -<br> -<a name="chapter08"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER VIII.</h3> - -<h4 align="center">THE DUTCH TRAWLER.</h4> - -<p><span class="smallcaps">For</span> the next five weeks workmen were toiling day and night upon the -"Saraband," from the moment she arrived at Portsmouth Dockyard.</p> - -<p>A clean sweep was made of her sumptuous cabin fittings. The white -enamelled woodwork of the promenade and boat-decks was ruthlessly -"scrapped." Over the engine and boiler-rooms a protective steel deck -was built, while light armour, sufficient to stop any hostile shell -from the light guns of the German commerce destroyers, was placed in -position round the water-line, and also in other important and -otherwise vulnerable parts of the ship.</p> - -<p>In addition to the two 4.7-in. guns already carried four more of the -same calibre were provided, two on the fo'c'sle and two amidships, -while on the promenade-deck four twelve-pounders were mounted behind -armoured shields. Finally the ship from truck to water-line was -painted a neutral grey; her name was changed, and under the White -Ensign appeared in the Navy List as H.M. Armed Merchant Cruiser -"Strongbow."</p> - -<p>During that six weeks Sub-Lieutenant Terence Aubyn, R.N.R., had been -far from idle. In company with the rest of the ship's deck officers -he had been sent to Whale Island, the Naval Gunnery School, to -undergo a rapid though none the less thorough preliminary course of -gunnery. Aubyn simply revelled in the work. Gunlaying, position -finding, gunnery control, both in theory and practice, kept him hard -at it, and when the examination took place he came off with flying -colours, somewhat to the astonishment and great satisfaction of the -authorities, who had hitherto regarded the R. N. R. officers in a -rather tolerant spirit.</p> - -<p>Just before the date fixed for commissioning H.M.S. "Strongbow" -Terence was accorded weekend leave—from three o'clock on Friday to -nine a.m. on Monday. Needless to say he employed the time by paying a -visit to his home.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Aubyn lived in a picturesque little house on the East Coast, -between Caistor and Yarmouth, standing within fifty yards of the low -cliffs. The house had been designed by Captain Aubyn, who did not -live long to enjoy his well-earned retirement. It was a low rambling -building. Over the two end rooms was a flat roof, accessible by means -of a "hatchway." This was the worthy captain's "quarter-deck," on -which was mounted on a tripod a powerful telescope. There was also a -flagstaff set at a rake from the centre of the side wall. From this -staff Captain Aubyn regularly hoisted the ensign at the regulation -hour, hauling it down at sunset. This he did regularly until a few -days before his death. In one of the rooms under the flat roof was a -semicircular projection, pierced with several small windows that -commanded an extensive marine view. This room the captain was wont to -dub the "casemate."</p> - -<p>People in the neighbourhood were apt to regard the house as the -output of a somewhat eccentric mind; but it was rather the result of -a life-long career in various ships of the Royal Navy, and so strong -were the traits of the service that Captain Aubyn introduced them as -far as possible into his private life. Whenever his friends rallied -him up on the subject of "Aubyn's Battery" the captain smiled -complacently. The reference pleased him far more than his -acquaintances were aware.</p> - -<p>Terence Aubyn's irregular and hasty visits were always a source of -deep pleasure to his mother. In his breezy way the lad would take his -parent by storm, converting her usually quiet existence into a brief -round of excitement.</p> - -<p>It was after eleven o'clock at night when the sub. reached Yarmouth. -He had previously wired to the effect that he would be home, as -quickly as the unpunctual train service would permit.</p> - -<p>Once clear of the town Terence set off at a steady swinging pace -along the Denes. Several times he was challenged by patrols, -incidents that served to remind him that war was close at home. He -vaguely wondered whether such precautions were necessary, with the -Grand Fleet holding the North Sea and keeping every German warship -skulking in harbour. It seemed so unreal, even with vast armies -fighting on the Continent, and the sound of their guns almost within -hearing distance of Dover, that the peaceful Norfolk coast should -have to be protected against possible raids.</p> - -<p>At length Aubyn reached the commencement of the cliff path. It was a -starry night, sufficiently light to enable him to follow the -well-known track without risk of blundering over the edge of the -miniature precipice on to the sands twenty feet below.</p> - -<p>After a mile or so the path skirted a slight indentation of the -cliff. As Terence passed this spot he saw a light flash at the bottom -of the hollow. Then the gleam vanished.</p> - -<p>In the starlight Terence could discern the figure of a man. In spite -of the chilliness of the night air he wore no overcoat. He was -standing motionless, with his back towards the sub.</p> - -<p>"The fellow's dropped something," soliloquised Aubyn. "I'll go and -bear a hand."</p> - -<p>The sand muffled his footsteps till he was within ten yards of the -stranger. Hearing the sound the man faced about and flashed an -electric torch upon the ground.</p> - -<p>"Lost something, sir?" asked Terence affably. "Can I help you?"</p> - -<p>"My pipe," returned the other. "It must have fallen out of my -pocket."</p> - -<p>The voice seemed strangely familiar, yet the sub. could not call the -owner to memory.</p> - -<p>"You live about here, I presume?" asked Aubyn. "I think I recognize -your voice——"</p> - -<p>The next moment he uttered an involuntary cry of pain and clasped his -hand to his eyes. The stranger had suddenly thrown a handful of some -burning substance straight into the young officer's face.</p> - -<p>For some moments Terence stood still, with his hands up to his face. -The pain was excruciating. He could do nothing, but he could hear the -footsteps of the rascal as he ran from the scene of his dastardly -work.</p> - -<p>"The brute has thrown quicklime in my eyes," thought the sub. "I'll -have to find my way to the sea and try to save my sight. Good -heavens!"</p> - -<p>Like a flash he now recognized the voice. It was that of the spy, -Major Karl von Eckenhardt.</p> - -<p>Gradually Aubyn made his way down the gently shelving sands, guided -by the murmurs of the waves breaking on shore. Before he had gone -many yards he gave vent to a prodigious sneeze, quickly followed by -another.</p> - -<p>"That's luck indeed," muttered the young officer. "It isn't lime -after all; it's pepper."</p> - -<p>Presently the involuntary flow of tears cleared the irritating grains -from his eyes, and though they still smarted terribly he was now able -to see. In addition a veil had been lifted from before his mental -vision: hitherto rather sceptical concerning the reports of German -spies on the East Coast he was no longer in doubt on that score.</p> - -<p>There was also another aspect to the situation. Perhaps von -Eckenhardt had learnt the home address of the young officer who had -materially assisted in thwarting his designs upon the "Saraband." -Motives of revenge may have brought the German hither, possibly to -strike a blow at Aubyn through his parent. Terence tried to dismiss -the suggestion as absurd, but the presentiment grew upon him. He -resolved to get his mother to move into either Yarmouth or Norwich at -the first opportunity.</p> - -<p>Thus reasoning Terence retraced his steps. He meant to inform the -nearest patrol of what had occurred, and if the telegraph and -telephone could be pressed into immediate service the spy ought to be -apprehended before morning.</p> - -<p>"'Alt. Who goes there?"</p> - -<p>"Friend!" replied Terence promptly.</p> - -<p>"Rummy time of night to be taking a constitutional," commented the -sentry, stepping from the shelter afforded by a clump of furze; then -recognizing Aubyn's naval cap and great-coat—</p> - -<p>"Beg pardon, sir," he said apologetically.</p> - -<p>"Have you seen anyone else pass this way recently?" demanded Terence.</p> - -<p>"No, sir; not during the last three-quarters of an hour. Is anything -wrong, sir?</p> - -<p>"I stumbled across a fellow using a flash lamp."</p> - -<p>"I wish I had, sir," declared the sentry, a smart young Territorial. -"Just my luck I didn't. If I had——" and he tapped the magazine of -his rifle significantly.</p> - -<p>All thoughts of making his way home had vanished from Aubyn's mind. -The demands of duty completely eclipsed the call of home. He hastened -back to Yarmouth and reported the matter to the naval authorities.</p> - -<p>Energetic steps were taken to capture the daring spy. Telegraph and -telephone were resorted to, verbal descriptions being transmitted to -all police stations in the vicinity, while orders were issued to the -Territorial troops guarding the railway stations to exercise -particular vigilance in this direction.</p> - -<p>It was also equally desirable to ascertain the vessel or vessels to -whom von Eckenhardt was signalling, and a number of small craft was -despatched to search Yarmouth Roads and an area bounded by imaginary -lines drawn through the Would, Smith's Knoll, Cross Sands, and Corton -Lights.</p> - -<p>By this time Aubyn had given up all idea of going home that night. -Rather than disturb his parent by knocking at the door at an -unearthly hour of the morning, he decided to crave the hospitality of -the naval officers attached to the Yarmouth base.</p> - -<p>"Hello, Aubyn, old chap! what brings you in these parts?" asked a -tall, broad-shouldered man in the uniform of a sub-lieutenant of the -Motor Boat Reserve.</p> - -<p>Terence looked keenly at his questioner. He was mystified, and the -officer keenly enjoyed his discomfiture.</p> - -<p>"You have the advantage of me," said Aubyn.</p> - -<p>"What. You don't remember Dick Waynsford? Come, come, that's base -ingratitude."</p> - -<p>"Well, old chap, if you will shave off that inelegant moustache of -yours—congratulations, old man."</p> - -<p>Dick Waynsford was a yachtsman who on the outbreak of the war had -applied for and had been given a commission in the newly formed Motor -Boat Reserve. His intimate knowledge of the intricate harbours and -creeks of the Suffolk and Essex coasts, combined with a strong liking -for the sea, made him fully qualified for the post.</p> - -<p>In Yarmouth Harbour were a dozen or so weatherly motor-boats, whose -duty it was to act as tenders for the fleet in the Roads, and to -undertake patrolling work. At all hours and in almost every state of -the weather these staunch little craft could be seen as they sped -upon their various duties. Unthinking people regarded the Motor Boat -Reserve as a soft job—an opportunity to wear His Majesty's uniform -and at the same time to be out of any possibility of danger. They had -yet to learn that the war was to be brought actually to the shores of -Old England, which they had hitherto considered impregnable. Then the -slighted "harbour patrol" boats would have their chance.</p> - -<p>"Have a run out with us, Aubyn?" suggested Waynsford. "We've just -had orders to look for a suspicious trawler—possibly the one to -which your friend the spy was signalling. Since you have partly -spoiled the game you may just as well see the end of it."</p> - -<p>"Right-o," assented Terence. "Lead on."</p> - -<p>Aubyn followed his friend to the quayside. Here, floating idly on the -dark waters of the tidal river, were four motor-boats, each painted a -dark grey and distinguished by a number on the bows, their outlines -feebly discernible by the feeble light of a partly shaded light on -the wharf.</p> - -<p>"That's my packet—the 'Lonette,'" announced Waynsford, indicating -the outermost of the tier. "Mind that ladder: it's horribly -slippery."</p> - -<p>"Fine little craft," declared Terence enthusiastically, as he stepped -into the diminutive cockpit of the motor-boat.</p> - -<p>"Yes, I'm lucky to get her. One of the swiftest of the whole crowd, -and a ripping sea-boat. Cast off there!" he ordered, addressing the -two deckhands, who with the engineer constituted the crew of the -"Lonette."</p> - -<p>Five minutes later the "Lonette" was gliding over the sullen -undulations of the North Sea, shaping a course towards the N.E. -Cockle buoy, marking the edge of a dangerous bank.</p> - -<p>A cable's length astern followed the "Pixie," another armed -motor-boat detailed to act in consort with the craft under -Waynsford's command. Neither vessel showed navigation lights, their -position being determined by the phosphorescent swirl as they cut -through the water. Overhead the stars shone dully, for a slight haze -was beginning to gather.</p> - -<p>Suddenly a dark shape loomed up in the darkness—an object that -resolved itself into a large unwieldy lighter attended by a small tug -which was lashed alongside.</p> - -<p>"Shifting the buoys," explained Waynsford laconically.</p> - -<p>"Shifting?" inquired Terence. "Surely you mean removing them -altogether."</p> - -<p>"Not much," replied his companion. "We've had orders to shift the -whole lot two miles to the east'ard. Should any of these rotten -German cruisers dare to come out—I don't fancy they will, worse -luck—the altered position of these buoys will puzzle them a bit: -unless your friend Eckenhardt has already signalled the fact to an -enemy vessel."</p> - -<p>Five minutes later the two patrol vessels ran across a number of -trawlers making their way to Yarmouth. These there was no need to -stop and examine. Their bona-fides were above suspicion, especially -as a long, lean destroyer was steaming slowly in their wake.</p> - -<p>For the next two hours the "Lonette" and the "Pixie" cruised between -the Newarp and the Cross Sands without sighting a suspicious craft. -It was now nearly dawn.</p> - -<p>"Sleepy?" inquired Waynsford, as Aubyn stifled a yawn. "Have a caulk -in the cabin: you'll find the cushions fairly comfortable, and they -were well aired this morning—yesterday morning, I mean."</p> - -<p>"Thanks, I'll stick it," replied Terence. "It's been a fairly long -day, but one must get used to it."</p> - -<p>"Trawler, or some such craft on the starboard bow, sir," announced -one of the "Lonette's" crew. "She's showing no lights."</p> - -<p>Waynsford immediately altered helm; the skipper of the -"Pixie", quickly followed suit, and the two motor-boats slowed down, -one on each quarter of the trawler, whose nets were out.</p> - -<p>"Trawler, ahoy. What ship is that?" shouted Waynsford.</p> - -<p>"Dis de 'Vanhuit' of Scheveningen, Hollander trawler," replied a -voice in broken English. "We goot way outside dree mile limit, -mynheer."</p> - -<p>"Stand by with a rope, then," rejoined the skipper of the "Lonette." -"We want to have a look at you."</p> - -<p>Somewhat reluctantly the Dutchman threw a coil of rope, the end of -which the bowman of the "Lonette" deftly made fast to a bollard. The -"Pixie" remained a boat's length or so off.</p> - -<p>"May as well come, Aubyn," suggested Waynsford. "A little exercise -won't do you any harm." The two subs, followed by one of the crew, -swarmed up the tarry side of the trawler and gained the deck.</p> - -<p>The strange craft was of about forty tons displacement, with a -considerable amount of sheer and ample beam. Steam was escaping -gently through the steam-pipe, while a faint wreath of smoke drifted -from her squat funnel.</p> - -<p>"Why no lights?" inquired Waynsford.</p> - -<p>"Accident, mynheer ver' bad accident," replied the Dutchman -apologetically. "See you here."</p> - -<p>He led the way for'ard. On the fo'c'sle were two burly fishermen -holding the remains of two lanterns.</p> - -<p>"Forestay halliard him part," explained the master. "Lights, dey come -down wit a run an' broke to pieces.</p> - -<p>"Then the sooner you send another pair of lamps aloft the better," -remarked Waynsford. "Now let's have a look round below."</p> - -<p>The Dutch skipper led the way. Aubyn lingered on the fo'c'sle. His -quick eye detected something that his comrade had overlooked. The -lanterns had obviously pitched on the deck, but there were no signs -of oil being spilled.</p> - -<p>At the head of the little companion ladder Waynsford paused to see if -Aubyn were following. The Dutchman had already disappeared.</p> - -<p>"Where's Mr. Aubyn?" asked the skipper of the "Lonette," addressing -his deck-hand.</p> - -<p>"For'ard, sir," replied that worthy. "I can just make him out in the -dark."</p> - -<p>"Coming below, Aubyn?" asked Waynsford, raising his voice.</p> - -<p>"Hold hard, I want to get something out of 'Lonette's' cabin," -replied Terence.</p> - -<p>Curiosity prompted Waynsford to delay his visit below. Going for'ard -he met Aubyn, who was making his way aft.</p> - -<p>"There's something queer about this craft," remarked Terence -hurriedly. "I'm going to smuggle myself on board, if you don't find -anything sufficiently suspicious to justify her detention. So if you -don't see me when you come on deck again, don't wait, but push off, -and come back for me in a couple of hours' time. If you can get in -touch with a destroyer, so much the better."</p> - -<p>"Right-o," assented Waynsford. He was perfectly willing to allow -Terence to put his plan into execution, but at the same time, his -suspicions aroused, he meant to do his level best to find sufficient -evidence to place the Dutch trawler under arrest. Extreme caution was -necessary, since he had been specially warned not to commit anything -that could be construed by a neutral state into an unfriendly act.</p> - -<p>Without another word Waynsford descended to the cabin. With rough -courtesy the Dutch skipper produced his papers, at the same time -offering the boarding-officer a glass of schnapps—an invitation that -was firmly yet kindly declined.</p> - -<p>"Your papers are quite in order," announced the sub. "Perhaps you -have no objection to my looking round?"</p> - -<p>"I no objec'," declared the Dutch skipper.</p> - -<p>Although his suspicions were aroused Sub-Lieutenant Waynsford had no -fear of treachery. One of his men had accompanied him below, while in -the interval a deck-hand from the "Pixie" had scrambled up the side -and was pacing the "Vanhuit's" planks. The engine-room, fo'c'sle, -fish-holds, and storerooms were each in turn visited, but there was -apparently nothing to give rise to any question that the vessel was -anything but a harmless trawler.</p> - -<p>At length Waynsford made his way on deck. The two fishermen on the -fo'c'sle were still devoting their attention to the damaged lamps. -Another was leaning over the low bulwark and engaging in conversation -in a queer sort of English with the crew of the "Pixie."</p> - -<p>"Thanks, mynheer," said Waynsford. "I'll wish you good-night. Sorry -to have caused you any inconvenience.</p> - -<p>"Der vas no drouble at all," rejoined the Dutchman. "Goot-night to -you."</p> - -<p>The sub descended the side and gained the cockpit of the "Lonette." -The rope was cast off and the motor-boat slipped astern. Not one word -did Waynsford say until the little craft was out of hearing distance, -then—</p> - -<p>"Where's Mr. Aubyn? he asked.</p> - -<p>"Aboard yonder packet, sir," replied the member of the crew who had -been left in charge of the motorboat. "He asked me to drop a few -feet astern and then he slipped up over the Dutchman's quarter. Shall -I give a hail, sir?"</p> - -<p>"No," replied Waynsford. "Easy ahead."</p> - -<br> -<a name="chapter09"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER IX.</h3> - -<h4 align="center">THE SECRET WIRELESS.</h4> - -<p><span class="smallcaps">Upon</span> regaining the "Lonette," Aubyn descended into the diminutive -cabin and made hasty preparations for his adventure. Unbuttoning his -great-coat he drew a small revolver from the inside breast pocket of -his monkey-jacket. Assuring himself that it was fully loaded, the -sub. thrust it into the right-hand pocket of his outer garment, then, -having readjusted his muffler, rebuttoned his coat, so that the -turned-up collar hid the white woollen comforter.</p> - -<p>He felt justified in making the attempt. During his brief visit to -the trawler the lack of oil from the broken lamps had first aroused -his suspicions. Secondly, he had made the discovery that the -foremast, although painted to resemble pitch-pine, was made of metal, -and was consequently hollow. A steel mast for a vessel of that -tonnage was a decided rarity, especially when the vessel was supposed -to be a trawler. Consequently Aubyn had already made up his mind to -investigate.</p> - -<p>It was impracticable to give Waynsford details of his plan. Without -demur the skipper of the "Lonette" had agreed to his chum's -proposition—for which Terence was truly grateful. Had Waynsford been -of a jealous or inquisitive disposition he might have wrecked his -friend's plans. Instead he had unquestionably complied with Aubyn's -wishes.</p> - -<p>Presently Terence emerged from the cabin and peered cautiously at the -high sides of the trawler. Fortunately none of the crew was visible. -Six feet abaft the motor-boat's quarter the outlines of the trawler's -mizzen chain-plates were just discernible in the darkness.</p> - -<p>Softly calling to the "Lonette's" bowman, Aubyn asked him to drop a -few feet astern. The man who in civil life had been a deck-hand on a -crack racing-yacht, immediately did so. His wonderment at the request -was overpowered by a sense of obedience acquired by years of training -that demanded instant response to the order of the sailing-master.</p> - -<p>As soon as the chain-plates came within arm's length Terence grasped -the tarred lanyards and swung himself up till his head was on a level -with the bulwarks. He peered cautiously along the deck. Aft the -trawler was deserted. Forward the two hands were fumbling with the -lanterns and the ends of the severed forestay halliard. They -evidently were in no hurry to rectify the damage, Terence decided a -deft-handed man could have re-spliced the rope in a quarter of the -time.</p> - -<p>Silently the sub. crawled over the bulwarks and made his way to the -lee side of the engine-room coamings. Here he paused to survey the -scene of action, at the same time devotedly hoping that his boots -would not creak and betray his presence. From below came the guttural -voice of the Dutch skipper punctuated by the clear decisive tones of -Dick Waynsford. Amidships, on the port side, one of the crew, -invisible from the place where Terence crouched, was still keeping up -a running fire of banter with the "Pixie's" crew.</p> - -<p>He began to unlace his boots, regretting that he had not left them on -board the "Lonette." Then he remembered that if they were discovered -suspicions would be aroused. He could not drop them overboard without -making a splash—and the footgear had cost him a guinea a pair. Lying -about on a wet deck with stockinged feet, he reflected, was a cruel -job on a cold night, so he hurriedly re-tied the laces.</p> - -<p>"It will be a ticklish job to give an account of myself if they find -me," he soliloquised, "that is, if the trawler's what she pretends -she is. Ten to one I'm on the right tack, though, so here goes."</p> - -<p>On all fours he crossed the only uninterrupted part of deck space -between the companion and the side of the fish-hold coaming. Here he -was fairly safe from observation unless one of the for'ard hands -chanced to come aft.</p> - -<p>The fish-hold hatches occupied the greater portion of the 'midships -part of the trawler. Two of the after-coverings had been removed. The -others were in place, a heavy tarpaulin being loosely thrown over -them, the canvas slack at the for'ard end.</p> - -<p>Beneath this covering, and wedged in between the coaming and the -deck, Aubyn crawled. Here he was within ten feet of the foremast—the -object of his suspicions. Thanks to the tarpaulin he was able to keep -fairly warm in his cramped quarters, while by means of a fold in the -canvas he was able to command a wide view of the fore part of the -vessel.</p> - -<p>Presently he heard Waynsford and the Dutch skipper, followed by the -"Lonette's" man, emerge from the cabin and make the round of the -deck. Once Waynsford's foot nearly trod upon him as he crouched under -the still tarpaulin. Then, after a seemingly endless delay, Terence -heard the farewell greetings and the gentle purring of the -"Lonette's" motors, as, followed by the "Pixie," she forged ahead, -circled and was lost to hearing in the darkness.</p> - -<p>For the next ten minutes Terence heard nothing but the heavy measured -tread of the skipper of the trawler as he paced the deck. Then, -stopping at the forward end of his beat, he said something in a low -tone. The words were German, not Dutch—Aubyn was certain of that. -Bitterly he regretted his almost total ignorance of the language of -Britain's greatest foe.</p> - -<p>Then came the clank of a steam winch. Apparently the men were hauling -in their nets.</p> - -<p>"I hope the old hooker won't make off towards the Dutch coast without -the 'Lonette' spotting her," observed Aubyn. "If it come overmisty I -won't give much for my chance. By Jove! I am getting stiff."</p> - -<p>Soon the winch was stopped, and men came for'ard. Two of them stopped -at the foot of the foremast and set to work silently and rapidly. -Slightly raising the fold of the tarpaulin the sub. could see that -they were removing a plate from the bulky steel mast. Others—for -more of the crew than had previously appeared came on the scene—rove -light steel wire rigging furnished with small circular objects that -the sub. recognised as insulators for wireless gear.</p> - -<p>His suspicions were well-founded. Inside the steel mast was a -telescopic spar that could be hoisted thirty feet above the truck. -From the head of this staff a line of light rope running through a -block automatically uncoiled itself, the falls dropping on deck. To -one end of this line the aerial was bent and sent aloft.</p> - -<p>Two men then came staggering forward with a huge cask. Upon knocking -off the upper and lower bands the barrel opened like an exaggerated -locket—the remaining bands being dummies—and disclosed a small but -powerful wireless apparatus.</p> - -<p>Hardly pausing to weigh the consequences, the sub. threw aside the -folds of the tarpaulin and sprang to his feet. A howl of rage and -surprise greeted his appearance.</p> - -<p>"Surrender!" exclaimed Aubyn sternly.</p> - -<p>For some minutes there was a dead silence on the part of the -astonished Germans, broken only by the moaning of the wind through -the rigging and the lap of the water against the trawler's sides. -Then, giving a hasty glance round to assure himself that no vessel -was within hailing distance, and realising that the daring Englishman -was alone, the skipper gave a hurried order.</p> - -<p>The next moment Terence was confronted by the muzzles of half a dozen -automatic pistols.</p> - -<p>"Surrender yourself, Englishman," replied the skipper. "You mad; you -all alone. Hands up, or you dead man."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps," remarked Terence, with outward calmness, although he -remembered with some misgivings that the hair trigger of an automatic -pistol is a delicate piece of mechanism for a horny-handed seaman to -play with. "If you shoot you'll make things a jolly sight worse for -you than they are already. You're properly cornered. The two -motor-boats are waiting a short distance off, and there's a destroyer -only too ready to bear a hand."</p> - -<p>"Vot you going der do?" asked the German, in a chastened tone.</p> - -<p>"To summon assistance and take possession of an enemy ship. The more -trouble you give, my friend, the worse it will be for you."</p> - -<br> -<br> -<center> -<a name="04_aim"></a> -<img src="images/04_aim.jpg" alt="image: 04_aim.jpg" style="width:100%; height:auto; max-width:600px;"> -</center> -<center>[Illustration: "Taking a quick yet steady aim, the Sub. pressed the -trigger."]</center> -<br> -<br> - -<p>The skipper shrugged his shoulders, then hastily addressed his crew. -The latter put up their pistols, sullenly and almost mutinously. One -of the men hurried across the deck and drew a signal rocket from a -locker. This he affixed to the vessel's side and produced a match.</p> - -<p>"Stop!" exclaimed Aubyn authoritatively.</p> - -<p>"Dies still Zherman sheep," protested the skipper.</p> - -<p>The match flared, shielded from the wind by the partly clasped hand -of the man who was holding it. In obedience to a further order he -began to apply the light to the rocket.</p> - -<p>Terence whipped out his revolver. Hitherto, realising that a -premature display of the weapon might result in a volley from the -hostile pistols, he had kept the weapon out of sight. Now that the -crew were practically cowed that danger was over.</p> - -<p>The seaman hesitated only for a brief instant, then ignoring the -levelled weapon, bent over his task. One of his comrades chuckled -derisively.</p> - -<p>Taking a quick yet steady aim the sub. pressed the trigger. The heavy -ball went true to the mark, severing the rocket-stick and causing the -rocket to fall over the side. Luck more than good management had -enabled him to hit a target the thickness of a lead pencil on a dark -night, with only the flicker of a match to assist his aim.</p> - -<p>"If any man attempt to go below I'll wing him—tell them that," said -Terence sternly, addressing the master. "Order them to fall in on -the starboard side."</p> - -<p>All sign of resistance having disappeared the crew, ten in number, -formed up at the place indicated, while Aubyn drew his cigarette case -from his pocket and smoked.</p> - -<p>It was not an act of bravado on his part. Now that the crisis was -over he had an uncontrollable craving for a cigarette. So he smoked -contentedly as he awaited the return of the "Lonette" and her -consort.</p> - -<p>He had not long to wait. Already grey dawn was breaking. The wind had -dropped, and the short steep waves had subsided into a sullen roll. -Long before the two motor-boats came into view the purr of the -engines and the muffled roar of their exhausts could be distinctly -heard in the still morning air.</p> - -<p>"I thought the fellows had potted you when I heard that shot," -exclaimed Waynsford, as he clambered over the side. "Well done, old -man," he added cordially, as his glance fell upon the tell-tale -wireless gear.</p> - -<p>"You might send 'Pixie' to bring up the destroyer," suggested Aubyn. -"It will save a lot of trouble if she tows this packet into port. -Tell her to give the destroyer the tip: there may be German -submarines about."</p> - -<p>"What makes you think that?" asked Waynsford.</p> - -<p>"The anxiety on the part of one of those fellows to let off a rocket. -I'm glad I was able to stop his little game."</p> - -<p>"How?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, a pot-shot at five yards—sent the rocket-stick flying out of -his hands. Wonder I didn't hit him."</p> - -<p>"Serve him jolly well right if you had," added Waynsford. Already he -was fairly conversant with German methods of kultur in connexion with -nautical affairs, and to him every Teuton appeared in the light of a -skulking treacherous foe.</p> - -<p>"'Pixie,' ahoy!" he shouted, addressing his consort, which had now -slowed down about half a cable's length away on the port quarter. -"Get into touch with that destroyer: she's heading our way. Inform -her commanding officer that we suspect hostile submarines in the -vicinity."</p> - -<br> -<a name="chapter10"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER X.</h3> - -<h4 align="center">H.M.S. "STRONGBOW" SAILS.</h4> - -<p><span class="smallcaps">Already</span> the vessel indicated—H.M.T.B.D. "Lawley"—was within three -miles of the captured trawler, and at a good twenty-five knots was -momentarily decreasing the distance. Her lynx-eyed -lieutenant-commander had spotted the so-called "Vanhuit," and the -tell-tale wireless mast, and the presence of one of the patrolling -motor-boats alongside gave him a right impression that the trawler -had been engaged in illegal work.</p> - -<p>The "Lawley" made a fine picture as she pelted through the -leaden-hued water on that grey autumnal morning. She was cleared for -action. Men were standing by the three 4-inch guns ready to let fly -at the first sign of a hostile periscope, for German submarines had -been reported in the vicinity of Yarmouth Roads, and each of her -mast-heads had the White Ensign floating proudly in the breeze -created by her speed. The bunting was the only dash of colour about -her; all the rest of the destroyer was a sombre hue, from the black -hull and funnels to the great-coated forms of the crew.</p> - -<p>The skipper of the "Pixie," balancing himself on the cabin-top of his -lively craft, was semaphoring the warning. Almost as soon as his -message ended a triangular strip of bunting—the answering -pennant—was hoisted to the "Lawley's" signal yard-arm. Then, by -means of a megaphone, the lieutenant-commander shouted to the crew of -the "Pixie." The words were unintelligible to the watchers on the -captured trawler, but the skipper of the "Pixie" understood. With a -wave of his arm he descended from his precarious perch just in time -to prevent himself being capsized by the swell of the passing -destroyer, which, instead of making for the trawler, sharply ported -helm and made off in the opposite direction.</p> - -<p>"We're to take the prize into Yarmouth under our own steam," -announced the sub. in charge of the "Pixie," as he came within -hailing distance.</p> - -<p>"Right-o," assented Waynsford cheerfully. "Come aboard and we'll tow -both our boats. Now then, below there," he added, addressing the -German skipper and his crestfallen men.</p> - -<p>Waynsford literally hustled them into the forepeak and shut the -hatch. The German engineer and the fireman required no compulsion to -remain at their posts. In one sense they were glad at being captured; -it meant the end of the nerve-racking ordeal within sight of the -English coast and miles of mine-strewn waters—the work of their -fellow-countrymen—between them and their Friesian home.</p> - -<p>The crew of the motor-boats quickly buoyed and severed the nets that -the pseudo-trawler had out to cloak her true rôle, and having -drifted clear of these entanglements, the captured craft forged ahead -at a modest seven knots with the "Lonette" and "Pixie" towing -sedately astern.</p> - -<p>Terence Aubyn, feeling somewhat heavy-eyed by reason of his voluntary -night's work, was pacing the deck, his gaze directed towards the town -of Yarmouth and the low-lying Norfolk coast, now momentarily becoming -clearer in the rays of the early morning sun.</p> - -<p>Suddenly his thoughts were interrupted by a hurried shout from one of -the deck-hands, followed by a heavy list of the trawler as Waynsford -put the helm hard over.</p> - -<p>Fifty yards on the starboard bow was a black object resembling a -short spar floating vertically, yet the object had movement, for a -streak of foam marked the resistance of the water to its progress.</p> - -<p>It was Aubyn's first impression of the periscope of a submarine, and -a German one at that.</p> - -<p>With admirable presence of mind Waynsford had decided to ram the -lurking peril. Evidently the commander of the submarine had realized -his danger, for the periscope was sinking.</p> - -<p>Aubyn held his breath as the heavy hull of the trawler passed -immediately over the spot where the periscope had disappeared. He -waited for the dull grinding sound as the vessel's keel ripped -through the comparatively thin steel hull of the submerged -vessel—but he waited in vain. True, there was a slight -tremor—nothing more.</p> - -<p>"I believe we hit her," exclaimed Waynsford. "Did your hear -anything?"</p> - -<p>Aubyn was obliged to confess that he had not. The prize crew crowding -to the side looked for signs of a successful issue to their effort.</p> - -<p>"Oil and bubbles," declared the sub. in charge of the "Pixie." "She's -done for."</p> - -<p>Waynsford, far from being convinced, ordered one of his men to heave -a mark-buoy overboard and mark the spot where the periscope had been -last seen, at the same time a code signal was hoisted indicating the -fact that a hostile submarine had been rammed.</p> - -<p>Quickly the destroyer arrived within hailing distance, and Aubyn was -able to see what steps the Navy took to combat the unseen foe. Slowly -the "Lawley" circled round the mark-buoy, paying out over her stern -what appeared to be an exaggerated string of sausages—in reality a -"necklace" of guncotton ready to be fired by means of electricity.</p> - -<p>"Prize ahoy! you're much too close," sang out the bronzed -lieutenant-commander impatiently.</p> - -<p>Before the trawler was a cable's length from the mark-buoy a series -of columns of water rose two hundred feet in the air, accompanied by -a muffled crash and a haze of smoke. When the water had subsided and -the vapour had drifted on the light breeze the mark-buoy was no -longer to be seen. All around were the bodies of fish killed by the -submarine explosion.</p> - -<p>"That's settled her hash," declared Waynsford. "If she survived the -hit we gave her she didn't get over that little attention. See, the -'Lawley' is sending a diver down to report."</p> - -<p>"More copy for the Press," remarked his chum, the sub. from the -"Pixie."</p> - -<p>Waynsford shook his head.</p> - -<p>"Not much," he replied. "It's part of the game to keep this sort of -thing quiet. We don't want to frighten our friends the German -submarines, we want to lure them out and make an end of 'em."</p> - -<p>Terence made no remark. He was thinking, striving to picture the -shattered hull with its crew of corpses, lying fifteen fathoms below -on the sandy bed of the North Sea.</p> - -<p>Half an hour later the prize was moored alongside one of the Yarmouth -quays, while the German crew were marched off under an armed guard.</p> - -<p>Declining an invitation to breakfast with the naval officers of the -port, Aubyn hurried ashore. It was now six o'clock. Already a -wireless report had been received from the "Lawley" stating that her -divers had discovered the wreck of the hostile submarine, which was a -matter for congratulation. But there were no tidings of the spy von -Eckenhardt. In spite of a rigorous search he had contrived to get -clear away, and von Eckenhardt at liberty in in England was a more -serious menace than a dozen German submarines operating in British -waters.</p> - -<p>"I say, mater," remarked Terence, while Mrs. Aubyn and her son were -at breakfast, "I think you ought to evacuate 'Aubyn's Battery '—at -least while the war lasts."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Aubyn looked at her son in utter astonishment.</p> - -<p>"What, leave my home? For why? Surely you don't mean to suggest that -German troops are likely to land in England?"</p> - -<p>Terence shook his head. He scouted the idea of invasion, yet he knew -there was a possibility—that a raiding squadron might visit the -Norfolk coast.</p> - -<p>"No, I was thinking of the winter coming on," he said equivocally. -"You see, it's rather bleak and lonely for you here. Why not shut the -house up for the next six months and go and live with Aunt Margaret?"</p> - -<p>Mrs. Aubyn wavered. Her sister had a large house at Purbrook, a few -miles from Portsmouth. It certainly would be a pleasant change to -spend the winter in the south of England with her nearest relative -rather than exist in solitary state in her home on the bleak East -Coast.</p> - -<p>"Besides," continued her son, taking advantage of his parent's -obvious wavering, "the 'Strongbow'—that's the new name for the old -'Saraband'—is fitting out of Portsmouth, and more than likely she'll -make that place here home port. In that case, whenever we put in for -supplies or refit, I ought to be able to see you pretty frequently."</p> - -<p>The explanation was a lame one. Terence knew perfectly well that on -being commissioned the "Strongbow" would proceed to the North Sea for -patrol-work. Her connexion with Portsmouth would then be severed. But -to his satisfaction Mrs. Aubyn figuratively hauled down her colours.</p> - -<p>A telegram was despatched to her sister, accepting a long-standing -invitation, and at the expiration of his week-end leave, -Sub-Lieutenant Aubyn was accompanied by his mother on his journey to -Portsmouth to rejoin his ship.</p> - -<p>Three days later the "Strongbow," looking most business-like in her -garb of neutral grey, slipped unostentatiously between the old -fortifications at the mouth of Portsmouth Harbour, negotiated the -narrow gateway of the boom-defence, and in the pale dawn of a misty -October day shaped her course for the North Sea.</p> - -<p>She was one of perhaps a hundred vessels of whose very existence not -decimal one per cent of the population of Great Britain is aware. -Unless a striking success or a lamentable disaster brings them into -the limelight the great British public never hear their names. Yet -every one of that vast fleet of armed merchantmen was doing its duty -as a unit of the greatest Navy the world has ever yet seen, nobly -performing a service whereby the United Kingdom is spared the horror -of the yoke-mate of war—the scourge of famine.</p> - -<p>The "Strongbow" carried the same officers as in the days when she -sailed under the Red Ensign, while in command was a full-fledged -naval officer, Captain Hugh Ripponden.</p> - -<p>Captain Ripponden was one of those men who welcomed the outbreak of -hostilities as a godsend. July found him in a hopeless position as -regards seniority on the list of commanders. The prospect of -compulsory retirement at the age of fifty stared him in the face. By -sheer merit and perseverance he had attained his present position, -but unfortunately he lacked the necessary influence "up topsides" -to gain an additional advance in rank.</p> - -<p>The absorption into the Service of a fleet of armed merchantmen -proved to be his salvation from a distasteful retirement, and thus he -found himself in command of H.M.S. "Strongbow."</p> - -<p>Like many another talented naval officer Captain Ripponden had not -the gift of eloquence. He was a man of few words. A speech was beyond -his powers.</p> - -<p>While the crew of H.M.S. "Strongbow" first mustered for Divisions -after commissioning the captain's address was short and to the -point:—</p> - -<p>"My lads, you look a smart crew. If you are as smart as you look, -I'll be quite satisfied. Now dismiss."</p> - -<p>He was quite right in saying the ship's company were a smart body of -men. In spite of the fact that they were made up of Royal Naval -Reserve men, Royal Fleet Reservists, and a sprinkling of Royal Naval -Volunteers, they presented an appearance that would defy criticism -even from the oldest martinet in the days when a smart lower-yard man -was considered as a greater asset to a ship's company than a good -gun-layer.</p> - -<p>The officers of the "Strongbow," from Captain Ramshaw (who now -assumed the rank of Commander, R.N.R.) downwards, quickly voted the -new skipper "a right good sort," while it did not take the crew long -to form the current opinion that "the owner" was a man who, not -shirking work himself, expected others to do their utmost. On board -H.M.S. "Strongbow" there was no room for shirkers or grousers.</p> - -<p>Before the vessel passed the Nab Lightship practically the whole of -the Naval Volunteers—men of good position in civil life, whose -previous acquaintance with King Neptune's domains was a view from the -deck of the "President" lying off Temple Pier—were prostrate with -sea-sickness.</p> - -<p>Captain Ripponden received the report that ten of his crew were -temporarily hors de combat with equanimity.</p> - -<p>"Let the men lie in their hammocks," he replied considerately. -"They'll be all the better for it when they recover their sea-legs."</p> - -<p>Therein he was right, and before the "Strongbow" arrived at her -cruising-station the Volunteers were as fit and as eager as the rest -of their comrades for the arduous work on hand.</p> - -<br> -<a name="chapter11"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XI.</h3> - -<h4 align="center">ALL IN A DAY'S WORK.</h4> - -<p><span class="smallcaps">"Light</span> on the port bow, sir," sung out a hoarse voice in the -darkness.</p> - -<p>Sub-Lieutenant Aubyn rubbed his eyes with the back of his lamb-skin -glove. The action was necessary, for his face was encrusted with -frozen spray—icicles that, driven with terrific force by the howling -wind, cut so deeply into his weather-beaten skin as to draw blood. -Then, grasping his telescope with his benumbed fingers he steadied -the instrument on the edge of a "storm-dodger" and brought it to -bear upon the object indicated.</p> - -<p>Two months of monotonous patrol-work had passed since the day on -which the "Strongbow" left Portsmouth Harbour. The rigours of a -winter in the North Atlantic had severely tried the physical and -mental capabilities of the officers and crew. As the days shortened -and the nights correspondingly increased, and the periods of weak -sunshine became more and more rare, the stress upon the ship's -company grew. Buffeted by wintry gales, swept by icy seas, the -"Strongbow" kept doggedly to her station. For a week at a time no -strange sail would be sighted. The armed liner seemed to be an atom -of isolation in the midst of a deserted foam-flecked ocean; yet hers -was a particular duty to be done for King and Country.</p> - -<p>Coming from a regular route that for the most part lay in tropical -and sub-tropical seas the original officers of the ship felt the -climatic change acutely. Most of them, who hourly faced death in the -shape of unseen mines, quailed at the thought of having to use a -razor, and grew beards of wondrous trim.</p> - -<p>Aubyn was one of the exceptions, yet his appearance was such that he -resembled, to use Raeburn's expression, "a cross between a teddy-bear -and a golliwog." In addition to double underclothing he sported three -thick sweaters, a heavy great-coat and an enormous woollen muffler. -Over this perambulating bundle of clothing he wore a large yellow -oilskin and sea-boots. His naval peaked cap had given place to a -woollen "helmet" surmounted by a "sou'-wester" kept in place, against -the frantic efforts of the wind to dislodge it, by a black and white -plaid "comforter" tied tightly under his chin. And in spite of this -load of garments the cold chilled him to the bone.</p> - -<p>Terence's appearance in the matter of dress was in keeping with the -rest of the officers and crew. Gifts of woollen comforts from the -womenfolk of the Empire had been showered upon the Royal Navy, and in -spite of the apparent redundancy of garments every article was -utilized and appreciated. Commander Ramshaw had been heard to remark -that when the men were given an order they had to almost undress -before they could carry it out. He was not far out, for although the -amount of clothing worn was not superfluous it certainly hampered the -men's movements.</p> - -<p>The "Strongbow's" task was an arduous, necessary, and momentous one. -Like scores of her consorts the joy of battle was denied her. The -possibility of any of her crew smelling powder was a very remote one. -She was never likely to join in the chase of a fleeing enemy warship. -Her men would never, according to present circumstances, witness the -last plunge of a hostile cruiser, sent to the bottom by the guns of a -man-of-war. Honour and glory were not to be hers when the story of -the Great War comes to be written in letters of gold upon the pages -of the world's history.</p> - -<p>No, she was only a patrol-ship; doomed to cruise within certain -limits and examine all strange merchant-craft that passed within -sight of the alert lookout. Yet by so doing she was driving a nail -into the coffin of the vaunted German Empire. She was helping to -tighten the bands of economic pressure that were slowly but surely -crippling the resources of the Mailed Fist.</p> - -<p>It was not until Aubyn had removed the thick deposit of frozen spray, -which, in spite of the protective shade had encrusted the object -glass of the telescope, that he was able to distinguish the outlines -of the strange vessel. She was a three-masted topsail schooner, -close-reefed and on the starboard tack, showing her port light, which -was burning brightly.</p> - -<p>No vessel engaged in carrying contraband to Germany would be likely -to show navigation lamps while attempting to steal through the cordon -of British patrol-ships. The sub. knew that; yet it was his duty to -report the presence of the stranger in order that the "Strongbow" -could make a proper examination of her papers.</p> - -<p>Upon receipt of the intelligence that the armed liner was heading for -an unknown vessel, Captain Ripponden, aroused before he had "turned -in" for less than an hour, hurried to the bridge. Orders were issued -for the cutter's crew to stand by, while the "Strongbow" was -manoeuvred to take up a position to windward of the schooner.</p> - -<p>Promptly the stranger obeyed the order to heave-to. With her lean bow -plunging into the angry seas like a chopper she lost way two cables' -lengths from the British patrol-ship, a row of sou'-westered heads -lined the lee-rail, as her crew watched the approach of "Strongbow's" -boat.</p> - -<p>Half an hour later the boarding officer returned.</p> - -<p>"No luck, sir," he reported. "She's our old friend, the 'Sarmiento,' -of Boston, U.S.A., bound for Bergen."</p> - -<p>He was justified in calling the schooner an old friend. Three days -previously the "Strongbow" had fallen in with and had boarded the -self-same vessel. For three days the "Sarmiento" had tacked and -tacked in the teeth of the strong nor'-easter, never gaining a mile, -while the patrol-ship in keeping her to appointed limits had again -fallen in with her.</p> - -<p>"All in a night's work," remarked Captain Ripponden, as he prepared -to return to his cabin. "Better luck next time. Mr. Bury, you brought -the cutter alongside in excellent style."</p> - -<p>The sub. who had gone to the schooner as boarding-officer saluted. -The praise from his captain had amply recompensed him for the dangers -he and his boat's crew had undergone in traversing the stretch of -angry sea between the two vessels, only to find that he had departed -upon a fruitless errand.</p> - -<p>Philosophically he agreed with the skipper that it was all in a -night's work, and made a hurried bolt below to shed his saturated -garments, for in spite of oilskins and sea-boots he was drenched to -the skin.</p> - -<p>At eight bells noon on the following day another sail was reported, -this time on the port quarter.</p> - -<p>The "Strongbow's" helm was immediately put over and a course shaped -to intercept the stranger.</p> - -<p>"German, by all the powers!" ejaculated Commander Ramshaw. "She's -got the confounded cheek to hoist her rascally colours."</p> - -<p>The approaching vessel was a large steel barque. Her jibboomless -"stump" bowsprit and the absence of chain-plates betokened her to be -a modern craft and apparently a valuable prize.</p> - -<p>The stranger made no attempt to alter course. A score or so of -stolid, fair-haired Teutons were gathered on her short fo'c'sle, -gazing with a faint degree of interest upon the grey-painted vessel -approaching them, till a shot fired across the barque's bows, -followed by a peremptory signal to heave-to roused them to unwonted -activity.</p> - -<p>Away aloft swarmed the astonished German seamen. Sail was quickly -reduced, and curtseying to the short steep seas the barque was ready -to receive her prize-masters.</p> - -<p>Terence was in charge of the boat detailed to take possession of the -barque. Armed with a revolver and accompanied by fifteen of the crew -with rifles and bayonets, he took his place in the stern sheets of -the boat. Deftly the patent disengaging gear of the falls was cast -off, the men bent to their stout ash oars with a will, and five -minutes later the boat was alongside the barque.</p> - -<p>"Vot you vant?" demanded the skipper of the barque, which proved to -be the "Freya" of Bremen. "Your vessel is a prize of his Britannic -Majesty's Government," announced Terence.</p> - -<p>"Prize?—I no onderstan'," expostulated the master vehemently. "Dis -Zherman sheep. Zhermany not at war."</p> - -<p>"I'm afraid you are greatly mistaken," said Aubyn, as he swung -himself up the side by means of the rope ladder which the crew, -unsuspecting the nature of the visit, although mystified by the -display of arms, had meanwhile lowered. "Germany is at war with -Great Britain, France, Russia, Japan, and Servia."</p> - -<p>At the mention of each of these countries the skipper's eyes opened -wider and wider.</p> - -<p>"Mein Gott!" he exclaimed, and without another word turned on his -heel and made for his cabin, only to be brought back by a peremptory -order from the young sub.</p> - -<p>From the ship's papers it was ascertained that the "Freya" had a most -valuable cargo of nitrates and copper ore—a cargo that would be of -immense service to the German army had the barque escaped the British -patrol. She was a hundred and forty-three days out of Valparaiso, and -during the whole of that time she had not spoken a single vessel; -consequently her crew were in total ignorance of the European War. -Gales and head winds had delayed her; water and provisions remained -sufficient only for three more days. She had been blown so far out of -her course that her master had decided to make a passage round Cape -Wrath rather than beat up the English Channel, and when almost in -sight of the North Sea she had been snapped by the "Strongbow."</p> - -<p>Quickly the prize crew went about their work. The German seamen were -ordered below; guards were posted at the hatchways and outside the -officers' quarters. The red, white, and black ensign of the German -Mercantile Marine was lowered and rehoisted under the British flag; -canvas was stowed and preparations were made to take the "Freya" in -tow.</p> - -<p>After a considerable amount of skilful and dangerous manoeuvring a -stout hempen hawser was passed from the prize to the "Strongbow," and -wallowing heavily in the latter's wake the "Freya" was towed into -Dingwall.</p> - -<p>Almost the first thing that attracted Terence's attention on landing -at Dingwall was a poster on which appeared the words "German Fleet -attempts Bombardment of Yarmouth."</p> - -<p>"Another rumour—I'm getting sick of them," ejaculated Aubyn; -nevertheless, he bought a copy of the paper. He was wrong in his -surmise. It was a fact, not a rumour. Several German heavy cruisers -had suddenly appeared off the port in the grey dawn, and had opened a -furious fire. Unaccountably, it seemed, all the projectiles fell -short of their mark. A few, indeed, ploughed up the sand on the -shore, but no damage was done. Everyone was asking, "Will the hostile -cruisers get away safely?"</p> - -<p>That same afternoon the news was received that the raiders had -escaped. The chances were eagerly discussed on board the "Strongbow." -It seemed incredible that, in spite of the cordon of British light -cruisers and destroyers a dozen enemy ships should be able to retire -unharmed after their brazen attempt.</p> - -<p>"You fellows must remember we haven't official details," remarked -Lieutenant Lymore. "Another thing: you know what the North Sea is -like this time of the year, with the range of vision limited to -perhaps a couple of miles."</p> - -<p>"Think they'll try it on again?" asked Raeburn.</p> - -<p>"No doubt. Encouraged by their being able to avoid getting into -contact with our fleet they'll have another shot at it, but let's -hope they'll burn their fingers."</p> - -<p>Before the "Strongbow" left Dingwall, after coaling ship, a mail, -mostly of belated letters, arrived. Amongst them was one for Aubyn -from his chum Waynsford.</p> - -<p>"I suppose you know all about our little excitement here at -Yarmouth," he wrote. "We were rudely disturbed from our bunks by -tremendous firing, and when we turned out we discovered shells -dropping within five hundred yards of the shore. With the naked eye -one could make out the enemy ships fairly distinctly, and with -glasses quite plainly. The shells could be seen falling all around -the little 'Halcyon,' and it was most marvellous how she escaped. -Altering the position of those buoys the night you were here -doubtless upset the German gunners' calculations.</p> - -<p>"The Press report that none of the shells did damage is incorrect. Of -course it may be advisable not to give the public full details, but -in your case I think you ought to know."</p> - -<p>"Almost the last shell fired struck your mater's house. Went right -through the dining-room without exploding and buried itself five feet -in the earth on the other side of the building. Lucky you made your -parent clear out, wasn't it?</p> - -<p>"I'm under orders to leave Yarmouth and report myself at Scarbro'. -Goodness only knows what for, but 'orders is orders,' as -Coastguardsman Smith is so fond of quoting. If ever you are within -easy distance of Scarbro' and get short leave, look me up. - -<br><span class="indent50">"Yours most sincerely,</span> -<br><span class="indent60">"RICHARD WAYNSFORD."</span> -</p> - -<br> -<a name="chapter12"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XII.</h3> - -<h4 align="center">MINED.</h4> - -<p><span class="smallcaps">Twelve</span> hours later H.M.S. "Strongbow" was on her appointed station. -It was night. The wind had moderated considerably, yet there was -quite a heavy sea running. The young moon peeped between dark masses -of drifting scud, while to windward a bank of irregularly defined -clouds fringed with ragged tails betokened a repetition of the -unpleasant climatic conditions.</p> - -<p>It was Sub-Lieutenant Aubyn's "watch below." Seated in the plainly -furnished gun-room, the scuttles of which were carefully screened, -were most of the junior officers who were off duty.</p> - -<p>Some were playing cards, others were reading, in spite of the raucous -ragtime melodies ground out by a gramaphone that had already suffered -considerably from the effects of two months' buffeting. In the pauses -while the junior midshipman rewound the instrument of mental torture, -the slap of the waves against the vessel's side could be distinctly -heard.</p> - -<p>"In for another dirty night," remarked Raeburn inconsequently.</p> - -<p>The announcement was received in chilly silence. "Dirty nights" were -too frequent and too monotonous to form the subject of conversation.</p> - -<p>The assistant engineer tried another tack.</p> - -<p>"What do you make of the latest report from the Russian frontier?" he -asked.</p> - -<p>"Oh, dry up, old man!" expostulated O'Reilly feebly. "What with your -cackle and young Jones grinding away at that blessed -gramaphone—Jones, if you put on another record I'll throw this book -at your head! There's no peace in the gun-room."</p> - -<p>Aubyn smiled grimly. He realized that in the monotonous round of -routine his comrades were almost bored to death by their own company. -Even the versatile O'Reilly was becoming as surly as a bear with a -sore head.</p> - -<p>"Keep your wool on, old man!" exclaimed Raeburn. "Strikes me, we all -want shaking up——"</p> - -<p>Before he could complete the sentence the ship seemed to leap -vertically out of the water. A deafening crash followed. The gun-room -furniture was thrown in all directions, the occupants were either -hurled against the bulkhead or pitched violently on top of the -overturned gear, while the failure of the electric light left the -place in utter darkness.</p> - -<p>Terence found himself lying across the remains of the gramaphone, -with someone's heel beating a tattoo on the small of his back.</p> - -<p>For some seconds he remained where he was, his senses dulled by the -sudden shock. Then it occurred to him that the ship was not so lively -as usual. Her movements seemed decidedly sluggish. A confused roar, -the sound of many feet hurrying, mingled with the hiss of escaping -steam, recalled him to his senses. Either the "Strongbow" had struck -a mine or had been torpedoed. Above the tumult came the sound of the -bugle, the notes quavering to such an extent that the sub. hardly -recognized their significance.</p> - -<p>"That's 'General Quarters'," he exclaimed, and freeing himself from -the persistent attentions of the unknown's heels, he sprang to his -feet and struck a match.</p> - -<p>By its feeble glimmer he could form some idea of the chaotic aspect -of the gun-room. Many of his comrades had regained their feet, and in -their eagerness to obey the bugle-call were groping blindly for the -door. The concussion had jammed it badly. Two of the officers were -still prone amid the débris—stunned by the shock.</p> - -<p>The match flickered and died out, but before Aubyn could strike -another, one of the midshipmen thrust a hastily rolled newspaper into -the remains of the fire on the stove and held it like a torch.</p> - -<p>A combined effort on the part of O'Reilly and two of the midshipmen -burst the door from its hinges. Aubyn, assisted by Raeburn, lifted -one of the unconscious men and bore him on deck. Others performed a -like office for the second victim, while the rest filed up the -companion.</p> - -<p>By this time the short burst of uproar had entirely ceased. Officers -and men were quietly falling in on the upper deck, awaiting the -captain's orders.</p> - -<p>Silhouetted against the fitful moonlight could be discerned the cool -and resolute form of Captain Ripponden as he grasped the bridge-rails -and looked down upon the orderly mass of humanity. In that moment of -peril he was proud of his crew. They were worthy of upholding the -traditions of gallant British seamen. To what extent the "Strongbow" -was damaged he knew not. He was awaiting the carpenter's and the -boatswain's report.</p> - -<p>As he waited, with a true seaman's instinct, he glanced to windward. -The approaching storm was not far off. Should it be necessary to take -to the boats the chances of being saved were very remote. Nor did -there seem any possibility of rescue from any other ship, for the -explosion had dislocated the wireless apparatus. The only chances in -that direction were that a passing vessel might detect the wail of -the syren—as it sent forth its call for assistance in the long and -short blasts that corresponded to the dot and dash of the Morse -Code—or might sight the coloured star rockets that were being fired -from the bridge.</p> - -<p>Captain Ripponden deliberately delayed giving the order to take to -the boats. Although the "Strongbow" was sorely hit she showed no -immediate inclination to make her final plunge. The engine-room and -stokeholds were clear, and the engine-room staff still remained at -their posts below the water-line; nevertheless, the ship was making -water freely and was already considerably down by the head.</p> - -<p>Suddenly a short thick-set figure ran aft between the double line of -seamen drawn up as calmly and as steadily as if mustered for -Divisions. Terence could hear the man's laboured breathing as he -hurried. It was the ship's carpenter, on the strength of whose report -Captain Ripponden's orders for immediate action would be delivered.</p> - -<p>Up the bridge ladder the warrant officer made his way, then drawing -himself erect saluted his superior—a courtesy that the captain -punctiliously returned. Even in the presence of fearful and imminent -peril the regulation regarding the paying of proper compliments in -the matter of saluting were carried out to the letter.</p> - -<p>The eyes of every man on deck were directed upon the silhouetted -figures of the captain and the carpenter on the bridge. Captain -Ripponden's head was observed to nod slightly several times as he -listened to his subordinate's report; then he stepped to the -after-bridge rails.</p> - -<p>"My men," he shouted in stentorian tones that were clearly audible -amid the moaning of the wind and the hiss of escaping steam, "we'll -save the old ship yet. Twenty men to assist carpenter's crew. The -rest remain aft and stand easy."</p> - -<p>Away doubled the working party, their task being to build a temporary -coffer-dam in the after side of the for'ard transverse bulkhead. The -"Strongbow" had bumped upon a drifting mine, the explosion of which, -occurring right under the bows and close to the water-line, had -flooded the bow compartments. The watertight bulkhead was dangerously -strained. Water was entering in small jets under the terrific -pressure in the flooded compartments; but although the pumps were -quite capable of keeping the leak under control, the bulkhead, unless -shored up, was in momentary danger of giving way.</p> - -<p>Feverishly the carpenter and his men tackled the hazardous task. -Bolts of canvas, rolled hammocks and tarpaulins were piled against -the bulging steel bulkhead, and held in position by baulks of timber, -braced and chocked till the coffer-dam was as strong and firmly set -as human ingenuity could devise.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, the rest of the crew were allowed to smoke—a concession -that was eagerly welcomed, and the quarter-deck glowered with the -dull glare of lighted cigarettes and pipes. Those men who had turned -up without adequate clothing were ordered to find additional garments -to protect them from the numbing cold, while the cooks were told off -to the galleys to make hot cocoa. Even in the midst of peril Captain -Ripponden's thoughts were for the comfort of his devoted men.</p> - -<p>As soon as the carpenter reported that in his opinion the strained -bulkhead was properly shored up, orders were given to the engine-room -for half-speed astern and a course shaped for Aberdeen. To drive the -ship ahead with her bows seriously damaged would be placing a -tremendous strain upon the coffer-dam, while when making sternway the -pressure would be considerably reduced.</p> - -<p>"Let's hope we don't hit another of those infernal mines," remarked -O'Reilly to Aubyn, as the two officers made their way below. "I -don't think we are in a regular minefield. The one we struck was -evidently a derelict."</p> - -<p>"Evidently," agreed Terence. "Judging by the damage done it must -have deteriorated, otherwise it would have sent us to the bottom like -a stone. I suppose it will mean turning over to another ship?</p> - -<p>"Six weeks, patching the old 'Saraband' up," declared O'Reilly, who -almost invariably referred to the ship by her former name. "I wish -to goodness they'd appoint us to a cruiser or a destroyer and give us -a chance of seeing some fun."</p> - -<p>"We have had a fair share."</p> - -<p>"Yes, of hard work—which I don't mind—and getting bashed about -without being able to strike a blow in self-defence. Of course, it's -the call of duty——"</p> - -<p>A muffled thud, coming from almost immediately below their feet and -followed by the unmistakable sound of rushing water, interrupted the -young officer's conversation.</p> - -<p>They looked at each other for one brief instant, hardly able to -comprehend the nature of the latest calamity.</p> - -<p>"Bulkhead started," announced Aubyn laconically.</p> - -<p>Snatching an oil lamp from its bracket Terence rushed below, followed -by O'Reilly. Guided by the feeble illumination, for the electric -lighting installation was hopelessly out of order, the two officers -made their way down several short ladders. On the orlop-deck they -almost collided with Raeburn.</p> - -<p>"After magazine flooded," announced the assistant engineer -breathlessly. "Huge rush of water. I was just off to get extra -hands, but you'll do. Be quick, there's no time to lose. The water's -pouring in like a sluice."</p> - -<p>Knee deep in water the three officers made their way aft till their -arrival at the door of the magazine. The sentry was fumbling with the -lock, while two artificers, one holding a lantern, were impatiently -urging him to make a job of it and open the door. The whole of the -magazine was full of water, while the pressure had forced a part of -the bulkhead containing the compartment.</p> - -<p>When the "Strongbow" struck the mine the concussion had caused a -hitherto undiscovered leak aft, the flow being concealed by the -locked door of the magazine until the pressure had become sufficient -to burst the thin steel walls. Being specially constructed for -flooding in case of emergency, the floor of the magazine was some -feet below the level of the orlop-deck.</p> - -<p>"We'll have to tackle the leak inside," announced Terence. "Here, -one of you," he added addressing the men waiting by the door. "Cut -up and inform the carpenter. Look alive."</p> - -<p>At length the marine sentry succeeded in shooting back the strained -lock. The officers hurled themselves against the door. It opened -inwards, at the same time releasing an additional flood of water, -that surged violently along the orlop-deck.</p> - -<p>At every heave of the ship frothing billows careered up and down the -length of the confined space, wellnigh sweeping the little group of -officers and men from their feet. Already, taking into account the -state of the flooded fore compartments, the volume of water admitted -into the ship was causing her to move sluggishly. The danger of -foundering was still imminent.</p> - -<p>Holding his breath and setting his jaw tightly, Aubyn literally leapt -down to the floor of the magazine. The mean level of the water was up -to his neck. Momentarily it would subside, then rise till it floated -him off his feet, yet gamely he struggled onwards, partly swimming, -partly wading.</p> - -<p>The "Strongbow" was built on the "single-skin" principle. Only a -thin steel shell, riveted to curved ribs of the same metal, formed -her hull. The after magazine was on the port side, at approximately -the spot where the "run aft" of her lines began. It was here, as -Terence suspected, that one of the seams had gaped open.</p> - -<p>Filling his lungs to their utmost capacity with the none too -wholesome air, the sub. dived. His fingers, already numbed by the -icy-cold water, came in contact with a gap through which a steady -torrent was pressing. His surmise was correct: several of the rivets -had been fractured, and between the lap of two adjoining plates a -serious leak had developed.</p> - -<p>Whipping off his scarf Aubyn attempted to thrust it into the gap. The -rush of water swept it away. Off came his pilot coat. Thrice he -essayed to hold it in position, but his body being practically -water-borne he could exert little or no force. He felt still more the -numbing effect of the sea. In the semi-darkness, for he had only the -reflected light from the lanterns, the horror of the position gripped -him.</p> - -<p>"If she goes, I'm done for," he thought, for in his fevered -imagination he fancied that the ship was already on the point of -making a final plunge. He felt tempted to desist from his efforts and -make a rush for safety. Then, as quickly as it had come, the wave of -panic left him.</p> - -<p>"Got a hand-spike there?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"Ay, ay, sir," replied one of the carpenter's crew who had just -arrived on the scene. "And some stoppers as well."</p> - -<p>Two of the men plunged into the flooded magazine. The hand-spike was -applied to the temporary plug until it was forced into the gap.</p> - -<p>"That'll hold, sir," announced one of the men confidently.</p> - -<p>"Let's hope so," replied the sub. Then to himself he muttered, "And -my very best pilot coat."</p> - -<p>For another ten minutes Aubyn stood and shivered, till one of the men -felt the sub.'s numbed hand shaking as he assisted to hold the -hand-spike.</p> - -<p>"Leak's well under control, sir, I think," continued the seaman, a -burly Devonshire man. "Might I make so bold, sir, as to suggest that -you stand easy? We'll see to this all right."</p> - -<p>The man spoke truly. All the available pumps working continuously -were sufficient to keep the remaining inrush of water well under -control. Already the orlop-deck was practically cleared. In the -magazine the water was just above the sub.'s waist.</p> - -<p>Aubyn did not reply. He was incapable of speech. In the semi-gloom -the Devonshire man saw that something was amiss.</p> - -<p>"Do'ee take hold of this a minute, Joe," he said to his comrade, as -he relaxed his hold on the hand-spike. "Now, sir, out you do come."</p> - -<p>With that he literally carried the numbed form of his superior -officer out of the partly flooded magazine, just as others of his -mates were preparing to complete the task which Aubyn had -successfully begun.</p> - -<p>Of what happened during the next few hours Terence had but a hazy -idea. He was dimly conscious of being placed into a hot bath, wrapped -up in blankets, and being put into his bunk. There, as far as he -personally was concerned, scarce troubling whether the ship went down -or otherwise, he fell into the deep sleep of utter exhaustion till he -was aroused by the officers' call followed by the shrill notes of the -bo's'un's mates' whistles.</p> - -<br> -<a name="chapter13"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XIII.</h3> - -<h4 align="center">THE RAID ON SCARBOROUGH.</h4> - -<p><span class="smallcaps">"My</span> watch, by Jove!" ejaculated Aubyn. "What in the name of goodness -am I doing in my bunk at this time of the morning?"</p> - -<p>He sprang out of bed with his customary alacrity, only to find his -knees give way under him. Then it gradually dawned upon him that his -last fully conscious moments were whilst he was in the flooded -magazine.</p> - -<p>"Steady, old man!" he muttered reproachfully. "This won't do. Pull -yourself together."</p> - -<p>He began to dress, rummaging for his clothes in one of the -characteristically awkwardly placed drawers under his bunk. The -garments he had worn the previous day had been taken away to be -dried. Then he remembered the fate of his great-coat and wondered -what he should do without it when on the bridge.</p> - -<p>He glanced through the scuttle. The sea was still running high. -Flakes of snow, scudding before the wind, were falling rapidly. By -the motion of the water as it slipped past the ship's side he knew -that the "Strongbow" was still going sternforemost.</p> - -<p>The door of his cabin opened noiselessly, and Raeburn entered.</p> - -<p>"Here, this won't do, old fellow!" exclaimed the assistant engineer. -"You toddle off back to your bunk again. Pills will be on your -collar if you don't."</p> - -<p>"What silly idiot made the doctor look me up?" asked Terence.</p> - -<p>"Don't call yourself ugly names," protested Raeburn laughingly. -"Since you chose to have a cold bath and stay there till your nose -was as blue as a dungaree suit, and you looked liked a favourite for -the Triple Pneumonia Stakes, it isn't to be wondered at that Pills -had to have a chip in. But honestly, old man, you turn in, or it will -be a case for the sick bay. By Jove, you did a rattling plucky -thing!"</p> - -<p>Terence abruptly silenced his chum.</p> - -<p>"Rot!" he exclaimed. "I spoilt my only great-coat. If I'm to be -crocked every time I do a little job like that, the sooner I chuck -the Service the better. I'm off."</p> - -<p>Ignoring Raeburn's threats to call the surgeon, Terence hurried from -his cabin, and having borrowed a pilot coat, donned his oilskins over -the borrowed garment and went on deck.</p> - -<p>It was a weird sight which met his gaze.</p> - -<p>The "Strongbow" was in the grip of a North Sea blizzard. Her tapering -masts, funnels, ventilators, even shrouds and ropes, were outlined in -glistening snow. Owing to the extreme danger of men being overthrown -by the slippery state of the frozen snow underfoot, men were busily -engaged in sweeping the decks—an apparently interminable task, as -the flakes fell quickly and heavily.</p> - -<p>Unnoticed Aubyn gained the foot of the bridge-ladder. The ascent -caused him considerable effort. In spite of his natural activity the -prospect of a "trick" on the exposed bridge in that awful weather -damped his enthusiasm. Mr. Lymore was on duty. His back was turned -towards the sub. Before Terence could report himself the door of the -chart room was opened and Captain Ripponden appeared.</p> - -<p>"Good morning, Mr. Aubyn," exclaimed the latter, returning the sub.'s -salute. "I am rather surprised to find you here."</p> - -<p>"It's my watch, sir."</p> - -<p>"It would have been," corrected the captain. "Dr. Terry reported you -unfit for duty, and I must abide by his decision. So you will report -yourself to him."</p> - -<p>"Very good, sir," said Terence.</p> - -<p>"And," continued Ripponden, "allow me to congratulate you on your -plucky action. I will take the first opportunity of transmitting an -account of it to My Lords for their information."</p> - -<p>Aubyn grasped the captain's extended hand. Completely taken aback by -his superior's congratulations he could not frame a reply.</p> - -<p>Again saluting, Terence turned to leave the bridge. As he did so a -roar of cheering burst from those on deck. Those of the crew who had -witnessed the meeting between Captain Ripponden and the plucky sub. -had rightly interpreted the "owner's" action. There are moments -when spontaneous enthusiasm ignores the dictates of discipline, and -this was one of them. The men of the "Strongbow" cheered their young -officer to the echo.</p> - -<p>Terence Aubyn met with a boisterous reception in the gun-room. His -brother officers "chipped" him unmercifully on the subject of the -tribute of the crew. The sub. took it all in good part. He realized -that underneath the outward mask of levity was a substratum of -genuine admiration for his courage and judgment in tackling the leak. -Even the dangers through which they had so recently passed failed to -subdue the exuberant spirits of the denizens of the gun-room, and -entering into the fun, Terence soon felt so much better that Dr. -Terry was obliged to confess that his fears for the sub.'s health was -no longer justified.</p> - -<p>Before dusk the same day two tugs put out from Aberdeen and took the -"Strongbow" in tow. Three hours later she was safely docked, and for -the first time for many a long day the "watch below" were able to -turn in without being confronted by the possibility of sudden death -in the mine-strewn waters of the North Sea.</p> - -<p>Examination proved that the damage done to the ship was considerable. -Practically the whole of the bow portion would have to be re-built, -while in many places the hull-plating would have to be re-fastened -and re-caulked. Internal damage caused by the concussion was also -great. By dint of working day and night the shipbuilders might be -able to effect repairs in a month's time.</p> - -<p>The next day leave was given to the starboard watch. Officers and men -were, by the special consent of the Admiralty, granted seven days' -leave. Meanwhile, arrangements were being made to turn over the -ship's company to another vessel until repairs to the "Strongbow" -were carried out.</p> - -<p>The temporary substitute—the armed merchant-man "Vindex"—was lying -at Leith. Being of considerably lesser tonnage than the "Strongbow" -there was no necessity for the whole of the latter's crew to man her. -With mixed feelings Sub-Lieutenant Aubyn found that he was appointed -to H.M.S. "Terrier" as supernumerary.</p> - -<p>He was sorry to part company with his old messmates, even for a -comparatively brief period. Having won praise from his captain, -possessed of the friendship and esteem of his brother-officers, and -well liked by the lower deck, he felt a mental wrench at having to -say good-bye even for a few weeks.</p> - -<p>On the other hand, his appointment to the "Terrier" was after his own -heart, for the ship was a regular unit of the British Navy. She was, -it is true, an obsolete craft—a torpedo-gunboat of only 800 tons and -a speed of nineteen knots.</p> - -<p>Built more than twenty years previously, the "Terrier's" original -rôle had long since been usurped by the "destroyer" class. In later -years she had been employed as a fishery-protection cruiser, until at -the outbreak of war she had been hastily re-fitted and commissioned -as a mine-sweeper patrol-boat.</p> - -<p>The "Terrier," undergoing engine repairs, was still detained at -Newcastle, whither Terence proceeded to join her.</p> - -<p>"I hear you've been done out of your leave," was the remark of the -"Terrier's" captain, a tall, slimly built man, who looked about -Terence's age, although he must have been some years his senior in -order to have attained the rank of lieutenant-commander. "We won't be -out of dockyard hands for another week, so if you like you can go -ashore and report yourself on Saturday."</p> - -<p>"Can I be spared, sir?"</p> - -<p>"A more favourable opportunity may not occur again for some time," -replied Captain Holloway. "Lying alongside a dirty wharf with the -coal-dust flying into the officers' cabins all day doesn't make life -aboard very attractive. I'm in shore quarters myself until we're -ready to proceed to sea; so under the circumstances you will be wise -to take advantage of a few days' leave."</p> - -<p>The sub. thanked his captain for his consideration, and having given -orders for his gear to be placed in his cabin, proceeded to pack a -small portmanteau with articles absolutely necessary for his -well-earned holiday. While he was so doing he rapidly debated with -himself as to where he intended to go. According to the King's -Regulations he was bound to leave his address in the event of being -telegraphed to rejoin his ship. The limited time at his disposal, -coupled with the idea of the expense of a first-class railway ticket -to the South of England, did not permit a visit to his mother. He had -no friends in Newcastle, and he was not at all desirous of putting up -at an hotel in that city.</p> - -<p>Then he remembered Waynsford's invitation to look him up if he -happened to be within easy distance of Scarborough.</p> - -<p>"Somewhat of the nature of a busman's holiday," he mused, as he wrote -his proposed address in the leave-book: "R.M.B.R. 'Lonette,' -Scarborough."</p> - -<p>Dick Waynsford, apprised by telegraph, was on the station platform to -greet him.</p> - -<p>"Glad you're come, old man," he exclaimed. "Anything to buck a fellow -up?"</p> - -<p>"Why, what's wrong now?" asked Terence.</p> - -<p>"Nothing in particular; only I'm getting thoroughly fed up in this -place. Nothing much to do but to run errands to the mine-sweepers -that occasionally put into the bay. A fisherman could do the job -equally as well as I can. You've been having an exciting time, I -hear?"</p> - -<p>"Somewhat," replied Aubyn modestly. "Now, let's be making a move."</p> - -<p>The two chums jumped into a waiting taxi, Waynsford giving the -chauffeur directions to drive as straight as he jolly well knew how -to Sandside, and not to take them half-way round the town to get -there.</p> - -<p>"'Sandside'—that sounds all right," thought Terence, but his -expectations were unrealized as the taxi drew up in the rather dingy -quarter of Scarborough adjoining the harbour.</p> - -<p>"There she is," announced Waynsford, pointing to the grey hull of the -"Lonette," which, barely water-borne, was reclining against the lofty -wall of the harbour. "One of the best runs I ever had in her was -when we brought her round from Yarmouth."</p> - -<p>"Why, she's hard and fast aground."</p> - -<p>"M'yes," agreed Waynsford unconcernedly. "She spends most of her time -like that, It's all right sleeping on board, unless she happens to -take a list the wrong way. Then you've got to sort yourselves out of -a horrible muddle on the cabin floor."</p> - -<p>"What if you're wanted?" enquired Aubyn.</p> - -<p>"We have to jolly well wait till she floats," answered his chum, with -a grin. "It's a quiet berth, and heaps better than rolling all night -in the open bay. We had one taste of it—nearly upset the whole crowd -of us. Mind that ladder: it's horribly slippery."</p> - -<p>Waynsford indicated a perpendicular iron ladder, its lowermost end -hidden in black mud, over which the rising tide was slowly advancing.</p> - -<p>Throwing his portmanteau to one of the crew, who, as the result of -long practice, deftly caught the heavy article, Terence descended the -fifteen feet of ladder and stepped across the intervening space -between the water and the motor-boat's quarter.</p> - -<p>"Here's your bunk," announced Waynsford, pointing to a cot swung -against the side of the bin. "Nalder, my opposite number, sleeps on -the port bunk."</p> - -<p>"How about you?" asked Terence.</p> - -<p>"I'm going to turn in on the floor for the next few nights," replied -Waynsford. "I'm used to it. You see, we've another boat for actual -duty purposes in fine weather. She's smaller and handier. We use -'Lonette' mostly as a kind of parent ship. Now, I'll get the boy to -bring the grub in. Fire away and let's have all the news."</p> - -<p>During the rest of the day while daylight lasted Waynsford piloted -his chum round the Queen of Watering Places, taking him up to the -ruined castle and introducing him to some officers of Kitchener's -Army whose acquaintance he had recently made.</p> - -<p>"Jolly decent place in the summer, I should imagine," declared -Waynsford, as the chums wended their way back to the harbour. "But -deadly dull now. Not a light to be seen after dark. It makes one -almost wish that the Germans would pay the place a visit, if only to -make things a little more lively."</p> - -<p>"Eh, what's that?" inquired Terence.</p> - -<p>"Only wishing for the impossible, my dear fellow. Being an -unfortified town Scarborough will not be favoured with the attentions -of the Teutons. Apart from that they won't risk another raid. They're -too wary of our fleet."</p> - -<p>It was quite late in the night before the officers of the "Lonette" -turned in. The crew detailed for the duty boat had departed, their -"trick" commencing at midnight. Quietude settled upon the almost -lifeless harbour. Most of the fishing fleet that still remained at -its usual work were out. Five or six of the boats, locked up for the -night, were moored in the inner harbour. Three more, preparing to -leave at high water, were tied up to buoys at the entrance to the -outer basin, their crews working silently as if infected by the -solitude that overspread the once busy port.</p> - -<p>Suddenly Terence was awakened by finding himself slipping from his -bunk. In the darkness, for the moment, unable to recall his -surroundings, he imagined himself back in the old "Strongbow," and -that the vessel was rolling badly. But quickly he discovered that the -movement was different; there was no recovery. He felt his bunk list -more and more, until vainly endeavouring to hold himself in, he -subsided upon the still soundly sleeping Waynsford.</p> - -<p>"Confound it!" exclaimed that worthy. "She's heeled outwards. I -thought we'd taken proper precautions. Sorry to disturb you, old -man."</p> - -<p>"It's a case of my disturbing you, I fancy," replied Terence, after -he had extricated himself from the pile of blankets and cushions. "I -don't mind, if you don't. There goes the crockery," he added, as a -series of crashes came from the fo'c'sle.</p> - -<p>Striking a match Waynsford lit the cabin lamp and glanced at the -bulkhead clock.</p> - -<p>"Seven, by Jove!" he exclaimed. "It's close on low water. In another -two hours we'll be afloat again. No use attempting to turn in. -Nalder, you lazy bounder, get up and join in a hand of dummy whist."</p> - -<p>Sub-Lieutenant Nalder, who being in the port cot had been wedged -between the bunk cushions and those on the side, was sleeping -unconcernedly throughout the racket, as if such happenings were quite -in the usual order of things. Aroused by Waynsford's voice and a -hearty slap on the back, he sat up.</p> - -<p>"Right-o," he agreed. "Jones!"</p> - -<p>"Sir!" replied a muffled voice from the fo'c'sle.</p> - -<p>"Bring me my pack of cards, will you?"</p> - -<p>Terence heard the unmistakable sounds of someone trying to open a -jammed door. Then, after a moment's delay the fo'c'sle sliding door -was thrust open and the seaman thrust his dishevelled head into the -cabin.</p> - -<p>"Sorry, sir," he reported, "but the blessed condensed milk has gone -and upset itself all over the pack."</p> - -<p>"That's kippered our game," remarked Waynsford. "Let's turn out and -see what it's like. A stretch before breakfast will do us good."</p> - -<p>Donning their great-coats, the three officers contrived, without -mishap, to leap from the heeling side of the motor-boat to the rungs -of the ladder.</p> - -<p>"Beastly foggy morning," declared Nalder.</p> - -<p>"Just getting light enough to see," added Waynsford, as, in -contradiction to his statement, he stumbled and almost fell over a -mooring rope.</p> - -<p>Gradually the gaunt outlines of the ruined castle that towered high -above the harbour began to grow distinct against the grey sky. The -fog began to disperse, although the cliffs to the southern end of the -town were still invisible.</p> - -<p>"Let's stroll up to the castle," suggested Waynsford. "It will be -something to do."</p> - -<p>Acting upon this proposal the two ascended the stony path. As they -approached the coastguard station they noticed that the signalman was -peering seawards through a telescope. The man was so intent upon some -objects out to sea that he paid no attention to the new-comers.</p> - -<p>Presently the coastguardsman put down his telescope and seized the -mouthpiece of a telephone in the signal hut. Terence could hear him -speaking distinctly.</p> - -<p>"Strange vessels approaching from the nor'ard, sir," he reported to -the officer at the Naval Wireless Station behind the town. "I've -signalled them, but they won't pay any attention."</p> - -<p>The three subs. gazed seawards. Just visible through the haze were -four cruisers, moving sufficiently fast through the leaden-coloured -water to cause the foam to froth at their bows. Even as they looked -the young officers were mildly surprised to see a spurt of dull red -flame burst from the for'ard turret of the leading vessel.</p> - -<p>Mild surprise gave place to complete astonishment as a heavy shell -hurtled overhead, carrying away several of the telegraph wires, and -plunged with a terrific detonation into the fortunately unoccupied -barracks on the Castle Hill.</p> - -<p>Before the noise of the falling brickwork and masonry had subsided -the devoted coastguardsman could be heard shouting on the -telephone:—</p> - -<p>"They're German cruisers: they're shelling us."</p> - -<p>The man had done his duty. He could do no more good remaining where -he was. At a quick double he tore for safety, shouting to the young -officers to get under cover.</p> - -<p>Aubyn, with his companions, quickly took this advice to heart. He had -in the action between the "Saraband" and the "Osnabruck" stood up to -the hostile fire, but then it was a fight on even terms. Now it was a -one-sided affair, and by the noise of the exploding shell Terence -knew that it was of much larger calibre than those that came from the -German armed liner.</p> - -<p>Scarcely had the fugitives covered a hundred yards when another -appalling crash, followed by a distinct blast of acrid-smelling air, -caused Terence to look back. A shell, better aimed than the first, -had completely demolished the signal hut. This missile was followed -by salvo after salvo, some forty shells of various calibre raining on -the Castle Hill. Others, striking the sheer cliffs, brought tons of -rock clattering down upon the Marine Parade, while what was far -worse, many projectiles skimming the ruins of the castle, fell with -disastrous results upon the congested buildings of the town.</p> - -<p>The three subs. were now under the lee of the frowning rock. Here -they were comparatively safe, except from stray fragments of -splintered shell and flying masonry. The coastguardsman had gone in a -different direction.</p> - -<p>"The swine!" ejaculated Nalder. "They're shelling a defenceless -town. And the 'Lonette' is high and dry too."</p> - -<p>In spite of the serious situation his comrades gave vent to a hearty -laugh. It seemed so incongruous that Nalder should have taken the -plight of the little motor-boat into consideration. Yet had Nalder -had his way it was quite possible that he would have blazed away with -a rifle at the huge steel monsters with as much result as a small boy -using a peashooter against an elephant.</p> - -<p>"Not a bad idea getting down to the harbour," added Waynsford. -"We'll be fairly sheltered, and we can see what's going on."</p> - -<p>Terence thought otherwise. Massive stone walls afford no protection -from monster guns. Nevertheless he raised no objection. For one -thing—and here the professional sailor scored heavily over the two -amateurs—it afforded a chance of making a note of the appearance of -the hostile vessels: information that might prove of immense service -to the Admiralty.</p> - -<p>Shells were raining upon the undefended town as the three reached the -harbour pier. In several parts of Scarborough fires, caused by the -exploding projectiles, had broken out, and dense columns of smoke -rose from the demolished buildings. Having, as they thought, -completely demolished the supposed batteries on Castle Hill the -German gunners were out to do as much damage to private property as -they possibly could. It was but a phase in the terrorizing operations -that these modern barbarians delight in calling "kultur."</p> - -<p>The attacking craft had now passed in front of the Castle Hill and -were clearly visible from the harbour, as they slowly steamed within -a quarter of a mile of the shore, vomiting death and destruction upon -the hapless town.</p> - -<p>The leading craft Terence recognized as one of the Derfflinger -Class—an inferior imitation of our Dreadnought cruisers. Astern of -her came the "Bluecher," a vessel whose construction the German -people hailed with acclamation as the most powerful craft afloat and -one that would outclass anything that the British had or would be -likely to have. Yet, ere the "Bluecher" took the water, she was -hopelessly outmatched by the "Indomitable" class.</p> - -<p>For once, however, these two ships were having things all their own -way. With the exception of the fiasco at Yarmouth, over a hundred -years had elapsed since the thunder of an enemy's guns had been heard -by the dwellers of our sea-girt island. British pride in the -impregnable position of our insular kingdom had received a nasty -shock, for without let or hindrance German guns were pounding her -shores in broad daylight.</p> - -<p>Half a mile or so behind the battle cruisers were two light cruisers, -which apparently took little part in the one-sided engagement. They -were engaged in the pleasant occupation of mine-laying, in the hope -that one of the British squadrons, summoned by wireless, would -flounder blindly into the dangerous zone.</p> - -<p>"Oh, for a couple of our submarines!" groaned Terence, as the hostile -craft moved slowly along the bay. "They'd bag the whole crowd of -them."</p> - -<p>Twenty paces from the spot where the subs. stood was an old bronzed -and bearded fisherman—a typical Yorkshire salt. Heedless of the risk -he ran, he leapt upon the stone parapet, and shaking his fist at the -German ships rated them in the choicest language of the Shire of -Broad Acres. Nor would he descend when Aubyn pointed out the risk he -ran, and it was only when a shell tore a huge hole in the side of the -lighthouse that the old fellow would deign to move.</p> - -<p>For a quarter of an hour or twenty minutes the two cruisers -maintained a hot fire with their starboard guns. Then came a pause in -the hitherto ceaseless roar of the ordnance, as the ships circled to -port. Retracing their course they reopened fire, till, gradually -increasing speed, they shaped a course nor'nor'east and disappeared -in the haze.</p> - -<p>"Let's gie into town an see t' damage," suggested the old fisherman, -who, like the rest of the hardy East Coast men, had little respect -for rank and persons. "Sith'a, lads, there'll be work for us over -yonder," and he pointed to the maze of houses, many of which showed -signs of the effect of the high-explosive shells.</p> - -<p>In the course of his sea-service Terence Aubyn had witnessed more -than one horrible sight; but in all his previous experience he had -never seen anything approaching the cold-blooded butchery of mere -civilians—men, women, and children—by the murderous German shells.</p> - -<p>With the energy and coolness that is characteristic of the born -seaman he dashed into a practically gutted house, whence cries of -pain had attracted his attention.</p> - -<p>The house was in one of the poorer districts, substantially built of -stone, as is frequently the case in the north of England. A -projectile had struck the building just above the ground-floor -window. The stonework had, for the most part, resisted the explosion, -the force of which had resulted in floors and roofs being either -demolished or reduced to a state of absolute insecurity. The ground -floors were piled high with débris, under which, though partly -visible, was the dead body of an old man.</p> - -<p>The cries for aid, uttered in a childish voice, came from the upper -storey. Here a part of the bedroom floor had collapsed, exposing to -view a wooden bedstead, so insecurely perched that it threatened at -every moment to topple over into the chaotic mass thirty feet below. -The stairs had vanished, only the iron handrail and a few of its -supports remaining.</p> - -<p>"What's the move?" demanded Waynsford, as Aubyn threw off his -great-coat and handed it to a boy who was watching the scene of -desolation with marked curiosity. "Don't be a fool, man! Wait till -they bring a ladder."</p> - -<p>"It may be too late then," replied Terence; then turning to the old -fisherman he bade him bring a coil of rope.</p> - -<p>"Thank goodness, there's one man who knows what he is about," thought -Aubyn, as the veteran salt hurried off. "No stopping to ask what -size or what length."</p> - -<p>The next instant the sub. was well on his hazardous climb. Grasping -the handrail and making fairly certain that it would bear his weight, -Terence hauled himself up, using the holes in the stonework, left by -the dislodged stairs, as footholds. As sure-footed as a cat, as -active as a panther, he swung himself up, hardly pausing till he -gained the uppermost landing, where a few square inches of -floorboards remained. Between that and the bedstead was a gap nearly -ten feet in width. A professional long-jumper might have essayed the -task with success, but in his case Terence realized that a leap would -be out of the question.</p> - -<p>Rapidly the sub. reviewed the situation. From where he stood he could -see the children distinctly. One was a girl of about nine years of -age, fair-haired and pale-faced. It was she who was screaming, more -with fright than pain, although there was a dark moist patch upon her -hair. Her companion was a child of about three, lying with his head -over the side of the bed to all appearances either dead or else -unconscious.</p> - -<p>Already the joist nearest the gap in the shattered floor was bending -ominously. Terence felt certain that even if he could get across the -intervening space his weight would precipitate the bed and its -occupants on to the mound of rubble and broken woodwork below.</p> - -<p>He looked above him. The laths and plaster of the ceiling had -vanished, the tiles had been blown into the street, leaving the gaunt -rafters practically intact. Raising his hand he found that he could -just grasp the sloping timber.</p> - -<p>"If it carries away, I'm done," he thought. "But it's no use hanging -on here, so here goes."</p> - -<p>With a resolute leap the sub. seized the two adjoining rafters. The -rough woodwork lacerated his hands, but he heeded it not. By sheer -muscular effort he raised himself sufficiently to pass his arms over -the timber, whence it was a comparatively simple matter to clamber on -top of the outside wall.</p> - -<p>Well it was that Aubyn had a good head for heights. Looking down from -that precarious perch would make most landsmen giddy, but as coolly -as if he were walking along a street, the sub. made his way round to -the opposite side of the shattered house immediately over the still -holding floor of the bedroom.</p> - -<p>The elder child, on seeing Terence approach, had ceased her cries and -was watching him with wide-open eyes. Then she raised herself, as if -to make a spring into his arms.</p> - -<p>"Don't move just yet," exclaimed the sub. as calmly as he could. -"I'll help you both very soon."</p> - -<p>He was desperately anxious lest the girl, by her action, would bring -about the calamity he was trying to prevent. At the same time he was -racking his brains to find out how he could get hold of the rope when -the fisherman returned with it.</p> - -<p>"Eh, little lass," he exclaimed, imitating to the best of his ability -the East Riding dialect, "just you hand me up one of those sheets. -Don't hurry."</p> - -<p>The girl obeyed, wonderingly but unhesitatingly. Terence began to -tear the cotton sheet into thin strips, binding them into one -continuous length, until he judged that he had sufficient to reach -the ground.</p> - -<br> -<br> -<center> -<a name="05_help"></a> -<img src="images/05_help.jpg" alt="image: 05_help.jpg" style="width:100%; height:auto; max-width:600px;"> -</center> -<center>[Illustration: "'Don't move just yet,' said the Sub. 'I'll help you -both very soon.'"]</center> -<br> -<br> - -<p>Hardly were his preparations completed when the fisherman returned, -puffing and blowing with his exertions.</p> - -<p>"Eh, lad, a've got 'en," he announced. "An' a block as well. Th' -knows it might come in handy.</p> - -<p>"Good man!" thought Terence. "He's solved an awkward problem." Then -addressing the old salt: "Stand by and bend the rope on to this," he -shouted, as he allowed one end of the cotton strip to flutter to the -ground.</p> - -<p>Steadily the sub. began to haul in his flimsy line, while the -fisherman dexterously paid out the coil of rope, the end of which he -had made to Aubyn's means of communication. Then, as soon as he saw -that Terence had secured one end of the rope, the old man hitched on -the large pulley and continued to pay out more cordage until the -block was within the sub.'s grasp.</p> - -<p>Whipping out his knife Terence cut off about six or seven feet of -rope, using the severed portion as a strop to make fast the block to -a pair of rafters. Then passing the rest of the rope through the -sheave his means of effecting the rescue of the children were ready -for service.</p> - -<p>"Stand by to lower away," he shouted, as he made a loop known as a -"bowline on a bight."</p> - -<p>"Ay, ay," replied the old salt, at the same time signing to Waynsford -and Nalder to bear a hand.</p> - -<p>Giving a final tug at the strop to make sure as far as possible that -the rafter would hold, Terence slid into the loop and swung himself -clear of the wall.</p> - -<p>"Belay there," he hailed after being lowered a sufficient distance to -bring himself level with the remains of the bedroom floor. "Now, -little lass, I'll hold you. Don't be afraid."</p> - -<p>The next moment the injured girl was safe in his arms. Although the -bed shook as the rescued child moved, it still withstood the tendency -to slip into the abyss. Twenty seconds later Terence handed his -charge over to a doctor who formed one of the rapidly-gathering crowd -in the street.</p> - -<p>"There's another child—a baby," announced Aubyn. "Badly hurt, I -fancy so haul me up smartly."</p> - -<p>Spinning round and round like a joint on a meat-jack the sub. again -ascended, till the smaller child's body was within reach of his arms. -As he whipped off the covering he gave an ill-suppressed exclamation -of horror. The left foot of the little victim had been torn away at -the ankle.</p> - -<p>"Good heavens, Waynsford!" exclaimed Terence, after the child-victims -had been removed, and the justly-exasperated crowd began to disperse. -"I'm not a vindictive fellow, but if I had that low-down German who -gave orders for this butchery, it would give me the greatest pleasure -in the world to punch his head."</p> - -<p>"You may have the chance yet," replied Waynsford. He had been -thinking deeply for the last few moments. "I'm afraid I'm on the -wrong lay. Here I am, wearing His Majesty's uniform, fooling about in -a rotten little motor-boat, when I ought to be taking a man's part -out there," and he pointed towards the North Sea."</p> - -<p>"You haven't done badly, when you come to think of it," remarked -Terence. "At Yarmouth, for instance."</p> - -<p>"A beastly fluke. You, my dear fellow, had most of the game then."</p> - -<p>"Buck up!" exclaimed Aubyn cheerily. "You may have a good sniff-in -yet. If you don't, remember there's some verse about people serving -who only sit and wait. I'm not fond of poetry myself, but perhaps you -may know the line I refer to. Let's make a move. There may be more -work for us amongst the ruins."</p> - -<p>"May I coom along wi' tha', maaster?" asked the fisherman, who was -coiling away the rope that had been so instrumental. "Eh, lad, -thou'rt real champion."</p> - -<p>"By all means," replied the sub. heartily. In spite of his years the -old fellow had his wits about him. If there should be any work of a -similar nature his assistance would be most valuable.</p> - -<p>Before they had gone fifty yards the attention of Aubyn and his party -was attracted by the sudden appearance of an elderly corpulent man -whose garments consisted of a pyjama suit, over which he wore a -woman's jacket with the sleeves tied round his throat, an old pair of -carpet slippers and a felt hat. He had just emerged from a cellar, -into which he had bolted during the earlier stages of the -bombardment. Blinking like an owl he asked plaintively if the danger -was at an end.</p> - -<p>"Eh, maaster," replied the fisherman. "They kind and humane Germans -sheered off half an hour agone."</p> - -<p>"It's disgraceful!" exclaimed the dishevelled man vehemently. "Didn't -the First Lord of the Admiralty tell us plainly, only a few months -ago, that we could sleep quietly in our beds? Weren't those his exact -words?"</p> - -<p>"Ay," replied the old salt, with a grim twinkle in his eye. "Ay, that -a' did. Th' knows the Huns gave us a look up at a time when most -folks ought to be up an' about. Naw, get you gone, friend Thomas; -thou'rt not fit to be seen in a respectable town like Scarbro'."</p> - -<p>Terence looked inquiringly at his humble friend, as the pyjama-clad -man waddled away.</p> - -<p>"He'll be one o' those fools as oratates on t' parade on Sundays -afternoons," explained the fisherman.</p> - -<p>"I knows him well. Always was trying to make us believe that those -Huns were our best friends, and that there weren't no use for a -British Navy. Th' knows t' sort. For one reason, sith'a, I'm not -sorry that those Germans came to Scarbro'."</p> - -<br> -<a name="chapter14"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XIV.</h3> - -<h4 align="center">THE END OF THE "TERRIER"</h4> - -<p><span class="smallcaps">H.M.</span> torpedo-gunboat "Terrier" lay at anchor just within the limits -of one of the numerous shallow estuaries of the Essex Coast. By the -aid of the lead-line and an Admiralty chart on too small a scale to -be of much assistance, Captain Holloway had taken his craft through -the intricate approach channel with often less than three feet of -water under her keel. Now she was lying head to wind, for it was high -water and no tide running, in six fathoms, and within two hundred and -eighty yards of the mud-fringed shore.</p> - -<p>The "Terrier" had spent an uneventful week on her station, patrolling -her appointed limits in the North Sea without a single incident to -break the monotony. Swept fore and aft by huge seas that her high -fo'c'sle failed to ward off; plugging away in a zig-zag course day -after day, till her grey funnels were bleached white with salt spray; -with her guns' crews standing by their guns through watch and watch -day and night, she was "doing her little bit" as one small unit of -the vast, tireless navy.</p> - -<p>A few hours previous to the torpedo gunboat's anchoring in the creek, -one of the crew had with great suddenness developed appendicitis. -Although the "Terrier" carried a surgeon, the case was one for a -shore hospital, and as one of the Admiralty "sick-quarters" was -situated in the village at the head of the creek, Captain Holloway -decided to land the patient with the utmost despatch.</p> - -<p>It was blowing fairly fresh. Outside the bar the sea was -foam-flecked. Rollers came tumbling in, breaking heavily on shore or -else expending themselves harmlessly in the creek. At her anchorage -the torpedo-gunboat was pitching slightly to the heave of the open -sea.</p> - -<p>"Do you see any sign of the boat, Mr. Aubyn?" asked Captain Holloway. -"Those fellows ought to be on their way back by this time."</p> - -<p>Terence, who was officer of the watch, brought his glass to bear upon -the shore, where a cluster of red-tiled roofs, dominated by the grey -tower of a church, marked the position of the village—a distance of -about a mile and a half from where the "Terrier" lay.</p> - -<p>"Boat's still at the hard, sir," he reported. "The boat-keeper is -sitting in the stern sheets."</p> - -<p>Lieutenant-Commander Holloway gave vent to a gesture of impatience. -He knew from the fact that the seaman left in charge was taking it -easy that the rest of the party were not on their way back to the -hard.</p> - -<p>On board the "Terrier" the crew were taking advantage of dry decks to -air their saturated clothing and bedding. The watches had just been -changed. Down on the ill-ventilated mess-deck grimy stokers, up from -the confined stokehold, were scrubbing themselves and changing into -clean rig. The fo'c'sle was packed with humanity. Amid the babel of -voices Terence could detect the burr of Glorious Devon, the broad -Scotch of the Highlands, the staccato voice of an excitable Welshman, -the rich brogue of Connemara, and the last but not least, the -unmistakable Cockney accent, but one and all stout-hearted British -seamen. The most frequent topic of conversation that drifted to the -sub.'s ears as he stood on the elevated bridge was football. Some of -the men were discussing home affairs in the blunt open fashion that -Jack Tar unconsciously adopts; others were debating the prospects of -Christmas leave. As for the war, the subject was almost entirely -ignored.</p> - -<p>Once more the sub. brought his telescope to bear upon the shore. -There were signs of activity on the part of the boat-keeper, so -Terence came to the conclusion that the hospital party were on their -way back.</p> - -<p>Then, with a true seaman's almost unconscious instinct he gave a -glance first to windward and then towards the open sea. As he did so -he made a sudden dash to the engine-room telegraph, signalling for -full speed astern with the starboard engine and full speed ahead with -the port, at the same time shouting in stentorian tones that -electrified the whole of the crew within hearing:—</p> - -<p>"Submarine on the port beam!"</p> - -<p>A bugle blared. Ere the short notes of alarm had died away Captain -Holloway was beside his subordinate on the bridge. The guns' crews of -the two 4.7's sprang to their weapons. Clang went the breach-blocks.</p> - -<p>"Eight hundred yards!" announced the gunner calmly, as the copper -cylinders with their deadly steel heads were thrust home.</p> - -<p>But a deadlier weapon was already on its way towards the doomed ship. -A torpedo, set at its minimum depth in order to make sure that it -would not pass under the keel of its intended prey, was tearing -towards the "Terrier" with the speed of an express train.</p> - -<p>From his position on the bridge Terence watched its rapid progress. -He could do nothing beyond what he had already done. It was evident -that before the ship could swing on her cable, under the adverse -action of her twin propellers, until she was bows on to the deadly -missile, the torpedo would hit her.</p> - -<p>At times the gleaming steel cylinder was clear of the water between -the crests of the waves, yet unswerving either to right or left, it -headed with disconcerting accuracy towards the ship.</p> - -<p>The two 4.7's clashed almost simultaneously. The shell from her bow -gun, aimed at the now disappearing periscope of the hostile -submarine, missed it by a bare yard, and ricochetting, threw up five -distinct columns of spray ere it sunk for good and all.</p> - -<p>The gun-layer at the after gun with admirable presence of mind -launched a projectile at the torpedo in the hope of diverting its -course. He made one mistake: he forgot to take into consideration the -refractive properties of water, and consequently the missile struck -the surface too far in the wake of the torpedo to affect its -direction.</p> - -<p>"Stand clear there!" shouted the captain, seeing even in that tense -interval that several of the men were standing by the stanchions.</p> - -<p>There was a general rush to the starboard side to avoid the direct -effect of the explosion of the "tin-fish," then a strange silence -fell upon the ship's company.</p> - -<p>"Crash!"</p> - -<p>A hundred feet or so in the air rose a column of spray, as the deadly -torpedo exploded on the port side nearly abreast of the fo'c'sle gun. -The ship literally jumped a yard or so out of the water, then with a -sickening thud, followed by the unmistakable sound of water pouring -into her hull, subsided heavily in the agitated foam.</p> - -<p>With his senses practically numbed by the shock of the explosion, -Terence stood stockstill, grasping the bridge rail with both hands, -while unconscious of the fact he held his telescope under his arm. He -was dimly aware of the débris flying all around him, as the slender -pole-mast, ventilators, and other heavy objects went crashing over -the side. Then, as the cloud of spray and acrid smoke dispersed he -could discern the forms of the crew as with varying speeds the -majority regained their feet. A few, stunned by the concussion, were -lying inertly upon the deck.</p> - -<p>For quite ninety seconds Aubyn remained in his dazed condition. Then -he realized that the ship was done for, and that he was still alive. -Further, as an officer it was his duty to exert himself for the sake -of the men. He remembered that the captain had been on the bridge, -and turning saw his superior officer standing at the head of the -ladder.</p> - -<p>The captain was capless. There was blood upon his forehead. A -splinter had grazed his head, making a clean superficial wound. The -two men exchanged reassuring glances, then in clear, steady tones -Captain Holloway issued an order for all hands to fall in on the -quarter-deck.</p> - -<p>The men made their way aft at the double. There was no undue -scrambling or frantic haste, although the "Terrier's" raised fo'c'sle -was now almost flush with the water, and her after part, where the -freeboard was nominally only five feet, was thrice that height in the -air.</p> - -<p>Up through the small awkward engine-room stokehold hatchways came the -"black squad," not one man of whom had stirred from his post until -ordered to do so. Knowing full well that a catastrophe had befallen -the ship, but ignorant of the actual facts, or whether she was on the -point of making a sudden plunge to the bottom, these men had to -undergo the greatest ordeal of any of the ship's company. Yet, before -making his dash for safety, the artificer-engineer had taken care to -prevent an explosion of the boilers as the water poured into the -stokehold.</p> - -<p>Of the boats on the davits only one was fit for service. The others -were badly strained by the explosion or damaged by the flying -débris. The serviceable one was quickly lowered, and, although -leaking freely, was manned and brought alongside.</p> - -<p>"Pass all injured men over the side," ordered Captain Holloway. "The -rest of you can make the best of your way ashore—and good luck to -you."</p> - -<p>The crew gave three rousing cheers and prepared for the coming -ordeal, for although the distance to the shore was an easy swim the -bitter coldness of the water had to be taken into consideration.</p> - -<p>One by one the wounded were passed into the boat; after them as many -men as she could safely hold. The boat was ordered to lie off and -render assistance to any swimmers in difficulties.</p> - -<p>"With your permission, sir," said Aubyn, "I'll have a look down on -the mess-deck. There may be some of the hands left below."</p> - -<p>"Do so, by all means, Mr. Aubyn," replied his superior. "The old -boat shows no great hurry."</p> - -<p>"I fancy she's aground for'ard, sir," said the sub. "I'll be as sharp -as I can."</p> - -<p>Descending the now almost perpendicular ladder Terence gained the -shelving mess-deck. Already the water was surging over the forepart; -kit-bags, tables and stools were floating in a confused mass, while -those that were not yet reached by the rapidly rising flood had been -thrown about in all directions by the explosion.</p> - -<p>It was some time before the sub. grew accustomed to the semi-gloom. -His senses were still affected by the concussion; he could see the -water pouring in, but the noise it made was barely audible. The -situation reminded him of a cinematograph show unaccompanied by a -band.</p> - -<p>"All clear as far as I can see," he thought. "It's about time I -looked after number one. Heavens! What is that?"</p> - -<p>Lying almost buried by a pile of gear in one corner of the stokers' -mess was the body of a man. He was insensible, and, in the hurried -rush, had been overlooked by his companions. Already the level of the -water was up to the man's chin as he lay with his head and shoulders -propped up against a broken ditty-box.</p> - -<p>Knee-deep in water Terence hurried to the rescue. The man, a great -brawny specimen of humanity, was stripped to the waist. Surprised in -the act of washing, after coming off duty, he had been rendered -senseless by the explosion. His right leg was bent under him. The -limb, Terence knew at a glance, was broken. He was also bleeding -profusely from an ugly scalp wound in the back of his head.</p> - -<p>In spite of the unconscious stoker's weight—he turned the scale at -sixteen stone—Aubyn dragged him along the deck to the foot of the -ladder. Here he was temporarily baffled, for the metal "treads" were -now sloping downwards at such an angle that it would be difficult for -him to get a foothold unimpeded, much more when attempting to lift a -heavy man.</p> - -<p>It never occurred to the sub. to call upon Captain Holloway for -assistance. The captain, the only person now on deck, was -mechanically puffing at an unlighted cigarette, while his attention -was fixed upon the crowd of swimmers, good, bad, and indifferent, as -they struck out for the shore. Beyond removing his boots the captain -had made no preparations for safety, resolving to remain on his -quarter-deck until his ill-fated command disappeared beneath the -waves.</p> - -<p>Unseen by his superior officer and equally unconscious of his -presence, Terence gained the upper deck, secured a rope, and again -descended to the aid of the luckless stoker. Bending the rope round -the man's chest and back the sub. clambered up the ladder and began -to heave away. Under ordinary circumstances Aubyn would never have -attempted such a feat, but sheer nerve gave him the strength of a -giant. Unaided he succeeded in raising the senseless man and toppling -him over the coaming on to the deck.</p> - -<p>Just then Captain Holloway, having seen that the last of the swimmers -had reached the mud-fringed shore, remembered that the sub. had gone -below, and finding that he had not returned, hurried to the -companion.</p> - -<p>To his surprise he found Aubyn bending over the body of a badly -wounded stoker.</p> - -<p>"Found him below, sir," explained the sub. "Double fracture of the -leg and a nasty gash on his head."</p> - -<p>With his captain's assistance Terence proceeded to apply rough -splints to the injured limb and to staunch the flow of blood from the -man's head.</p> - -<p>"We'll soon have him out of it," remarked Captain Holloway. "The -gig's returning, and I see the whaler is coming up as hard as she -can."</p> - -<p>He pointed to the boat which had taken the invalid to the -sick-quarters. Alarmed by the explosion and concluding that something -had befallen the ship, the ship's crew had bent to their oars with a -will, to find on drawing clear of the hard that the "Terrier" was on -the point of sinking.</p> - -<p>The sub. felt himself shivering. The keen wind blowing against his -saturated nether garments reminded him that it was mid-winter. As he -stooped to wring the water out of the bottoms of his trousers he -realized that the unconscious stoker, who a few moments before had -been toiling in the hot stokehold, was now lying stripped to the -waist.</p> - -<p>Removing his great-coat and muffler Terence slipped the garments over -the unfortunate man, just as the gig and the whaler came alongside.</p> - -<p>This time there were plenty of helpers. Carefully the stoker was -lowered into the whaler and placed in the stern-sheets.</p> - -<p>"Give way, my lads," ordered Captain Holloway. "Run this man up to -the sick-quarters as hard as you know how."</p> - -<p>Then turning to Aubyn he added,</p> - -<p>"The old ship seems to be hanging on. We may as well have a look -below and see if there's anything of value in our cabins."</p> - -<p>Bidding the gig lie off at a boat's length from the ship, which was -now tilted at such an angle that her propellers were clear of the -water, Captain Holloway, followed by Terence, disappeared down the -little companion just abaft the after 4.7-in. gun.</p> - -<p>Although Aubyn had been on board the torpedo-gunboat only a week he -was thoroughly familiar with the appearance of the little box-room -dubbed by courtesy a cabin. It would be difficult to describe its -shape, for being well aft she was cut into by the "run" of the -ship's side as it approached the stern-post. It was lighted by two -scuttles, or circular ports. Immediately beneath these lights was his -bunk, extending from bulkhead to bulkhead, yet barely long enough for -him to lie at full length.</p> - -<p>Underneath the bunk were two mahogany drawers. In one of the two -corners of the cabin, which were rectangular, stood a wash-basin, -hidden from view by a green baize curtain. Against the opposite -bulkhead was a very small stove, its brasswork polished to a high -degree. Somewhere between the rest of the space was a chair which had -to be moved whenever the occupant of the cabin crossed from one side -of his personal and private domain to the other. Even the steel -ceiling, coated with cork cement, in a feeble attempt to prevent -"sweating" of the metal, was utilized for a secondary purpose; from -here hung the sub.'s enamelled iron bath.</p> - -<p>Being well aft Aubyn's cabin had escaped much of the force of the -explosion, but most of the loose gear had been displaced and lodged -in the angle formed by the sloping floor and bulkhead. Two -photographs in silver frames, their glasses smashed to atoms, lay on -the carpet in company with the sub.'s silver cigarette-case, his -watch and chain and a toilet-case—the latter a present from his -headmaster upon leaving school. That little heap represented -practically the whole of his worldly belongings in the way of -luxuries: he could have stowed the lot inside his sweater.</p> - -<p>Yet he did nothing of the sort. Like a man in a trance he stood in -the doorway. Unaccountably the dazed feeling that gripped him -immediately after the ship had received her death-blow took -possession of him again. There he remained, gazing at the scene of -disorder, without stirring a finger to save his treasures, until he -was aroused by Captain Holloway exclaiming:—</p> - -<p>"Look alive, Mr. Aubyn. She's going."</p> - -<p>Up the companion raced the two officers. The ship was trembling -violently. Air bubbles, escaping through the submerged scuttles, -agitated the water alongside. The whole of the fore-part of the -"Terrier," as far as the base of the after funnel, was under the -waves. It was even a difficult matter to cross the deck from the -companion to the side.</p> - -<p>The gig backed. Captain Holloway signed to the sub. to leap; then -giving a last look round he followed Aubyn into the boat.</p> - -<p>"Lay on your oars, man," he ordered, after the gig had gone a hundred -yards from the sinking ship.</p> - -<p>Standing in the stern-sheets, Captain Holloway waited for the end. It -was not long in coming. With the White Ensign still fluttering -proudly in the breeze, the "Terrier" dipped more and more till ten -feet of the after-part of her keel was visible. For a brief instant -the towering mass seemed to hang irresolute, then with hardly a -splash the hull disappeared from sight, leaving only the after-mast -from the truck to the hounds above the surface.</p> - -<p>Raising his hand to the peak of his cap the captain gave his former -command a last salute, then resuming his seat, bade the men "give -way."</p> - -<p>All the inhabitants of the village were on the shore ready to offer -hospitality to the crew, many of whom had discarded most of their -clothing before jumping from the ship. One petty officer, three able -seamen, and a stoker were missing—doubtless killed outright by the -explosion. Four men were seriously injured, while a score more were -suffering from wounds and shock.</p> - -<p>"Hanged if I can quite realize it," remarked Captain Holloway, as he -walked with Aubyn towards the village. "I remember going down to my -cabin and grabbing a spare cap. There were two drawers in my locker. -In one was fifty half-sovereigns, and in the other over three hundred -pounds in notes. The gold is in my trousers' pocket, but, although I -recollect seeing the notes, I've let the whole lot go to Davy Jones. -Strange, eh? Why, what's the matter with you, man?"</p> - -<p>He turned and grasped Terence by the shoulders just in time to -prevent him from falling to the ground in a dead faint.</p> - -<br> -<a name="chapter15"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XV.</h3> - -<h4 align="center">VICE VERSÂ.</h4> - -<p><span class="smallcaps">"Telegram</span> for you, mum."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Aubyn put down her newspaper and took the orange-coloured -envelope which her sister's maid had just brought in on a tray. -Telegrams were rather unusual at "Anchor Cottage," and the freckled, -red-haired girl, with eyes and mouth wide open, stood consumed with -ill-concealed curiosity.</p> - -<p>But she was disappointed. Deftly Mrs. Aubyn tore the envelope and -scanned the contents.</p> - -<p>"No answer, Jane," she announced, in a steady voice.</p> - -<p>Not until the maid had closed the door did the old lady betray the -anguish that the telegram had caused.</p> - -<p>"God grant that he is not blinded or crippled for life," she -exclaimed, in low, earnest tones; then she re-read the momentous -words of the telegram in the vain hope that she had not rightly -grasped its significance, and that on second reading the message -might not appear so terribly grim:—</p> - -<p>"Regret to have to inform you that Sub-Lieutenant Terence Aubyn, -R.N.R., is lying here seriously wounded."</p> - -<p>The telegram was dispatched from Shotley Naval Hospital and bore the -signature of one of the medical officers.</p> - -<p>"Seriously wounded," she repeated. "An accident, perhaps. I must go -to my boy."</p> - -<p>She had read all the important news in the morning paper. There had -been no mention of a naval engagement, so there could be no other -explanation of how Terence received his injuries. She was thankful -indeed that she had not gone to Portsmouth for the day with her -sister. Thankful, also, that the said relative was not in the house, -for in contrast to the presence of mind displayed by Mrs. Aubyn, Miss -Wilson possessed a highly-strung temperament that frequently -expressed itself in hysterical outbursts.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Aubyn consulted a time-table and then rang the bell.</p> - -<p>"Jane," said the old lady in even tones, "I want you to run across to -Smith's and order a taxi to take me to the station at once, to catch -the 9.15 train."</p> - -<p>Quickly Terence's mother made her simple preparations. After dressing -for the journey she sat down and wrote a note to her sister, -explaining the reason for her hasty departure, and stating that she -would write the same evening and give full details. Upon second -thoughts she did not enclose the telegram, but placed it in her -handbag. Then, closing the envelope and sealing it with wax, she gave -it to the maid to hand to her mistress on her return.</p> - -<p>It was close on four in the afternoon when the train steamed into -Harwich station. Making her way through crowds of bluejackets who -formed the bulk of the passengers, Mrs. Aubyn called a cab and bade -the man drive her to Shotley as quickly as possible.</p> - -<p>The cabby looked curiously at her.</p> - -<p>"Shotley?" he repeated. "'Tis a long way. It'll cost you a quid, -mum—a sovereign. Couldn't do it for less."</p> - -<p>"A sovereign!" repeated Mrs. Aubyn aghast.</p> - -<p>"Not a penny less, mum," declared the man, stolidly. The old lady's -hand tightened on her purse. Her means were strictly limited. A -sovereign was to her a large sum. Yet, for her boy's sake——</p> - -<p>"Excuse me, madam," exclaimed a deep, pleasant voice.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Aubyn turned. The cabby gave vent to an exclamation that, -although inaudible, clearly expressed his views upon "fussy toffs who -interfered with an honest chap's living."</p> - -<p>"Do I understand that you want to go to Shotley?" continued the -stranger, a tall, bearded gentleman in the uniform of a naval -captain.</p> - -<p>"Yes, to the hospital. My son, Sub-Lieutenant Aubyn, is lying there -seriously wounded."</p> - -<p>She spoke bravely, laying emphasis upon her boy's rank. She felt -certain she could enlist the entire sympathy and aid of a -brother-officer, notwithstanding he was a post-captain.</p> - -<p>"If you will allow me I will give you a passage in my gig," said the -naval officer. "It is only a short distance by water, but quite -twenty miles from here by land. I fancy that cabby knew you were a -stranger here. My name is O'Rourke—Captain O'Rourke."</p> - -<p>Outside the station boys were selling the early evening papers. -Catching sight of the naval officer three or four of them made a rush -towards him.</p> - -<p>"Evening paper, sir. H.M.S. 'Terrier' torpedoed and sunk."</p> - -<p>He bought a copy, and without attempting to read it thrust it into -his coat pocket.</p> - -<p>"When a ship is torpedoed, Captain O'Rourke, are the crew severely -injured?" inquired Mrs. Aubyn.</p> - -<p>"A strange question to ask," thought the naval man. He glanced -swiftly at his companion, trying to read an unexpressed thought that -might have prompted her query. Her face betrayed no sign whatever.</p> - -<p>"Well, it depends," he answered guardedly. "Unless there are men -below, close to the point of impact, there is generally very little -damage to personnel. The men would undoubtedly feel the effect of the -concussion. When the 'Hogue' and her consorts were torpedoed the loss -of life due to the actual explosion was absurdly small in comparison -to the number of men drowned. Of course, if the torpedo strikes the -magazine and caused an internal explosion, that is quite another -matter. But excuse me, what made you ask that question?"</p> - -<p>"My son was on the 'Terrier,'" she replied simply.</p> - -<p>"I hope——" he began; then he stopped and pulled out the newspaper.</p> - -<p>"There are no details," he continued. "In fact, I know far more -about the disaster and how it occurred than is stated in the Press. -The number of casualties is given but no names."</p> - -<p>Assisting Mrs. Aubyn into the waiting gig, Captain O'Rourke gave -orders to the coxswain to make for Shotley Pier. Then, having acted -the part of glorified ferryman, and handed the old lady into the -charge of a petty-officer with instructions to escort her to the -Sick-Quarters, Captain O'Rourke returned to his ship.</p> - -<p>The short winter's afternoon had now given place to night. Well it -was that Terence's mother had a stalwart seaman to show her the way, -for, owing to possible air-raids, both sides of Harwich Harbour were -shrouded in darkness.</p> - -<p>"Officers' wing, ma'am," announced the petty-officer. "If you'll -write particulars in the visitors' book you'll soon be attended to by -that chap—he's one of the assistant ward-masters."</p> - -<p>After a few moments' delay Mrs. Aubyn was ushered into a fairly large -room in which were half a dozen occupied beds. Eagerly she scanned -the faces of the patients. None of the five who on hearing the -visitor turned in her direction bore the slightest resemblance to her -son. The sixth bed—ominous sign—had a screen drawn round it.</p> - -<p>A nursing sister walked silently up to the assistant ward-master and -asked a question in an undertone, then turning to the visitor:—</p> - -<p>"Mrs. Aubyn, I believe. You have come to see your son?"</p> - -<p>"I have; is he dangerously hurt?" she asked.</p> - -<p>The nurse inclined her head.</p> - -<p>"I am afraid so," she replied gently. "The surgeons are holding -another consultation tomorrow. It may mean amputation of the right -leg, but I think he'll get over it."</p> - -<p>"Amputation of the right leg ... he'll get over it."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Aubyn mechanically repeated the words as she followed the -nursing sister towards the screened bed. After all, it might have -been worse. Throughout the tedious journey the idea that persistently -occupied her mind was that her only son had been deprived of his -sight. She felt almost inclined to weep with relief. Compared with a -life-long existence deprived of the light of day, the lot of a maimed -hero—whose sacrifice had been for King and Country—was light -indeed. And, besides, he would be invalided out of the Service. She, -his devoted mother, would spend no more sleepless nights endeavouring -to picture her son somewhere on the wild North Sea, beset by perils -that had never, before the present war, threatened the gallant men -who defended our shores.</p> - -<p>She gave no sign of the emotions that surged within her. Outwardly -she was calm and self-possessed—a pattern of a modern Spartan -mother.</p> - -<p>The nurse moved aside the screen.</p> - -<p>On the bed, his forehead swathed in surgical bandages, and with a -rest over his injured limb, was an unconscious man. His face was -pallid, his closed eyes rimmed with red. His massive features, short -turned-up nose, long upper lip and square jaw unmistakably stamped -him as a son of the Emerald Isle.</p> - -<p>"But this is not my son," said Mrs. Aubyn calmly.</p> - -<p>"Not your son?" repeated the nurse. "Why, this is Sub-Lieutenant -Terence Aubyn."</p> - -<p>"He is some other poor mother's son," declared Mrs. Aubyn; then, with -unwonted eagerness she asked, "Were any of the other officers -missing?"</p> - -<p>"I think not," replied the nursing sister. "If you will take a chair -for a few minutes I will make inquiries. Perhaps you would like a cup -of tea in my room," she added, noticing the visitor's langour.</p> - -<p>"Thank you," was the grateful reply. "I would."</p> - -<p>While Mrs. Aubyn was drinking her tea the nurse held a hurried -consultation with the ward-master and one of the doctors.</p> - -<p>"Now you mention it," remarked the latter, "I did notice that the -patient looked a bit tough for a commissioned officer. A sub., even -though he be a reserve man, does not as a rule decorate his chest -with fanciful tattoo designs. Have you any of the 'Terrier's' ship's -company who can identify the patient?"</p> - -<p>The result of the consultation was that an able seaman, suffering -from slight shock, was brought into the officer's ward.</p> - -<p>The man's weather-beaten face relaxed into a broad grin when he saw -the supposed sub-lieutenant.</p> - -<p>"Strike me pink!" he ejaculated in undisguised astonishment, and -heedless of the fact that he was in the presence of a superior -officer. "Mike O'Milligan will have the time of his life when he -wakes up to find himself in with the officers."</p> - -<p>"Mike O'Milligan?" repeated the surgeon.</p> - -<p>"Ay; first-class stoker—that's what he is," declared the seaman, -with the air of a man who is instrumental in denouncing an impostor. -He seemed to imagine that it was a piece of audacity on the part of -the luckless O'Milligan, in spite of the fact that he was unconscious -when brought into the hospital.</p> - -<p>"Did you see Sub-Lieutenant Aubyn after the explosion?" asked the -nurse.</p> - -<p>"Ay, ma'am. He was all right. Saw him with my own eyes on the -quarter-deck when the hands mustered aft. Don't remember seeing him -after that, though."</p> - -<p>"I think there has been a mistake, Mrs. Aubyn," said the nurse on -returning to her private sitting-room, where Terence's mother was -striving to forget doubts and fears in a cup of tea. "A stoker was -admitted to the ward under the inexplicable error that he was your -son. Dr. Hardiman is making inquiries, and we hope to clear the -matter up satisfactorily. You need not worry about finding a hotel; -we can put you up for the night."</p> - -<p>The nurse remained in conversation with the old lady for some -minutes, then, excusing herself, returned to her duty.</p> - -<p>Left to herself Mrs. Aubyn remembered that she promised to write to -her sister. The news she was able to give was far from satisfactory; -in fact, the position of affairs was very vague. Nevertheless, she -sat down to write an account of what had occurred up to the present -time, in the hope that before she had finished the letter Dr. -Hardiman's investigations might produce definite and satisfactory -results.</p> - -<p>Suddenly the door opened. In the subdued gleam cast by the electric -table-lamp Mrs. Aubyn saw the figure of a man dressed in a long, pale -blue coat with broad red collar and cuffs. His face was darkened by -the shade of the lamp.</p> - -<p>Thinking the intruder was one of the hospital orderlies, the old lady -turned to her work, only to feel a pair of hands grasping her -shoulders.</p> - -<p>"Hullo, mother! What brings you here?" asked Terence.</p> - -<p>It was all because of the fact that Terence gave his great-coat to -the unconscious man he had rescued from the mess-deck of the sinking -"Terrier" that the sub. and the stoker had changed places.</p> - -<p>Upon Aubyn losing consciousness Captain Holloway feared that the sub. -had been wounded, and that he had kept the knowledge to himself. A -hasty examination by the naval surgeon resulted in the satisfactory -report that the young officer was not hurt beyond suffering from the -shock of the explosion.</p> - -<p>Captain Holloway, of course, could not stay with his subordinate. He -had plenty of work to do, looking after the survivors of the ship's -company, sending telegraphic reports to the Admiralty, and tackling -fifty other problems to which the sudden catastrophe had contributed.</p> - -<p>Owing to the limited room at the Sick-Quarters of the little village, -orders were received to send the wounded members of the crew to -Shotley. A fleet of motor-cars, lent by the well-to-do residents in -the district, was quickly organized and the work of transporting the -sufferers was put in hand.</p> - -<p>A message had already been received at Shotley warning the medical -authorities to prepare for the reception of one officer and so many -lower-deck patients. The latter were to be distributed amongst the -various wards.</p> - -<p>A small crowd of sick-berth attendants were in waiting when the -motor-cars arrived. The worst cases were taken into the building on -stretchers. Amongst these were Sub-Lieutenant Aubyn, clad in cloth -trousers and sweater, and Stoker O'Milligan decked in borrowed -plumage—to wit, a naval officer's great-coat. Both men were still -unconscious.</p> - -<p>Consequently it was excusable that the sick-bay staff made a slight -mistake. O'Milligan, after his leg was properly set in splints, was -put to bed in the officer's ward, while Terence was dumped into the -only vacant cot in one of the men's wards.</p> - -<p>He was a puzzle to the sick-berth attendants. They knew that the one -officer mentioned in the telegram had arrived. They could find no -mark of identification on the clothing of the supposed seaman. Being -particularly busy they let the matter of identification slide, -thinking that on the patient's return to consciousness he would be -able to give the necessary information as to his name and rating.</p> - -<p>When the doctor went his rounds he gave directions for a sleeping -draught to be administered to the patient as soon as he regained his -senses.</p> - -<p>Ten minutes after the medico's departure Terence opened his eyes. -Instantly the alert attendant pounced down, and, without giving the -patient a chance to speak, made him swallow the draught. Consequently -it was not until six o'clock in the evening that the sub. awoke, -feeling little the worse for his prolonged rest.</p> - -<p>He sat up and looked round the room. His surroundings were strangely -unfamiliar. The very bareness of the place had a lower-deck -atmosphere.</p> - -<p>He beckoned to the sick-bay attendant.</p> - -<p>"What's up now, mate?" asked that worthy. "Feeling better?"</p> - -<p>Somewhat taken aback by the familiarity of the man, Terence asked -where he was, and was informed that he was in "B" block of Shotley -Sick-Quarters.</p> - -<p>"What's your name and rating, chum?" asked the man, producing a book -and fingering a stump of indelible pencil.</p> - -<p>Like a flash the situation became apparent to the sub. He remembered -his great-coat—he seemed particularly unfortunate in the matter of -great-coats, he thought. He had lent it to the stoker, and as a -penalty he had been mistaken for the man he had rescued. The -ludicrous side of the affair tickled him.</p> - -<p>"A sub-lootenant?" queried the man incredulously. "Seems likely, eh? -Either you're barmy, or else you're trying some little game on. Won't -work, chum. Who's your raggie?"</p> - -<p>"Raggie," in lower-deck parlance, is a term used to denote a man's -particular pal. It was the sick-berth attendant's idea to get one of -the ship's company whom the patient named to identify the fellow who -was under the hallucination that he was one of the officers.</p> - -<p>"Try Captain Holloway," suggested Terence. The man shook his head -more in sorrow than in anger.</p> - -<p>"It would go hard with you, chum, if I did," he remarked. "Your -skipper wouldn't care to be bothered at this time o' night. 'Sides, -he isn't here."</p> - -<p>The patient in the next cot—of the crew of a destroyer that had been -in some minor action—began to grow interested.</p> - -<p>"Bill," he whispered in a stage aside, "'umour 'im. He's dotty. I -knowed a chap once who looked just like 'im. He was as mad as a -'atter. He would 'ave it he was the Right 'Onerable Somebody. Got -fair violent if you didn't believe 'im. So, 'umour 'im, says I."</p> - -<p>Terence, overhearing these remarks, laughed.</p> - -<p>"I don't claim to be anything so grand as a Right Honourable, my -man," he said.</p> - -<p>"Maybe, then, you're not so bad as the chap wot I was talking to the -poultice-slapper about. 'E was sent to Yarmouth Loonatic Asylum, pore -chap; maybe you won't need to be if you pulls yourself together," -retorted the seaman, with brutal candour.</p> - -<p>"Look here, my man," said Terence authoritatively, addressing the -"poultice-slapper," otherwise the sick-berth attendant, "you'll -please fetch the surgeon on duty—and be quick about it."</p> - -<p>There was something in Aubyn's tone that caused the man to wonder -whether, after all, there had been a mistake. He was one who was -disinclined to take any risks in the matter. He hurried off, striving -to recollect, as he went, what he had said to the unknown patient, -and whether he had used indiscreet language to one who might really -be a commissioned officer.</p> - -<p>The doctor arrived, tardily. Although the circumstances had been -explained to him, he, too, had his doubts. Patients suffering from -shock were apt to be light-headed upon recovering consciousness.</p> - -<p>He was a little, round-faced man, with a shiny pate surmounted by a -tonsure-like ring of jet black hair. War had dealt kindly with him. -Formerly a country medical practitioner in a poor district, having -great difficulty in making both ends meet, he had taken advantage of -the Admiralty regulations for the entry of Temporary Surgeons. With -free quarters, a home billet, and a comfortable rate of pay, he was -now "having the time of his life."</p> - -<p>He lacked the general brusqueness of naval doctors when dealing with -men. He was eminently a doctor; as a naval officer he made an -indifferent show.</p> - -<p>He was sympathetic as he questioned Aubyn, and although he observed -him narrowly he saw no sign that would be bound to betray to a -medical man any symptoms of lunacy.</p> - -<p>"You are well enough to get up," he said at length. "Get your things -on."</p> - -<p>Somewhat disdainfully Terence clothed himself in the garments -provided—rough underclothing and an ugly dressing-gown, arrangements -that My Lords think fit to provide for the lower-deck patients.</p> - -<p>"Fit as a fiddle," remarked the doctor.</p> - -<p>"Fit for a good dinner, anyhow," added Terence, who was feeling -desperately hungry—the craving for food accentuated by the fact that -one of the patients had just been given some roast chicken.</p> - -<p>"Ordinary seamen don't talk about having dinner in the evening," -thought the surgeon. "Perhaps there's some truth in his assertion -after all. I'll get him into the next ward; there are two of the -'Terrier' men there."</p> - -<p>Nor was the doctor greatly astonished when, as the quaintly-garbed -patient followed him into the ward, the men recognized their officer, -stood up and smartly saluted.</p> - -<p>"Well, Smith," said Terence, addressing a seaman-gunner by name, "how -goes it?"</p> - -<p>"Can't complain, sir. Got a proper whack in the ribs. 'Tain't much to -grouse about. And how's yourself, sir, if I may make so bold as to -ask? I seed the cap'n catch you as you pitched to starboard."</p> - -<p>In a few minutes Terence was taken to the officers' ward. Here he was -informed that his mother was waiting to see him. He wondered why. His -condition was hardly serious enough for the medical authorities to -send for her, so he settled the matter by going, just as he was, to -the room where Mrs. Aubyn was waiting.</p> - -<br> -<a name="chapter16"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XVI.</h3> - -<h4 align="center">THE FLOORING OF MR. McNAB.</h4> - -<p><span class="smallcaps">Promptly</span> discharged from hospital, Terence was given six days' -leave—a period which he spent with his parent.</p> - -<p>He thoroughly appreciated the brief spell of leisure. It was simply -great to be able to turn in at night and sleep soundly till seven -o'clock the next morning. There was no insistent voice of the -messenger: "Please, sir, it's ten minutes to four, and your cocoa's -ready;" no watch upon an exposed bridge in the cold dark hours of a -winter's morning; no monotonous round of ship routine with the -constant menace of being bumped upon a mine.</p> - -<p>Yet, in a way, he was glad when his leave was up. The call of duty in -Britain's time of peril was too urgent. He felt he must be doing -something. Even his well-earned leave savoured of "slacking."</p> - -<p>On the afternoon of the last day of his holiday Terence received his -order from the Admiralty to proceed to Whale Island for a second -gunnery course. Somewhat to his mother's and his aunt's consternation -he executed a war-dance round the drawing-room, to the imminent peril -of Miss Wilson's objects of art, with which the room was certainly -overcrowded. "A short gunnery course." He took it that that meant -another step to the height of his ambition. If he came through that -with flying colours he concluded that he would be sent to either a -battleship or a cruiser. There could be, he reasoned, no object in -putting a Reserve officer through the mysteries of <i>heavy</i>-gun drill -if he were to continue to serve in an armed merchantman, whose -heaviest ordnance consisted of the comparatively small 4.7-in. gun or -the 6-in. at the very outside.</p> - -<p>On the other hand, in spite of his experience as officer of the watch -on the "Strongbow" and "Terrier" he would be of little use as -watch-keeping officer on a battleship or cruiser in company. He had -no training in the delicate art of station-keeping, whereby lines of -huge ships keep their respective distances with mathematical nicety, -which can only be acquired by years of experience.</p> - -<p>Yet that troubled him but little. So long as he had a chance of -smelling powder under anything approaching equal conditions he would -be content. Rather selfishly he hoped that the German fleet would -skulk in Wilhelmshaven Harbour or in the Kiel Canal until the time -that he found himself on board one of the battleships or big cruisers -of the Grand Fleet.</p> - -<p>So with a brand new kit—for he had lost practically all his gear -when the "Terrier" made her plunge—Terence reported himself at Whale -Island—the principal gunnery establishment of the British Empire, -nay, of the whole world—an artificial island, constructed by means -of earth excavated from the huge basin of Portsmouth Dockyard.</p> - -<p>Officially Whale Island is a ship, appearing in all official naval -documents as H.M.S. "Excellent." It boasts of a "Quarter-Deck;" ship -routine is carried out almost as faithfully as if the several -thousand men were really afloat instead of being quartered in -barracks. There are spacious parade grounds, diving-tank for -instructing embryo seaman-divers, workshops, and, in the adjoining -Portsea Island, a rifle-range; but all these give precedence to the -gun-batteries.</p> - -<p>Almost the whole of the western side of the island is occupied by a -long, low building designated the heavy-gun battery. Here types of -guns, from the monstrous 15-in. downwards, are mounted under similar -conditions to those on shipboard, and used solely for the instruction -of officers and men. Even the "heave" of a ship in a seaway is -allowed for, since some of the ordnance are mounted on "rolling -platforms" designed to make a seaman gunner in training accustomed to -the motion of a vessel under way.</p> - -<p>Terence entered into his duties with the keenest zest. His ready mind -quickly grasped the points raised by the instructor. Difficulties -that proved well-nigh insurmountable to several of the class, he -overcame with an ease which astonished both his mentor and himself, -and at the end of the period of training he was the proud possessor -of a first-class certificate signed by the captain of the ship.</p> - -<p>Thus it came as a slight disappointment when Terence received orders -to proceed to Rosyth to join H.M. torpedo-boat-destroyer, -"Livingstone." Still, it was a step in the right direction, the sub. -agreed, and that was something to be thankful for.</p> - -<p>The "Livingstone" was a modern craft of 965 tons, carried three 4-in. -guns, and was propelled by turbine machinery, steam being raised -exclusively by oil fuel. It was one of the flotillas whose duty lay -in patrolling the easternmost limits of the North Sea, so as to be in -readiness to report the German High Sea Fleet should, in a rash -moment, the Kaiser or his minion Tirpitz give the order for it to -risk annihilation at the hands of Admiral Jellicoe's waiting seamen.</p> - -<p>Every alternate fortnight the flotilla to which the "Livingstone" -belonged proceeded to take its spell of arduous duty. The intervening -period it spent in harbour, giving the crew a well-earned rest.</p> - -<p>Terence joined his new ship on the second day of his return. The -officers, all young men full of spirits and on excellent terms with -each other, were busy planning how they were to spend the next few -days of comparative leisure. As usual the subject of the war was -hardly mentioned. After days of strenuous watching and waiting, with -the waves constantly sweeping the battened down decks, they were only -too glad to discuss matters other than "shop"—since the German fleet -showed no sign of leaving its lair.</p> - -<p>"We're off to Tuilabrail to-morrow, Aubyn," announced the -engineer-lieutenant. "You'll come too, I hope. McNab has issued a -general invitation to the officers of the flotilla."</p> - -<p>"Who's Mr. McNab?" asked Terence.</p> - -<p>"Oh, don't you know? I've forgotten it's your first time at Rosyth. -McNab is the laird of Tuilabrail—quite a swagger place, not far from -St. Margeret's Hope. There's plenty of sport—shooting and fishing, -and all that, you know."</p> - -<p>"'Fraid I'm not much of a hand with a sporting gun," remarked -Terence. "Last time I tried I made an awful ass of myself."</p> - -<p>"Fire away and let's have the yarn, old fellow," said a sub., as -cordially as if he had known Aubyn all his life.</p> - -<p>"There's not much to tell," replied Terence. "It was while I was -staying at a farm in Devonshire. The farmer asked me to go out -rabbit-shooting. It was tame work bolting the poor little beasts with -ferrets and bowling them over at twenty yards. Well, we were working -a hedge, set in a bank literally honeycombed with rabbit-holes. The -old farmer told me where to stand and cautioned me to let rip -directly I saw the rabbit, as there was plenty of cover about.</p> - -<p>"I waited for perhaps five minutes. Then something dashed out of the -hedge like greased lightning. I pulled the trigger and——"</p> - -<p>"Peppered the farmer?" hazarded the engineer-lieutenant.</p> - -<p>"No, bowled over a fox. Shot the brute dead as a door-nail."</p> - -<p>"You rotten sport!" exclaimed several of his listeners.</p> - -<p>"Try your luck again," said the lieutenant. "Have you a gun? If not, -I'll lend you one—it's a good one, I can assure you."</p> - -<p>So it was arranged that half a dozen officers, including Aubyn, -should go over to Tuilabrail on the following morning and have lunch -with the hospitable Mr. McNab.</p> - -<p>"Who is this Mr. McNab?" asked Terence.</p> - -<p>No one seemed to know exactly. He had only recently rented -Tuilabrail. Some one said that he had heard that McNab was a wealthy -manufacturer from the Lowlands, who had been obliged to retire early -on account of bad health, but amongst the officers there was a -general opinion that he was a real good old sport.</p> - -<p>The sub.'s first night on board a destroyer soon enabled him to -realize that there is a great difference between cruising in an armed -merchantman and serving with a flotilla.</p> - -<p>He was officer of the Middle Watch. The "Livingstone" and her -consorts, although supposed to be stationed at Rosyth during the -fortnight, were anchored far up the Firth of Forth, ready at a -moment's notice to steam out into the North Sea should there be a -"wireless" announcing that the German fleet was at last about to risk -The Day.</p> - -<p>From where the "Livingstone" lay, save for the anchor lamps of the -flotilla, not a light was visible. Culross and Kincardine on the -north shore and Grangemouth and Boness on the south shore of the -Forth might have been non-existent as far as sound and visibility -were concerned.</p> - -<p>It was a raw, misty night, with a keen easterly wind blowing in from -the North Sea. With the wind against the strong ebb tide the sea was -flecked with "white horses" that slapped viciously against the stern -of the destroyer. Overhead the insulated stays of the wireless aerial -moaned fitfully in the blast.</p> - -<p>"Boat ahoy!" The hail came from a seaman stationed aft. He had been -indulging in a surreptitious "few puffs" under the lee of the after -4-in. gun, and in a fateful moment had been trying to light his -refractory pipe when a red, white, and green steaming light within -twenty yards of the destroyer aroused him into super-activity.</p> - -<p>"Guard-boat!" shouted a gruff voice, intensified by means of a -megaphone.</p> - -<p>"Guard-boat, sir!" repeated the lookout for the sub.'s information.</p> - -<p>Accompanied by the quartermaster Terence hurried to the side, there -to find a dark grey launch, her outlines barely visible against the -leaden-coloured white-flecked sea.</p> - -<p>From a diminutive cabin aft, the yellow flicker of a lantern feebly -illuminated the bronzed features of an officer muffled in oilskins -and sou'-wester.</p> - -<p>"Night guard!" announced the officer, without any superfluity of -speech. "All correct?"</p> - -<p>"All correct, sir," replied the quartermaster.</p> - -<p>"P'raps," rejoined the officer of the night guard sourly. Making a -ten-mile round in a wet launch in the small hours of a winter's -morning tended to make him short-tempered. "Where's the officer of -the watch?"</p> - -<p>"Here, sir," replied Terence.</p> - -<p>"Very good. You might warn your lookout to lookout a little more -smartly, and not wait until we were alongside your quarter. Where the -dickens would you be now, do you suppose, if it had been a German -torpedo-boat? It's not unlikely, you know. Good-night."</p> - -<p>"Good-night, sir," replied Aubyn.</p> - -<p>The officer of the night guard closed the door of the cabin on the -unprotected light. In the engine-room a bell clanged, the artificer -started the engines to half-speed ahead and in ten seconds the launch -was lost in the darkness.</p> - -<p>Aubyn remained peering out into the night. He could just distinguish -the hail of the destroyer next ahead, followed by the reassuring -"Guard-boat."</p> - -<p>The luckless lookout man stood at attention awaiting the sub.'s -pleasure, and trying to forecast the punishment he would receive on -the following morning when his offence was entered in the captain's -defaulters' list. He uttered silent maledictions on the damp "navy -plug" that had distracted his attention for a few critical seconds. -In addition he was to go "on leaf" on the following day: his little -lapse would assuredly "knock the bottom out of that caboodle."</p> - -<p>"Well, what have you to say?" asked the sub.</p> - -<p>"Nothin', sir; I was properly caught napping," replied the seaman. He -was not going to attempt to bluff his officer by a feeble excuse. He -was too much of a man for that: he would "go through the mill" with a -good grace.</p> - -<p>"You were smoking?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir. I turned to loo'ard to light my pipe, an' that done it."</p> - -<p>"Listen, my man," said Aubyn. "I'll not place you in the captain's -report this time. Let this be a warning to you—and be more careful -in the future."</p> - -<p>The man saluted and returned to his duty. He was agreeably surprised.</p> - -<p>"He's a real jonnick," he muttered. "Sort of chap as 'as got some -regard for a bloomin' matloe who gets a bit adrift. If ever I gets a -chance to repay him I jolly well will, or my name's not Jim Stairs."</p> - -<p>After morning Divisions Terence went ashore in company with the other -officers who were to make up the party to visit McNab. Some were -armed with fishing-rods, others with guns, and some with both. All -were in excellent spirits, and evidently determined to "let -themselves go."</p> - -<p>A picquet boat took them to Culross, where their host's palatial car -awaited them. After an all too short run Terence found himself at -Tuilabrail Hall.</p> - -<p>The house, standing high and surrounded by spacious, well-kept -grounds, enjoyed an uninterrupted panoramic view of the Firth of -Forth. The Forth Bridge, the Grand Fleet lying off Rosyth, and -newly-constructed basins and workshops of the Scottish Portsmouth -were within easy range of vision, while, by the aid of a telescope -Grangemouth, Queensferry, Edinburgh, and Leith could be seen.</p> - -<p>This much Terence noticed as he waited under the portico while the -various members of the party were handing their sporting gear over to -the charge of a grave and dignified manservant. Then, escorted by a -liveried footman, the guests were shown into the McNab's -morning-room.</p> - -<p>"Our host has evidently overslept himself," remarked Gilroy, the -lieutenant who had offered to lend Terence a sporting-gun and had -faithfully kept his word. Gilroy was a young, pleasant-faced man of -twenty-eight, with three thousand a year, and capable of obtaining -any amount of influence. Yet, although he had more than once been -offered a job on one of the Royal Yachts, he had voluntarily -preferred to endure the obvious discomforts of a destroyer. "Look -here, you fellows, I'll introduce Aubyn when the laird puts in an -appearance. Don't be bashful, my boy; he's quite a free-and-easy -chap. No bally stand on ceremony, you know."</p> - -<p>"He's a lucky man to have a swagger show like this," declared the -engineer-lieutenant, who, being without private means and newly -married, found it a hard task to make both ends meet on his Service -pay and allowances. "What a decent view. Look, there's a -battle-cruiser arriving."</p> - -<p>The officers crowded to the window. A long, three-funnelled -battle-cruiser, mounting eight large guns and apparently brand new, -for there were patches of red-lead showing on her lofty sides, had -just picked up a mooring-buoy.</p> - -<p>"Must be the 'Tiger,'" suggested Gilroy. "I heard she was expected -round, but I didn't think she would put in an appearance so soon. By -Jove, if the Germans pluck up courage to attempt another Scarborough -business, they'll have something to reckon with."</p> - -<p>"More than likely——" began another sub., but a hurried footstep in -the corridor warned the guests that their host was about to enter.</p> - -<p>The McNab came into the room with an impetuous rush. Being a long and -somewhat narrow apartment, and the door being close to one angle, he -had some distance to traverse to where the officers stood with their -backs to the window. As he strode he seemed to be peering eagerly, as -if to discern the faces of the guests as they stood silhouetted -against the light.</p> - -<p>"Good morning, gentlemen," he exclaimed in slow, measured tones that -contrasted with his hurried arrival. "I'm sorry to have kept you -waiting."</p> - -<p>"Not at all," replied Gilroy easily. "Acting on your open invitation -we've brought a brother-officer along: Mr. Aubyn—the McNab."</p> - -<p>Terence made a step forward. His jaw was tightly set, his face pale -in spite of his tanned complexion. He made no attempt to grasp the -outstretched hand of the tenant of Tuilabrail, but kept his arms -close to his side with his fists firmly clenched.</p> - -<p>For a moment the McNab stood with a look of surprise upon his face. -Then his smile of welcome changed into a venomous look. His hand flew -to his pocket.</p> - -<p>"<i>Crash!</i>"</p> - -<p>With a swift and powerful left-hander Terence's fist shot forward, -caught the man full in the centre of the chest and sent him reeling. -The next instant Aubyn's brother-officers were astounded to see their -host prostrate on his back with his arms and legs beating a tattoo on -the carpet, while the sub. sat on his chest.</p> - -<p>"Are you mad, man?" demanded Gilroy, laying his hand on the sub.'s -shoulder. The apparently meaningless attack by the officer to whom he -stood sponsor—an outrage upon a man in the sanctity of his -home—could only be the outcome of the frenzy of a disordered mind.</p> - -<p>"Far from it," replied Terence. "You fellows might bear a hand and -secure Major von Eckenhardt."</p> - -<p>"Von Eckenhardt!" echoed the engineer-commander. "Impossible."</p> - -<p>For the name of von Eckenhardt, the master-spy, was only too well -known in naval circles. It was generally acknowledged that more than -one carefully-planned "scoop" had gone awry owing to warnings -received by the German Admiralty from the elusive secret agent.</p> - -<p>"Are you Major Karl von Eckenhardt?" demanded Gilroy, after the -officers had set the man upon his feet again.</p> - -<p>"Absolutely a mistake. I did not know until a few moments ago that I -had a double whose misdoings would be to my detriment," replied the -McNab, speaking with difficulty, for the effect of the blow he had -received had wellnigh deprived him of breath.</p> - -<p>Gilroy and his companions looked enquiringly at Aubyn. Perhaps, after -all, the sub. had made a mistake?</p> - -<p>"Under the circumstances, although Mr. Aubyn has shown mistaken zeal -for the Service," continued the McNab, "I am willing to forgive the -outrage, and no doubt Mr. Aubyn will tender an apology. There the -matter will end as far as I am concerned. If you'll excuse me, -gentlemen, I will go and remove the traces of your zealous friend's -super-abundant energy."</p> - -<p>Alarmed by the crash upon the floor three menservants had hurried -into the room. There they stood like automatons, each man concealing -under a wooden-like expression a burning curiosity to know what had -happened to their master.</p> - -<p>"Don't let him go: watch his hands!" exclaimed Terence. "I'll accept -all responsibility."</p> - -<p>The McNab's plausibility vanished.</p> - -<p>"Enough of this horse-play," he said vehemently. "James and you -two—throw this—er—gentleman out."</p> - -<p>"Stand back—stand back, I say!" ordered Terence, as the three -flunkeys showed signs of obeying their master.</p> - -<p>The men paused irresolutely. There were a few seconds of tense -silence. Then the servants revealed themselves in their true -colours—accomplices of the spy, von Eckenhardt.</p> - -<p>Drawing automatic pistols from their pockets they levelled them at -the now more than astounded British officers, while von Eckenhardt, -of whose identity Terence had not the faintest doubt, wrestled -furiously with his captors.</p> - -<p>It was not compulsion that kept the Germans from using their firearms -it was fear—a dread that their act would assuredly, in the event of -capture, make them indictable on a capital charge.</p> - -<p>"Shoot!" shouted von Eckenhardt in German. "Shoot, for the sake of -the Fatherland."</p> - -<p>It was Gilroy who saved the situation. Tall and powerfully built, and -a prominent member of the "United Services," he was far away superior -in physical strength to the denounced spy.</p> - -<p>With lightning-like rapidity he flung his arms around the Teuton, and -using him as a human buckler and a battering-ram combined, charged -the still irresolute flunkeys.</p> - -<p>Half a dozen pistol-shots rang out; not the result of a deliberate -act but of the nervous pressure on the delicate trigger of one of the -automatic weapons. The bullets, flying wide, chipped the oak -panelling, and—omen of ill-luck to the tenant of -Tuilabrail—shattered a mirror into fragments.</p> - -<p>In ten seconds Gilroy with his living weapon had cleared the room of -the enemy. The engineer-lieutenant locked the door, while Terence and -the others quickly bound von Eckenhardt with their handkerchiefs.</p> - -<p>"Stand clear of the door," cautioned Gilroy. "Now that those fellows -have started to let off fireworks they might take it into their heads -to put a few pieces of nickel through the woodwork. Nixon, cut off as -hard as you can and bring up a file of Marines: be careful going -through the grounds. The whole place is a nest of Germans—beastly -cheek sheltering under good old Scots' names."</p> - -<p>Gilroy's words, similar to those expressed by Chief Engineer McBride, -showed how deeply he, a thorough Scot, resented the colossal -impudence of the super-spy in assuming a respectable Highland -cognomen.</p> - -<p>It was, indeed, a daring piece of work on the part of Karl von -Eckenhardt.</p> - -<p>After his encounter with Terence on the cliffs at Yarmouth he had -succeeded in eluding the patrols and had taken refuge in London. Here -he lay low as a Russian subject. A fortnight later, by means of a -forged passport, he embarked at Shields upon a Swedish vessel bound -for Gottenberg. Thence he returned to his native country, where -during a period of activity at the German Admiralty he grew a full -beard. He was far too wily to adopt false hair as a disguise, -although he did not hesitate to dye his beard a ruddy tint.</p> - -<p>Without difficulty, this time making use of an American passport and -registering as a citizen of New York, he returned to England by a -different route. After a short stay in Liverpool he went on to -Glasgow, whence he transmitted valuable information to Berlin as a -result of a casual acquaintanceship with an overseer of one of the -Clyde shipyards.</p> - -<p>Gaining increased confidence his next move was to install himself in -the neighbourhood of Rosyth, in order to keep a watchful eye upon the -movements of the Grand Fleet. Plentifully supplied with money, he -assumed the honoured name of McNab, and completely deceiving a firm -of house agents, succeeded in getting the tenancy of Tuilabrail.</p> - -<p>Then, having engaged servants who with few exceptions were German -secret agents domiciled long enough in Great Britain to disarm any -suspicion of their nationality, he proceeded to get in touch with -certain of the junior officers of the Fleet and some of the civil -officials of the new and important dockyard of Rosyth.</p> - -<p>Fortune seemed to smile on his efforts. Acting as a friend in need to -a naval officer whose car had met with a breakdown, he found the -beginning of a chain of acquaintances. His hospitality became a -by-word amongst certain parties of naval men. He never asked -questions upon Service matters. He relied upon his sharp ears and -those of his minions to pick up useful information from the casual -conversations of his guests. Young officers were at times, he -reasoned, apt to forget the necessity for "official reticence and -reserve."</p> - -<p>One of his duties was to send a report to Berlin of all changes in -the personnel of officers of the Fleet. This was a comparatively easy -matter, since most appointments were published in the Press.</p> - -<p>Another was to notify movements of individual ships, both naval and -mercantile. This he did by means of a simple re-arrangement of the -International Code, the news being sent by a comparatively -low-powered wireless apparatus to a disguised trawler that was -cruising regularly off the tail of the Dogger.</p> - -<p>Unfortunately for him, Sub-Lieutenant Aubyn's appointment to the -"Livingstone" did not appear in the papers; had it done so he would -have been put upon his guard. Cool and calculating as he generally -was, the suddenness with which he found himself confronted by Terence -momentarily took him off his guard. In spite of his disguise the sub. -recognized von Eckenhardt immediately.</p> - -<p>It was an hour or more before Lieutenant Nixon returned, accompanied -by a party of Marine Light Infantry and a number of Metropolitan -police, who, amongst other duties, are entrusted with the guarding of -his Majesty's Naval and Military establishments.</p> - -<p>Seeing that the game was up, von Eckenhardt gave in with a good -grace, boasting, however, that having done a great deal of work for -the Fatherland he was ready to pay the price, although it was a -misfortune that he had not been able to do all that he had hoped to -accomplish.</p> - -<p>His assistants had already fled—one, out of perhaps half a dozen, -was arrested twenty-four hours later in a sailor's home at Leith; the -others got clear away. So hurried had been their departure that the -house was left untouched. A systematic search revealed the presence -of a secret wireless apparatus cunningly concealed in a bricked-up -chimney corner; while, amid the mass of documents impounded by the -police, experts discovered the system whereby von Eckenhardt was able -to communicate with the utmost freedom with the German Admiralty.</p> - -<p>"A smart move, that of yours, Aubyn," commented Gilroy, as the -officers made their way back to the flotilla. "I really thought you -had gone off your head."</p> - -<p>"It wouldn't be the first time people thought that," rejoined -Terence. "But I don't think we've done anything to brag about."</p> - -<p>"What? Not laying that dangerous spy by the heels?" asked the -engineer-lieutenant in surprise.</p> - -<p>"Perhaps," replied Gilroy, with a grim smile. "But the point is, -we've all been taken in by the rotter. Suppose at the court-martial -they inquired the reason why we went to Tuilabrail? We'll have to -admit that we were very nicely taken in, in more senses than one. -Then they'll make us sit up."</p> - -<p>The "sitting up" part of the business began immediately upon their -return to their respective destroyers, for a signal was made by the -admiral cancelling all shore leave.</p> - -<p>At four that same afternoon—being Saturday 23 January, 1915—orders -were received for the flotillas to weigh and proceed to a rendezvous -off the Isle of May.</p> - -<p>Speculation was rife amongst officers and crew as to the significance -of this move. No one guessed what was taking place at Tuilabrail -House: that the secret wireless was being made use of to send grossly -misleading information to Berlin; and that the authorities had great -hopes that the German swift armoured cruisers would be lured into -making another raid on the supposedly defenceless East Coast.</p> - -<br> -<a name="chapter17"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XVII.</h3> - -<h4 align="center">THE END OF THE "BLUECHER."</h4> - -<p><span class="smallcaps">The</span> "Livingstone," second destroyer in the port-column of the -flotilla, was speeding through the long undulations of the North Sea -at a modest twenty knots. It was barely a quarter past seven on -Sunday morning. Dawn had not begun to show in the eastern sky, and -although a dozen or so of the destroyers were in company, only the -partly-screened stern lights of the one ahead and the phosphorescent -swirl of the one next astern betrayed the presence of others of the -flotilla.</p> - -<p>Something was in the air. Officers and crew knew that, but vaguely. -Orders, significant in their brevity, had been issued overnight for -the ship's company to bathe and change into clean clothes. That in -itself meant the possibility of an action, while the sudden call to -the flotilla to proceed to sea instead of completing the fortnight's -"stand-by" in the Forth indicated that no minor operations were -contemplated.</p> - -<p>The "Livingstone" was cleared for action. Ammunition had been served -up, fire hoses rigged, deck fittings removed, and every other -possible precaution taken to safeguard the frail craft in the -impending action.</p> - -<p>The crew were on the tip-toe of expectation: eager to get in touch -with the enemy and fearful lest they should find themselves out on a -wild-goose chase.</p> - -<p>The action, should it materialize, would not be of a minor character, -for broad on the starboard beam of the flotilla, though invisible in -the darkness, were the giant battle-cruisers "Lion," "Tiger," -"Princess Royal," "New Zealand," and "Indomitable."</p> - -<p>Flung out, fanwise, were the handy and hard-hitting light-cruisers, -supported by other destroyer flotillas, and serving as a screen to -the battle-cruisers should any hostile torpedo-craft attempt their -vaunted "lancer-thrust" against them.</p> - -<p>"Something doin' this time, Aubyn," remarked Gilroy, who was -responsible for keeping the "Livingstone" in station. "Wireless from -the 'Arethusa' just through, reporting strong enemy squadron. -There—look."</p> - -<p>The sub. turned his head just in time to catch the flash of a distant -gun, quickly followed by another and another. Half a minute later -came the dull rumble of the first report. The light-cruisers were in -touch with the enemy away to sou'-sou'-east.</p> - -<p>A signal lamp flickered from the flagship:—</p> - -<p>"All destroyer flotillas proceed to support the light-cruisers. -Engage enemy destroyers."</p> - -<p>Like hounds released from leash the long, lean, black-hulled craft -dashed forward. No need to give a compass course: the now -rapidly-recurring flashes told them where their work lay.</p> - -<p>Under copious supplies of oil fuel, the "Livingstone's" engines -quickly developed more horse-power than they had ever done before. -Trailing lurid flames issued from her four squat funnels, and threw -their ruddy glare upon the determined faces of the guns'-crews.</p> - -<p>Ahead, and on the starboard hand, and astern the position of the rest -of the flotilla was likewise indicated by the spurts of flames from -their furnaces. Noxious oil-fumed smoke belched in dense columns, -glowing like fanned charcoal as it eddied clear of the funnels. The -scene resembled a section of the Black Country transferred bodily to -the North Sea on a pitch-dark night.</p> - -<p>"By Jove, we're in luck!" shouted Gilroy, in order to make himself -heard above the hiss of the wind as the destroyer tore at thirty-six -knots towards the scene of action. "We've just picked up a wireless -to the Flag. We're up against the 'Moltke,' 'Seydlitz,' and -'Derfflinger,' three of Germany's best battle-cruisers, with that old -crock the 'Bluecher' chucked in, to say nothing of a swarm of -light-cruisers and destroyers. Beatty's got his chance this time: -he'll bag the lot with the force he has at his disposal."</p> - -<p>And the lieutenant pointed in the direction of the British -battle-cruisers, whose position could now be faintly distinguished, -well on the port beam, by the splash of flame from their funnels.</p> - -<p>"We'll give them something in return for Scarborough, Whitby, and -Hartlepool," continued Gilroy. "Ten to one the beggars were off to -try the same game again. By Jove! I pity any German submarine that -gets foul of that crowd," and he indicated the far spread-out line of -destroyers speeding towards their foes.</p> - -<p>Just then the lieutenant-commander of the "Livingstone" ascended the -bridge.</p> - -<p>"Rotten luck, Gilroy," he announced. "The Germans are funking it. -They've turned tail."</p> - -<p>"The battle-cruisers will head them off yet, sir," suggested Gilroy -confidently.</p> - -<p>"I hope so—ha! what's this?"</p> - -<p>A signalman had just hurried up.</p> - -<p>"Destroyers to take up position on battle-cruiser's port quarter," -said the skipper. "Confound it! That's put the pot on it, Gilroy."</p> - -<p>"It's our smoke, sir, that's troubling the 'Lion,'" replied the -lieutenant.</p> - -<p>Dawn had now broken sufficiently to discern the lofty hulls, triple -funnels, and masts of the five battle-cruisers, as they raced at -their maximum speed on a south-easterly course. The four guns of the -two foremost superimposed turrets of the "Lion" were already trained -to their greatest elevation, awaiting the report of the fire-control -platform that their quarry was within hitting distance.</p> - -<p>Gilroy was right. The smoke from the destroyers was drifting across -the line of fire of the giant ships.</p> - -<p>"It's a case of get out and get under—their lee," commented the -lieutenant-commander, as a signal was sent up from the parent ship of -the flotilla ordering the destroyers to fall back out of the way of -the hard-hitters of the fleet.</p> - -<p>As the day dawned the thick haze of smoke that marked the position of -the runaway raiders could be seen, although from the bridge of the -destroyer the hostile ships were invisible. The cannonading away to -the sou'-east had now ceased; apparently the enemy torpedo-boats had -attained a temporary security under the wing of their larger craft. -Suddenly Terence remembered that he had not had his breakfast. -Although it was not his watch, excitement had kept him on deck, and -now in the lull the workings of the inner man demanded attention. It -was a quarter to nine when he entered the mess. Three minutes later, -before the steward had time to bring in the coffee, a terrific -detonation caused the "Livingstone" to shake like an aspen leaf.</p> - -<p>Breakfast completely forgotten, the sub. dashed on deck. He knew what -had happened: the "Lion" had fired the opening shot of the engagement -with one of her monster 13.5-in. guns.</p> - -<p>She was not yet within range. Terence realized that by the fact that -she did not follow the single shot by salvo after salvo, that the -projectile—weighing nearly a ton—had shrieked ineffectually towards -the rearmost of the German ships.</p> - -<p>To the sub. it seemed as if the fifty odd feet of steel cylinder that -projected from the "Lion's" B turret was rising slowly on its -complicated mountings. Obedient to the master-hand in the -fire-control platform the giant weapon was being "laid" upon an -invisible target 20,000 yards away.</p> - -<p>Then—<i>flash! crash!</i></p> - -<p>Flames of cordite enveloped the whole of the fore-part of the "Lion." -Above the bank of haze from the so-called smokeless powder, the -gunnery-lieutenant in the fire-control platform was coolly watching -the result of his second trial shot.</p> - -<p>There was no doubt about it. The British battle-cruisers, pelting -along at 28 1/2 knots, were slowly but surely overtaking their prey. -Already the "Bluecher," credited with but a fraction over 25 knots, -was falling astern of her consorts. In their frantic dash for the -safety of their own mine-fields the three swifter vessels paid no -heed to the fact that one of their own ships was sooner or later to -bear the brunt of the Englishmen's guns.</p> - -<p>Naval chivalry which caused the gallant "Monmouth" to share the fate -of the luckless "Good Hope" in the action off Coronel was found -wanting amongst the disciples of "kultur." Instead of attempting to -cover the "Bluecher's" retreat, the "Derfflinger" and her -fellow-raiders ran, abandoning her to her fate.</p> - -<p>Terence glanced at his watch as the first salvo burst from the -avenging "Lion." It was nearly ten minutes past nine. Truly, he -thought, it was a magnificent sight to see Beatty's flagship wreaking -vengeance upon the cowardly bombarders of Scarborough; yet in the -light of a general action it seemed a one-sided affair, as shell -after shell sped on its way towards the still invisible German ships -and none came in reply.</p> - -<p>Gilroy, perched upon the bridge weather-rail, was coolly taking -snapshots of the "Flag" with a pocket kodak. The men of the destroyer -were so impressed by the sight of the "Lion" in action that it was -with the greatest difficulty that they could be brought to realize -their position: to watch for any lurking submarine that might seize -an opportunity of loosing a torpedo against the swiftly-moving mass -of 26,000 tons displacement.</p> - -<p>A column of spray flung high in the air at fifty feet from the -"Lion's" starboard beam announced the fact that the German -battle-cruisers had been overhauled sufficiently for them to get the -range of their pursuers. Then shell after shell began to fall around -the flagship. Occasionally a projectile would strike a glancing blow -against the armoured sides of the British vessel, but unswervingly -she held on, if anything increasing her rapidity of fire.</p> - -<p>A hoist of flags fluttered up to the signal yard arm of the "Lion" -and stood out as stiff as if made of sheet iron in the strong breeze.</p> - -<p>From the leader of the flotilla came the answering pendant, each of -the destroyers acknowledging the signal in turn. Enemy torpedo-boats -were threatening an attack, and the British destroyers were to beat -off the hornets that had the audacity to attempt to hurl themselves -within torpedo-range of the battle-cruisers.</p> - -<p>"Now for it," thought Aubyn, as he left the bridge and took up his -station at the after 4-in. gun.</p> - -<p>Swift as was the "Lion" the speed of the destroyers was greater. -Forging ahead they left the battle-cruisers well on the starboard -quarter. Heavy projectiles, passing handsomely over the short masts -of the "Livingstone" and her consorts "straddled" the "Lion," some -falling short, others ricochetting from the water two hundred yards -in her wake.</p> - -<p>The contest between the rival destroyer flotillas was of short -duration. Apparently the German boats had no intention of joining -action. It was merely a manoeuvre on their part to screen their -already severely damaged battle-cruisers by means of dense columns of -smoke.</p> - -<p>In a sense they were successful, for under cover of the pall of black -vapour the larger German ships altered course and steered in a -northerly direction, but as the torpedo-boats drew off Terence -discerned for the first time one of the enemy battle-cruisers.</p> - -<p>She was listing heavily to port. Flames were bursting from her -amidships, her funnels had disappeared and two legs of her tripod -mast. Yet in spite of her damaged condition she was endeavouring to -crawl out of line, slowly shaping a course to the nor'-nor'-west. -Still firing as she wallowed in her death-agony, she was being marked -for special attention by the "Indomitable," which, under the -admiral's orders, had hauled to port to complete the work of -destruction.</p> - -<p>"Hurrah! The 'Bluecher's' done for!" shouted the torpedo-gunner of -the "Livingstone."</p> - -<p>Terence could hardly believe his eyes. Was that battered wreck the -same vessel that a few weeks before he had seen pouring death and -destruction into the peaceful town of Scarborough?</p> - -<p>He brought his glasses to bear upon the ill-fated raider. In spite of -her enormously thick armour huge rents were plainly visible in her -sides. One of her heavy gun-turrets had been blown clean away. 'Tween -decks the greater part of her was a glowing furnace. It seemed a -marvel how the crew could maintain even the feeblest fire, yet, under -the influence of morphia supplied by their officers, half-dazed men -still worked the remaining effective guns with the ferocity of -madmen.</p> - -<p>Then the "Tiger," showing scars of honourable wounds, but still -vitally intact, came up, hurling shell after shell into the doomed -vessel.</p> - -<p>Cat-like in her death-agonies the "Bluecher" sought to deal her -antagonist a <i>coup de grâce</i> by letting loose a torpedo.</p> - -<p>Keenly alert to such a possibility, the cool and collected captain of -the British battle-cruiser detected the ripples that marked the -approach of the deadly "tin-fish." Ordering the "Tiger's" helm to be -put hard over, he had the satisfaction of seeing the torpedo miss its -mark by a bare twenty feet.</p> - -<p>As the "Bluecher" showed no sign of surrendering it was necessary to -hasten her end. Looming up through the black and yellow smoke that -drifted in huge volumes to lee'ard came the saucy "Arethusa." -Fearless in the midst of a rain of light projectiles her torpedo-men -gathered round two of her above-water tubes. At any moment a fragment -of a shell might strike the warheads of the two missiles ere they -took the water, and send the light-cruiser to her doom.</p> - -<p>Like a trick swimmer making a clean dive, the first of the gleaming -cylinders left the tube and disappeared amidst the feathery spray. -Five seconds later the second torpedo sped on its way to destruction.</p> - -<p>The first alone would have been sufficient. Striking the "Bluecher" -fairly amidships the powerful weapon blew a gaping hole in the hull -of the already foundering vessel. More and more she heeled, till the -whole length of her bilge keel became visible.</p> - -<p>With the characteristic consideration to a beaten foe the British -vessels ceased firing. Instinctively the German sailors knew that -they were free to leave the doubtful shelter of the armoured portions -of the ship and to save themselves, if possible.</p> - -<p>Aft poured the scorched and dazed survivors of the ship's company, -forming up upon the steeply shelving deck. Some, with a devotion to -their Fatherland, broke into song with "The Watch on the Rhine," -while the officers, linking arms, stood awaiting the final plunge—if -plunge it might be called.</p> - -<p>"Jump, you silly blighters!" shouted an excitable bluejacket from the -"Arethusa," and the invitation was taken up by others, while the -crews of the light-cruisers and the nearmost destroyers hastened to -lower boats to assist in the errand of mercy.</p> - -<p>"She's going!" ejaculated Gilroy, as the huge hull turned completely -over on its side, and with hardly any agitation of the sea slid -gently under the waves, throwing those of her crew who had not -already jumped into the water.</p> - -<p>The "Livingstone" by this time had come to a standstill at about a -cable's length from the spot where the "Bluecher" had disappeared. -The only boat she had fit for service was lowered, and into it -clambered Terence and four seamen.</p> - -<p>Before they had gone fifty yards Aubyn noticed that the boat was -leaking badly. Already the water was above the floor boards. One of -the men was obliged to use the baler vigorously, while the others -kept to their oars, the sub. holding the boat on her course by means -of considerable lee helm.</p> - -<p>"Lay on your oars, men," exclaimed Terence, and leaning over the side -he was just in time to grasp the hair of a scorched and blackened -German bluejacket as he was sinking for the last time. Two more men -were rescued, one stark naked, save for an inflated swimming collar; -the other wounded in half a dozen places by pieces of flying metal.</p> - -<p>So intent were the crews of the numerous boats upon their work of -saving life that they failed to notice a new peril. Only a warning -shout from the quarter-deck of the "Arethusa" recalled them to the -fact that they were not fighting civilized foes but enemies whose -methods of waging war were on a par with those of the old Red -Indians, the ferocious Boxers, or the fanatical tribes of Somaliland.</p> - -<p>Overhead was a Zeppelin, accompanied by a couple of German -waterplanes. Although it must have been perfectly obvious to the -observers that the British tars were rescuing their beaten foes, the -aircraft began a rapid bombardment with bombs.</p> - -<p>One missile, fortunately without exploding, dropped an oar's length -from the "Livingstone's" boat. Others, detonating with a sharp crack, -assisted in sending a score or so of the "Bluecher's" crew to their -death.</p> - -<p>Filled with fury, that during the engagement had been foreign to -them, the British tars were compelled to relinquish their task of -saving life. Back to their respective ships they rowed, and a hail of -projectiles was launched against the treacherous Zeppelin and her -consorts.</p> - -<p>This was more than the unwieldy gas-bag could stand. Circling and -ascending higher and higher she flew out of the danger zone and made -off back to Heligoland.</p> - -<p>But the engagement was not yet over.</p> - -<p>From the flagship of the admiral commanding the destroyer flotillas -came a signal:—</p> - -<p>"Proceed to N.E. and engage enemy-destroyers and submarines."</p> - -<br> -<a name="chapter18"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XVIII.</h3> - -<h4 align="center">DERELICTS.</h4> - -<p><span class="smallcaps">The</span> reason for this order was obvious to the officers of the -"Livingstone." The "Lion" had been disabled: whether by torpedo (for -several of the enemy submarines had been sighted) or by shell-fire -they knew not. But she was sufficiently mauled for it to be necessary -for Admiral Beatty to shift his Flag, first to the -torpedo-boat-destroyer "Attack" and afterwards to the "Tiger" as she -was returning from the sinking of the "Bluecher."</p> - -<p>With her engines out of order, and very much down by the head the -crippled "Lion" shaped a course to the north-west, making for the -Firth of Forth. Finding that the damage to the machinery grew worse, -the badly hit battle-cruiser had to appeal for assistance, and was -taken in tow by the "Indomitable." Speed was now out of the question, -while there was great risk of both battle-cruisers falling victims to -the lurking German submarines. Accordingly one flotilla of destroyers -was detailed to escort the "Indomitable" and her tow, another was -ordered to reconnoitre to the north-east and check any attempt on the -part of hostile light-cruisers and torpedo-boats from menacing the -crippled "Lion."</p> - -<p>The "Livingstone" was one of the flotilla told off for the latter -service. Hers was a hazardous undertaking, for ahead lay the almost -impregnable island of Heligoland, on her starboard hand was the -German torpedo-boat station of Borkum, while it was known that an -ill-defined mine-field was somewhere in this part of the North Sea. -Presumably the "Derfflinger" and her consorts, when they made a -somewhat abrupt change of course while screened by the smoke of the -destroyers, had put the mine-field between them and the British. The -supposition was mainly responsible for the breaking off of the action -and for the escape of the German battle-cruisers.</p> - -<p>In line abreast the various units of the British destroyer flotilla -pursued their course, an interval of nearly a mile separating each -boat. At two p.m. they were within sight of the rocky plateau of -Heligoland, yet no hostile craft hove in sight. The Zeppelin which -had frustrated the humane intentions of the British tars when the -"Bluecher" sank, was just visible as it made for its lair. Away to -the eastward, where a mist was lying over the Frisian Islands, the -thick clouds of smoke from the fugitive battle-cruisers was rapidly -merging into the bank of fog.</p> - -<p>"May as well get something to eat, Aubyn," remarked Lieutenant -Gilroy. "Nothing like taking advantage of a lull in the performance."</p> - -<p>Terence willingly acquiesced. Now that the excitement of the -engagement was past he was beginning to feel peckish so the two -officers went below.</p> - -<p>"Not a bad day's work," remarked the sub., as he attacked a tin of -biscuits and a cup of chocolate.</p> - -<p>"H'm, no," replied Gilroy. "We ought to have bagged the lot, and we -should had it not been for the 'Lion' being crocked."</p> - -<p>"I expect the Press will make a song about our not having done so," -remarked Aubyn. "It's easy for the arm-chair critics to expound -theories of what ought to be done."</p> - -<p>"Let 'em," declared Gilroy grimly. "If I had my will I'd ship a few -of these professional advisers—people who are ever ready to tell -their mother's mother how to extract the contents of a bird in -embryo—and let them see what's going on. I'll bet they'd change -their tune and not ask what the Navy is doing. It's impossible to ram -into their thick heads that sometimes it pays to sacrifice a small -craft in order to enable a battle-cruiser to get a sniff in. That's -what we are doing now."</p> - -<p>Aubyn looked at his companion in surprise.</p> - -<p>"Fact," continued Gilroy. "We have information that a German flotilla -of light-cruisers and destroyers is out: independently of the crowd -we sent home as fast as their engines could take them. What we have -to do is to get in touch with them, lure them on, and let our -light-cruisers come up and bag the lot. If the German boats won't -come out—and they are vastly superior in number to our lot—there -are two conclusions. Either they fear a trap, or else they cannot -negotiate their own mine-field. If they do pluck up courage and come -for us, we've got to make a running fight for it, and at the same -time watch these fellows' course."</p> - -<p>"So, apart from screening the 'Lion' we have to discover the passage -through the enemy's mine-field?"</p> - -<p>"Exactly," answered Gilroy. "The information is most necessary, -although I cannot at present say to what use it will be put. Hullo! -there's the 'Action.'"</p> - -<p>Both officers tore up the narrow companion to find that the periscope -of a submarine had been sighted on the port-bow. Evidently the -skipper of the "unterseeboot" had a great respect for the ramming -powers of British destroyers; for, without attempting to discharge a -torpedo, he promptly dived to such a depth that on the "Livingstone" -passing just ahead of the swirl that marked the submarine's -disappearance no tell-tale oil rose to the surface.</p> - -<p>By this time the mist had increased; the nearmost British destroyer -was just visible. The rest were swallowed up in the bank of haze. The -flotilla had changed course and was now running S.S.W. or practically -parallel with the chain of islands extending from the mouth of the -Weser to the Dollart.</p> - -<p>Suddenly out of the mist loomed the outlines of four grey -torpedo-boats: the forerunners of the Borkum flotilla. On they came -at a good twenty-six knots, the smoke pouring from their funnels and -obscuring any hostile craft that might be following in their wake.</p> - -<p>Boat for boat the "Livingstone" and her consorts were vastly superior -to the German craft. An action would result in annihilation of the -enemy unless the element of luck favoured the weaker side. But it was -not a time for fight. The first mission of the British destroyers was -to lure their foes, especially the supporting light-cruisers, well -away from the sand-banks and shallow mined channels protected by the -heavy guns of Borkum.</p> - -<p>Round swung the "Livingstone," heeling outwards till her rail was -almost awash: then steadying herself on her course, steamed due west. -Although the after 4-in. gun was trained on the leading German boat, -no order was given to fire. Shells began to hurtle past, as the -foremost enemy vessel attempted to wing her foe. It was tantalizing -for the "Livingstone" to be under fire with the knowledge that her -armament could dominate that of her enemy, but forbearance was -desirable: it was a part of the grim game.</p> - -<p>Suddenly a terrific glare flashed before Terence's eyes, followed by -an ear-splitting report. He was dimly conscious of clapping his left -hand over his eyes and feeling blindly with his right for some -support that was not forthcoming. His feet gave way under him, and he -fell—not upon the slippery deck of the destroyer but into the sea.</p> - -<p>It was in a sense fortunate that he fell in a huddled posture; had -his body been rigid the shock on striking the surface from a craft -travelling at close on thirty knots might have broken his back. -Winded by the blow and the sudden immersion he sank, swallowing -mouthfuls of salt water as he vainly gasped for breath.</p> - -<p>After a seemingly interminable time he knew by the light filtering -through the water that he was rising to the surface. Up he came, -spluttering and gasping. His thick clothing still retained air and -afforded a certain amount of buoyancy, enough to counteract the -weight of his sea-boots.</p> - -<p>He looked in the direction of the "Livingstone." She was by this time -several hundred yards off and still running at a high speed. Even had -his fall been noticed he knew that it would have been impossible for -the destroyer to stop and pick him up. It was one of the grim -realities of warfare. In the piping times of peace there would be a -cry of "Man overboard," a rapid working of the engine-room -telegraph, and a prompt backing and going easy astern of the engines, -while the boat was being hastily lowered to effect a rescue. But now, -although the loss of a man overboard was to be deplored it was the -fortune of war. Under the circumstances no captain would hazard his -ship in the presence of the enemy to save life.</p> - -<p>Terence also knew that there was no chance of rescue by the German -boats. For one thing it was an established fact that the disciples of -"kultur" had never been credited since the declaration of -hostilities with having saved a single British sailor, be he officer -or man. Again, it was not to be expected that the German destroyers -would cease in their efforts to overhaul a supposedly fugitive craft -to pull one of the hated English out of the sea.</p> - -<p>At a distance of about ten yards from the swimmer the leading German -torpedo-boat passed. The "wash" wellnigh overwhelmed him, for by -this time his clothes were becoming saturated and his limbs numbed by -the cold. He was seen by several of the crew, most of whom regarded -him with stolid indifference, while one or two openly jeered at him.</p> - -<p>The desire for life was strong within the young sub. He realized that -his case was hazardous in the extreme. More than likely cramp—the -dreaded foe of the swimmer—would seize him; if not there would be a -struggle for life until, numbed by the cold, he would sink through -sheer inability to move his limbs. Yet he meant to fight strongly for -his life.</p> - -<p>"I must first get rid of my boots," he thought, at the same time -ruefully reflecting that they were practically new, and had cost him -a couple of guineas only a few days ago.</p> - -<p>Turning on his back Terence began to fumble with his footgear. His -fingers had little or no sense of feeling.</p> - -<p>"All right, sir; hold up—I'm coming. You're saved," shouted a voice.</p> - -<p>Swimming towards him and pushing a lifebuoy was Stairs, the -bluejacket whose gratitude he had gained by letting him off with a -caution instead of putting him in the captain's defaulter's book. The -devoted man, seeing Terence blown over the side by the explosion of a -hostile shell, had without hesitation seized a lifebuoy and had -plunged into the sea with the laudable intention of either saving his -officer or sharing his fate. Swift though he was in making up his -mind, the "Livingstone" had put a hundred yards or so between her and -Terence ere the man took the fateful leap.</p> - -<p>Swimming strongly, and pushing the buoy before him he took nearly -five minutes in getting within easy hailing distance of his superior -officer. Even in that moment of peril, when he realized that the -chances of the pair of them were most remote, Stairs was governed by -the regulations.</p> - -<p>"'... approach the drowning person, assure him with a loud and firm -voice that he is safe,'" he repeated to himself. "It's a blessed lie, -but regulations is regulations, so 'ere goes. All right, sir; I'm -coming. You're saved."</p> - -<p>Had Stairs continued to act strictly in the spirit of the -before-mentioned regulations, he would have proceeded to "take fast -hold of the hair of his head, turn him, as quickly as possible on his -back, give him a sudden pull and this will cause him to float." But -fortunately the seaman, having committed one absurdity, wisely -refrained from doing another. Seeing that Terence was afloat, he -contented himself with pushing the lifebuoy into his grasp.</p> - -<p>"What on earth possessed you to jump overboard?" asked Aubyn.</p> - -<p>"Never you mind, sir, beggin' your pardon," replied Stairs. "Keep -your precious breath, sir you'll be wanting it afore long."</p> - -<p>The advice was sound, for by this time two more destroyers had -passed, one on either side of the submerged men, and the turmoil of -the water as they tore past had the effect of stopping any attempt at -conversation. Well it was that Aubyn had hold of the lifebuoy, -otherwise the buffeting of the waves would have sent him -under—perhaps for the last time.</p> - -<p>Just then a large object shot up from under the water about fifty -feet from the two men. It was part of a British whaler, possibly -abandoned previous to going into action, or it may have floated from -one of the torpedo-cruisers during the earlier stages of the war.</p> - -<p>The third German destroyer had cut through and had passed completely -over it. The greater part of the stern sheets had been torn off, but -there was a considerable amount of buoyancy by reason of the copper -air-tanks, some of which were yet intact.</p> - -<p>"Good business, sir!" exclaimed Stairs. "See yon wreckage? Strike -out, sir; I'll give you a hand. We'll fetch it yet."</p> - -<p>Before Terence had covered half the distance "striking out" was -beyond him. All he could do was to support himself by allowing his -arms to hang inertly on the curve of the buoy. For propulsion he had -to rely upon the powerful and seemingly tireless efforts of his -brawny companion.</p> - -<p>Awaiting his opportunity Stairs scrambled through the jagged gap in -the wrecked boat, then, bringing himself against the after thwart he -hauled Terence into a position of comparative safety.</p> - -<p>Even with the weight of the two men the buoyancy of the airtight -tanks was sufficient to keep the gunwale a foot above water. Within -the wrecked boat the water was about up to the thwarts, while the sea -dashed continuously over the frail planking and surged violently up -and down the bottom boards.</p> - -<p>Holding Terence by the arm, for the sub. was now incapable of -stirring a finger to save himself, Stairs cautiously raised himself -and looked around. The destroyers, both British and German, were now -lost in the mists. Everywhere was an unbroken stretch of water. The -waves, although not violent, were short and steep.</p> - -<p>He realized that there were two great perils. The waterlogged craft -might be capsized in the trough of the waves, in which case the two -men would either be stunned by the heavy woodwork or else have to -choose between drowning or suffocation under the upturned boat. Nor -was the danger of perishing from cold and exposure to be lost sight -of. Drenched to the skin, without food and water, and drifting about -in a waterlogged craft on the North Sea in mid-winter, their -condition was an unenviable one.</p> - -<p>"Sit up, sir, and swing your arms," said Stairs, with pardonable -sternness.</p> - -<p>Terence tried to obey, but the nerveless condition of his arms, -additionally handicapped by his wet clothing, resulted in a feeble -effort; but that was by no means satisfactory to his devoted -companion.</p> - -<p>Grasping the sub. by the elbows Stairs began to work his arms in an -energetic manner. Before long Aubyn began to feel the blood -circulating, while the exercise also served to warm the chilled body -of his rescuer.</p> - -<p>"Avast there!" exclaimed the seaman, after five minutes' steady -performance. "I'll take a spell a bit and then carry on. It's our -one chance."</p> - -<p>Terence agreed. He, too, realized that only by exercise could they -hope to retain warmth in their bodies. Dimly he found himself -wondering was it worth while to prolong their acute physical -distress, with no apparent chance of rescue.</p> - -<p>For nearly an hour Stairs repeated his operations at frequent -intervals, but it was evident that, robust and strongly built as he -was, even his bodily strength could not hold out much longer.</p> - -<p>Neither man spoke during that fearful hour. More than once Terence -wanted to ask the seaman why he had deliberately risked almost -certain death on his behalf. He was not conversant with the -circumstances under which Stairs had leapt from the "Livingstone's" -deck, but from the fact that he arrived on the scene with a lifebuoy, -the sub. concluded that it was not by accident but by design. Yet, in -spite of his desire to question the man and to thank him for his -gallantry and devotion, Terence was unable to frame a sentence, so -utterly acute was his distress.</p> - -<p>From time to time Stairs would stand upright, at the imminent risk of -losing his balance and being thrown out of the water-logged boat, and -scan the horizon—or rather the ill-defined blending of sea and sky. -In the vain hope that the British destroyers had vanquished their -foes and would put back to look for the missing officer, the seaman -kept a sharp lookout at regular intervals, but nothing save an -unbroken waste of water met his gaze.</p> - -<p>He knew also that in a water-logged craft and without means of -propulsion, the rate of drift would be extremely slight. Hours, -perhaps days, would elapse ere the wrecked boat grounded on the -sand-banks fringing the German and Dutch chain of islands on the east -coast of the North Sea.</p> - -<p>So intent was Stairs in looking for a distant sail that he failed to -notice a pole-like object appearing above the surface at less than -eighty yards from the boat. Terence noticed it; more, he remarked a -slight "wash," showing that the object had a forward as well as a -vertical movement.</p> - -<p>"A periscope! he exclaimed, finding his voice in the excitement of -the discovery.</p> - -<p>"Where, sir?" asked Stairs, with incredulity in his tones, for he -imagined that the sub. had become lightheaded in his distress. Then -following the direction indicated by Aubyn's limp fingers, he added, -"You're right, sir; it's a blessed submarine. I'll bet my last tanner -the brutes will poke charley at us, and sheer off. If I'd my rifle, -by smoke! I'd pepper that blessed periscope."</p> - -<p>In his indignation the seaman began to search the bottom of the boat -for a likely missile with which to vent his rage upon the modern -pirates; but finding none he folded his arms and awaited events.</p> - -<p>Like the wary water-rat that cautiously reconnoitres before it leaves -its hole, the submarine surveyed the seascope. For a brief instant -the eyepiece of the periscope was turned in the direction of the -waterlogged boat, then, having slowly and deliberately swept it all -round the compass, it again scrutinized the two unfortunate men.</p> - -<br> -<br> -<center> -<a name="06_hurrah"></a> -<img src="images/06_hurrah.jpg" alt="image: 06_hurrah.jpg" style="width:100%; height:auto; max-width:600px;"> -</center> -<center>[Illustration: "'She's one of ours!' exclaimed Stairs. 'Hurrah! we're -saved.'"]</center> -<br> -<br> - -<p>The submarine was in no great hurry to rise to the surface. Her -commander had heard of decoys being employed to lure an inquisitive -craft within range of a distant quick-firer, so he used discretion. -Finally, having come to the conclusion that it was safe to ascend, -the submarine resumed her diagonally upward motion, and with the -green water pouring from off the fore side of her conning-tower and -surging from her narrow deck she emerged to the light of day.</p> - -<p>"She's one of ours!" exclaimed Stairs. "Hurrah! sir, We're saved."</p> - -<br> -<a name="chapter19"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XIX.</h3> - -<h4 align="center">THE SUBMARINE SCORES.</h4> - -<p><span class="smallcaps">The</span> seaman was right. It was a British submarine, one of the E class. -Terence could hardly believe his eyes to see the craft emerge from -beneath the waves almost within sight of the German coast and -certainly within the limits of the hostile mine-field. He had yet a -lot to learn concerning the bravery and resource of the commanders -and crews of these marvellous craft, operating, without support from -the destroyer flotillas, at the very gates of Germany's naval -strongholds.</p> - -<p>The watertight hatch in the conning-tower opened and the head and -shoulders of a young officer appeared. He bent to give an order, then -leapt out and gained the navigating platform, where he was joined by -three of the crew, clad in "fearnought" suits and seaboots.</p> - -<p>"Come alongside as sharp as you can!" he shouted.</p> - -<p>"Can't sir," replied Stairs. "We've no oars, and we're pretty well -done up."</p> - -<p>The officer gave the order for "easy astern"; then judging that there -was sufficient room for the intended manoeuvre he ordered "easy -ahead," at the same time steering the submarine to pass about ten -feet to windward of the remains of the boat.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, those of the crew on deck had detached two boathooks from -the handrail to which they had been secured by "beckets," and -standing by, awaited for their craft to pass within reach of the -object of their attentions.</p> - -<p>Simultaneously the two boathooks engaged, and the boat was drawn -alongside. While thus firmly held, one of the crew leapt into her, -and raising Terence, passed him on to the willing arms of his -companions. Without loss of time Stairs was likewise rescued, and -both men, practically "done up," were taken below. Then, the officer -and his men having returned to the shelter of the hermetically-sealed -steel hull, the submarine prepared to dive.</p> - -<p>While kindly helpers were assisting to strip the clothing from the -almost unconscious sub., massaging his body and limbs with more -energy than skill, and were pouring hot drinks down his throat, -Terence could hear as in a dream the order given by the captain of -the submarine.</p> - -<p>"Diving stations. Flood main ballast.... Flood auxiliary ballast -tanks!"</p> - -<p>Dimly Aubyn began to realize that he was actually in a steel prison, -several feet beneath the surface of a sea sown with deadly mines.</p> - -<p>"Easy ahead. Elevate horizontal rudders!"</p> - -<p>The submarine, now weighing nearly the same as the amount of water -she displaced, was ready for diving. That part of the operation was -performed by means of the horizontal planes or rudders, trimming them -to give the required angle of descent.</p> - -<p>"Down to seventy feet, sir!" reported a voice, sounding hollow in the -ribbed, vaulted space.</p> - -<p>"Stand by—let go!"</p> - -<p>With a subdued rattle the anchor, hitherto bedded underneath the -fore-part of the hull, dropped to the bed of the North Sea, -additional water ballast being admitted into the tanks of the vessel -to compensate the loss of weight of the ground-tackle. Save for a -faint pendulum-like motion as the submarine swayed to the tension on -the bight of her cable, the craft lay calmly in twelve fathoms, for -the time being safe from the perils of naval warfare.</p> - -<p>Warm both externally and internally, Terence dropped to sleep in a -comfortable bunk in the officers' part of the vessel. Three hours -later he awoke, feeling much his former self, for the beneficial -effects of the oxygen-charged atmosphere were as invigorating as the -air on the summit of a lofty mountain.</p> - -<p>The instant he awoke the circumstances which led to his being on -board the submarine flashed across Aubyn's mind with vivid clearness. -He contrasted his experiences with his regaining consciousness in -Shotley Sick Quarters. There his brain worked slowly—it took -considerable time for him to recall the events subsequent to the -torpedoing of the ill-fated "Terrier." Here, owing possibly to the -chemically charged atmosphere, his mind was as fresh as if he had -awakened from a normal sleep.</p> - -<p>The submarine was still at anchor. Beyond the purring of the dynamos -for supplying the electric light there was no noise of machinery. Men -were laughing and talking freely: he could hear Stairs' voice, -holding forth with a vivacity that betokened no ill-effects from his -voluntary immersion.</p> - -<p>Terence sprang out of his bunk and began to dress. His own clothing, -dried in the motor-room, was ready for him to put on. Just as he had -completed his toilet a man of about thirty, dressed in the uniform of -a lieutenant-commander, entered and introduced himself as Paul -Maynebrace, captain of Submarine "E Something."</p> - -<p>"Sorry we can't land you for a day or two," he remarked, after -inquiring after Aubyn's state of health. "We're on observation duty, -and are not due back at Harwich until noon on Thursday. However, -we'll do our level best to make you comfortable. Of course, I suppose -I am right in assuming that you haven't been on a submarine before? -It will be something of a novelty to you, but we are getting used to -it. Rather boring, in fact."</p> - -<p>"Boring?" repeated Terence.</p> - -<p>"Well, rather. We are stationed to observe the approach through the -mine-field to Wilhelmshaven. It means that every few hours we have to -pop to the surface and have a look round; and except for the -departure of some of the raiding German cruisers late on Saturday -night (which we duly reported to the Admiralty, by the by) it's -usually a case of a lot of work for nothing—for the beggars won't -come out."</p> - -<p>"Supposing a German warship did make a dash while you are down -below?" asked Terence.</p> - -<p>"We could tell by the noise of the propellors," replied the -lieutenant-commander. "She is bound to keep almost immediately above -us, owing to the narrowness of the passage through the mine-field."</p> - -<p>"Then what would happen?" queried Aubyn, keenly interested in the -information.</p> - -<p>"If she were unsupported we would try the effect of a torpedo," -replied Maynebrace, with a smile. "Ten to one the disaster to one of -von Tirpitz's pets would be put down to the accidental displacement -of one of the mines. In the case of the 'Derfflinger' and her -consorts we let the whole crowd go. It would be impossible to torpedo -the lot, and even if we hit one the remainder might scoot back to -Wilhelmshaven. On the other hand, by not giving them a scare we help -to keep their spirits up, so to speak, and let our battle-cruisers do -the smashing-up part of the business. By the by, the seaman who was -with you on the derelict boat told us of the result of the dust-up: -how the 'Bluecher' went under."</p> - -<p>"It was a pity we didn't get the rest," remarked Terence.</p> - -<p>"Fortune of war," declared the lieutenant-commander. "And, as luck -would have it, the three German battle-cruisers did not return to -Wilhelmshaven by the same channel, otherwise I might have had a try -for one or two of them. No, they made for Heligoland, I fancy, and -thence either to Kiel or Wilhelmshaven by a passage inside the -mine-field. Well, I must leave you for a while. I'll send young -Warborough—he's my sub.—to have a yarn with you. And as soon as I -get the chance I'll get off a wireless announcing that you are safe -and sound on board."</p> - -<p>It was not long before Sub-lieutenant Warborough arrived upon the -scene. He was a young, easy-going officer, wholeheartedly devoted to -his career; yet, when on leave he was a worry to the police in the -vicinity of each of the great naval ports. His brother-officers in -the submarine flotilla were apt to remark that Dick Warborough was a -"bit of a scorcher" in more ways than one. On one occasion a lively -scene in a Portsmouth theatre, in which Warborough played a leading -though unrehearsed part, almost ended in a police-court. Perhaps it -was lucky for the sub. that his father was a man of position and -influence. Warborough freely confessed to half a dozen endorsements -on his motor-driver's licence. The fines he had been ordered to pay -in his twelve-month amounted to almost as much as his pay and -allowance as a sub-lieutenant in the submarine service, so once again -he thanked his lucky stars that his parent was rich and, what was -more, generous. Yet, with all his foolish pranks ashore, he was keen -and a capable officer from the moment he passed through the dockyard -gates to return to duty till the time when he was again able to -proceed on leave.</p> - -<p>"Skipper says I'm to hold a pow-wow with you, Aubyn," began -Warborough, not with any suspicion of condescension but in a frank, -easy-going manner. "Glad to have someone to spin a yarn with. Do you -motor?"</p> - -<p>Terence had to confess that, except for trips in hired cars during -his brief visits to his home, his experiences in that direction were -few and far between; then, by way of altering the topic of -conversation, he asked what the young officer thought of the -submarine service.</p> - -<p>"Top-hole—absolutely ripping!" declared Warborough. "This lying in -wait is apt to be a bit tedious, but there are moments when you feel -downright happy at being in the submarine service."</p> - -<p>"Pretty dangerous?" hazarded Aubyn, who had not entirely got over the -feeling that he was imprisoned at the bottom, or nearly at the bottom -of the sea.</p> - -<p>"That's what gives a spice to the business," said Warborough. "If we -do bump a mine there's precious little chance for us. The worst part -of the job is when we are getting fairly close to Harwich, and -running awash. The helmsman of one of your destroyers might get a -trifle jumpy, you know—mistakes have been made in that direction, -especially at night."</p> - -<p>"That I can quite understand," rejoined Terence, recalling the many -anxious hours he had passed on the "Strongbow" as officer of the -watch, and straining his eyes in the darkness till he fancied he saw -the periscope and conning-tower of more than one submarine.</p> - -<p>"And the rotten part of the business is, the man in the street -grumbles," continued Warborough. "It's all very fine saying that the -Silent Navy is above public opinion and all that—it isn't, and it's -a bit rough. Our men come back from leave with the yarn that they are -continually being asked, 'What is the Navy doing?' And if people find -out that they belong to the submarine service they ask still more -pointed questions. Civilians forget that the German ships rarely put -to sea, except when they think they can do a sneaking bit of damage. -And after this recent scrap they'll be still more chary about coming -out. Now, if there's nothing or hardly anything afloat for us to go -for, it's not much use running a great risk of being rammed by our -own destroyers. Submarines can't fight submarines, and the fact that -a few German 'unterseeboots' have started playing the fool with our -merchant craft complicates the situation. However, there are four of -our submarines keeping an eye on the approach to the German North Sea -ports, so perhaps, after the war is over and people are let into the -know, we may be vindicated in the minds of the Great British Public. -Why, man, what's wrong now? Your nose has started to bleed."</p> - -<p>Terence brought out his handkerchief and applied it to his nasal -organ. It was a very rare thing for it to bleed, and he wondered -whether it was the result of the concussion when he was blown from -the deck of the "Livingstone."</p> - -<p>"I don't fancy so," remarked Warborough. "It's the excess of oxygen. -We are frequently affected that way. Shove your head in that basin -and let me pour cold water on your neck: that will stop it pretty -quickly."</p> - -<p>Aubyn's companion was quite right. In less than two minutes the flow -had entirely ceased.</p> - -<p>"How about the water?" asked Terence. "I suppose this is the pump?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. You'll have to exert a fair amount of strength to get rid of -the water, you know."</p> - -<p>Aubyn seized the pump lever, but in spite of his efforts he could not -force the water out of the basin. "Back pressure too much," commented -Warborough. "We're more than fifty feet below the surface. We'll have -to get rid of this water pretty quickly, so I'll ask the skipper to -bring the boat twenty feet or so nearer the surface."</p> - -<p>"Sorry to give you so much trouble," said Terence apologetically.</p> - -<p>"Not at all, my dear fellow. It will give the men something to do to -relieve the monotony. Come with me, if you're fit to move, and you -can see the operation."</p> - -<p>Terence followed the junior officer to the base of the conning-tower, -and upon Warborough explaining matters to the lieutenant-commander, -the latter concurred in the desirability of ascending.</p> - -<p>"While we are about it we may as well go up and look round," he -added.</p> - -<p>Word was then passed for the crew to stand at their stations. Inside -a water-filled compartment, separated from the rest of the vessel by -strong watertight bulkheads, the electrically-worked winch could be -dimly heard as it hauled in the cable, till the stockless anchor was -safely housed flush with the outer plating of the submarine.</p> - -<p>The reserve tanks were "blown," the electric motors for propelling -purposes were set in motion, and the horizontal fins trimmed for the -ascent. Steadily the pointer of the depth indicator began to fall -till it registered ten feet. At that distance below the surface it is -quite possible to make use of the periscope.</p> - -<p>The lieutenant-commander watched the seemingly monotonous changing -panorama depicted upon the bowl at the base of the periscope, as the -eyepiece swept the horizon.</p> - -<p>Suddenly he checked the training handle. A small and rather -indistinct object had appeared in view.</p> - -<p>"What do you make of that, Warborough?" asked the skipper calmly.</p> - -<p>"Light-cruiser, sir!" replied that officer, after a brief glance at -the reflected picture. "And a German, by all the powers!"</p> - -<p>"May as well have a look, Mr. Aubyn," said the lieutenant-commander -considerately. "She seems in no hurry, and unless she takes it into -her head to change her course, she'll pass within eight hundred yards -of us."</p> - -<p>Terence inspected the periscope representation of the German vessel. -Although she flew no ensign, her characteristic masts, funnel, and -derricks, as well as her protruding bows—a combination of both -clipper and ram—proclaimed her as one of the "Freya" class cruisers, -averaging 5600 tons. Her guns were trained abeam, but from their -direction it was evident that the Germans had no idea of the peril -that menaced them.</p> - -<p>The sub. felt his blood tingling. It was the "Terrier" incident over -again, only the boot was on the other foot this time.</p> - -<p>"Down to thirty feet—charge firing-tank—flood both -torpedo-tubes—stand by!" ordered the lieutenant-commander.</p> - -<p>He would not run the risk of allowing the tip of the periscope to -remain on the surface while the crew were thrusting the two steel -cylinders into their respective tubes.</p> - -<p>"All correct, sir!" reported the leading torpedo-hand.</p> - -<p>"To fifteen feet, then," was the order.</p> - -<p>Once again daylight filtered through the periscope. On the bowl stood -the image of the doomed cruiser, now showing with remarkable -vividness. A slight touch on the steering gear and "E Something" -swung a point or so to starboard to enable her tubes to be trained a -few feet in advance of the cruiser's bows—a sufficient allowance for -the vessel to be fairly in the path of the deadly weapon by the time -the torpedo travelled the intervening distance.</p> - -<p>A faint detonation, caused by the release of the propelling charge of -compressed air was followed by the rush of the water admitted into -the now empty tube to compensate the loss of weight of the torpedo. -The missile was on its way.</p> - -<p>A few seconds of tense silence followed, then came the muffled sound -of a terrific detonation, as the warhead exploded fifteen feet below -the surface and fairly amidships of the doomed cruiser. No need to -let loose a second missile.</p> - -<p>"Got her!" exclaimed the skipper laconically, as the submarine dived -to fifty feet to avoid detection and its natural sequence—a hail of -quick-firer projectiles from the already sinking vessel.</p> - -<p>A quarter of an hour later the "E Something" again showed her -periscope. The lieutenant-commander's surmise was correct. The German -cruiser had plunged to the bottom, while half a dozen boats, crammed -to their utmost capacity, were laboriously rowing towards the -invisible island of Borkum.</p> - -<p>"Thank you, Mr. Aubyn!" exclaimed the lieutenant-commander, extending -his hand towards the sub.</p> - -<p>"What for, sir, might I ask?"</p> - -<p>"For letting your nose bleed at a most opportune moment," was the -cool rejoinder.</p> - -<br> -<a name="chapter20"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XX.</h3> - -<h4 align="center">A DUEL WITH A ZEPPELIN.</h4> - -<p><span class="smallcaps">An</span> hour after sunset "E Something" rose to the surface. Her hatches -were opened and the crew allowed on deck, five men at a time, to -enjoy the cold, fresh air. Owing to the possibility of the sudden -approach of a swift hostile cruiser or destroyer it was not advisable -to let more men out at once, in order that there would be no delay in -battening down and diving.</p> - -<p>It was a clear starlit night. Away to the east the sky was -illuminated by the steely rays of the searchlights on the German -batteries, where the garrisons, kept on thorns by the dread of a -visit from the British Fleet, maintained ceaseless watch.</p> - -<p>"I shouldn't wonder if we weren't honoured by the attentions of a few -German torpedo-boats," remarked Warborough to Aubyn, as the two -officers, sheltering from the wind under the lee of the -conning-tower, were enjoying their cigarettes. "By this time the -boats of the torpedoed cruiser ought to have reached land, and the -report of the disaster—cooked by the authorities for serving up to -the gullible Teutonic public—will have been issued."</p> - -<p>"It will probably be reported that she struck a drifting mine," said -Terence.</p> - -<p>"More than likely," agreed Warborough. "Drifting mines are a godsend -to the harassed German press agencies. But, all the same, those -fellows on the cruiser must have seen the wake of our torpedo, and -that's what makes me think that they'll be sending some of their -small craft to give us a shaking up—if they can."</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, the wireless mast, which during the period of submergence -had been housed on deck, had been set up, and a report of the -torpedoing of an unknown German cruiser of the "Freya" class had been -sent off to the Admiralty. A second message, reporting the rescue of -Sub-Lieutenant Terence Aubyn, R.N.R., and Seaman Stairs, was also -despatched.</p> - -<p>Twenty minutes later came the reply:—</p> - -<p>"Admiralty express great satisfaction at prowess of submarine 'E -Something,'" while the news concerning the rescued officer and man -was acknowledged in stereotyped form.</p> - -<p>"Another 'buck-up' for the British Public," remarked Terence, -"although our little piece of work—excuse me saying 'our,' but it -sounds natural—will pale into comparative insignificance after the -'Bluecher' business."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps My Lords will not make the news public—at least, not for a -long while," rejoined Warborough. "They'll keep it in reserve until -there is a lull in the papers. Of course not a quarter of the work, -that would gladden the nation like anything, gets into the Press. It -isn't well to let the enemy know too much of their losses. By the by, -did you hear anything about a hostile submarine attempting to slip -past the Needles and into the Solent?"</p> - -<p>"No," replied Terence. "Is it a fact?"</p> - -<p>"Can't say, old man. Accounts differ. All I know is, that I was -staying at a house close to Lymington just before Christmas. It was -the first leave I had had since the outbreak of the war. Anyway, the -gunners on the Isle of Wight forts spotted something suspicious, and -promptly let rip for about twenty minutes."</p> - -<p>"Did they hit anything?"</p> - -<p>"They did," answered Warborough, with a grin. "They nearly plugged me -with a ricochet. Several shells fell inland, one of them demolishing -the chimney of a country pub. Next day I heard on good authority——"</p> - -<p>"Something moving up aloft, sir!" reported one of the submarine's -crew. "Listen, sir. There's a distinct purr."</p> - -<p>"A Zeppelin, by Jove!" exclaimed Warborough. "Pass the word to the -captain."</p> - -<p>The lieutenant-commander, termed by courtesy the captain, was resting -in his bunk. He was quickly on deck, for he had "turned in all -standing," with the exception of his boots.</p> - -<p>He looked aloft. Like a lead-pencil the Zeppelin could now be -distinguished as she rapidly advanced at an altitude of about a -thousand feet. Judging by her position she would, unless she changed -her direction, pass half a mile to windward of the submarine.</p> - -<p>"Mr. Warborough," exclaimed the lieutenant-commander, "I don't -propose to dive."</p> - -<p>"Very good, sir," replied the sub. of "E Something," as coolly as if -the Zeppelin were anything but a war-machine.</p> - -<p>With very little noise the guns'-crews mustered on deck. The two -anti-aerial guns were raised on their disappearing mountings, -ammunition was served out, and the submarine was prepared to risk an -encounter with the vaunted terror of the air.</p> - -<p>Although the petrol engines, used for running on the surface, were in -motion, the clutches of both shafts were disconnected and the exhaust -completely muffled. Thus the submarine was ready to forge ahead at a -moment's notice; but, until she was discovered by the giant gas-bag, -her captain preferred to lie low until the Zeppelin somewhat -incautiously would descend to investigate the scene of the -catastrophe to the torpedoed cruiser.</p> - -<p>At each of the 3-pounder quick-firers the gun-layers "stood easy." To -keep bending over the sights of the high angle firing-gun would be -putting an unnecessary strain upon the men. They waited alertly for -report of the range-finding officer and the order to open fire.</p> - -<p>"The brute is in no hurry to descend," grumbled Warborough. "She's a -good two thousand feet up now, and a pretty bad target, especially at -night. One thing, she doesn't stand much chance of dropping a bomb -within a couple of hundred yards of us, unless it's by a pure fluke."</p> - -<p>"She's descending," exclaimed Terence, as the long, aluminium -cylinder, under the influence of the compensating weights, began to -dip her nose.</p> - -<p>As he spoke a searchlight flashed from the foremost nacelle. The -rays, almost perpendicular in direction to the surface of the water, -played upon the sea at some three hundred yards from the quiescent -submarine. The Zeppelin had its suspicions, but as yet had not -located its intended prey.</p> - -<p>"Don't look up, men," cautioned the lieutenant-commander, knowing -that should the searchlight play upon the faces of the crew detection -would be certain. He, as well as Warborough, had taken the precaution -of wrapping a dark muffler over the lower part of his face, while his -forehead was shaded by his peaked cap.</p> - -<p>It was a hard thing to obey the order, but the men, subduing their -natural desire to see what menaced them from above, kept their faces -averted.</p> - -<p>"A thousand feet up," announced Warborough at length, speaking -softly, lest the sound, borne upwards with remarkable clearness, -should give the Zeppelin the alarm. "Actual distance, one thousand -five hundred yards."</p> - -<p>As he spoke the deck of "E Something" was bathed in a flood of -brilliant light. A sweep of the searchlight had caused the beam to -"pick up" the submarine. So dazzling were the rays that it would have -been impossible to sight either of the guns in the direction of the -airship.</p> - -<p>With admirable presence of mind the lieutenant-commander forbore to -open fire. Rigidly the men stood at attention, not one of them -risking the temporary blindness that would ensue if he raised his -eyes to the powerful glare.</p> - -<p>"Thank heavens," ejaculated the captain fervently, as the sweeping -rays swung round, "they haven't spotted us!"</p> - -<p>"Eight hundred feet—twelve hundred yards," reported Warborough.</p> - -<p>The Zeppelin was still descending; more, she had slowed down -considerably, since during the last four minutes she had travelled -three hundred yards. Heading dead into the eye of the wind her rate -over the sea was now roughly two and a half miles an hour.</p> - -<p>The Zeppelin now presented an easy target, as, moving slowly, she -stood out clearly against the starry sky.</p> - -<p>The lieutenant-commander raised his hand, the gun-layer of the -for'ard weapon sprang to the night-sights; in another second the -missile would have been hurtling on its way towards the bulky target, -when round swept the blinding searchlight, full on the submarine.</p> - -<p>This time there was no swaying round the rays were kept focussed on -the "E Something." The Zeppelin had spotted her foe.</p> - -<p>"Confound that light!" muttered the skipper, as he telegraphed for -full speed ahead.</p> - -<p>Quickly the vessel gained steerage way, the helmsman thrusting his -helm hard over, alternately to port and starboard at frequent -intervals in order to pursue a zig-zag course and thus baffle the aim -of the bomb-trainers.</p> - -<p>The first bomb was not long in making its presence known. From the -invisible and now noisy airship, for her engines were making a -terrific din, a powerful missile dropped fifty yards abeam of the -submarine, and burst with a loud report.</p> - -<p>Fragments of the shell flew in all directions, some glancing harmless -from the rounded side of the submarine, and others flying overhead. -Not a man was touched.</p> - -<p>The second bomb fell much further off and dead ahead. The Zeppelin -had overrun her quarry.</p> - -<p>With a sharp turn of the steering gear the helmsman brought "E -Something" smartly round in a semicircle till her bows pointed in -the opposite direction to which they had been heading a few seconds -before. So quickly was the manoeuvre executed that the submarine -swept out of the irritating rays of the searchlight.</p> - -<p>Both quick-firers barked simultaneously. One shell burst well beyond -the frail gas-bag; the other appeared to explode almost under the -foremost suspended car. Whether by accident or design the searchlight -was immediately switched off, while the Zeppelin, elevating her -horizontal rudders and frantically throwing out ballast, began to -rise in order to be out of range of the British shells.</p> - -<p>"Crash!" went the after anti-aircraft gun. This time the range was -obtained to a nicety, and the projectile, bursting almost in front of -the bows of the Zeppelin, gave her a mortal blow.</p> - -<p>To the watchers on the submarine the whole fabric of the airship -appeared to jump, then, with the slightest perceptible interval -following the explosion of the missile, a second detonation occurred -in the fore-part of the Zeppelin. There was a blinding triple flash, -followed by a deafening report. The aluminium envelope seemed to -disperse amidst a cloud of fire-tinged smoke, while the heavier -portions of the airship fell with ever-increasing rapidity.</p> - -<p>Amidst a series of heavy splashes, the wreckage plunged into the sea -at less than half a mile from the submarine. A quantity of heavy oil, -taking fire as it streamed downwards, remained burning upon the -surface of the water for quite a considerable time, then with a -number of spasmodic flashes the flames died out, leaving only a -slowly drifting cloud of smoke to mark the spot where the wreckage -fell.</p> - -<p>During the final catastrophe the men of the British submarine -remained almost spellbound. They had gained the victory, but all -thoughts of elation were subdued by the awfulness of the fate of the -vaunted terror of the air.</p> - -<p>The "E Something" was then run to the spot where the ill-starred -Zeppelin had disappeared, in the vain hope of rescuing any survivors. -For a radius of several hundred yards the sea was covered with oil -which had escaped combustion, but of actual relics of the airship -nothing was visible. Her twisted and bent aluminium framework lay a -hundred and twenty feet down at the bottom of the North Sea.</p> - -<p>Just before dawn the submarine descended and lay hidden, save for a -brief interval of reconnaissance, during the whole of the day. At -night she came up in order to give the crew a "breather." Nothing of -incident occurred, neither on the two following days, so Terence had -a good idea of the monotony of life in a British submarine on -observation duty.</p> - -<p>At daybreak on the following Thursday the "E Something" prepared for -her homeward run. She travelled awash, without sighting any enemy -cruiser or destroyer. At a rendezvous she fell in with her relief, -and having exchanged greetings the two submarines parted, one to -enjoy a welcome rest in Harwich harbour, the other to play her part -in sweeping the North Sea of the enemy's flag.</p> - -<p>"We're giving that fellow a rare funk, Aubyn," remarked Warborough, -as the two officers were standing on the navigation platform.</p> - -<p>"An example of the far-reaching effect of Teutonic kultur, I -suppose," replied Terence. "By Jove, I reckon her old man is shaking -a bit!"</p> - -<p>The subject of their conversation was a Dutch tramp steamer of about -1500 tons. Anticipating the execution of von Tirpitz's cowardly -threat to sink British merchantmen, she had lost no time in stating -her nationality in an unmistakable manner. Her wall sides were -painted in horizontal bands in the national colours, in addition to -her name and country in letters a yard or more in length. From her -ensign staff she flew a Dutch ensign far out of proportion to those -usually sported by vessels of that size, while, to make additionally -certain that no mistake on the part of a German submarine was -possible, she flew another Dutch ensign at her main-masthead.</p> - -<p>Directly they spotted the "E Something" running awash and with the -White Ensign prominently displayed, the tramp altered her course. -Dense columns of black smoke poured from her funnel; every available -man of her engine-room staff gave a hand in shovelling the "black -diamonds" into the furnaces.</p> - -<p>At the very best she could make only eleven knots; had the "E -Something" been a German vessel the Dutchman would have stood no -chance of escape.</p> - -<p>Even as the two officers were watching the panic-stricken tramp, a -column of spray shot up fifty feet in the air, about half a cable's -length astern of the submarine.</p> - -<p>To the accompaniment of a peculiar screeching sound another and yet -another column of foam leapt skywards. Both men knew at once from -experience what was the meaning of those pillars of spray; they were -caused by the series of ricochets of a "common shell."</p> - -<p>"Hard a-starboard!" ordered Warborough. The submarine awash presented -too big a target broadside on. End-on the area exposed to the distant -gun-layer was comparatively small.</p> - -<p>"Diving quarters!" shouted the junior officer of the submarine.</p> - -<p>In fifteen seconds the hatches were closed and the boat trimmed for -diving. At an unusually steep angle she disappeared beneath the -surface.</p> - -<p>"Just our confounded luck," declared the lieutenant-commander. "One -of our own cruisers trying her level best to smash us. That tramp -altering her course gave her the tip. But the fellow who laid that -quick-firer ought to have his cross-guns taken away for a bad miss," -he added grimly, referring to the "gun-layer's badge" worn on the -right arm.</p> - -<p>A careful survey by means of the periscope revealed no sign of the -cruiser or destroyer that had been so inconsiderate as to fire upon -one of her submarines; but the modern "Flying Dutchman" was well -within view, and about a couple of miles on the submarine's port bow.</p> - -<p>The lieutenant-commander knitted his brows in perplexity. His craft -was in an awkward predicament. She had been fired on at sight, owing -possibly to the tramp signalling to the British warship that she was -being chased by a German submarine. If "E Something" had remained -awash a second or third shot would in all probability have sent her -to the bottom for good and all, since it was impossible to convince -the cruiser or destroyer of her error in time to stop the -over-zealous guns'-crews.</p> - -<p>By diving, the submarine was safe from the effect of gun-fire so long -as she kept submerged; but directly she reappeared she might be -instantly fired upon or else rammed by the now alert cruiser, which -would certainly follow the supposed course of the unseen craft.</p> - -<p>Suddenly an idea flashed through the brain of the skipper of "E -Something." The Dutch tramp had been the cause of the somewhat -disconcerting incident: he would make her the means of getting out of -an awkward, not to say hazardous, position.</p> - -<p>Terence held his breath when he heard the order to ascend to the -surface. The operation savoured of suicide, for it seemed evident to -him that the mere showing of the top of the conning-tower would -result in a salvo from the guns of the cruiser, which must by this -time have greatly decreased the distance between the position from -which she fired the first shot and the spot where the submarine had -vanished.</p> - -<p>Up rose the "E Something," but no shell burst with devastating -effect within her vitals. Almost before she regained her normal -position the order was given to open hatches.</p> - -<p>"Now, Aubyn, up with you!" exclaimed Warborough.</p> - -<p>Terence needed no second invitation. Nimbly he ascended the iron -rings of the vertical ladder and gained the deck. To his surprise he -found that the submarine was close alongside the Dutchman's starboard -quarter and moving at practically the same speed and in the same -direction as she was.</p> - -<p>The submarine's White Ensign, which, owing to the hasty descent had -not been lowered and untoggled from the halliards, was hanging limply -from the staff, resembling an umbrella. For the purposes of -recognition it was useless. Even had it been otherwise, the minds of -the crew of the tramp were so completely obsessed with the idea that -the craft was a German submarine that they would have regarded the -ensign as false colours.</p> - -<p>Imagining that the game was up, the stolid Dutch skipper leant over -the bridge rail, while a dozen of the crew peered anxiously over the -side.</p> - -<p>"This is a Dutch ship," announced the skipper vehemently in German. -"Why are you stopping me?"</p> - -<p>"We are not stopping you, my friend," replied Warborough, in English. -"Can you understand?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, ver' well," was the reply; then pointing to the distant British -cruiser, which was now recognisable as one of the "Astraea" class, he -continued: "If you English, why dat sheep fire?"</p> - -<p>"Just what we don't want her to do," replied Warborough. "So we've -taken the liberty of ranging up alongside you. They can't very well -fire at us now, and they'll soon discover their mistake."</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, the signalman had hoisted the submarine's code number, but -owing to the confusing background afforded by the tramp's tricoloured -sides, the hoist was not readily "picked up" by the cruiser, which -was now approaching to ascertain the mystery of a supposedly hostile -craft that had the audacity to hold up a merchantman under the very -guns of a British man-of-war.</p> - -<p>"There's the answering pendant, sir—at the dip," announced the -signalman, pointing to a red and white strip of bunting hoisted -half-way up the cruiser's yard-arm. "Now it's hoisted close up, -sir!" he added after a brief pause.</p> - -<p>The cruiser had seen and had read the submarine's signal. Closing, -she ramped up at a cable's length from the little craft that she had -done her level best to sink.</p> - -<p>A facetious exchange of compliments by means of hand-flags was -indulged in, and with a mutual farewell the British vessels parted, -while the skipper of the Dutch tramp, devoutly grateful that things -were not so bad as he had imagined, resumed his course towards -Ymuiden.</p> - -<br> -<a name="chapter21"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XXI.</h3> - -<h4 align="center">THE LAST OF THE "SYNTAX."</h4> - -<p><span class="smallcaps">"You're</span> a troublesome card, Mr. Aubyn; delaying the march of justice -by taking French leave."</p> - -<p>This was the greeting of Lieutenant Gilroy, after Terence had -reported himself on board the "Livingstone."</p> - -<p>The sub. looked inquiringly at the speaker.</p> - -<p>"Fact," continued Gilroy. "You are under notice to appear as -principal witness at the trial of Major von Eckenhardt. The business -was to have come off to-day, but in consequence of your tumbling -overboard (we had the wireless report of your rescue) the trial is -postponed till to-morrow. Congrats, old man, on your escape. -Apparently you've had a lively time on board 'E Something'?"</p> - -<p>"Fairly," admitted Aubyn, modestly. "But I wish to goodness I could -cut this trial business. Why couldn't they push on with the show -without me?"</p> - -<p>"Ask me another," replied the lieutenant, shrugging his broad -shoulders. "So buck up and make the best of a bad job. You'll be in -good company, my lad, for I'm warned as a witness."</p> - -<p>But the trial, which was to be held behind closed doors under the -summary authority of the Defence of the Realm Act, never came off.</p> - -<p>Von Eckenhardt succeeded in escaping from Edinburgh Castle during a -dark, tempestuous night. Although searched when received into -custody, he had contrived to secrete a small bottle filled with -corrosive acid. This liquid applied to the bars of his cell made -short work of those barriers. His knowledge of his environments must -have been remarkably accurate, for after dropping a height of -twenty-five feet from the window to the floor of the dry moat without -sustaining any injury sufficient to impede his movements, he found -his way down the precipitous sides of the Castle rock and got clean -away.</p> - -<p>The authorities left no stone unturned to attempt the recapture of -the dangerous and daring spy, but their efforts were in vain. The -disquieting thought remained that von Eckenhardt was still within the -limits of Great Britain. His activity, amounting almost to -recklessness, made it pretty certain that he would not return to the -Continent while there was scope for work amongst his enemies; and, -although it was unlikely that he would carry on his secret service -work either in the vicinity of Rosyth or Great Yarmouth, it was -surmisable that he would recommence operations in the neighbourhood -of another important naval or military centre.</p> - -<p>Shortly after the escape of von Eckenhardt the various units of the -torpedo-boat-destroyer flotilla to which the "Livingstone" belonged -were sent out on detached service. Since the repetition of the -luckless German raid seemed unlikely, at least until the extensive -repairs to the "Derfflinger" and "Moltke" were carried out, the -necessity for keeping the full complement of flotillas ceased to -exist. Hence the "Livingstone" was ordered to proceed to a certain -rendezvous off the Lizard, in the vicinity of which one of von -Tirpitz's pirate submarines was making itself a considerable nuisance -to British merchantmen bound up and down Channel.</p> - -<p>Twenty-four hours after leaving the Firth of Forth the destroyer -arrived at her appointed station, where she had the mortification of -hearing that a large tramp steamer, the "Quickstep," had been held up -and sunk only two hours previously.</p> - -<p>All the destroyer could do was to tow the ship's boats with the -survivors within an easy distance of Falmouth; then back the -"Livingstone" doubled, her officers and crew filled with the utmost -keenness to meet and destroy the skulking terror of the deep.</p> - -<p>About three bells in the First Dog Watch the lookout reported a sail -in sight, which quickly proved to be a large two-masted cargo vessel -bound down Channel.</p> - -<p>As she came within signalling distance she made her number, -announcing that she was the SS. "Syntax" of London, and inquired if -the destroyer had seen any of the enemy's submarines.</p> - -<p>"Tell them 'yes'," ordered Gilroy, who was the officer of the watch. -"And inform them that we will escort her as far as the Wolf Rock. -Beyond that she ought to be fairly safe."</p> - -<p>"Tough old skipper of that packet," remarked Terence, pointing to the -"Syntax." "He doesn't deign to sail under false colours—there's the -good old 'red' flying as proudly as any merchant skipper could wish. -And I wouldn't mind betting that there isn't a firearm on board, -except the signal gun and perhaps the old man's revolver."</p> - -<p>"We'll mother him all right," declared Gilroy optimistically. "It -would go hard with any German submarine that dared to show her -periscope now," and he indicated the man standing by the for'ard -4-in. gun, ready at the first alarm to shoot and shoot straight—for -the No. 1 was one of the best gunlayers of the flotilla.</p> - -<p>With her speed reduced to a modest twelve knots, in order to keep -station with her convoy, the destroyer turned and followed the -"Syntax" at a distance of one seamile astern and slightly on her port -quarter.</p> - -<p>Just as the sun was setting, the lofty needle-like pinnacle of the -Wolf Lighthouse was observed, rising above the horizon and backed by -the vivid crimson of the disappearing orb of day.</p> - -<p>There was little or no wind. The surface of the sea was as placid as -a mill-pond, broken only by the bow-wave of the two vessels. So calm -was the air that the savoury smell from the galley of the merchant -vessel was wafted to the nostrils of the officers on the bridge of -the destroyer. On the lofty fore-deck a seaman was about to hoist the -steaming-lamp. His figure silhouetted against the ruddy light was, -when viewed from the destroyer, just clear of one end of the bridge.</p> - -<p>For no apparent reason Terence kept his glasses focussed on the man, -who, awaiting the order to send the light aloft, was taking a -farewell view of the rapidly-receding coast-line of Old England, for -the Cornish hills were just visible abaft on the starboard quarter.</p> - -<p>Suddenly the fellow put the lamp on deck and shouted. Although Aubyn -heard no sound, he could distinctly see the seaman's mouth working as -he pointed to something on the starboard hand. Then heeling heavily -to port the "Syntax" circled in the direction indicated.</p> - -<p>"A submarine, by Jove!" ejaculated Terence. "On the tramp's starboard -bow—and the old man's trying to ram her."</p> - -<p>Gilroy, too, levelled his glass, but owing to the glare on the water -he could pick up no sign of the submarine. But Terence was right in -his surmise. A periscope had emerged from beneath the surface at less -than a cable's length from the "Syntax." The courageous old skipper -had put his helm hard a-port, with the laudable intention of ramming -and sending the submarine to the bottom.</p> - -<p>He missed; more, the hull of the cargo steamer screened the submarine -from the destroyer's bow-gun.</p> - -<p>"That's done it!" ejaculated Gilroy, as a column of water tore -skywards on the far side of the luckless vessel. The merchantman -heeled violently, recovered herself with a corresponding roll, as her -main-mast buckled, burst its shrouds and toppled across the deck.</p> - -<p>"Full speed ahead!"</p> - -<p>The engine-room telegraph gong had scarce ceased vibrating ere the -"Livingstone" leapt ahead like a greyhound released from its leash. -With the oil-fired engines running at their utmost capacity the -destroyer quickly circled round the doomed vessel, but not a sign of -the modern pirate was to be seen. Having shot the cowardly bolt, the -submarine had quickly dived, and perhaps was lying <i>en perdu</i> eighty -feet beneath the surface.</p> - -<p>Even in the midst of peril the heart of the stout old merchant -skipper never failed him. Immediately his ship had been torpedoed, he -steered towards the distant shore, hoping against hope to beach his -vessel on the iron-bound Cornish coast.</p> - -<p>In less than ten minutes it was obvious that the attempt was in vain. -The "Syntax" was settling rapidly by the bows. Already the stern was -so high out of the water that the boss of the swiftly-revolving -propeller was visible amidst the cascades of spray churned up by the -blades.</p> - -<p>Presently the propeller ceased to revolve. Not until the water was -over the level of the engine-bed did the skipper give orders for the -engine-room staff to save themselves. Up on deck they poured, -hurriedly yet without undue confusion. The boats were already swung -out and made ready to lower.</p> - -<p>So sluggish was the partly-flooded vessel that she lost way rapidly. -One by one the boats were lowered, and the disengaging gear of the -falls cast off without a hitch. The old skipper was the last to -leave. With the ship's papers thrust inside his buttoned, -weather-beaten coat, he waved a salute to the destroyer that had -attended the "Syntax" in vain, then slid down into one of the boats.</p> - -<p>Before the boat had rowed a dozen lengths from the ship, the "Syntax" -all but disappeared from view, boisterously, amid a series of veiled -explosions as the compressed air burst from her seams. Amidst a -miniature maelstrom the stern hung irresolute for a brief instant, -with the red ensign still fluttering in the calm air. Then, with a -quick dive, the emblem of the Mercantile Marine vanished from view.</p> - -<p>"Shall I take you in tow?" shouted the lieutenant-commander of the -"Livingstone."</p> - -<p>"Better not, sir," replied the "old man." "That skulking submarine -may be showing her snout again. Another couple of yards and I would -have given her a bump. No, sir, we're all right. Sea's calm. All -being well we'll land at Sennen Cove before another couple of hours.</p> - -<p>"There's pluck," commented Gilroy. "I always had a certain respect -for the Mercantile Marine, and after this, by Jove——"</p> - -<p>Terence made no reply. He was thinking regretfully of that -magnificent specimen of British construction lying fathoms deep, a -victim to the brutal violation of all conventions and compacts of -modern civilization.</p> - -<br> -<a name="chapter22"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XXII.</h3> - -<h4 align="center">THE TABLES TURNED.</h4> - -<p><span class="smallcaps">"The</span> swine!" ejaculated Gilroy furiously. "They know we play the -game, but if I had my will, I really believe I'd ship a couple of -captured German officers on board every merchantman clearing our -ports."</p> - -<p>"That wouldn't stop them, Gilroy," remarked the captain. "Not even if -you had old Tirpitz's son as a figure-head. Instead of which he's -living in luxury at our expense, while our officers and men are being -housed like cattle. No, we must do our work with clean hands."</p> - -<p>"Not even employ a ruse, sir?" queried Gilroy.</p> - -<p>"That doesn't enter into the question," replied his superior officer. -"As a matter of fact, I mean to have a little try on. It's hardly in -accordance with Admiralty procedure, but I'll explain, and if any of -you gentlemen have any objections, don't hesitate to say so."</p> - -<p>"I am willing to take the risk, sir," declared Gilroy, after the -captain had outlined his plans. "And if we succeed I don't think My -Lords will give us a rap on the knuckles."</p> - -<p>"And you, Mr. Aubyn?"</p> - -<p>"I am of the same opinion as Mr. Gilroy, sir."</p> - -<p>"Very good: we'll carry on," concluded the skipper of the -"Livingstone."</p> - -<p>Accordingly the destroyer returned to the rendezvous off The Start. -From there she sent a wireless announcing certain engine-room -defects, that might well have stood over to a more convenient time, -and requested permission to put into Brixham, where the work could be -carried out.</p> - -<p>Back came the reply: "Concur. Make good defects on relief by -'Radimus'."</p> - -<p>At ten p.m. the destroyer "Radimus" came up, and exchanged signals -with the "Livingstone," which at once steamed for Brixham.</p> - -<p>There was just enough water for the destroyer to enter the outer -harbour and tie up alongside the wall. An hour later she was aground; -a little later she was high and dry in the tidal harbour.</p> - -<p>Both the captain of the "Livingstone" and Lieutenant Gilroy had ample -private means, and they did not hesitate to spend money for the good -of the country and the Navy in particular. So within forty minutes of -the destroyer entering Brixham Harbour, the two officers, -notwithstanding the lateness of the hour, had concluded a bargain -with a local owner for the hire of three of the weatherly trawlers -for which that Devonshire port is so greatly celebrated.</p> - -<p>At two in the morning, when Brixham slept, the crew of the -"Livingstone" were hard at work, transporting stores and munitions to -the three hired trawlers. By dint of great exertion one four-inch gun -with its mountings was transferred to each of the trawlers and set in -position just abaft the mainmast.</p> - -<p>Directly the tide rose sufficiently, the trawlers, each containing a -third of the "Livingstone's" crew, in addition to the regular hands, -warped out into the Roads, hoisted sail, and with a fresh easterly -breeze "reached off" towards The Start.</p> - -<p>Thus Terence Aubyn found himself, for the first time in his career, -senior executive officer of an armed vessel—the ketch "Asphodel," -with a sturdy Brixham fisherman as his sailing master, and twenty -bluejackets lying upon the deck.</p> - -<p>The three trawlers maintained a "line ahead" formation, the captain -of the "Livingstone" leading in the "Myrtle," Lieutenant Gilroy -second in the "Cinema," and Terence as the rear-guard. To all outward -appearance the unofficial flotilla was off to the fishing-grounds.</p> - -<p>Five miles S.S.E. of the Devon promontory known as The Start, the -destroyer "Radimus" crossed the bows of the trawlers, bound for -Portland Bill, the eastern limit of her patrolling ground. -Unsuspecting, her officer of the watch brought his glasses to bear -upon the three peaceful ketches, and proceeded on his way.</p> - -<p>Half an hour later a large auxiliary barque came ploughing her way up -Channel. Although absolutely unarmed she showed no fear of the -threatened submarine blockade, her red ensign proudly and -unmistakably announcing the fact that she belonged to the greatest -mercantile navy the world has ever yet seen.</p> - -<p>"That rascally submarine, sir!" announced the master of the -"Asphodel" to Terence, pointing to a peculiar swirl in the placid -water about a mile astern of the barque, followed by the -sinister-looking conning-tower and twin periscopes of the German -pirate.</p> - -<p>Doffing his regulation cap, Aubyn raised his head just above the low -bulwarks and kept the submarine under observation with his telescope. -Owing to the "line-ahead" formation of the trawlers, the "Asphodel" -was nearest the enemy craft, which bore well on that trawler's port -quarter.</p> - -<p>The barque was helpless. Being under a full press of canvas she could -not even attempt to ram her antagonist, while the wind being light, -and her auxiliary engines of comparatively low horse-power, flight -was out of the question.</p> - -<p>The German submarine approached quickly and fearlessly. A survey of -the horizon revealed to her captain nothing formidable in sight, only -three harmless trawlers off to the fishing-ground. When he had -finished with the barque, he decided, he would send two of the -trawlers to the bottom, in order to let the English know that even -fish was to become a scarce article of food, and let the third craft -go with the crews of their sunken consorts.</p> - -<p>It did not take the submarine long to range up on the starboard -quarter of the barque. A brief argument took place between the German -captain and the British merchant skipper, with the result that the -latter, finding resistance useless, had the vessel hove-to.</p> - -<p>On the deck of the submarine, just in front of the after quick-firing -gun that had been raised from below and was trained on the barque, -stood a steel boat lashed down and secured in chocks. In the boat's -garboards were four large apertures, each capable of being closed -watertight by the manipulation of a single interrupted thread screw. -When open these holes allowed the boat to be emptied or flooded with -great rapidity as the submarine rose or dived.</p> - -<p>Yet for some reason the pirates made no attempt to use their own -boat; they ordered the barque to lower two of hers, and with three -men in each to row alongside the submarine.</p> - -<p>It was the intention of the Germans to rifle the prize before they -placed explosives on board. They were evidently short of provisions, -oil, and petrol, and these were to be found in abundance upon the -luckless barque. The ship's boats could be more conveniently employed -upon this business, as in the case of a surprise there would be delay -in hauling the steel tender on to the submarine's deck and securing -it, before she could dive.</p> - -<p>Terence watched this part of the operation with extreme annoyance. If -the pirate meant to keep some of the British crew on the deck of the -submarine, her destruction could not be accomplished without great -risk and peril to the men of the mercantile marine. However, he -decided the capture or destruction of the unknown submarine—for she -had no number painted on her grey sides or conning-tower—was -imperative, and acting in accordance with a prearranged plan, he gave -the master of the "Asphodel" instructions to steer towards the now -motionless barque, approaching on the starboard hand, while the other -trawlers held steadily on their course.</p> - -<p>It was sound strategy. The captain of the submarine evidently -imagined that the trawler was approaching out of sheer curiosity, or -that, seeing the barque hove-to, her master thought that the skipper -of the British craft wished to communicate with the shore. Lying -snugly under the port quarter of the barque, the submarine was now -invisible from the trawler's deck, while the crew of the captured -vessel were ordered not to give the alarm under penalty of death.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, the "Myrtle" and "Cinema," having crossed the barque's -track, were able from a convenient distance to see what was going on.</p> - -<p>The pirates made their captives work with the utmost dispatch, and in -a very short time almost all of the barque's cargo and stores that -they were in need of was transported to the submarine and stowed -below.</p> - -<p>This done, the captain was ordered to surrender his papers, but the -stubborn old salt declared that he had heaved them overboard before -capture. As a matter of fact they were slipped into the lining at the -back of his coat. This act of non-compliance aroused the German -captain's anger. Ordering the boats back to the barque, he told the -skipper and crew that they had five minutes to clear out. At the -expiration of that time limit, he would sink the vessel by gun-fire.</p> - -<p>Directly the British officers on the "Myrtle" and "Cinema" saw that -there were no longer any of the crew of the barque on or alongside -the submarine a signal was sent to the "Asphodel." Instantly the -ketch luffed up, ran under the barque's stern and came in sight, and -within eighty or a hundred yards of the submarine, the crew of which -were standing by their quick-firers, ready to hull and sink the -prize.</p> - -<p>"Heave-to, 'Asphodel'!" shouted the German captain in good English, -as he read the name of the apparently unsuspecting trawler that had -blundered right into his clutches. "Heave-to, or we'll sink you -without mercy."</p> - -<p>"Let them have it!" shouted Terence. He had no scruples now. It was a -fair fight between a modern submarine, with her guns ready for -action, and a trawler manned by a trained Navy crew.</p> - -<p>Like a sheet of tissue paper caught in a furious wind the tarpaulin -concealing the gun was whipped off; cool and collected the -highly-trained gun-layer lingered a fraction of a second over the -sights, then—<i>crash!</i></p> - -<p>Almost before the recoil of the weapon had been taken up by the -hydraulic mountings the breech-block flew open with a clang and a -fresh cartridge was inserted.</p> - -<p>One round was enough.</p> - -<p>The shell, fired at almost point-blank range, had penetrated the -conning-tower, killing the captain and ripping the steel plating like -cardboard. More, the fragments of the exploded missile had put out of -action all the crew of the fore quick-firer.</p> - -<p>Terrified by the appalling concussion the engine-room ratings of the -submarine abandoned their posts at the motor and ran on deck, while -the after-gun's-crew, realizing that they were trapped, made no -attempt to use their piece, especially as they were covered by the -formidable 4-inch on the "Asphodel's" deck.</p> - -<p>With their hands held high above their heads the pirates raised a -monotonous shout of "Mercy, Englishmen!"</p> - -<p>The submarine was done for. With the conning-tower shattered she -could not dive; apart from the abandonment of the motors, she could -not seek safety in flight, for even if running on the surface she -would quickly be swamped by the seas pouring over her low freeboard.</p> - -<p>"Mercy, Englishmen! Mercy!"</p> - -<p>The cry was repeated over and over again. The recreant Teutons, taken -red-handed, were firmly convinced that their captors intended putting -them to death—the extreme penalty for their guilt.</p> - -<p>Terence glanced in the direction of the two trawlers. They were -approaching slowly, for the wind was still light. Before the arrival -of his superior officer the sub. realized that the mischief he -anticipated might be consummated.</p> - -<p>"Where is your captain?" he shouted.</p> - -<p>The babel ceased. One German, a petty officer, knew how to speak -English after a fashion.</p> - -<p>"He kapitan Schluk he dead," he replied.</p> - -<p>"The senior officer, then?"</p> - -<p>There was a movement on deck. Some of the men bawled down the -hatchway. After some delay a fat, fair-haired sub-lieutenant -appeared. Being unable to speak or understand English the new arrival -made use of the petty officer as an interpreter.</p> - -<p>"Do I understand that you surrender?" demanded Terence.</p> - -<p>"Yes; if our lives are spared," answered the German officer through -the medium of the interpreter.</p> - -<p>"Very good; I accept your surrender on conditions," agreed Terence, -speaking deliberately, and with a stern, menacing tone in his voice. -"Your craft must be given up exactly in its present condition. If -any attempt be made to open the valves no quarter will be given."</p> - -<p>It went against his sense of honour to speak in this strain. He knew -perfectly well that, happen what may, quarter would not be denied -these modern pirates. But experience taught him that on more than one -occasion a German submarine had surrendered to a British vessel, and -as soon as the crew was safe, the ballast tanks would be deliberately -flooded to let the boat sink for good and all, so that the secret of -their construction should not be revealed to the hated English.</p> - -<p>Consequently he was not surprised when the German officer, on hearing -the conditions, made a gesture of defiance and disappeared below. -Before many seconds had passed the crippled submarine began to sink -deeper and deeper in the water. The survivors of her crew, now -animated by the example of their young officer, lined up, -bare-headed, and joining hands burst into the words of "Deutschland -uber alles." One brawny, yellow-haired man produced a German ensign -lashed to a boat-hook stave, and held it defiantly aloft. It was -perhaps fortunate that they did not attempt to use the still intact -quick-firer, otherwise Terence might have been compelled to put his -empty threat into execution.</p> - -<p>The end was not long in coming. The slight reserve of buoyancy of the -submarine was quickly destroyed by the inrush of water, both through -the valves and through the huge rent in the base of the -conning-tower.</p> - -<p>The water mounted to the knees of the double line of men. Still -singing they looked death in the face. Then with a sudden lurch that -threw the ranks into complete disorder, the submarine plunged. -"Deutschland uber alles" trailed away into a grim silence, broken by -the rush of water and the hiss of escaping air.</p> - -<p>The next instant the submarine was lost to sight, taking with her the -resolute sub-lieutenant, whose devotion to the Kaiser had out-weighed -his conscience in the matter of the utter disregard of international -law.</p> - -<p>There was still life to be saved. More than a score of the German -crew were swimming strongly.</p> - -<p>"Out with the boats!" shouted the master of the "Asphodel."</p> - -<p>A dozen willing hands helped to launch the hefty boat which was -stowed bottom upwards on the trawler's deck. With a loud splash she -was thrust overboard and volunteers hastily tumbled into her. Already -the boats of the barque were heading towards the spot marked by -bobbing heads of the swimmers. The seamen knew that, but for a -fortunate change of circumstances they might be swimming for dear -life and jeered at by the crew of the submarine into the bargain but -petty spite and recriminations are not to be found in the creed of -true British seamen.</p> - -<p>Long before the "Myrtle" and "Cinema" came up, every one of the -swimmers had been rescued, and since the crew of the barque dumped -their living cargoes into the "Asphodel," the latter's decks were -packed with humanity. Round every half-drowned German a dozen British -tars, all more or less sympathetic, were gathered, doing their utmost -to assist their foes.</p> - -<p>"Smart shot, Mr. Aubyn," sang out the captain of the "Livingstone," -as his temporary command shot up into the wind within easy hailing -distance. "Your gun-layer took good care not to let us have a finger -in the pie."</p> - -<p>"We acted under your orders, sir," replied Terence.</p> - -<p>"You did," admitted the captain, with a hearty laugh. "You did, but -you might have given the others a chip in. They hardly—why, what's -that?"</p> - -<p>He broke off suddenly at the sound of a terrific cheer. The barque -had now gathered way. Her sails had been sheeted home. The weather -shrouds were black with men who were cheering the three trawlers with -all the force of their lungs, while aft stood the old skipper, waving -his cap with the vivacity of a schoolboy.</p> - -<p>Considering the unusual means whereby the German submarine had been -destroyed, the necessity of keeping the incident a secret, until the -Press Bureau thought fit to dole out another morsel of information, -was most desirable. There was also another reason. The enemy must not -know of the actual circumstances, otherwise the submarines still at -large would take steps to prevent a similar surprise.</p> - -<p>So the crews, both temporary and permanent, of the three trawlers -were mustered and sworn to secrecy, their respective naval officers -impressing upon the Brixham men the fact that, being an Admiralty -chartered vessel (this was a piece of pure bluff) they were liable to -the pains and penalties of the Naval Discipline Act, the Official -Secrets Act, and a dozen other statutes passed for the safety, -honour, and welfare of the King's dominions.</p> - -<p>The next question was how to dispose of the prisoners. Gilroy -proposed delaying the arrival of the trawlers till after dusk and -then setting the Germans ashore under an armed guard at a remote and -unfrequented cove in the vicinity of Dartmouth; but the captain -overruled.</p> - -<p>While the council of war was in progress the destroyer "Radimus," -returning on her patrol work, came in sight. In answer to a signal -hoisted on the "Myrtle" the destroyer altered helm and ran down to -investigate.</p> - -<p>Her officers and crew were good sportsmen all. Although chagrined to -find that the German submarine had been sunk almost under their -noses, and by three sailing trawlers, a type that the Admiralty -persistently deprecated as being of no service in the war, they -tendered their congratulations, in the spontaneous British way, by -giving three rousing cheers.</p> - -<p>To the "Radimus" the prisoners were transferred, while the captain of -the "Livingstone," having drafted a report, requested the officer -commanding the destroyer to forward it with all dispatch, and at the -same time to send a wireless to the Admiralty announcing the bald -fact that another modern pirate had been sent to its last account.</p> - -<p>Gilroy and Terence then boarded the trawler under the command of the -"Livingstone's" skipper. The latter, in spite of the success of his -ruse, looked somewhat anxious. He was not quite certain what My Lords -would think of the unofficial commissioning of the trawlers, and he -expressed his fears to his subordinates.</p> - -<p>"Never fear, sir," remarked the lieutenant. "We'll stand by you."</p> - -<p>"That you will not," replied the captain. "It's my pigeon. I take -the responsibility; you are under my orders."</p> - -<p>"I don't suppose there'll be any fuss up topsides, sir," reiterated -Gilroy.</p> - -<p>"H'm! Don't know so much about that. We've attacked a hostile craft -without displaying our colours: that's against the King's -regulations——"</p> - -<p>"But we've sent a far worse transgressor to the bottom, sir," -interrupted Gilroy. "After all, that's the main thing."</p> - -<p>"I suppose so," admitted his superior. "And we've done all we can to -impress upon the men the urgency of official reticence and reserve."</p> - -<p>So it happened that just before four in the afternoon the three -trawlers entered Brixham Harbour, and, amidst the wild and erroneous -conjectures of the inhabitants of that little Devonshire town, the -naval men landed and went aboard the "Livingstone," whose engine-room -staff had kept steam raised during the absence of their comrades.</p> - -<p>Half an hour later the destroyer put to sea to resume her interrupted -patrol duties.</p> - -<p>But, somewhat unfortunately, the carefully laid plans of the skipper -of the "Livingstone" went awry. The third hand of the "Myrtle" had a -wife. The wife was an excellent cook and studied her man's weakness -for the fleshpots of Glorious Devon. Moreover, she had a small cask -of prime cider in her cottage, and Dick Ottery, the third hand, was -very partial to the juice of the apple. Mrs. Ottery had a knack of -extracting information from her spouse, and curiosity prompted her to -question him as he fed and drank. Before the delayed meal was over, -Mrs. Ottery knew as much as her husband.</p> - -<p>At Brixham, like many other British towns, men had gone either to the -Front or else to adventure themselves on the High Seas; and a -committee of well-meaning ladies had volunteered to do this, that, -and the other for the wives of the absent warriors.</p> - -<p>That same evening one of the committee paid a visit to Ottery's -cottage, where his sister-in-law lived since the day when her husband -shouldered his kit-bag and went to report himself at Devonport as a -Naval Reservist.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Ottery, unable to keep the startling news of the sinking of the -German submarine, told full details and embellished them with highly -imaginative extras to the lady visitor. "Of course," she added, "it -be quite a secret, my man du say."</p> - -<p>Half an hour later the committee heard the news, also in strict -confidence, with the result that when the "Livingstone" put into -Portland to replenish her stock of oil-fuel the news of the exploit -preceded her.</p> - -<p>Magnified out of all proportion by the little additions it had gained -in being passed from mouth to mouth, the latest version was to the -effect that "the crew of H.M.T.B.D. 'Livingstone,' having been -compelled to take to their boats owing to their vessel being -torpedoed, were rescued by a Brixham trawler. They thereupon rammed -three German submarines, sinking them with all hands."</p> - -<p>"Absolutely without foundation," was the Press Bureau's comment, but -people in the know winked solemnly. It was significant that the -captain of the "Livingstone" was appointed to the command of a -light-cruiser; that Lieutenant Gilroy was promoted to the rank of -lieutenant-commander, and that Sub-Lieutenant Terence Aubyn, N.R., -blossomed out into a lieutenant.</p> - -<br> -<a name="chapter23"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XXIII.</h3> - -<h4 align="center">THE STRUGGLE IN THE CUTTING.</h4> - -<p><span class="smallcaps">Possibly</span> no one was more astonished than Terence to find himself a -full-blown lieutenant. Yet it was a fact and a pleasant surprise, -especially when he had misgivings as to the unorthodox method of -destroying the hostile submarine.</p> - -<p>Promotion, he knew, meant an appointment to another ship. That was -the fly in the ointment, for in spite of certain discomforts that -life on a destroyer brings in its train, he had become thoroughly -attached to the "Livingstone."</p> - -<p>He had hopes that his old skipper, Captain Holloway, late of the -"Terrier," might use his influence in getting him appointed to the -"Bombard"—a modern light-cruiser which Captain Holloway had recently -commissioned, and which, according to well-founded rumours, was to -proceed to the Mediterranean to take part in the operations against -the Dardanelles.</p> - -<p>It was therefore with mixed feelings that Terence found himself -appointed to his old ship, the armed merchantman "Strongbow," which, -having completed her extensive repairs and refit at Aberdeen, was to -be recommissioned, as far as practicable, with her former officers -and crew.</p> - -<p>The newly-appointed lieutenant was sorry, since it meant being -relegated to the somewhat monotonous, although necessary task of -patrolling, instead of having a chance to smell powder on one of the -fighting ships. Unless an unforeseen incident occurred, the -possibilities of quitting the patrol service seemed very remote. The -number of hostile mines in the North Sea had been steadily reduced by -systematic sweeping while the German pirate submarines seemed to give -the northern area of the North Sea a wide berth—possibly owing to -the fact that there was more scope for the despicable energies in the -Channel and in the vicinity of the great mercantile ports. Thus the -element of risk that prevailed in the earlier stages of the war had -been considerably diminished; henceforth, according to Aubyn's -opinion, patrol work would be one long round of cruising, examining -neutral vessels, and, perhaps, making a few isolated captures of -ships carrying suspected contraband.</p> - -<p>Yet it was his duty, and he accepted it in the spirit of a true -British seaman: he had to obey orders even if they entailed work of a -cheerless and uneventful character.</p> - -<p>On the other hand, Terence was pleased at the thought of having to -meet his former comrades. Nor would the severe climatic conditions be -so intense. The days were longer and the nights correspondingly -shorter, and although the temperature was low and the Equinoctial -gales about due, the fact that spring was rapidly approaching was in -itself sufficient compensation for the passing rigours of patrol work -in the North Sea.</p> - -<p>The lieutenant had two clear days before rejoining the "Strongbow," -which had left Aberdeen and put into Leith to replenish magazines and -bunkers. Owing to the dislocation of the train service through the -moving of large numbers of troops from the North to Salisbury Plain, -Terence knew that it would be unwise to delay his journey. He -therefore decided to proceed straight to Edinburgh, put up for the -night, and go on to Leith on the following morning.</p> - -<p>Arriving in London he seized the chance of visiting a theatre in -company with some friends, knowing that it might be months before a -similar opportunity occurred again; then, having had supper, he -caught the night mail train to the north.</p> - -<p>There were comparatively few passengers. The lieutenant, finding that -he had a first-class carriage to himself, thought it best to spend -the tedious journey by snatching a few hours' sleep.</p> - -<p>Accustomed to slumber under awkward conditions he was soon lost in -oblivion. How long he slept he had no idea. Suddenly he was awakened -by the hurried application of the brakes. The train slowed down so -quickly that the alteration of momentum wellnigh threw him off the -seat. He glanced at his watch. It was ten minutes past two. Under -ordinary circumstances the journey was a non-stop one, the mails -being dropped or taken up by means of nets while the train was in -motion.</p> - -<p>Curiosity prompted Terence to open the window and look out. It was a -pitch dark night. Rain was falling in a steady drizzle. The lamps in -the carriages had been screened by drawing the blinds, as a -precaution against hostile air-raids, but in many cases the -passengers had rushed to the windows. Thus the glare of the lamps -showed the lieutenant that the train had come to a standstill in a -rocky cutting.</p> - -<p>"Rotten night," commented Aubyn to himself.</p> - -<p>He looked along the line. The signals were not set at danger, for a -hundred yards ahead of the engine a bright green light gleamed -through the mirk.</p> - -<p>"What's up, guard?" asked Terence, as that official, followed by two -or three passengers, walked briskly along the permanent way. Already -he had gone to the front part of the train to confer with the driver, -and was now on his way back.</p> - -<p>"Man killed or something," replied the guard vaguely. "A soldier -stopped the train—one of them chaps guarding the tunnel. You're not -a doctor, by any chance, sir? We had half a dozen ships' doctors in -the train last night."</p> - -<p>"I am not," replied Terence. "But I'll go with you, in case I can be -of any use."</p> - -<p>Buttoning his great-coat up to his chin and pulling the peak of his -cap well over his eyes, the lieutenant descended and joined the -little band of volunteer helpers.</p> - -<p>The rear end of the train was only just clear of the tunnel, so -promptly had the driver brought the engine to a standstill. Lying by -the side of the rail was a motionless figure in khaki, while standing -by him and still grasping his rifle and bayonet was another soldier.</p> - -<p>"No doctor, my man," declared the guard. "I've inquired of every -carriage. How did it happen? We didn't run over your mate, did we?"</p> - -<p>"No," replied the Tommy, an elderly National Reservist. He was -shaking like a leaf. "No, it was that goods train. Cut his foot off -as clean as a bloomin' whistle. But that ain't the point. Poor old -Bill was put across the metals, only the bloke didn't do the job -properly."</p> - -<p>"What?" exclaimed the guard incredulously.</p> - -<p>"Truth—honest truth—an' my eyesight ain't at fault, even though -it's a beastly dark night. Bill was standin' easy over there. I was -about here. S'elp me, as true as I'm a-standin' here, I saw a bloke -spring upon my chum and push him across the line. Afore I could up -with my rifle the train comes tearing along. When it had gone it was -too late. The bloke had done a bunk. And," he added reminiscently, -"Bill was a right good sort. Never had a grudge against nobody, so it -licks me why the fellow wanted to out him."</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, Terence had been paying attention to the unfortunate -sentry. The man was dead. His left foot had been severed at the -ankle. That in itself would hardly be sufficient to cause death.</p> - -<p>"Turn your light this way, guard," said Aubyn, as he began to -unbuckle the man's ammunition pouches and to unbutton his coat. A -thin streak of blood upon the victim's shirt told its own tale. He -had been shot—evidently by a small yet powerful pistol at close -range, for the great-coat and buff straps were pitted with the grains -of powder.</p> - -<p>"Did you hear a shot fired?" demanded Terence.</p> - -<p>"No, sir," replied the Tommy. The suggestion of a shot being fired -aroused a new train of ideas in his mind. "No, sir; see, his rifle -hasn't been discharged."</p> - -<p>"I mean, did you hear a shot being fired at him?"</p> - -<p>The sentry shook his head.</p> - -<p>"The man's been murdered by a pistol shot, right enough," declared -Terence. "Either the noise of the train deadened the report, or else -the murderer muffled the weapon in a cloth. The best thing you can -do, guard, is to take the poor fellow's body on to the next station."</p> - -<p>"An my relief ain't due for another hour and a quarter!" gasped the -remaining sentry. He had been completely unnerved at the sight of his -chum being foully done to death.</p> - -<p>"All right, my man," said Terence, "I'll stop with you. I suppose I -can get to Edinburgh by another train, guard?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir," replied that official. "Next station's only a matter of -three or four miles. But you won't be lonely. There's half a dozen -troop trains on the up-line within the next three hours. I'll take -the corpse, sir, if these gents'll bear a hand. 'Tain't the first -poor chap that's been done in like this: not by a long way. -Good-night, sir, and good luck."</p> - -<p>Presently the mail train resumed its journey. The sentry, nervously -fingering his rifle, seemed grateful to the young officer, but at the -same time he regarded him with a certain amount of suspicion. Perhaps -his naval uniform was a disguise. He might be an accomplice of the -man who had murdered his chum. Troop trains? That started a fresh -chain of surmises. This dastardly act might be that of a spy, intent -upon damaging the tunnel and wrecking the crowded trains.</p> - -<p>"Look here, my man," said the lieutenant, "are you game to going and -standing where your chum was posted?"</p> - -<p>"What for, sir?" asked the soldier, with obvious reluctance at the -suggestion.</p> - -<p>"Oh, never mind. I'll go. You remain here. If you see or hear -anything suspicious, don't hesitate—shoot. You're a fairly good -shot, I hope?"</p> - -<p>"Don't know about that, sir; I feel all of a tremble."</p> - -<p>"Then fire anywhere, as long as you don't wing me. I want you to prop -yourself between these two rocks and keep as quiet as you possibly -can. Don't let yourself be seen. I'll take your chum's rifle. If you -hear me fire, hop across the line as sharp as you can, with your -bayonet at the charge. Buck up, man, and keep your nerves."</p> - -<p>Having seen the sentry take up the position indicated—in a niche -formed by two large boulders in the side of the cutting—Terence -secured the rifle and bayonet of the dead man. The rifle was a -magazineless '303, with Martini action, similar to those issued to -troops engaged in home defence.</p> - -<p>Donning the pouches of the unfortunate sentry, the lieutenant took -out a cartridge, inserted it into the breech and closed the -breech-block. Then, having ascertained by touch that the back-sight -was down, he crossed the line and commenced to walk the murdered -sentry's beat.</p> - -<p>In the darkness his naval cap and great-coat were not to be -distinguished from those of the man he was impersonating. He felt -certain that should the crime have been committed by a German agent, -the reason was the destruction of the tunnel. When the mail train -stopped, the miscreant would certainly betake himself to a safe -distance; but with his work uncompleted, he would almost certainly -return. He had marked the time when the two sentries were posted he -knew when their reliefs were expected. Before that time he must -render the second sentry incapable of raising an alarm and then -proceed with the blocking of the line.</p> - -<p>In his operations the spy had made one serious blunder. He had shot -the sentry, as had been surmised, and had thrown his body on the line -in front of the goods train, so that it would be taken for granted -that the luckless man had been knocked down while incautiously -walking his beat. But instead of the train mangling the victim's body -and thus destroying all traces of the fatal shot, the wheels had only -severed one of the unfortunate man's feet.</p> - -<p>For half an hour Terence maintained his sentry-go. The rain was now -falling heavily. His great-coat felt as weighty as lead. The moisture -dropped from the peak of his cap and filled the palm of his left hand -as he held the butt of his rifle.</p> - -<p>The sub.'s nerves were in splendid condition. The hand that held the -rifle was as steady as a rock. With eyes and ears strained he paced -to and fro, prepared at the least sound to face about, bring his -rifle to the ready and fire.</p> - -<p>From a strategic point of view his position was an unsound one. By -the remaining sentry's description the miscreant must have retired -from the scene of action not by running into the tunnel but by -scaling the fairly accessible wall of rock. Consequently the -anticipated attack would be from that direction, and Terence was -liable to be fired at from a height of from ten to fifty feet above -his head.</p> - -<p>Presently a dull but increasing rumble greeted his ears. It was a -local down-train, which had just entered the far end of the tunnel. -Instead of grounding the butt of his rifle and facing the line, as he -had seen other sentries do, the lieutenant marched to the mouth of -the tunnel; then, leaning his shoulder hard against the massive stone -buttress, waited for the train to pass.</p> - -<p>A vivid flame spurted from the opposite side of the cutting, followed -practically simultaneously by a sharp report that outvoiced the roar -of the train. The sentry, without waiting to challenge, had "let -rip."</p> - -<p>Bringing his rifle to the ready, Terence waited. He had not long to -wait. Silhouetted against the gloomy rain-laden sky—for by this time -Terence's eyes were used to the darkness—appeared the head, arms and -shoulders of a man. In his right hand he held an automatic pistol, -and was now blazing away indiscriminately, judging by the splash of -flame that stabbed the night in varying directions. He seemed to be -leaning over a rock in the side of the cutting with the intention, -now that he had been fired upon, to get at close quarters with the -sentry.</p> - -<p>Bringing his rifle to his shoulder Terence aimed low and pressed the -trigger. The fellow gave no convulsive spring; he merely toppled over -and fell on the permanent way just as the train emerged, with a rush -and a roar and a dense cloud of steam, from the tunnel.</p> - -<p>Jerking the lever of his breech-block, the lieutenant inserted a -fresh cartridge. He still kept close to the buttress, even after the -train had passed. Experience had taught him the necessity for caution -in dealing with a wily foe. Not that he feared anything from the man -who had been shot. His headlong tumble down the almost precipitous -side of the cutting was too realistic for a person shamming death.</p> - -<p>The soldier, emerging from his shelter, began to cross the line. -Before he was half-way across, another shot rang out from the top of -the cutting. The Tommy collapsed in a heap.</p> - -<p>Terence let him lie. His whole attention was centred upon the spot -from whence the last bullet had sped. With his rifle ready to be -lifted to his shoulder, Aubyn waited like a hunter stalking his prey.</p> - -<p>He knew that he would not have to wait long. A desperate attempt was -being made to destroy the tunnel—an attempt in which the lives of -two or more men mattered but little provided success attended the -miscreants' efforts. The firer of the last shot, he reasoned, -imagined that with the murder of the first sentry, he had only one -man to deal with, and now he was lying motionless on the ballast. -Thinking that "the coast was clear" the desperado would presently -show himself.</p> - -<p>A hunched-up shape appeared at the top of the embankment. Some one -was descending with his face towards the rock. He was progressing -slowly and cautiously, making certain that he had obtained a firm -foothold before he groped for a lower one. Every now and then he -would turn his head and look towards the doubled-up body of the -sentry, till, satisfied that there was no danger in that direction, -he gave his whole attention to his descent.</p> - -<p>Levelling his rifle, Terence took deliberate aim. He had no qualms in -so doing. The fellow was a murderer and train-wrecker, and -undoubtedly an agent of the German Government. The lieutenant was -alone and unsupported. If he should be "done in" there would be no -further obstacle between the miscreant and the success of his -diabolical scheme. Besides, there might be more than two men engaged -in the enterprise, which, if it matured, might mean the death of -perhaps hundreds of human beings.</p> - -<p>Terence aimed fairly in the centre of the climber's back. It afforded -the best target in the darkness.</p> - -<p>With no more compunction than if he were shooting a rat, the -lieutenant pressed the trigger.</p> - -<p>The report of the rifle was outvoiced by a loud detonation, -accompanied by a vivid flash. For one moment Terence stood stock -still, his eyes temporarily blinded by the sudden glare. Then he -realized that his cap had gone. His face was wet, not with the chilly -rain but with a warm moisture. Something had struck him on the cheek, -inflicting a small cut from which the blood flowed freely.</p> - -<p>"A pretty rumpus!" he soliloquized. "The rotter has plugged me—no, -it can't be that. It's only a slight gash. I wonder if he hurled a -bomb."</p> - -<p>"Blowed to atoms, sir; that's what's happened to him—the blighter!" -exclaimed a voice that seemed to come from the ground.</p> - -<p>"I thought you were a dead man, by Jove!" exclaimed Terence bluntly, -as he recognized the sentry by his voice.</p> - -<p>"Not yet, sir," replied the man. "He put a bullet through my -leg—just above the knee. It don't hurt much, but it kippered me, so -I thought I'd lie low and see what happened. I'd a cartridge ready, -though, in case of an accident."</p> - -<p>"We ought to stop the next train," said Terence, as he stooped to -recover his cap. "The rail might be damaged. I think that fellow had -a few detonators on him, and my shot did the trick. How did you stop -the train I was in?"</p> - -<p>"Had a lantern, sir. It's somewhere along the line. But our chaps -must have heard the racket, an the sergeant'll be coming along in -half a tick."</p> - -<p>"Wind the wrong way," declared Terence laconically. "I'll bandage -that leg of yours and then I'll get the lantern."</p> - -<p>The miscreant's bullet—from a small calibre high velocity -pistol—had passed completely through the soldier's leg, fortunately -without severing any arteries. Having attended to the wound and -bidden the man sit down by the side of the bank, Aubyn set out on his -search.</p> - -<p>It was a fruitless quest. Other means had to be found to bring the -troop train to a standstill.</p> - -<p>"There's a signal a couple of hundred yards down the line, sir," -announced the sentry. "It's worked from a box a long way off. Maybe, -sir, you can climb up and tie this red handkerchief of mine over the -green light."</p> - -<p>Terence took the handkerchief. He knew that the plan was a useless -one, since the result would be a semi-opaque gleam, as the red would -neutralize the green. But the red cloth might come in handy. The -matter was urgent, for the train was about due.</p> - -<p>As he passed along the up-line his progress was checked by an -enormous boulder that, dislodged by the explosion, had fallen on the -permanent way and across one of the metals. Its weight was far beyond -his strength to move.</p> - -<p>Skirting the obstruction the lieutenant broke into a run, keeping up -a hot pace till he reached the foot of the signal post. Already the -red disc had changed to green, showing that, to the signalman's -belief, the line was clear.</p> - -<p>Terence knew that if the operating rod could be severed the signal -arm would, by reason of a weighted lever, rise to the "stop" -position. He tugged savagely at it, but without success. A spanner -might have saved the situation, but he was without such an article.</p> - -<p>Suddenly an idea flashed through his mind. Ascending the swaying -ladder, he gained the platform just below the arm. Here he could -reach the discs with comparative ease.</p> - -<p>"Wind's right direction," he muttered. "Can't blow the light out -very well, so here goes."</p> - -<p>Unlacing and pulling off his boot, Terence made a determined -onslaught upon the thick green glass. It stoutly resisted several -blows, cracking at the sixth and shivering out of its frame at the -two next. As the lieutenant had foreseen the now open space was away -from the wind, and beyond a slight unsteadiness the lamp burned well.</p> - -<p>Knotting the red handkerchief across the open disc, Terence descended -to take a more remote view of his handiwork. The red light shone -sufficiently bright to be observed at a considerable distance, but as -a matter of precaution he held his rifle ready to fire into the air -to attract the attention of the driver of the on-coming troop train.</p> - -<p>"Here she comes," exclaimed Terence, as a dull rumble could be heard -in the distance. Presently a cloud of flame-tinged smoke announced -that the engine had rounded the curve.</p> - -<p>Terence raised his rifle, but there was no need to fire. With a loud -grinding of brakes, accompanied by showers of sparks, the train drew -up, the engine coming to a standstill within eighty yards of the -signal post.</p> - -<p>"What's up now, mate?" demanded the engine-driver, as, leaning over -the side of the "cab" he saw what he imagined to be one of the -soldiers whom he knew to be stationed on either side of the tunnel.</p> - -<p>"Line blocked," replied Terence. "And what's more, two men killed -and another injured."</p> - -<p>Leaving the driver to act for himself, Terence passed along the row -of stationary carriages, filled with troops, who, for the most part, -were singing uproariously. A few were looking out of the windows, but -the pulling up of the train had aroused but little curiosity. They -were already too used to being held up on sidings, even in the course -of a comparatively short journey.</p> - -<p>At the first first-class carriage he came to, Terence clambered on to -the foot-board and opened the door. Within were a couple of majors, a -captain and a lieutenant enjoying a hand of cards. Briefly Aubyn told -them of what had occurred, and suggested that an investigation should -be made of the victims while the line was being cleared.</p> - -<p>"Good idea, by Jove!" exclaimed the senior field-officer.</p> - -<p>Alighting, he blew a whistle. The uproar ceased as if by magic, and -the men began to descend from the train. For the most part they -imagined that a Zeppelin had been sighted. They treated the -possibility almost with indifference, but their interest was quickly -excited when they learned that an attempt had been made to derail or -blow up the train.</p> - -<p>Accompanied by several of the officers, and escorted by the driver -and the guard of the train and a score of soldiers, Terence led the -way. The obstruction had, fortunately, not fractured either the rail -or the chairs. By the aid of plenty of willing helpers, the rock was -levered back into a shallow ditch at the foot of the cutting. Then -there was just room for the train to pass, for the stone was nearly -ten feet in circumference.</p> - -<p>"Here's the sentry," announced Terence, indicating the wounded -soldier.</p> - -<p>A number of men carried the luckless Tommy into one of the carriages, -where he was promptly attended to by a captain of the R.A.M.C., while -it was decided to detail two of the men from the troop train to mount -guard until the proper reliefs arrived. Meanwhile, the wounded man -could be taken to the nearest station, close to which was a hospital -where he could be well looked after.</p> - -<p>By this time there was light in plenty. Terence had no idea that a -train carried so many lamps.</p> - -<p>The next task was to look for the bodies of the two miscreants. That -of the first was discovered in a ditch. He had been shot through the -forehead and through the body, either wound being sufficient to cause -death.</p> - -<p>The explanation was simple: one of the wounds had been caused by the -bullet from the sentry's rifle. The victim in his death agonies had -convulsively gripped the trigger of his automatic pistol, and thus -had caused the fusillade Terence had seen and heard. When he fired, -the lieutenant's bullet had also struck the fellow, but by that time -he was already a corpse.</p> - -<p>A further search revealed a considerable cavity blown into the side -of the embankment. The rocks around were scorched by the heat of the -explosion, which had horribly mangled the corpse of the second -conspirator, although strangely enough his features were hardly -injured.</p> - -<p>A light was flashed upon his face. Terence recognized it instantly. -It was that of Major von Eckenhardt, master-spy and desperate -plotter.</p> - -<p>The rascal had met with his deserts. After his escape from Edinburgh -Castle he had, according to his usual practice, laid low for a time. -Then, owing to the adroit manner in which the authorities had made -use of his secret wireless installation, the German Admiralty found -itself landed into a very awkward situation on more than one -occasion. It was not until von Eckenhardt contrived to send a secret -message to his employers, explaining the reason for his failure, that -the German authorities realized that they had been tricked. In reply -came a message savouring of a reprimand. Von Eckenhardt ought, it -said, to have taken greater precautions to prevent such -eventualities. Finally the message hinted pretty broadly that an act -of signal service to the Fatherland would alone atone for the -blunders that the spy had made.</p> - -<p>Von Eckenhardt was desperate. He knew that the German Secret Service -had no mercy for its servants who had failed. Indeed, he wondered why -he had been given another chance. By the implied tone of the -communication he realized that he had to undertake a "forlorn hope." -If successful, then, perhaps, he might be reinstated into favour; -otherwise it would be preferable to die rather than face the penalty -for failure.</p> - -<p>Hitherto, he had been more or less a director of the spy system. With -the exception, perhaps, of the part he played in attempting to wreck -the "Saraband," he had kept aloof from the actual espionage work. -Now, he decided he must employ his energies in a direct attack upon -the resources of the British Empire.</p> - -<p>The news of forthcoming movements on a large scale of troops from the -North of England and Salisbury Plain suggested the great possibility -of a striking example of German "frightfulness." He knew that the -bridges and tunnels would be slenderly guarded, for the precautions -adopted by the British Government at the commencement of hostilities -had slackened.</p> - -<p>Accordingly, accompanied by an accomplice who had acted the part of -servant at Tuilabrail Hall, he motored to a town within a few miles -of the tunnel he had selected for his nefarious designs. It was a -simple matter to bluff the proprietor of their hotel, while to excuse -their late hours, von Eckenhardt resolved to send a wire from a place -twenty miles distant, announcing the breakdown of the car. Then, -returning to within half a mile of the tunnel, the two miscreants -left the car in a field and walked stealthily towards the scene of -their proposed operations.</p> - -<p>"Time I was out of this," thought Terence. He had no desire to be -dragged into a long-winded coroner's inquest and the subsequent -official inquiries. His evidence would not alter matters in the -faintest degree. Von Eckenhardt would be identified without his help, -and publicity he shrank from.</p> - -<p>No one attempted to question the lieutenant as to his name. In the -excitement such a procedure never entered the heads of the military -authorities. So, without attracting the least attention, Terence -walked quietly away, scaled the embankment, crossed a couple of -ploughed fields and struck a roadway.</p> - -<p>It was growing light as he entered the town. At a drinking fountain -he washed the dried blood from his face, and having brushed the mud -from his uniform, made his way to the railway station.</p> - -<p>Here, exciting little attention, he obtained a ticket to York; had -breakfast at the station, and boarded the next express to Edinburgh. -For the time being, at least, he had evaded the consequences of -having performed another duty for King and country.</p> - -<br> -<a name="chapter24"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XXIV.</h3> - -<h4 align="center">THE "STRONGBOW'S" PRIZE.</h4> - -<p><span class="smallcaps">Before</span> eight on the following morning Terence rejoined the -"Strongbow." The heartiness of his welcome almost banished the sense -of disappointment he felt at having to serve on patrol duty instead -of in a sphere of belligerent activity.</p> - -<p>Captain Ripponden honoured him by requesting his company at -breakfast; Commander Ramshaw was enthusiastic at seeing his former -fourth officer again; even the somewhat taciturn Lymore smiled grimly -as he shook Aubyn's hand; while Chief-Engineer McBride delivered such -a welcome in the broadest Scotch that he was seized with a fit of -violent coughing that did not subside till he rushed to his cabin and -drained a stiff glass of "Hie'land Dew."</p> - -<p>Kenneth Raeburn, who happened to be on watch in the engine-room on -Terence's arrival, quickly sought out his chum as soon as he was off -duty.</p> - -<p>"I hear you've been having a high old time," he exclaimed -boisterously. "You always were a lucky chap, old man. Let's hear all -about it."</p> - -<p>"I'll begin stern-foremost," began Terence, and to Raeburn's -astonishment he related the circumstances that culminated in the -death of Karl von Eckenhardt.</p> - -<p>"By Jove, old man, you'll be lionized over this business!—saving a -troop train and settling that bounder."</p> - -<p>"I think not," rejoined Terence. "Fact is, I slipped away while they -were all busy with the investigations. Didn't want to be detained -over a rotten inquest. Don't believe in them myself."</p> - -<p>"Neither do I," asserted Raeburn. "I had to attend one once, and the -whole thing struck me as an utter farce, beginning with the false -evidence of the village bobby and finishing up with the doctor's -report. I know for a fact that when he examined the body he was as -drunk as a fiddler. But is there anything in the papers?"</p> - -<p>"Can't tell," replied Terence. "The bumboat hasn't come alongside -yet. Anyway, I don't want you to say a word to anybody about the -business; I want to be afloat. Any idea of the programme?"</p> - -<p>"Same old game," said Kenneth, with a grin. "Between the south of -Iceland and the Faroe Islands. Hullo, here's the bumboat! Now for a -paper."</p> - -<p>The "Strongbow" was lying about a mile from the West Pier of the port -of Leith in company with half a dozen Admiralty craft of various -sizes. Communication with the shore was maintained by means of -frequent picquet boats, while tradesmen were allowed to supply -luxuries to the ships by means of sailing craft known from time -immemorial as bumboats.</p> - -<p>Terence showed no hurry in securing his copy of the paper, but his -interest was none the less acute. Having received one he retired to -the seclusion of the deserted smoking-room and opened the damp -sheets.</p> - -<p>Quickly he scanned the news columns. Nothing escaped him, but there -was no mention of the attempted outrage on the troop train. For good -reasons, mainly to avoid creating any alarm on the part of the public -and partly to conceal the fact from the German authorities that their -master-spy had paid the penalty for his activities, the news had been -completely suppressed by the Censor, although already eight-hundred -soldiers were spreading the report amongst their comrades on -Salisbury Plain.</p> - -<p>Terence gave vent to a chuckle of satisfaction. Nevertheless, he kept -an anxious eye on the boats putting off to the ship, in case one of -them contained a messenger bearing a demand for the lieutenant to -report himself to the civil authorities. Nor did his uneasiness -subside until the "Strongbow" weighed and proceeded towards her -station.</p> - -<p>For weeks she cruised, save for the short visits she was compelled to -pay when requiring coal and provisions. Yet nothing occurred to mar -the uneventfulness of that lone patrol.</p> - -<p>The principal topic on board was now the question of the Dardanelles -operations, of which reports were received by wireless.</p> - -<p>Amongst the officers there were two distinct parties in the matter of -opinion. One, headed by Commander Ramshaw, expressed the belief in -the success of the attempt to force the supposedly impregnable -waterway. The other, though smaller, was represented by Lieutenant -Lymore, who pessimistically regarded the operations as hopeless.</p> - -<p>"It's not the Turkish guns," he declared. "It's that rotten current -setting down from the Marmora. I've been there, and I know what it's -like. The Turks will be chucking cartloads of mines overboard, and -there'll be no end of a mess up."</p> - -<p>The very next morning came the news of the totally unexpected -appearance of the Super-Dreadnought "Queen Elizabeth." Ramshaw was so -elated that he upset a cup of coffee over the ward-room tablecloth, -and cheerfully paid up the sixpence demanded by McQuid, the assistant -paymaster, who in his capacity of member of the Mess Committee was as -sharp as needles in mulcting a delinquent.</p> - -<p>"That's the way," declared the commander. "Taking those forts in the -rear. They'll be through within a week."</p> - -<p>A week passed, and still no news of the successful forcing of the -Dardanelles. Then came the disquieting tidings of the sinking of the -"Ocean," "Irresistible," and "Bouvet" and the disablement of the -"Gaulois."</p> - -<p>"Just what I said!" declared Lymore. "It's those beastly mines. Now, -if I had a prominent voice——"</p> - -<p>"You have, old man!" exclaimed the assistant paymaster.</p> - -<p>Lymore glared at the interrupter.</p> - -<p>"I'd chuck the idea of pushing up through the Narrows."</p> - -<p>"A pretty figure you'd cut," remarked McBride. "There's nae true -Briton wha'd back down once he's taken on the wurrk."</p> - -<p>"I didn't mean that, my dear sir," continued the lieutenant. "I'd -devote my energies in another direction. There's the Peninsula of -Saros, about five miles in width and about eighty feet in height."</p> - -<p>"Well?" inquired the assistant paymaster.</p> - -<p>"I'd land a strong force under cover of the warship guns, whip -together a regular army of navvies and all the steam navvies I could -lay my hands on. In six weeks, and at a cost of less than that of the -battleships we've already lost, there would be a canal twelve feet in -depth from the Gulf of Saros to the Sea of Marmora. And, remember, -both seas are practically tideless."</p> - -<p>"Sounds feasible, laddie," remarked McBride.</p> - -<p>"And then it would be a simple matter to send out the monitors. With -their draught of seven feet they could easily pass through, as well -as our earlier type of destroyers. Without paying the faintest -attention to the Dardanelles forts the monitors could strike hard at -Constantinople."</p> - -<p>"Lymore, you ought to be on the Board of Admiralty," said Commander -Ramshaw gravely.</p> - -<p>"Instead of which I'm only a Reserve officer on the armed merchantman -'Strongbow'," added Lymore, with a grim smile.</p> - -<p>At that moment came a knock at the wardroom door, and a messenger -announced that an accident had occurred in the engine-room.</p> - -<p>McBride was on his feet in an instant. The thought of anything -happening to his beloved engines acted like a red rag to a bull.</p> - -<p>All the executive officers not actually on duty gathered round the -engine-room hatchway, from which clouds of steam were issuing. It was -as far as they dared go towards setting foot in McBride's domain.</p> - -<p>After ten minutes' wait, two stokers were sent on deck, both -suffering from severe scalds. These were followed by Kenneth Raeburn, -whose right arm was swathed in cotton waste soaked with oil.</p> - -<p>"Rotten luck, old man!" he exclaimed, with forced cheerfulness, as he -caught sight of his chum, Terence. "It's not much as far as I am -concerned; merely a slight burn."</p> - -<p>Aubyn could see by the expression upon the assistant engineer's -features that he was suffering acutely. He did not know at the time -that in addition to being severely scalded by the bursting of a steam -pipe, Raeburn's wrist had been broken in a gallant attempt to rescue -the two stokers as they lay, overcome by the hot steam, upon the -floor of the stokehold.</p> - -<p>Terence accompanied his chum to the sick-bay, where the surgeon -quickly made the discovery that the plucky officer had sustained -injuries that would probably necessitate his being invalided out of -the Service.</p> - -<p>Kenneth read the doctor's fears as clearly as if he had been bluntly -told the truth.</p> - -<p>"Hard lines," he exclaimed. "Looks as if I'm to be chucked out of -the old 'Strongbow'."</p> - -<p>"Only for a time, I hope," rejoined the surgeon. "Now, keep as steady -as you can. I may hurt you a bit."</p> - -<p>Aubyn watched his chum's face as he proceeded to dress the doubly -injured limb. Beads of perspiration stood out on the young assistant -engineer's face, but not a sound escaped from his lips, but before -the dressing was completed Kenneth fainted.</p> - -<p>"He's real pluck," declared the surgeon. "I dare not give him an -anaesthetic, and the fracture of the wrist, complicated by the burns, -made it a fearfully painful business for him. It's as well he's -unconscious."</p> - -<p>"Will he be invalided?" asked Aubyn.</p> - -<p>"I'm afraid so," replied the medico. "The effect of the burn upon -the tendons will probably result in a permanent weakening of the -muscular action of the hand. I may be wrong—I hope so; but time -alone will tell."</p> - -<p>For the next week Raeburn was confined to the sick-bay. At the end of -that time he was able to get on deck, with his bandaged arm in a -sling. The doctor suggested to Captain Ripponden the desirability of -landing the patient at the first opportunity, and the captain -concurred.</p> - -<p>Two days later a sail was reported. Of late the "Strongbow" had not -fallen in with any craft, either British or neutral, and the news was -hailed with mild excitement. Anything to relieve the monotony of the -daily routine was welcome.</p> - -<p>As soon as the stranger sighted the British merchant-cruiser he -turned tail and steamed as hard as he could. A thrill of expectancy -took possession of the "Strongbow's" crew. They were out to chase -something, and the mere fact that the unknown vessel had shown her -heels went to prove that she was a of suspicious character.</p> - -<p>Calling every ounce of steam, Captain Ripponden stood in pursuit. It -was the first time in her existence as an armed merchant-cruiser that -the "Strongbow" was called upon to engage in a chase. Hitherto every -craft she had subjected to examination had submitted passively. Now -she was having a run for her money. Her hull quivered under the rapid -pulsations of her powerful engines. The grey paint on her funnel -casings blistered and peeled in large flakes, while for miles astern -the thick cloud of smoke gave some indication of the activities of -the "black squad" as they piled shovelful after shovelful of coal -into the furnaces.</p> - -<p>Half an hour's chase showed that the "Strongbow" was overhauling her -quarry. Twenty minutes later the merchant-cruiser dropped a plugged -shell a hundred yards abeam of the fugitive. Even this was not -sufficient to impress upon the stranger that the game was up, and it -was not until the "Strongbow" planted another shot within fifty feet -of the unknown vessel that she slowed down and hoisted Norwegian -colours.</p> - -<p>The craft proved to be the "Roldal," a passenger and cargo steamer, -of Bergen; but the fact that she had attempted to escape was in -itself significant.</p> - -<p>"Boarding-party away."</p> - -<p>Into the boat tumbled fifteen bluejackets. In command was Lieutenant -Terence Aubyn.</p> - -<p>"I protest against the outrage," exclaimed the Norwegian captain in -good English, as the boat ran alongside the "Roldal," which was now -hove-to within two cables' lengths of her successful pursuer. "This -is a neutral ship."</p> - -<p>"And carries twenty passengers—citizens of the Republic of the -United States of America, sonny," added a man standing by the -gangway, whose "twang" would in itself be a sufficient indication of -his nationality.</p> - -<p>"Sorry, captain," replied Terence, "but my duty compels me to board -you."</p> - -<p>"Then a curse upon your duty!" retorted the captain. "Your -Government will regret this outrage."</p> - -<p>"If you will kindly allow me to come on board," remarked the -lieutenant courteously, according to his instructions, although he -felt he would have given a month's pay to have spoken his mind, -"I'll go through the formality of examining your papers, and if they -are in order you will not be detained more than a few minutes."</p> - -<p>After intentional delay a tarry rope-ladder was lowered. Terence -could have insisted upon having the accommodation-ladder let down, -but instead he swarmed up the swaying perpendicular means of access, -and followed by six of his men gained the "Roldal's" deck.</p> - -<p>Ignoring the studied rudeness of the passengers, one of whom loudly -protested against the "darned interference of cocksure Britishers!" -Terence requested the captain to produce the ship's papers.</p> - -<p>Grudgingly these documents were handed over. The "Roldal" was a -Norwegian-owned vessel, bound from Boston, U.S.A., to Bergen. Her -passenger list showed that there were nineteen American subjects and -four Norwegian. Her cargo consisted of wheat and iron ware.</p> - -<p>Glancing down the passenger list Terence saw the name "Octavius P. -Rand, of Norfolk, Virginia." Going to the door of the cabin he -requested the owner of the name to step forward.</p> - -<p>There were looks of blank astonishment on the faces of eighteen of -the American citizens. The nineteenth, the fellow who had protested -so emphatically, began nudging a round-faced man in the group.</p> - -<p>"You are Octavius P. Rand?" inquired the lieutenant, and receiving an -affirmative reply, conveyed by means of a decided inclination of the -head, he asked the man a few questions of various places in -Norfolk—a town with which Terence happened to be fairly well -acquainted. It was quickly apparent that the so-called Octavius had -never set foot in that part of Virginia. By his Teutonic accent he -was either a German or a German-American.</p> - -<p>Of the others not one could speak English properly. They were -eighteen Germans, domiciled in the United States, but on the way to -the Fatherland to join the reserves. The nineteenth was a Yankee -agent for a munition business in Hamburg.</p> - -<p>A peculiar buzzing from the wireless-room of the "Roldal" told -Terence that the operators were at work. Ordering two armed seamen to -follow him, the lieutenant peremptorily told the wireless men to -cease operations, and having placed sentries outside the door, he -returned to his work of examination.</p> - -<p>The Bills of Lading, Manifest, and Charter Party were palpable -forgeries, while a survey of the hold showed that a quantity of the -"iron ware" was copper ingots.</p> - -<p>"You must consider your ship under arrest," declared Terence to the -still aggressive skipper.</p> - -<p>Without a word the captain flung himself into his cabin. He did not -mind the ship being taken as a prize. His liberty would not be -affected, since he was a Norwegian subject, while a substantial sum -of money had already been paid to him by his employers, and the money -had been sent by mailboat to his home. He had no interests at stake, -but he was determined not to render his captors the slightest -assistance in navigating the ship.</p> - -<p>Leaving a strong armed party on board the prize, Terence returned to -the "Strongbow" and made his report. On the strength of this Captain -Ripponden had no hesitation in taking possession of the ship. A -wireless was sent to the Admiral of the Armed Merchant Fleet -announcing the capture, and proposing that the "Strongbow" should -escort the "Roldal" into Cromarty Firth.</p> - -<p>Promptly came the reply: "'Strongbow' not to escort prize. Send -'Roldal' into Cromarty Firth with a prize crew."</p> - -<p>"Very good," commented Captain Ripponden when the message was -delivered. "Mr. Aubyn, you will please take command of the prize, -and upon arrival at Dingwall hand her over to the authorities for -disposal. Then bring your men on to Leith. We will be putting in -there for coal on the 26th, and you can rejoin the ship on that -date."</p> - -<p>The lieutenant saluted, and turned to go to his cabin and make brief -but urgent preparations for his independent command.</p> - -<p>"One moment, Mr. Aubyn."</p> - -<p>Terence saluted and awaited the captain's pleasure.</p> - -<p>"You may as well take Mr. Raeburn with you," continued Captain -Ripponden. "Dr. Hardiman seems to think that the sooner he is ashore -and able to obtain hospital treatment the better. Now, carry on, and -good luck to you."</p> - -<p>Ten minutes later Terence and Kenneth were ready to proceed to the -prize. The assistant engineer, in spite of the fact that his right -arm was still crippled and showed no immediate prospects of healing, -was in the best of spirits and, unassisted, gained the stern-sheets -of the boat amid a fire of farewell greetings from his -brother-officers.</p> - -<p>"Give way!" ordered Terence.</p> - -<p>The men bent to their supple ash oars with a will, while the -lieutenant steered towards the prize.</p> - -<p>"What's up, old man?" he asked, suddenly noticing a perplexed look on -Raeburn's face.</p> - -<p>"Left my best pipe behind," was the dejected reply. "No, don't put -back—'tis beastly unlucky."</p> - -<p>He faced aft, then using his sound hand as a speaking trumpet he -shouted to another assistant engineer.</p> - -<p>"I say, Smithers, I've left a presentation pipe in my cabin. You -might look to it, old man."</p> - -<p>"Right-o!" was the reply. "I'll send it off as soon as we arrive at -Leith. You can rely upon getting it by Monday morning. So don't get -into a tear."</p> - -<p>"If I don't, look out for squalls," retorted Kenneth.</p> - -<p>Smithers shouted something in reply that was evidently intended to be -facetious, but by this time the distance between the "Strongbow" and -the receding boat was too great for the words to be understood.</p> - -<p>"I'll never forgive old Hardiman for having me sent ashore," declared -Raeburn. "It isn't as if I were properly crocked. I could do a trick -in the engine-room even with a damaged hand. It's hard lines on -Smithers and the others: they'll have to put in extra time."</p> - -<p>Terence did not reply. He knew that it would be a long time—perhaps -never—before Kenneth Raeburn would be on duty in the engine-room of -a British warship, or even on a merchantman.</p> - -<p>By the time the boat came alongside the "Roldal" those of the -"Strongbow's" crew who had been left on board the prize had cleared -away and lowered the accommodation-ladder. The Norwegians had stood -sullenly aside, not a man stirring a finger to help. The skipper had -made up his mind to adopt an attitude of passive resistance, and his -crew took their cue from him.</p> - -<p>As soon as the rest of the prize crew boarded the ship and their -scanty gear and provisions hoisted up, the boat returned to the -"Strongbow."</p> - -<p>From the yard-arm of the latter a string of bunting fluttered in the -breeze. It was the signal to part company. Then gathering way the -armed merchantman circled to port, and steamed in a westerly -direction.</p> - -<p>Left to himself Terence proceeded to take the necessary steps for the -safeguarding of his charge. The Norwegian crew were ordered to keep -for'ard; the officers were allowed the run of the deck aft, while the -passengers, with the exception of the American, were placed under -arrest as German subjects capable of bearing arms.</p> - -<p>Since the ship's officers bluntly refused to take any part in -navigating the ship, Terence had a bed prepared in the chart-room. He -knew that it meant forty-eight hours' duty.</p> - -<p>He was short-handed. With sentries posted at the wireless-room, the -fo'c'sle, and over the prisoners, the number of men at his disposal -was far too small. He could not compel the engine-room staff to work; -so some of his own men were sent to the stokehold and engine-room -under the charge of an experienced engine-room artificer. Yet in -spite of the willingness of the volunteer stokers, it was impossible -to keep a full head of steam. Eleven knots was the maximum speed that -could, under these circumstances, be screwed out of the captured -"Roldal."</p> - -<p>Before night the wind freshened. By six bells in the middle watch it -was blowing a gale from the east'ard. The "Roldal" made bad weather -of it. Broadside on to the direction of the wind she rolled like a -barrel, shipping green seas amidships.</p> - -<p>Clad in oilskins Terence remained on the bridge throughout the -terrible night. He mentally condemned the fate that put him in charge -of a cranky tramp-steamer, when he might be sleeping soundly on board -the weatherly "Strongbow." Hour after hour he stood gripping the rail -of the erratically swaying bridge and peering through the welter of -broken water and pitch-dark sky. For the first time in his nautical -existence he realized the responsibility of being in sole charge of a -ship and of the lives of men.</p> - -<p>Before it was dawn a hideous clamour, distinctly audible above the -howling of the gale, came from somewhere for'ard. Terence strained -his ears to try to detect by the nature of the sound what had gone -adrift. It was the clanging of metal against metal.</p> - -<p>Watching their opportunity during the slight interval when the broken -water receded from amidships, two of the prize crew dashed aft from -the fo'c'sle and sprang up the bridge-ladder.</p> - -<p>"Starboard anchor broken adrift, sir," reported one. "It's hammering -against the bows for all it's worth."</p> - -<p>Aubyn considered the problem for a few moments. To send some of the -scanty crew to work upon the exposed fo'c'sle to secure and re-cat -the recalcitrant anchor would be a difficult task even with -sufficient hands and in a moderate sea. Better by far unshackle the -cable and allow the anchor to go.</p> - -<p>He gave the order. Between the pounding of the heavy mass of forged -steel, for the anchor weighed more than a ton, could be heard the -blows of the mauls as the two seamen knocked out the pin of the -shackle. Then, after the whirr of the chain through the hawse-pipe, -the noise ceased. Terence knew that the anchor had plunged to the -bottom of the Atlantic.</p> - -<p>A babel of shouting came from the forepeak. The Norwegian seamen were -clambering to be let out. There was no need for Terence to ask why: -the damage was already done, for the "bills" of the anchor had -penetrated the hull below the water-line.</p> - -<p>The sense of danger had overcome their resolution to remain passive. -They had attempted to plug the hole with hammocks, but the inrush of -water was too great. Already the forepeak was flooded to a depth of -three feet.</p> - -<p>Shouting orders to the engine-room for the bilge and condenser pumps -to be brought into action, Terence bade the quartermaster turn the -ship head to wind. Even as the "Roldal" swung round, a terrific sea -slapped her quarter and wrenched away the rudder brackets. The strain -upon the insufficiently supported rudder resulted in the carrying -away of the sole means of steering, for being a single screw vessel -it was not possible to control her by means of the propeller.</p> - -<p>Her only chance lay in forging ahead and trusting to luck that she -did not fall off and wallow in the trough of the mountainous seas.</p> - -<p>Mechanically the quartermaster stood by the steam steering-gear. -Years of implicit trusting to a vessel to answer to her helm had left -such an impression upon the seaman that he could not realize that the -sole means of keeping the vessel on her course was denied him.</p> - -<p>The "Roldal" was slowly turning to starboard. At one moment her stern -would be deep in the waves, at another it would be high in the air, -accompanied by a nerve-racking jar as the propeller, lifted from its -natural element, raced wildly. Then, <i>swish!</i> A cascade of surging -green water would sweep across the deck and pour in a smother of -white foam to leeward.</p> - -<p>Another appalling crash aft caused Terence to turn his head. To his -dismay he saw that one of the fore mainmast derricks, which had been -triced up and housed in a perpendicular position, had broken adrift. -Like a gigantic flail it swept from side to side, clearing rails and -deck-fittings as easily as if they were made of matchwood.</p> - -<p>For a few seconds the heavy spars would bring up against the foremast -iron wire shrouds supporting the mainmast, then, with the roll of the -vessel, it would fly against the corresponding one on the other side, -making the stay sing like a gigantic harp-string. A few minutes of -that sort of game, Terence knew, would result in the carrying away of -the shrouds and the loss of the mainmast.</p> - -<p>The lieutenant motioned to some of the men: his own crew and a few of -the Norwegians were sheltering under the lee of one of the intact -deck-houses. At all costs the erratic derrick must be secured.</p> - -<p>The men obeyed the unspoken order, for it would be useless even to -shout in the midst of the tumult. Rigging a tackle they awaited an -opportunity to slip a stout strip over the end of the terrible flail. -Over came the spar, missing a man's head by a hair's-breadth. Two of -the Norwegians sought to secure the derrick during its temporary -inactivity, but an extra roll to leeward caused the spar to give an -irresistible lurch. The next instant the men were hurled into the -mountainous sea.</p> - -<p>Nothing could be done to save them. To lower a boat would be a worse -than useless act. It would be simply throwing away human life in an -impossible attempt to save two already doomed men.</p> - -<p>One of the unfortunate wretches was apparently stunned by the blow, -for he was never seen again; the other could be discerned for a brief -instant as he raised his arms in a mute despairing appeal for aid -that was not humanly possible; then he was lost to sight in the chaos -of the dark turmoil of broken water.</p> - -<p>Dawn was just breaking as a sudden rush of steam through the -engine-room fidley, followed by the slowing down of the engines, -announced the disconcerting fact that the water had put out the -stokehold fires. Quickly losing way the "Roldal" rolled excessively, -helpless in the trough of the raging sea.</p> - -<p>Hanging on to the rail like grim death the now thoroughly chastened -Norwegian skipper mounted the bridge. Terence offered no objection. -In the hour of danger little unpleasantnesses were lost sight of. -They were now human beings fighting against a common foe.</p> - -<p>"Can you set canvas on her?" shouted Aubyn.</p> - -<p>The Norwegian understood.</p> - -<p>"Ay," he roared in reply. "I will see to that."</p> - -<p>Calling half a dozen of the men the skipper, accompanied by the first -and second mates, made their way for'ard, not without imminent danger -of being washed overboard. From the partly flooded sail-locker a -storm staysail was produced. It had been rolled up for months, -perhaps for years. Its hanks were stiff with rust. It took ten -minutes' hard work to bend the canvas to the forestay; then slowly it -was sent up and sheeted home. Gradually the vessel's head began to -pay off. Under the pressure of the sail she would run before the -wind. It was her one chance. Scudding before the mountainous seas the -"Roldal" might keep afloat some hours longer, in which time she might -be sighted by another ship and her crew given a fighting chance of -being rescued.</p> - -<p>Without warning came a sharp, whip-like crack. The clew cringle of -the sail had burst. With a series of terrific reports, like the bark -of a quick-firer, the rotten canvas flogged itself to ribbons. In two -minutes hardly a vestige of the staysail was to be seen.</p> - -<p>Once again, helpless and in imminent danger of foundering, now that -the steam-pumps were useless, the ship rolled broadside on in the -trough of the waves. The motion was now decidedly sluggish, her -recovery slow. Another hour, or two at the very most, would see the -end unless something totally unforeseen occurred to baulk the sea of -its prey.</p> - -<p>"Land ahead!"</p> - -<p>Five miles to leeward appeared a chain of rugged cliffs, topped with -treeless ground that culminated in a gaunt peak. Here and there were -gaps of varying sizes, but whether these were inlets, or merely -patches of low-lying ground, invisible owing to the curvature of the -ocean, the lieutenant could not for the time being decide.</p> - -<p>All this while, from the moment the Norwegian operator thought it -advisable to relinquish his attitude of passive resistance, the -wireless had been sending out calls for aid; but, although Terence -swept the horizon with his glasses, no smoke announced the approach -of a succouring steamer.</p> - -<p>Presently a line of surf, as the tremendous seas hurled themselves -against the rock-bound coast, became visible. The "Roldal" was -evidently doomed either to founder or else be driven upon the bleak -and frowning cliffs.</p> - -<p>Suddenly the quartermaster, forgetting disparity in rank in his -excitement, grasped Terence by the arm.</p> - -<p>"Look, sir!" he exclaimed. "A submarine!"</p> - -<br> -<a name="chapter25"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XXV.</h3> - -<h4 align="center">THE WRECK.</h4> - -<p><span class="smallcaps">The</span> Norwegian skipper saw the twin periscopes almost at the same -time, as, owing to the "jump" of the submarine, they bobbed up and -down in the raging sea. At one moment they would be completely -submerged; at another the top of the conning-tower would appear above -the surface.</p> - -<p>"German, eh?" asked the skipper, with a shrug of his shoulders. -"Them everywhere; but I think they will not hurt us—we Norwegian -ship. They go to read name on our stern."</p> - -<p>Terence did not reply. He gripped the rail and looked stedfastly in -the direction of the latest menace. It reminded him of that awful -period of suspense when the torpedo came speeding towards the -ill-fated "Terrier."</p> - -<p>Perhaps, seeing the desperate plight of the "Roldal" the German -commander would not waste a precious torpedo. If he did, Terence -reasoned it would only hasten the seemingly inevitable end.</p> - -<p>"By Jove, what a chance if we had a quick-firer!" exclaimed a voice -in his ear, and turning the lieutenant saw that Raeburn had emerged -from the chart-room, where he had been during all those hours of -danger.</p> - -<p>"And if we had use of the helm we would settle her," added Aubyn. -"As it is——"</p> - -<p>A glistening object cleaving through the waves caused him to break -off suddenly. The submarine, with a fiendish disregard of humanity's -laws, had let loose a torpedo.</p> - -<p>It came straight towards the luckless "Roldal," at times jumping -clear of the terrific seas, at others cutting through the great waves -with a hiss of escaping air and a smother of foam from its double -propellers.</p> - -<p>Fully expecting the missile to strike fairly amidships and -immediately under the bridge the three officers scurried to the -starboard side, Kenneth being assisted by his chum as he lurched -across the steeply shelving planks.</p> - -<p>"Missed!" he shouted, as the wake of the receding torpedo caught his -eye. The weapon had, owing to an erratic roll of the ship, passed a -few inches beneath her keel and was now expending its store of -compressed air in a useless run.</p> - -<p>"The lubbers! The lubbers!" exclaimed the Norwegian skipper, using a -term which he considered to be the last word of nautical malediction. -Whatever sympathies he had for the Teuton had now flown to the winds. -The torpedo from the recreant submarine had converted one more -biassed neutral into a staunch moral foe of kultur.</p> - -<p>Chagrined by the failure, the German submarine did not discharge -another torpedo. Her periscopes disappeared, and although Aubyn kept -a vigilant lookout, he saw no more signs of her.</p> - -<p>By this time the "Roldal" was badly down by the head. At intervals it -seemed as if she would not shake herself free of the tons of water -that poured over her decks. Her very sluggishness suggested to the -experienced seamen that there was very little life left in the -vessel.</p> - -<p>"Release the prisoners, Saunders," ordered Terence, leaning over the -bridge rails and addressing a petty officer. "See that they are -served out with lifebelts."</p> - -<p>"Ay, ay, sir," replied the man, as he hurried below, where eighteen -frenzied Germans were clamouring to be let out.</p> - -<p>There was nothing more to be done to safeguard the lives of the crew. -The men, British and Norwegian, were steady and under perfect -control. All wore either life-belts or inflated swimming-collars, -although the possibility of gaining the shore seemed very remote in -view of the mountainous seas breaking against the sheer wall of -iron-bound cliff.</p> - -<p>"Let me give you a hand, old man," said Terence, offering a life-belt -to Raeburn.</p> - -<p>The assistant engineer shook his head.</p> - -<p>"Thanks, I'm not having any," he replied. "I never was fond of icy -cold water, so the sooner it's over the better. Wonder what old -Smithers will do with my pipe? I wish I had it now."</p> - -<p>"Try a cigarette," suggested Aubyn.</p> - -<p>Kenneth took one from the proffered case, and, awaiting his -opportunity, made a dash for the lee side of the chart-house. In a -few seconds he was back again, with the cigarette between his teeth. -A shower of ice spray extinguished it, but seemingly unconscious of -the fact he puffed away at the unlighted cigarette.</p> - -<p>One of the "Strongbow's" men ascended a few rungs of the ladder and -saluted. Terence beckoned him to come close.</p> - -<p>"Beg pardon, sir," announced the seaman, "I know the coast. We're -drifting on to a bad part of the Shetlands. Yon island's Unst; -t'other is Fetlar, and beyond it, though it looks all one island, is -Yell. D'ye happen to know what time o' tide it is, sir?"</p> - -<p>"High water at about seven o'clock at Lerwick," replied Terence.</p> - -<p>"Then, sir, if we hit to the south'ard of Fetlar, God help us. It's -sure death; but if so be we get swept to the nor'ard of it, there's a -'swilkie'—that's what they call a race in these parts—that'll take -us into Dalsetter—unless we founder first," he added, as an -after-thought.</p> - -<p>Anxiously Aubyn kept his telescope levelled on the north end of -Fetlar. By taking a bearing he was able to realize that the ship had -a perceptible northerly drift. If this movement were maintained it -might be possible to escape being cast upon the perpendicular cliffs, -otherwise all hopes of rescue must be abandoned.</p> - -<p>In breathless suspense the crew watched their vessel bear down upon -the forbidding shore, till caught by the "swilkie" she was swept -clear of the dreaded cape. Yet so close had she shaved the land that -in fine weather it would have been possible to "toss a biscuit" -ashore.</p> - -<p>Although the sea still ran high the force of the wind was lessened by -the slight shelter afforded by the island. Ahead lay the large island -of Yell, wherein could be distinguished the comparatively safe haven -that terminates at the village of Dalsetter.</p> - -<p>"Look, sir," exclaimed the seaman, who at Terence's request had -remained on the bridge. "There are people ashore. They're signalling -to us to edge to starboard."</p> - -<p>"Would if we could," muttered the lieutenant grimly. "By Jove, -they're sending out a couple of boats."</p> - -<p>Such was the case. In spite of the mountainous seas, some of the -hardy Shetlanders had put off in two of the typically seaworthy craft -for which Lerwick and the fishing harbours of these islands are -justly celebrated.</p> - -<p>Tack after tack they made. At times only the peaks of the closely -reefed dipping lugsails were visible. The rest of the boats were lost -to sight between the crests of the waves.</p> - -<p>It was soon evident to the Shetland fishermen that they could do -nothing in the way of salvage, and having been able to ascertain that -the distressed vessel was not under control and incapable of -answering to her helm, they contented themselves by tacking to and -fro to wind'ard, waiting for the "Roldal" to make her final plunge.</p> - -<p>Yet the Norwegian vessel showed no undue haste. She had reached a -certain stage when she retained just sufficient buoyancy to keep her -afloat. After all, it seemed as if she would ground rather than -founder.</p> - -<p>"We can't fetch the creek, sir," declared the seaman. "We're setting -too much to the nor'ard. It's only a question of time, sir."</p> - -<p>Almost as he spoke the "Roldal's" hull shuddered under a terrific -blow. Heeling to port, she swung almost broadside on to the waves; -with a crash her masts went by the board, the foremast buckling close -to the deck, and about ten feet of the main-mast remaining.</p> - -<p>Two more heavy bumps she gave, then, settling on hard rock, merely -quivered as the seas broke over her.</p> - -<p>"Hold on, men, for your lives!" shouted Terence. "The tide's ebbing. -We may be all right even yet."</p> - -<p>The crew needed no caution in this respect. Hanging on desperately to -whatever came to hand they resisted the efforts of the breakers to -sweep them overboard and into the chaos of broken water between them -and the low cliffs.</p> - -<p>The fishing-boats had gone. Brave as were their crews the hardy -Shetlanders knew that to venture anywhere in the vicinity of the -stranded vessel meant almost certain death without the slightest -chance to render any assistance.</p> - -<p>Then, with surprising suddenness, the summit of the hitherto deserted -cliffs was teeming with people—men, women, and children. The -inhabitants of the little village had been waiting by the side of the -sheltered firth, fully expecting to see the disabled vessel crawl -into safety. But with the news that she had failed to weather the -headland they rushed to the cliffs, and, what was more, they brought -a rocket apparatus with them.</p> - -<p>The first rocket, deflected by the wind, fell fifty feet from the -wreck. The second was fired immediately on the deck of the "Roldal." -Several of the seaman, at imminent risk of being swept overboard, -secured the light line and began to haul away.</p> - -<p>In ten minutes a means of communication with the shore was -established. Beginning with the prisoners, the shipwrecked party were -hauled to land, one by one till only Raeburn and Terence were left, -for in spite of Aubyn's representations that the partly disabled -officer should be sent early in the course of the operations, Kenneth -stoutly refused to budge until all the passengers and crew were -saved.</p> - -<p>"Now, then, old man," exclaimed Terence. Gently he assisted his chum -into the breeches-buoy, and, since the assistant engineer was -incapable of raising his right hand and arm, the lieutenant made him -additionally secure by lashing a rope round his shoulders and to the -slings of the buoy.</p> - -<p>"'Fraid I'll get a ducking after all," remarked Kenneth, with mock -ruefulness. "Never mind, I'll get my pipe again."</p> - -<p>Terence gave the signal. The strain on the hauling rope increased, -and Kenneth started on his semi-aerial, semi-submarine journey to the -cliffs of Yell.</p> - -<p>Anxiously the lieutenant followed his chum's progress. He knew how -hard the tail of a wave can hit, and that Kenneth was in serious -danger of having his still unhealed arm broken again by even a fairly -light blow. White-crested waves were breaking right over the occupant -of the breeches-buoy, for he was now nearly half-way to the shore and -at the lowermost limit of the sagging rope. At times lifted by the -seas, he would be swung into an almost horizontal position. At others -he would be suspended in the air, with the water pouring from him -like a miniature cascade.</p> - -<p>"He's making slow progress," thought Terence. Then he looked at the -endless travelling line. It was not running through the block. -Something had jammed and the men on the cliff were unable to haul the -breeches-buoy another foot.</p> - -<p>Frantically Terence signalled for them to slack away. Putting every -ounce of strength into his effort he tugged at the line in the hope -of freeing it from the jammed block, but without avail.</p> - -<p>"He'll be drowned, or he'll die of exposure," thought Terence, as he -desperately taxed his powers of resourcefulness to devise some means -of extricating his comrade from his dangerous position.</p> - -<p>"There's only one thing to be done," he continued. "It's kill or -cure, so here goes."</p> - -<p>Pulling out his pocket-knife, Terence made his way to the stump of -the mainmast, to which, ten feet above the deck, was bent the "tail -jigger," or rope through which the endless line was rove and the -stout hawser from which the breeches-buoy was suspended.</p> - -<p>Securing a foothold on the spider-band Aubyn found that he could now -easily reach the object of his attack. The blade of his knife, though -small, was sharp. The strain on the hemp aided his efforts, and in a -very short time both means of communication with the shore were -severed.</p> - -<p>His own retreat was cut off, but the helpers on the cliff were now -able to haul Kenneth through the breakers. They understood the act of -self-sacrifice of the solitary figure on the wreck and acted -promptly.</p> - -<br> -<br> -<center> -<a name="07_strain"></a> -<img src="images/07_strain.jpg" alt="image: 07_strain.jpg" style="width:100%; height:auto; max-width:600px;"> -</center> -<center>[Illustration: "The strain on the hemp aided his efforts."]</center> -<br> -<br> - -<p>Anxiously he followed the progress of that small black object that -was being towed rapidly towards the base of the cliffs. He knew the -risk. Even in the case of a man in full possession of the use of his -limbs the danger of being hurled against that almost perpendicular -wall of rock was appalling.</p> - -<p>He held his breath. Kenneth was clear of the waves—no, almost, for a -smother of white foam had hidden him temporarily from the -lieutenant's sight. The next moment the surf had subsided, revealing -the breeches-buoy and its occupant like a spider at the end of its -thread.</p> - -<p>The rope was swinging violently, but owing to the fact that here the -cliffs overhung the sea Raeburn was not being continually bumped -against the rocks. Instead he seemed to be clear of that danger, and -the higher he was pulled up, the shorter became the swing of that -exaggerated pendulum.</p> - -<p>Men were lying flat upon the brink, waiting to receive the rescued -officer. Others, still hauling, but with less speed, awaited the -order to belay. The last ten feet of the ascent were the most -difficult of all, for here Kenneth's body and maimed limb were in -actual contact with the rugged granite. Yet, from where he stood, -Terence could see no sign of life in the saturated burden of the -breeches-buoy.</p> - -<p>Now the rescuers had the object of their attention within arms' -reach. Grasped by the muscular hands of the hardy Shetlanders, -Kenneth was lifted clear of the jagged edge of the cliff. Willing -helpers released him from the buoy, and still without showing signs -of movement Raeburn was carried out of his chum's sight.</p> - -<p>Leaning against the lee side of the chart-house, for the bridge was -now at an alarming angle, Terence quietly reviewed the position. The -"Roldal" was breaking up fast. Already the bow portion had vanished, -and the 'midship portion seemed in a great hurry to disintegrate -itself under the sledge-hammer like blows of the waves.</p> - -<p>His first idea was to throw himself into the sea and trust to fate. -He might perhaps escape being dashed against the cliff and contrive -to seize a bowline lowered from above; but the possibility of getting -safely through that turmoil seemed wellnigh hopeless.</p> - -<p>The tide was still falling. Every few minutes meant the uncovering of -the reef on which the vessel struck, and a compensating diminution of -the force of the waves. On the other hand, delay resulted in the -increase of the numbness of his body and limbs, which were already -feeling the effects of the cold and wet.</p> - -<p>Hundreds of eyes were fixed upon him. In addition to the inhabitants -of the village and the surrounding district, his own men and the -Norwegian crew were standing on the cliffs in apparent helplessness, -waiting for the final act of the tragedy.</p> - -<p>Presently a hand-cart drawn by half a dozen fishermen appeared upon -the scene. It was another life-saving apparatus, for the first had -been rendered useless owing to the accident.</p> - -<p>With a hiss the light-line fell handsomely across the wreck, the rope -almost falling into Terence's hand. To it was attached the hawser, -but the lieutenant knew that it was beyond his strength to attach the -stout rope to the stump of the mast. Since Raeburn had been hauled -through the breaking seas, he argued, why could he not follow his -example?</p> - -<p>Securing the running rope round his waist, and making sure that no -part of the gear was likely to foul any part of the wreckage, Terence -made his way down the shelving bridge. The lee side was now only six -or seven feet above the water. The whole structure was quivering -violently. At the most it could not hold together for many minutes -longer.</p> - -<p>Using his arms as a semaphore the lieutenant signalled to those on -shore that he was ready to be hauled through the surf. A reply to the -effect that he was understood came from the "Strongbow's" men. Then, -making a leap clear of the bridge, Terence plunged into the sea. Even -as he did so, the chart-house and the weather part of the bridge were -swept bodily away.</p> - -<p>Upon rising to the surface Aubyn found himself being dragged through -the water at a rapid rate. Ten yards or so behind him was an enormous -mass of woodwork—a part of the bridge-planking—bearing down on the -crest of a billow. Swift as was his progress, the floating timber -threatened to overtake and overwhelm him.</p> - -<p>The rescuers, too, saw the danger, and redoubled their efforts to -haul the lieutenant clear of the pursuing mass. Buffeted by the -waves, his limbs completely numbed by the action of the icy-cold -water, Terence was hardly conscious of what was happening, till he -found himself being lifted clear of the chaos of broken water.</p> - -<p>Before he was out of danger an exceptionally heavy sea completely -buried him as he swung with irresistible force towards the base of -the cliff. The "backlash" of the foam alone saved him from being -dashed to death against the solid mass of granite. As it was he -received such a severe blow that he lost consciousness.</p> - -<br> -<a name="chapter26"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XXVI.</h3> - -<h4 align="center">"THE PRICE OF ADMIRALTY."</h4> - -<p><span class="smallcaps">When</span> Terence recovered his senses he was lying in a crofter's -cottage. A white-haired venerable dame was busying herself with a -large iron pot over a peat fire, while an old fisherman, her husband, -was spreading the lieutenant's clothes to dry. The reek of the peat -and the vapour of the steaming garments seemed to fill the confined -space.</p> - -<p>Through the diamond panes of the small window Aubyn could see the -heads and shoulders of several of his men. The devoted tars, having -been provided with dry clothes of weird fit by their poor but -hospitable hosts, were mounting an impromptu guard outside the -cottage in order to hear the news of their popular young officer's -return to consciousness.</p> - -<p>Terence sat up. As he did so he became aware of a throbbing pain in -his left hip and leg, while he noticed that his left arm was roughly -bandaged. Fearful lest his leg should be broken, he raised his knee. -Although it caused him agony he realized to his intense satisfaction -that he was capable of moving it.</p> - -<p>Hearing him move the old fisherman spoke to him, and although Terence -could not understand one word of the broad Shetland dialect the -lieutenant guessed rightly that the man wanted to know whether the -patient would like to see those of his crew who were disconsolately -lingering outside in spite of the howling wind.</p> - -<p>In trooped the seamen; seven burly and extremely diffident specimens -of the Royal Naval Reserve, who, slow of speech except when amongst -themselves, could hardly find means to express their thoughts. They -did not know whether to congratulate their temporary skipper on his -escape or to commiserate with him on his injuries.</p> - -<p>"How is Mr. Raeburn, Griffiths?" asked Terence.</p> - -<p>The Welsh petty-officer fidgeted with his hands, attempted to reply, -but at last turned with mild entreaty to his comrades.</p> - -<p>"Fairish, sir, only fairish," vaguely declared another. "But how's -yourself, sir, if we may make so bold as to ask?"</p> - -<p>"Stiff, bruised, but otherwise all right, I think," replied Terence. -"And awfully peckish. Have you men been fed?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir, we were victualled down at the village," announced the -man. "They did us right well. They say as how we'll have to hang -about on this island till the gale moderates; but they've -communicated with the authorities at Lerwick, sir, and the senior -officer is going to send a vessel to pick us up."</p> - -<p>Dismissing his men Terence contrived to borrow some clothes from his -humble yet kindly hosts, and making his way with considerable -difficulty to an upstairs room, proceeded to dress.</p> - -<p>Considering the terrific buffeting he had received Aubyn had come off -pretty lightly. He was black and blue from his shoulders to his -knees, his forehead was grazed through coming in contact with the -rock, and there was a clean cut across his cheek. Rigged out in rough -ill-fitting Shetland tweeds, his chin and cheeks black with a stubble -of forty-eight hours' growth, he looked anything but a spruce officer -of his Majesty's Service.</p> - -<p>His efforts to borrow a razor were fruitless. His host had never -shaved in the whole course of his existence, and he was now over -eighty years of age. Nor did he know of any of his neighbours who -would be in a position to oblige his guest.</p> - -<p>Having found out where Kenneth had been taken, Terence went to see -him. He had to traverse nearly half a mile of bleak moorland, over -which the wind blew with great force. Shelter there was not, except a -few stunted thorns and patches of gorse.</p> - -<p>Looking seawards the vista was a turmoil of broken water, divided by -the Island of Fetlar. Close under its lee the sea was comparatively -calm, but owing to the tidal race, the "Sound" or intervening -channel seemed too violent for any craft to navigate in safety.</p> - -<p>Cautiously the lieutenant approached the brink of the cliff and -looked down to the cauldron of foam beneath. The tide had ebbed -considerably. Fang-like rocks showed their jagged heads above the -breakers for nearly a quarter of a mile off shore. It seemed -marvellous how the almost waterlogged "Roldal" had contrived to be -swept over those dangerous rocks. In vain he looked for traces of his -first independent command: the ship had literally gone to pieces.</p> - -<p>After considerable difficulty Terence succeeded in finding the little -cottage to which his chum had been taken. A big-boned, gaunt-featured -man answered his knock, and without betraying the faintest surprise -at his visitor's garb, invited him into the room. The Shetlander -asked no questions; he seemed to know Aubyn's business. Like the rest -of the islanders, most of whom had played a prominent part in the -rescue of the survivors of the "Roldal," he already know the officers -and most of the men by sight.</p> - -<p>Impressed by the gravity of the man's manner, Terence fully expected -to find his chum in a desperate plight, but to his surprise he was -greeted by an outburst of laughter.</p> - -<p>"Excuse me, old man," exclaimed Kenneth, "but you do look a sketch! -Who's your tailor? And are you about to cultivate a torpedo beard?"</p> - -<p>"How's that arm of yours?" asked Aubyn.</p> - -<p>"Feels a bit rotten," admitted Kenneth, "or rather, I can't feel it -at all. It seems a bit numb. But it will be all right in a day or so, -I guess. It was a real plucky thing of yours, old man. Looked like a -case of attempted suicide, when you cut that rope.</p> - -<p>"I should have felt like your murderer if I hadn't," retorted Aubyn. -"But it's over and done with. We're lucky to get ashore. By the by, -I suppose you know that they're sending a steamer from Lerwick as -soon as the weather moderates?"</p> - -<p>Terence could not talk rationally. He touched upon half a dozen -subjects in as many minutes. His mind was full of sorrow for his -chum's misfortune. He knew what Raeburn was yet to learn: that the -lack of sensitiveness in Kenneth's arm meant that never again would -his chum be able to use the limb.</p> - -<p>Raeburn's sanguineness was most pathetic. He had fully made up his -mind to get to Leith and await the "Strongbow's" return. He rehearsed -the little scene he would have when Smithers restored to him his -cherished pipe.</p> - -<p>Two days later the sea moderated sufficiently for the shipwrecked men -to be taken to Lerwick. Here they were split up. The German -reservists were sent into detention quarters to await the decision of -the War Office as to their disposal; the Norwegians, whose -indignation towards the apostles of kultur showed no signs of -abatement, were forwarded to Aberdeen, whence they were permitted to -return to their native land, while the detachment of the 'Strongbow' -were given a passage as far as Dingwall, whence they were told to -proceed by train to Leith.</p> - -<p>Kenneth Raeburn did not go with them. Upon arrival at Lerwick he was -promptly taken to hospital. A preliminary examination resulted in the -doctors' seriously considering the advisability of amputating his -wounded arm, but upon a further consultation it was found that there -was a possibility of saving the limb, although it would be -practically useless for the rest of his life.</p> - -<p>Raeburn was not told of this. In spite of his disappointment at not -being allowed to go with the rest of the prize crew his optimism was -remarkable.</p> - -<p>"Can't understand why those doctors insist upon keeping me here, old -man," he remarked to Terence, when the lieutenant came to bid him -good-bye. "I feel as fit as a fiddle, except for the long-winded -business over my arm, you know. And it's rotten not being able to see -the 'Strongbow' come into port. You'll take good care to remind -Smithers to send along that pipe of mine, won't you?"</p> - -<p>"I won't forget," asserted Terence.</p> - -<p>"And another thing," continued Kenneth. "If you get a chance to go -to Edinburgh you might look up my tailor—you know, the fellow in the -Hogmarket—and get him to knock me up another No. 5 rig. I can't -possibly present myself in this shabby uniform when I have to report -myself for duty. Explain to him that my arm is crocked and I can't -write at the present moment."</p> - -<p>The lieutenant could not commit himself to reply. Gripping Raeburn's -left hand he bade him "buck up," and made an undignified retreat from -the man who was never again to wear the uniform of the R.N.R.</p> - -<p>Throughout the tedious journey to Leith, Aubyn was on tenterhooks, -for he was a day and a half overdue. During that time the "Strongbow" -might have arrived, coaled, and put to sea again, without waiting for -the men who had formed the prize crew of the "Roldal."</p> - -<p>As the train swept across the Forth Bridge, Terence anxiously scanned -the shipping below, on the off-chance of "spotting" his ship should -she by any possibility leave the open roadstead and ascend the Firth.</p> - -<p>At Leith he ordered his men to fall in and marched them down to the -harbour. Inquiries of various naval officers elicited no information -of the "Strongbow's" presence. Almost all of the people he questioned -were convinced that the armed merchant-cruiser had not put in an -appearance.</p> - -<p>Allowing the men to "stand easy," Terence made his way to the office -of the admiral commanding the Forth division of the auxiliary -cruisers. On sending in his card he was received by the admiral in -person.</p> - -<p>"We've had no news of the 'Strongbow' for the last three days," said -the admiral. "She is now forty-eight hours' overdue."</p> - -<p>"Has anything happened to her, sir?" asked Terence.</p> - -<p>"There is no saying. On Tuesday we received a wireless from her, -reporting all well and giving her position. From that hour till now -there has been a complete blank. Of course, she may have had to stand -by a prize, and if her wireless has broken down her silence is -explicable. However, I wish you to say nothing about the matter. Send -your men to the 'Sailors' Home' and report yourself here at noon. -Remember to leave your telephone number at the office as soon as you -have completed your hotel arrangements, so that, if necessary, we can -send for you."</p> - -<p>Terence carried out these instructions and resigned himself for a -disquieting wait. Something serious, he argued, must have befallen -the armed merchant-man. He was somewhat reassured when, on giving his -men orders to proceed to temporary shore quarters, the prize crew -expressed astonishment neither by word nor gesture. His peace of mind -would have been greatly disturbed, however, could he but have heard -the men discussing the "Strongbow's" non-appearance amongst -themselves.</p> - -<p>Upon making his third call at the office Terence was again received -by the admiral. The sturdy old officer's face was grave.</p> - -<p>"I'm afraid it's a case, Mr. Aubyn," he said. "The 'Strongbow's' -hopelessly overdue. I have just reported her to the Admiralty as -regarded as lost. You had better proceed on leave, and I will notify -Whitehall accordingly."</p> - -<p>Terence almost reeled out into the street. The blow had temporarily -unnerved him. Not one thought did he give at the time to the fact -that Raeburn and he had been almost miraculously preserved from -sharing the fate of their gallant comrades: his whole mind was -centred on the appalling disaster.</p> - -<p>He mentally pictured the old ship ploughing along in that terrific -gale. A staunch vessel such as she was would have made light of the -climatic conditions. It was fairly safe to conclude that she had been -sunk either by a mine or a torpedo—and sunk so suddenly that there -had been no time to send out a wireless call for aid. The state of -the sea, he knew, would render it impossible to lower the boats even -had there been time. Out in the wild North Sea, miles from land, and -with no means of recording her end in the course of duty, the -"Strongbow" had vanished utterly.</p> - -<p>He thought of his comrades. The cool and collected Captain Ripponden; -Commander Ramshaw, one of the very best; Lymore, taciturn, yet a man -who set duty on a high pedestal; slow and deliberate McBride, and -more than a dozen others. All of them, tried comrades in stress and -storm, had given up their lives for their country. Only Raeburn and -he were left—and Raeburn incapacitated for further service afloat.</p> - -<p>Verily, the "price of Admiralty" is a huge one, but men will ever be -found ready to comply with its demands.</p> - -<br> -<a name="chapter27"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XXVII.</h3> - -<h4 align="center">"MEPHISTO" AND THE SUBMARINE.</h4> - -<p><span class="smallcaps">"Good</span> business! Now there's a chance of seeing life!" exclaimed -Lieutenant Aubyn.</p> - -<p>"I should have thought you have been seeing plenty of life already, -Terence," remarked his mother, with a faint tinge of reproachfulness, -"and death also," she added.</p> - -<p>"Ay, and death," agreed Terence. "Unfortunately, yes; but it's part -of the work. It was the future to which I was referring. Fancy, -mother, a real cruiser at last—not an armed merchantman, nor a -destroyer, although I'll admit I had a real good time in the -'Terrier'—but a modern cruiser."</p> - -<p>Terence's appointment had arrived in the form of an Admiralty -telegram, ordering him to join H.M.S. "Sunderland" as soon as -possible.</p> - -<p>H.M.S. "Sunderland" was a light cruiser of the "Town" Class, a vessel -of a little over 5000 tons displacement, and armed with eight 6-in. -guns, four 3-pounders, and two submerged 21-in. torpedo tubes. Her -speed was nominally 25 knots, but this rate had been considerably -exceeded when conditions called for her to do her level best.</p> - -<p>Accordingly, within four hours of receiving his appointment, Terence -bade his parent farewell and proceeded by rail to Devonport, where -the "Sunderland" was lying. It was nearly dark when he alighted at -Millbay station. Here he called a taxi and was whirled off to the -Dockyard, whence a picquet boat conveyed him to the cruiser, which -was lying at a buoy in the Hamoaze.</p> - -<p>"We're off under sealed orders at six o'clock tomorrow morning," -announced one of his new shipmates, a junior lieutenant, Teddy -Barracombe by name. "Of course, we are quite in the dark, but there's -a strong idea floating around that the ship's off to the Near East. -Just my mark! According to all accounts we'll be pretty busy in the -Dardanelles."</p> - -<p>"That's all very fine for you," commented Oswestry, the torpedo -lieutenant, "but where do I come in? We can't use torpedoes against -fortifications, you know, and there's precious little floating about -for us to go for."</p> - -<p>"Don't take on, Torps," said Barracombe cheerfully. "You never know -your luck. Wait and see."</p> - -<p>"I'd rather t'were the other way about," corrected Torps. "Seeing -your torpedo leave the tube and waiting for the enemy ship to be -blown up. No Dardanelles for me. So I hope to goodness it's the North -Sea. By Jove, I do!"</p> - -<p>As soon as the "Sunderland" was clear of the breakwater the momentous -orders were opened. It was not to the Near East; the cruiser had to -proceed to Dover and await further instructions.</p> - -<p>All the way up Channel a rigorous watch was maintained, for hostile -submarines had made their presence unpleasantly felt off Prawle -Point, the Bill of Portland, and south of the Royal Sovereign -Lightship. The cruiser pelted under forced draught, steering a -zig-zag course in order to baffle the carefully-planned calculations -of the lurking tigers of the deep, while the guns were manned and -trained abeam ready to be laid upon the first suspicious object -resembling a periscope.</p> - -<p>Being the first day of the month the ship's company was to be paid, -and soon after six bells final preparations for the solemn rite were -in progress.</p> - -<p>At a quarter to one two "G's"—the officers' call—sounded, and the -first hundred men, mustering by open list, assembled in the Port -Battery. On the quarter-deck tables were placed in position, on each -of which were teak trays divided into small compartments by brass -strips. In each of these divisions a man's monthly pay and allowance -money had already been placed and checked by the paymaster and his -staff.</p> - -<p>Owing to the conditions of war-time the captain was not present, his -duty of superintending the payment being taken by the commander. At -the tables stood the staff-paymaster, the R.N.R. assistant-paymaster, -and the chief writer.</p> - -<p>The staff-paymaster glanced at the commander, indicating that all was -in readiness. The commander gave the word to carry on, and the -disbursing of coin began.</p> - -<p>The assistant-paymaster called the men's names from a book. Each -seaman stepped briskly forward to the chalk line, removed his cap, -and, according to instructions, looked the accountant officer -squarely in the face and gave his name and rating. Then, receiving -his money in the crown of his cap, the recipient saluted and moved -away to make room for the next man.</p> - -<p>All was proceeding smoothly and with the regularity of clockwork when -suddenly a diversion occurred.</p> - -<p>The ship's company had a mascot in the shape of a young African -monkey, that had been presented to the "Sunderland" by a French -cruiser during a visit to an Algerian port. Although usually -good-tempered "Mephisto" could and did exhibit fits of sulkiness and -outbursts of insubordination that would have earned a lower deck man -ninety days' "confined to detention quarters." But the monkey being a -sort of chartered libertine, was idolized by the ship's company and -mildly tolerated by the officers.</p> - -<p>Mephisto was lazily sunning himself under the lee of the quarter-deck -6-in gun shield when his eye caught sight of the chief writer's -silver watch, which that petty officer had occasion to consult.</p> - -<p>Probably the monkey imagined that it was one of the tins of condensed -milk for which he had great partiality.</p> - -<p>Getting on his four feet Mephisto ambled across the quarter-deck, -past the line of men drawn up at attention. Before he could cross the -chalk line, a symbol for which he had no respect, the chief writer -had replaced his timepiece.</p> - -<p>Foiled in that direction the monkey made a grab at a pile of brand -new copper coins, and before any of the officers and men could -prevent, had made a rush for the weather-shrouds.</p> - -<p>"Stop him!" yelled the commander.</p> - -<p>A dozen men hastened to comply, jolting against each other in their -alacrity to pursue the animal, which with marvellous agility had -gained the extremity of the signal yard-arm.</p> - -<p>Here he perched, hanging on with his hind paws while he tasted each -coin with his teeth—at first with an expression of hopefulness upon -his features that rapidly changed into one of profound disgust.</p> - -<p>Holding the rest of the coins against his chest Mephisto hurled one -on to the sacred precincts of the quarter-deck. It landed in one of -the compartments of the pay-table, displacing a sovereign, that -rolled between the staff-paymaster and the assistant-paymaster.</p> - -<p>Both officers simultaneously stooped to recover the errant piece of -gold. The result was that their heads met with a thud in spite of the -protection afforded by their peaked caps.</p> - -<p>Several of the men could not conceal a grin. One broke into a laugh, -and meeting the stern glance of the commander tried to side-track -into a painful cough.</p> - -<p>Fortunately for the culprit the commander was inwardly affected by a -similar complaint, for he, too, saw the humour of the business.</p> - -<p>"Confound you!" shouted the staff-paymaster, removing his cap and -rubbing his bald head. "Confound you, you brute! Throwing away the -money from the public chest!"</p> - -<p>The only reply from Mephisto was another penny that, thrown with -splendid aim, rebounded from the staff-paymaster's shiny pate.</p> - -<p>"The ship's company will have to make up the loss," he muttered. -"They're responsible for their confounded pet."</p> - -<p>"But you're responsible for the money, Staggles," remarked the -commander drily. "At any rate, Mephisto is paying you back by -instalments."</p> - -<p>It wanted all the self-control at their command to keep the lookout -men's attention from the comic scene to a duty of a serious nature, -while the gun's crews temporarily forgot their duties to watch the -encounter between the mascot and the staff-paymaster.</p> - -<p>"Catch it—oh, you rotten butterfingers!" groaned the accountant -officer to the assistant-paymaster, who, missing a coin thrown by the -animal, allowed the sum of one penny to be committed to the deep. -"Here, ship's steward, nip below and open a tin of condensed. That -may tempt the brute below."</p> - -<p>"You're condoning an offence, Staggles," said the commander in an -undertone, with a humorous gleam in his eye.</p> - -<p>Another coin tinkled on the deck. The commander promptly placed his -foot on it to check its career towards the side.</p> - -<p>"Where did that go?" asked the staff-paymaster, who, curiously -enough, had a miserly regard for any money except his own, which he -spent liberally.</p> - -<p>The commander shifted his foot and pointed to the retrieved coin; as -he did so, another penny, hurtling through the air, hit him smartly -on his bent neck and promptly slithered inside his collar and down -his back.</p> - -<p>Unfortunately the commander was a man of a most ticklish temperament. -The contact of the metal disc with his back caused him to writhe like -a lost soul in torment. He had recently unflinchingly faced death in -a hotly-contested engagement in the North Sea, but this rear attack -completely unnerved him. His grotesque efforts to capture the elusive -coin was too much for the rest of the officers and men. They were -unable to conceal their amusement. Finally the commander dived down -below and divested himself of his uniform.</p> - -<p>Just then the ship's steward appeared with the tin of condensed milk, -and handed the unopened can to a seaman. Away aloft the man made his -way till he gained the cross-trees. Owing to the "Sunderland" -altering her course she was swinging considerably to starboard, and -the motion made the man advance cautiously, his feet sliding along -the foot-ropes while he held on grimly with his free hand to the -spar.</p> - -<p>Mephisto eyed the approaching delicacy with marked approval. Letting -the remaining coins drop, some of which tinkled on deck although most -of them fell overboard, he whisked along the yard-arm, and before the -seaman realized the brute's intention, snatched the can from his -grasp.</p> - -<p>A snarl warned the bluejacket that if he advanced it would be at his -peril, and unwilling to risk an encounter with an agile monkey on the -swaying yard, he followed the precept of discretion being the better -part of valour, and regained the deck, leaving the spoils in the -hands of the elated ape.</p> - -<p>Presently the monkey had another disappointment. The intact tin -baffled him. He tried his teeth upon it—but unavailingly, so he -began to batter it upon the metal eye of a band encircling the spar.</p> - -<p>"There'll be an unholy mess, by Jove!" ejaculated the commander, who -had now reappeared upon the scene, for the tin showed signs of -capitulating to the strenuous frontal attacks on the part of -Mephisto.</p> - -<p>"Bring up another tin—and take care to open it this time," ordered -the staff-paymaster recklessly, who had now taken the precaution of -covering the pay-tables with a green baize cloth.</p> - -<p>"Bang, bang, bang!" went the tin under the muscular efforts of -Mephisto. Already large drops of the viscous fluid were descending -upon the hallowed quarter-deck, bespattering officers and men -indiscriminately, for owing to the ship's speed a strong current of -air was drifting aft and spraying the stuff far and wide.</p> - -<p>"Clear the quarter-deck," ordered the commander. "Up aloft a couple -of hands and collar the brute. By Jove! if it gives much more -trouble, I'll have it shot."</p> - -<p>Suddenly, above the scuffling of feet as the men doubled for'ard, -came the shout: "Submarine on the port quarter."</p> - -<p>Sharply the bugle sounded "Action," and as the "Sunderland" began to -circle to starboard in answer to a quick movement of her helm, the -quick-firers began to bark at a pole-like object four hundred yards -off.</p> - -<p>The unexpected detonation, as a gun was discharged fifty feet under -his nose, completed Mephisto's brief spell of unalloyed liberty. -Temporarily stunned by the terrific concussion the monkey relaxed his -grip and fell.</p> - -<p>Just at that moment the staff-paymaster, who was scurrying below with -one of the pay-trays, happened to be passing in the direct line of -Mephisto's descent. The next instant the portly officer was rolling -on the deck in a puddle of condensed milk with the monkey's paws -clutching at his scanty crop of hair, while to complete the -staff-paymaster's discomfiture most of the money he was carrying -rolled overboard.</p> - -<p>Regaining his feet Staff-paymaster Staggles contrived to reach the -companion, and with Mephisto still firmly attached to him, -disappeared below.</p> - -<p>But the men's attention was now directed towards more serious -matters. An ever-diverging line that rippled the placid water denoted -the approach of a deadly torpedo. Now it was heading as if about to -hit the bows of the "Sunderland," a second later and the arrow-like -ripples seemed to be approaching directly abeam; then, as the cruiser -swung almost on her heel the wake of the formidable missile was -merged into the churning froth astern. It had missed by a bare yard.</p> - -<p>From the fire-control platform telephone bells were clanging and men -shouting through the voice-tubes. From their elevated position the -watchers could discern a long, dark shadow that marked the position -of the submarine.</p> - -<p>Completely circling the "Sunderland" was steadied on her helm and -steered straight for the spot. In vain the submerged craft attempted -to dive to a depth greater than that of her enemy's draught.</p> - -<p>Terence, who was stationed on the after-bridge, felt a faint shock as -the five thousand tons vessel literally cut the luckless submarine in -twain. For a brief instant the lieutenant caught sight of the -after-portion of the "U" boat, as, rendered buoyant by the trapped -air, it drifted past. Then amidst a smother of foam and oil the -wreckage vanished.</p> - -<p>"The eleventh to my certain knowledge," remarked the commander, as -coolly as if he were reckoning up the score at an athletic meeting.</p> - -<p>"Any damage for'ard, Mr. Black?"</p> - -<p>"No, sir; all as tight as a bottle as far as I can see," replied the -carpenter, who immediately after the impact had hurried below to see -if any plates had been "started."</p> - -<p>A little later in the afternoon several of the ward-room officers -were enjoying their cups of tea and biscuits, when the -staff-paymaster entered.</p> - -<p>"Well, Staggles, what's the shortage?" asked the commander -facetiously.</p> - -<p>The accountant officer eyed his tormentor reproachfully, as if that -officer were responsible for his former discomfiture.</p> - -<p>"One pound three shillings and threepence—and two tins of condensed -milk," he announced stiffly. "According to paragraph 445 of the -Admiralty Instructions there will have to be two separate reports on -the shortage."</p> - -<p>The staff-paymaster spoke seriously. The man was heart and soul in -his work, and his mental horizon was bounded by official forms and -other red-tapeism connected with the accountant branch of H.M. -Service.</p> - -<p>"By the by," interposed Oswestry, "Staggles ought to be recommended -for the V.C."</p> - -<p>"What's that, Torps?" asked Barracombe. "Our staff-paymaster the -V.C.?"</p> - -<p>"What for?" inquired the staff-paymaster innocently.</p> - -<p>The commander entrenched himself behind a double number of an -illustrated periodical.</p> - -<p>"For bringing Mephisto in out of action," he replied with a chuckle.</p> - -<br> -<a name="chapter28"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XXVIII.</h3> - -<h4 align="center">THE FOILED AIR RAID.</h4> - -<p><span class="smallcaps">Late</span> that evening the "Sunderland" brought up in the Admiralty -Harbour at Dover, in company with three other light cruisers, two -monitors, and a flotilla of destroyers. All night long the men slept -at their guns, while the cruiser's searchlights aided those of the -forts both ashore and on the breakwater in sweeping the approach to -the sheltered harbour.</p> - -<p>"Nothing to report," announced Barracombe, as Aubyn relieved him as -officer of the watch. "A jolly fine night. I shouldn't wonder if we -were favoured by a visit from a Zeppelin or two."</p> - -<p>"A pretty jamb in the harbour," said Terence, giving a quick glance -at the maze of vessels. "Fortunately, I hear, we've several seaplanes -at our disposal."</p> - -<p>Barracombe wished his relief good-night and descended the ladder to -retire to the seclusion of his cabin and sleep the sleep of -exhaustion, for he had had a strenuous time before the cruiser left -Devonport.</p> - -<p>During the first hour nothing unusual occurred. The midshipman of the -watch reported "Rounds all correct, sir," to which Aubyn replied with -the stereotyped "Very good." Across the harbour came the faint hail -of the Night Guard as the picquet boat studiously visited every -vessel within the limits of the breakwater.</p> - -<p>The masthead light of the flagship began to blink. A signalman on the -"Sunderland's" bridge snatched up a slate.</p> - -<p>"General call, sir," he announced.</p> - -<p>Deftly the man took down the message, then hurried to the chart-room -to decipher the code.</p> - -<p>"Submarine E27 reports three hostile aeroplanes passing S.W. by W. -Position eleven miles N.N.E. of North Goodwin."</p> - -<p>The warning was a brief one, for hardly had the ship's company been -called to their action stations when a faint buzzing, immediately -becoming louder and louder, announced that the raiders were -approaching the town and harbour of Dover.</p> - -<p>Searchlights flashed skywards, while from beneath the old castle on -the lofty chalk cliffs half a dozen intrepid British airmen ascended -to meet the foe. Already the anti-aerial guns were stabbing the -darkness with lurid spurts of flame, while their shells, bursting -perilously close to the hostile aeroplanes, caused the calculating -Teutons to think better of the attempt.</p> - -<p>It was an easy matter to steal over an unfortified town or village -and drop explosives; but for once the Germans were to learn the -wisdom of discrimination. Higher and higher they banked, until -catching a glimpse of the British seaplanes as they passed through -the path of one of the searchlights they precipitately turned tail.</p> - -<p>"'Sunderland' and destroyer flotilla to proceed in support of -seaplanes," came the signal.</p> - -<p>Hastily the pins of the mooring shackle were knocked out. Steam was -already raised, and in a very few minutes the light cruiser and her -attendant destroyers were slipping between the heads of the detached -breakwater and the Admiralty Pier.</p> - -<p>But swift as were the light cruisers the seaplanes were quicker. -Already they were five or six miles out to sea, their position being -revealed by the flashes of the light guns as they exchanged shots -with the fugitive Taubes.</p> - -<p>Suddenly with a dazzling flash a bomb exploded hardly twenty feet -from the "Sunderland's" starboard quarter. Five seconds later another -struck the water almost under the cruiser's bows, and a waft of -evil-smelling gas drifted across the navigation bridge, causing -officers and men to cough and gasp for breath.</p> - -<p>The captain tried to give an order, but was unable to utter a sound. -Mutely he signed for the helm to be put hard over.</p> - -<p>Terence understood. Literally groping his way through the thick -vapour, that even in the darkness showed an unmistakable greenish -hue, he found the quartermaster, who was clutching his throat and -struggling for breath.</p> - -<p>Pushing the man aside Aubyn rapidly revolved the steam steering-gear. -Obediently the cruiser swung round, narrowly escaping a high -explosive missile that, had she maintained her course, would have -played havoc with her fo'c'sle.</p> - -<p>All around the "Sunderland" the destroyers were dodging hither and -thither in order to attempt to avoid the hail of bombs that rained -from the sky. It was little short of a miracle that collisions did -not take place, for owing to the darkness, the suffocating fumes from -the missiles, and to the fact that most of the helmsmen were -temporarily blinded and choked, all attempt at formation was out of -the question.</p> - -<p>From the after-bridge of the cruiser a searchlight flashed skywards. -For a few seconds even its powerful rays failed to penetrate the pall -of smoke, till an eddying gust freed the "Sunderland" from the -noxious fumes.</p> - -<p>Then the source of the mysterious missiles was revealed. At a height -of over two thousand feet were a couple of Zeppelins. Taking -advantage of the fact that the attention of the British seaplanes and -destroyers was centred on the fugitive Taubes, these giant airships, -by reason of their altitude, were able to manoeuvre immediately above -the flotilla.</p> - -<p>It was an opportunity too good to be missed, for although the -objective of the Zeppelins was a raid on London—they having decided -upon a circuitous course over Kent and Sussex borders in order to -avoid the air-stations at the Isle of Grain—the chance of raining a -shower of bombs upon the British cruiser and her attendant destroyers -was too tempting.</p> - -<p>For once, at least, the German Admiralty had not been kept well -posted as to the details of armament of the cruisers of the "Town -Class," for the "Sunderland" and her consorts had recently been -equipped with a couple of 12-pounder anti-aircraft guns. These -weapons fired a shell of unique character. Somewhat resembling a -shrapnel, the missile was packed with short lengths of chain and -charged with a high explosive.</p> - -<p>Almost as soon as the Zeppelins were discovered both guns barked -venomously. From the point of view of the observers on the -"Sunderland's" bridge the shells appeared to burst close to the frail -targets. Both airships were observed to pitch violently, while one, -with her nose tilted downwards, began to descend.</p> - -<p>"She's done for!" exclaimed Terence.</p> - -<p>A round of cheering burst from the throats of the crew. It seemed as -if nothing could arrest the seaward plunge of one of the Kaiser's -gas-bags. Not only had her bow compartments been holed but the -nacelle containing the propelling machinery was completely wrecked.</p> - -<p>Both Zeppelins began to throw out ballast with frantic haste. They -also released the whole of their remaining supply of bombs, which -fell with a rapid series of deafening detonations more than half a -mile from the nearest destroyer.</p> - -<p>With the release of the ballast the undamaged Zeppelin shot skywards -until her altitude was not less than ten thousand feet. Comparatively -safe for the time being from the effect of the anti-aircraft shells, -she floated, a mere speck in the concentrated yet diminished glare of -a dozen searchlights, and awaited events.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, the damaged Zeppelin had checked her plunge, and, in spite -of a hot fire, was slowly rising. By dint of strenuous efforts her -crew succeeded in shifting aft the travelling weight that served to -trim the unwieldy craft. Even then her longitudinal axis was sharply -inclined to the horizontal.</p> - -<p>Everything that could be jettisoned was thrown overboard. Guns, -ammunition, stores, and the metal framework of the wrecked car were -sacrificed, till without being hit by the British guns, she rose to a -terrific height.</p> - -<p>"We've lost her!" exclaimed Oswestry savagely.</p> - -<p>"One thing, she won't trouble us again," added the commander. "And -I'm not so certain that she will get clear. We've wirelessed the -seaplanes, and they'll have a chip in. Hullo! What's the game now?"</p> - -<p>A searchlight flashed from the undamaged Zeppelin and played in -ever-widening circles until it picked up her damaged consort. The -latter was consequently more plainly discernible to the crew of the -"Sunderland" than it had hitherto been, since the distance between -the two airships was less than a thousand yards and was visibly -decreasing.</p> - -<p>"They're going to take her in tow, by Jove!" ejaculated Aubyn, who -had brought his binoculars to play upon the scene.</p> - -<p>Oswestry gave a snort that implied disbelief in his brother-officer's -assertion, but presently he exclaimed:—</p> - -<p>"Well, blest if you aren't right, old man. And a deuced smart move," -he added, with a true sailor's admiration for a smart manoeuvre, -whether executed by friend or foe.</p> - -<p>"What a chance for our seaplanes!" said the torpedo lieutenant. -"They ought to have been on the spot before this."</p> - -<p>"They're on the way all right, Torps," declared the commander. "I -wouldn't mind betting a month's pay that they've spotted their -quarry. By Jove, they've established communication!"</p> - -<p>The undamaged Zeppelin had circled round her consort and was now -forging gently ahead. An upward jerk of the other's bows announced -that the strain on the towing hawser was beginning to be felt. -Gradually the hitherto uncontrollable airship began to gather way, -both vessels rolling sluggishly in the light air-currents.</p> - -<p>The aerial searchlight had now been switched off, but by means of the -rays directed from the British ships the progress of the two -Zeppelins could be followed as their huge shapes, showing ghost-like -in the silvery light, moved slowly in a north-easterly direction.</p> - -<p>Having resumed their respective stations the cruiser and the -destroyer flotilla followed. Owing to the greatly reduced speed of -the hostile aircraft it was an easy matter to maintain a fixed -relative distance between them and the British vessels, whose -attention was divided between the prospect of an aerial meeting with -seaplanes and the risk of being intercepted by the torpedo of a -German submarine, to say nothing of floating mines.</p> - -<p>"She's cast off!" shouted a dozen voices.</p> - -<p>Such was the case. The two Zeppelins had parted company, one flying -off at a terrific speed, rising rapidly as she did so, while the -other, being without means of propulsion, drifted at the mercy of the -winds.</p> - -<p>It was now dawn. The grey light of morning was already overcoming the -strength of the searchlights and it was already possible to discern -the outlines of the abandoned Zeppelin by the natural light of day.</p> - -<p>Pelting up from the eastward came the air squadron of seaplanes. Half -a dozen circled and started off in pursuit of the fugitive airship, -which, travelling at high speed, was now but a faint speck against -the ruddy sky.</p> - -<p>The rest advanced boldly upon the disabled Zeppelin, although -ignorant of the fact that she had jettisoned her guns, and, save for -a few rifles, was without means of defence.</p> - -<p>The seaplanes' automatic guns spat viciously, and as the range -decreased almost every shot began to tell. The huge fabric once more -began to drop, as the small projectile ripped through the flimsy -aluminium envelope.</p> - -<p>Presently the seaplanes ceased firing and circled triumphantly over -their vanquished foe. They knew that the Zeppelin was doomed, and -instincts of humanity forbade them to take undue advantage of the -plight of her crew.</p> - -<p>"Away, boats!" ordered the "Sunderland's" captain.</p> - -<p>Instantly there was a rush to man the boats and to stand by the -falls. With an alacrity that was part of his nature, Jack Tar -prepared to rescue his enemy, in spite of the fact that that enemy -had sallied forth with the deliberate intention of hurling bombs with -the utmost indiscrimination upon combatants and non-combatants alike, -not excepting helpless women and children.</p> - -<p>Before the boats could be lowered a lurid blaze of light rolled out, -rivalling the rays of the rising sun. Where the Zeppelin had been -only a cloud of flame-tinged smoke remained, while from the -mushroomed pall of vapour that marked a funereal pyre of yet another -unit of the Kaiser's air-fleet, scorched and twisted girders and -other débris streamed seawards.</p> - -<p>Whether by accident or design the only remaining petrol tank had -exploded, and the flames instantly igniting the huge volume of -hydrogen had in the twinkling of an eye completed the work of -destruction.</p> - -<p>For ten minutes the destroyers cruised over the spot where the -débris had disappeared, but there were no signs of survivors, not -even of wreckage. The remains of the Zeppelin had been swallowed up -by the insatiable sea, and no visible trophy remained in the hands of -the men who had baulked an attempted raid on the largest city of the -world.</p> - -<p>Before the flotilla regained Dover Harbour the remaining seaplanes -came in sight. Unfortunately their efforts at pursuit were futile. -The Zeppelin developing a turn of speed far in excess of which she -had been credited by her detractors, had shaken off the British -aircraft, and when last seen she was high over the Belgian coast.</p> - -<p>Nevertheless, her wings had been clipped, although she survived to -tell the tale that the hated English were still able vigorously and -successfully to dispute the mastery of the air.</p> - -<br> -<a name="chapter29"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XXIX.</h3> - -<h4 align="center">"LIEUTENANT AUBYN, R.N., D.S.O."</h4> - -<p><span class="smallcaps">On</span> the evening following the return of the "Sunderland" to Dover, -Terence obtained leave to go ashore in order to visit a -brother-officer who, owing to his ship being under repairs, was -temporarily installed in the Lord Warden Hotel.</p> - -<p>Aubyn was proceeding along the Admiralty Pier when his progress was -barred by a tall, bronzed young fellow in the uniform of a -flight-lieutenant of the Naval Air Service.</p> - -<p>"Hullo, Aubyn, old man!" exclaimed the latter cordially, as he -extended his hand. "Forgotten me already?"</p> - -<p>"Waynsford, by Jove!" ejaculated Terence. "Bless you, Dick, I never -expected to see you here and in this rig. What has happened?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, I chucked the Motor Boat Reserve," declared Waynsford. "It was a -bit too dull. They sent me to Southampton, and that was the limit. A -superannuated postman could have done my job, which was delivering -letters to transports. So I applied for the Naval Air Service. It's -more in my line."</p> - -<p>"Been across yet?" asked Terence, indicating the twenty odd mile -strip of water that separated Great Britain from the scene of land -hostilities.</p> - -<p>"Dunkirk twice," replied Waynsford. "Was there when the Germans -started shelling the place. But we're off again early to-morrow -morning."</p> - -<p>"Yes, I heard," said Aubyn. "Big operations. We are to engage the -Zeebrugge and Ostend batteries while the Allied airmen play with the -German lines of communication. So I may see something of you."</p> - -<p>"I hope so—after the fun is over," replied the young airman. "Well, -I must be moving. Early hours and a good night's rest are essential -to this sort of work."</p> - -<p>The two friends parted, Terence making for the hotel, while Waynsford -walked off in the direction of the castle, in which the airmen -detailed for the great raid were temporarily quartered.</p> - -<p>Precisely at one hour before sunrise the first British waterplane -rose from the surface of Dover Harbour. Almost simultaneously an Army -aeroplane "kicked off" from the sloping ground beyond the chalk -cliffs. Each was followed at regular intervals, until a double row of -swift air-craft flying with methodical precision headed towards the -Flanders shore.</p> - -<p>Already the "Sunderland" and three other light cruisers, accompanied -by a torpedo-boat destroyer flotilla, were shaping a course for the -Belgian coast.</p> - -<p>Off the East Goodwins they were joined by two monitors and three -pre-Dreadnought battleships, and the battle line was formed. Away -steamed the destroyers to act as screens to the heavier vessels, and -to guard them from submarine attack. The monitors led the main -division, the cruisers acting as links between them and the -battleships, which, owing to their greater draught, could not -approach the coast nearer than a distance of from four to seven -miles.</p> - -<p>From Aubyn's point of view the forthcoming operations were entirely -new. For the first time in his experience he was to take part in an -action between ships and shore batteries, the latter being both fixed -and mobile. It was a comparatively easy matter to plant shells into -forts the position of which were known, but the Germans had brought -up heavy guns mounted on travelling platforms, which could be moved -with considerable celerity behind the long, low-lying sand dunes -between Nieuport and Zeebrugge.</p> - -<p>It was partly to locate the latter that the airmen had preceded the -bombarding ships, and also to harass the enemy's lines of -communication. Moreover, hostile submarines were reported to have -been brought in sections to Zeebrugge, where they were being bolted -together ready to take the offensive against the British vessels -operating off the Belgian coast.</p> - -<p>The "Sunderland," like her consorts, was already cleared for action. -All the crew were behind the protected portions of the ship, but the -captain and seven of the officers elected to fight the ship not from -the armoured conning-tower but from the fore-bridge.</p> - -<p>"By Jove! They're at it already," exclaimed Oswestry, as a series of -rapid detonations came from across the dunes.</p> - -<p>By the aid of their glasses the officers could discern the fleecy -mushrooms of smoke caused by the bursting of the anti-aerial guns -directed against the British airmen. Viewed from a distance it seemed -impossible that a frail aeroplane could exist amid that tornado of -shell.</p> - -<p>"Wireless reports mobile battery three hundred yards sou'-sou'-east -of Clemskercke church, sir," reported a signalman.</p> - -<p>Promptly the news was transmitted to the fire-control platform. In -his lofty perch a gunnery-lieutenant was busy with a complication of -instruments, assisted by a midshipman and three seamen.</p> - -<p>"Fire-control to for'ard 6-inch gun: stand by!" came the telephonic -order. "Fire-control to port battery stand by."</p> - -<p>Round swung the guns, "laid" by the master hand of the -gunnery-lieutenant on the fire-control platform. Docilely obedient to -the delicate mechanism they reared their muzzles high in the air.</p> - -<p>Then, with a crash that shook the ship, five of the 6-inch guns spoke -simultaneously. To the accompaniment of a long-drawn shriek the -100-pound missiles hurtled through space.</p> - -<p>"Eighty yards short," came the wireless report of the observing -seaplane that, hovering a bare five hundred feet above the German -mobile battery, had marked the point of impact of the shells.</p> - -<p>Again a salvo was let loose. This time came the encouraging statement -that the hostile guns were knocked clean out of action, and that -swarms of artillerymen and infantry were scurrying across the dunes.</p> - -<p>The next discharge practically annihilated the fugitives. In one -minute and twenty-five seconds the "Sunderland's" particular task was -accomplished. It was but the beginning, for acting upon orders from -the flagship she was ordered to engage a battery at close range.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, the rest of the battleships and cruisers had not been -idle. A perfect tornado of shell was being directed upon the Belgian -shore.</p> - -<p>"Hard aport!" shouted the captain of the "Sunderland."</p> - -<p>Round swung the cruiser, only just avoiding the tell-tale line of -bubbles that marked the track of a torpedo. With consummate daring a -German submarine had dived under a part of the torpedo-boat destroyer -flotilla, and had discharged a weapon at the British cruiser. The -torpedo, having missed the "Sunderland," was tearing straight for one -of the monitors, which, having to go full speed astern to avoid a -collision with a couple of damaged destroyers, was now practically -stationary.</p> - -<p>Owing to the light draught the weapon passed six feet beneath her -keel, and finishing its run rose to the surface three hundred yards -beyond; for, instead of the torpedo sinking at the end of its course, -the Germans, in direct contravention of the laws of naval warfare, -had closed the sinking valve so that the torpedo virtually became a -floating mine.</p> - -<p>In this instance the trick did not avail, for a well-directed shot -from one of the monitor's quick-firers exploded the war-head and sent -the missile into a thousand fragments.</p> - -<p>"A feeble reply," observed Oswestry to Terence. "These fellows seem -afraid to stand to their guns."</p> - -<p>Even as he spoke the air was torn by a terrific salvo of shells from -powerful batteries hitherto well concealed in the dunes. The -"Sunderland," being fairly close, seemed the special mark, for in six -seconds she received as many direct hits. One of her funnels showed a -jagged gash ten feet in length and was only prevented from toppling -overboard by the steel-wire guys. A three-pounder gun, that -fortunately was not manned, was blown completely from its mountings, -while the rest of the shells passed clean through the unprotected -parts of the ship, totally wrecking the ward-room and the stokers' -mess-deck.</p> - -<p>Terence felt a strong desire to make a hasty rush for the shelter of -the conning-tower, for splinters were flying and wafts of pungent -smoke from the hostile shells were drifting over the bridge, but the -sight of his captain standing cool and collected and without a -vestige of protection tended to restore his confidence.</p> - -<p>With unabated fury her guns replied to the German fire. The -"Sunderland" proved that she could receive as well as give hard -knocks.</p> - -<p>It was time to give the almost overheated starboard guns a chance to -cool, so orders were given for the helm to be starboarded. Seeing the -cruiser in the act of turning, a destroyer tore across her bows, -purposely throwing out huge volumes of black smoke from her four -funnels in order to mask the "Sunderland" as she circled.</p> - -<p>Terence recognized the destroyer as his old ship the "Livingstone," -as she darted swiftly round the turning cruiser, then, leaving a -thick pall of smoke in her wake, hastened off to assist another -destroyer that was evidently in difficulties.</p> - -<p>The "Livingstone's" manoeuvre undoubtedly saved the "Sunderland" from -destruction, for a fifty-two centimetre shell, aimed to hit the exact -position where the cruiser would have been had she not altered -course, struck the water with a tremendous splash not fifty yards on -her beam.</p> - -<p>Before the "Sunderland" had drawn clear of the friendly cloud of -smoke she had increased her distance from shore by nearly five -cables' lengths; while, until the German gunners had found the range -anew, she was able to enjoy a brief respite.</p> - -<p>"Seaplanes returning," announced the gunnery-lieutenant on the -fire-control platform, who from his elevated post could command a -wide and almost uninterrupted view.</p> - -<p>Their task done, the seaplanes, which had been engaged in dropping -bombs on the railway stations in the rear of the German batteries, -were on their homeward way. Anxiously Terence counted them. Thank -heaven! Not one was missing.</p> - -<p>Apparently the last but one of the aerial procession was in -difficulties, for the seaplane was rocking violently, and in spite of -a dangerous tilt of the elevating planes was appreciably descending.</p> - -<p>Suddenly the frail craft plunged, literally on end, towards the sea, -the force of gravity, acting with the pull of the propeller, greatly -increasing its velocity.</p> - -<p>When within two hundred feet of the surface the seaplane made a -complete loop, then after climbing a hundred feet or so, began to -side-slip.</p> - -<p>"By Jove! He'll be drowned for a dead cert," exclaimed Terence, for -he knew for a fact that the aviator had not been thrown from the -chassis when the seaplane "looped the loop," and in consequence must -be strapped to his seat.</p> - -<p>"Away sea-boat," ordered the captain, at the same time giving -directions for both engines to be reversed.</p> - -<p>The "Sunderland" was considerably the nearest warship to the -descending airman. Already the "Livingstone" and her two sister-ship -destroyers were a mile or so away, and wearing at full speed to -investigate a suspicious swirl in the water.</p> - -<p>Shells were again dropping unpleasantly near to the cruiser as Aubyn -hurried towards the boat which was, owing to being cleared for -action, secured inboard, abreast the after funnel.</p> - -<p>Before he reached this spot the seaplane had struck the surface of -the water. Falling obliquely and at a sharp angle, the impact had -shattered one of the floats. When the cascade of spray had subsided -the wrecked craft could be seen still afloat but listing acutely. The -aviator had survived the shock and was hurriedly unbuckling the strap -that held him to his seat.</p> - -<p>"Boat's done for, sir," announced one of the would-be crew. Such was -the case. The explosion of a shell had wrenched her keel and -garboards out of her.</p> - -<p>"Then overboard with that!" ordered Terence, indicating a Carley -life-buoy, which, though scorched by the blast of the shells, was -still practically intact.</p> - -<p>The Carley life-buoy is a "new departure" in life-saving appliances -on board ships of the Royal Navy. It is a glorified edition of an -ordinary buoy, but elongated in shape and provided with gratings, and -capable of being propelled by oars.</p> - -<p>Half a dozen bluejackets seized the huge buoy and slung it overboard. -Held by means of a line it floated alongside the cruiser until -Terence and three men clambered into it.</p> - -<p>Although the rate of propulsion was not by any means so rapid as that -of a boat the progress of the rescuers was far from slow. More than -once they were splashed by the spray thrown up by a ricochetting -projectile, as the German gunlayers were gradually correcting their -aim, yet unscathed the rescue party came alongside the gradually -sinking seaplane.</p> - -<p>"Hullo, Aubyn!" shouted a well-known voice.</p> - -<p>The airman was Waynsford. In his pneumatic helmet and huge goggles he -was unrecognizable, but his voice proclaimed his identity.</p> - -<p>"Hurt, old man?" asked Terence.</p> - -<p>"Not a bit," replied Waynsford coolly. "They clipped a couple of -stays just as I was getting out of range. But we did the trick, by -Jove! Blew the railway station to Jericho."</p> - -<p>"Hurry up," interposed Terence. "She's going."</p> - -<p>The young airman methodically gathered together several important -instruments, and giving a final look round at the aircraft that had -served him so faithfully, stepped into the waiting "Carley."</p> - -<p>Before the men had pulled five yards the wrecked machine gave a lurch -and capsized completely. Supported by trapped air in the partially -intact float the seaplane sank slowly, and with hardly a ripple -disappeared from view.</p> - -<p>With the least possible delay rescuers and rescued were taken on -board the cruiser. Gathering way the "Sunderland" steamed in a -westerly direction in order to baffle the range of the shore -batteries, using her after guns with terrific speed.</p> - -<p>Somewhat unceremoniously leaving his friend Terence hastened towards -the bridge. Just as he was abreast of the wreckage of the shattered -funnel a deafening detonation, that completely surpassed the roar of -the cruiser's guns, seemed to burst over his head. Staggering under -the blast of the explosion and temporarily blinded by the pungent -smoke, the lieutenant groped his way until his progress was checked -by a jagged mass of plating rendered almost red-hot by the impact of -a huge shell.</p> - -<p>Recoiling, he stood stock still for quite thirty seconds, his senses -numbed by the nerve-racking concussion. Then, as the smoke drifted -away, he could discern the débris of the bridge. Charthouse, -stanchions, semaphore, signal-lockers—all had vanished, and with -them the captain and those of the officers and men who had dared fate -by rejecting the shelter afforded by the conning-tower, which, -stripped of its surroundings, stood out a gaunt, fire-pitted steel -box.</p> - -<p>The shell, a 42-centimetre, had literally cleared the forepart of the -ship, from the for'ard 6-inch gun to the second funnel. Everything in -its path had been literally pulverized, with the exception of the -conning-tower. Had the projectile burst on or below the main deck the -fate of the "Sunderland" would have been sealed; as it was, she was -still intact under the waterline.</p> - -<p>Instinctively Aubyn realized that the ship was not under control. -Steaming rapidly she was heading towards the "Bradford"—her sister -ship—which was steering in a north-easterly direction at about five -cables' distance on her port bow.</p> - -<p>With a tremendous effort of will-power Terence cleared at a bound the -formidable glowing plate of metal that obstructed his path. Making -his way across the scorched and splintered planks, some of which gave -under his weight, he reached the entrance to the conning-tower.</p> - -<p>The steel citadel was full of acrid-smelling smoke that eddied in the -air-currents which drifted in through the observation slits.</p> - -<p>Bending, and holding his left hand over his mouth and nostrils, -Terence entered. As he did so he stumbled over the body of the -quartermaster.</p> - -<p>Propped against the circular walls were the first lieutenant and two -seamen. All the occupants of the conning-tower had been overcome by -the noxious fumes from the highly-charged projectile.</p> - -<p>Gasping for fresh air Terence flung himself upon the steam-steering -gear and put the helm hard over. A glimpse through one of the slits -revealed the fact that the cruiser was answering to her helm. Yet so -narrowly had a collision been averted that the "Sunderland's" -starboard side was within twenty feet of the "Bradford's" port -quarter as the two vessels swung apart.</p> - -<p>The guns were now silent, for with the destruction of the foremast -the fire-control platform and its occupants had been swept out of -existence. The cruiser was temporarily out of action.</p> - -<p>Terence was beginning to feel dizzy and faint. Why, he knew not. -Perhaps it was the pungent fumes. Leaning over the mouthpiece of the -speaking tube he ordered a couple of quartermasters to be sent to the -conning-tower. He could hardly recognize the sound of his own voice. -It seemed miles away.</p> - -<p>Again he looked ahead. The cruiser was still drawing further and -further out of range. Having satisfied himself on that score and that -there was no fresh danger of colliding with any of the rest of the -fleet, he staggered into the open air and leaned heavily against the -outer wall of the conning-tower, He was barely conscious that the -metal was still hot.</p> - -<p>Up came the quartermasters. At their heels was a sub-lieutenant, his -face grimed with smoke and his uniform torn.</p> - -<p>"Take over, Garboard," ordered the lieutenant brokenly. "Report to -the flagship and ask instructions. I'm feeling deucedly queer."</p> - -<p>"Why, you're wounded!" exclaimed the sub-lieutenant, noticing a dark -and increasing patch upon Aubyn's coat.</p> - -<p>"Am I?" asked Terence incredulously.</p> - -<p>Turning his head to ascertain the nature of his injury, of which -hitherto he was unconscious, his shoulder slipped along the curved -steel wall. Garboard was only just in time to save him from -collapsing inertly upon the deck of the ship he had brought safely -out of action.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<p>"Congratulations, old man. You'll have to get your tailor to make -some alteration in your uniform."</p> - -<p>"What do you mean?" asked Terence.</p> - -<p>Two months had elapsed since the day on which Lieutenant Aubyn had -received a dangerous wound in his right side in the fight off Ostend.</p> - -<p>He was sitting in the grounds of the Royal Naval Hospital at Chatham, -having made a fairly rapid recovery.</p> - -<p>The officer who offered his congratulations was Oswestry, the -torpedo-lieutenant of the "Sunderland," who was also a convalescent, -having managed to intercept a flying fragment of metal during the -momentous engagement.</p> - -<p>"Torps" flourished a newspaper with his left hand, for his right arm -was in a sling.</p> - -<p>"Stop press—Latest news and appointments," he read. "The Admiralty -has approved of the following transfer. From R.N.R. to R.N.: -Lieutenant Terence Aubyn, to date 3rd of June, 1915."</p> - -<p>For a moment Terence looked incredulously at the torpedo-lieutenant. -"Torps," he knew, was fond of a practical joke, but if he were -playing a prank it was carrying the game a little too far.</p> - -<p>"Here you are," continued Oswestry, noting the expression on -Terence's face. "Read it for yourself."</p> - -<p>"It's worth getting this," said Aubyn, indicating the position of his -wound. "All I want now is to be afloat again."</p> - -<p>"Young fire-eater!" exclaimed "Torps" facetiously. "Don't you -worry—you'll have a look-in before The Day comes. By Jove, Aubyn, -you'll have to ask the surgeon if he'll allow you to hold a -fête——"</p> - -<p>The crunching of boots upon the gravel path caused both officers to -turn. Standing at attention was a Marine orderly; behind him a -telegraph boy.</p> - -<p>"Congratulations pouring in already," remarked "Torps."</p> - -<p>Terence took the buff envelope and opened it.</p> - -<p>"Great Scott!" he exclaimed brokenly, and without another word he -handed the telegram to his companion.</p> - -<p>"It never rains but it pours," quoted "Torps." "You'll attain -Flag-rank in another fifteen years, mark my words. Lieutenant Aubyn, -D.S.O."</p> - -<p>The "wire" was a private tip from a personal friend at the Admiralty, -informing Terence that His Majesty had been graciously pleased to -bestow upon him the Distinguished Service Order for gallantry in -bringing H.M.S. "Sunderland" out of action during operations off the -Belgian coast.</p> - -<p>"Torps" was not far short of the mark, for a D.S.O. almost invariably -means a rapid promotion to the fortunate and heroic recipient.</p> - -<p>"Flag-rank," echoed Terence. "There's plenty of time for that. -Meanwhile, that's where duty calls," and with a wave of his hand he -indicated the distant North Sea, on which the supreme contest for the -supremacy of the waves will prove that the heritage of Nelson is -still worthily upheld by Britannia's sons.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<center><h5>ABERDEEN: THE UNIVERSITY PRESS</h5></center> -<br> -<br> -<br> - -<a name="transnotes"></a> -<div class="notebox fontsize80"> -Transcriber's Notes: -<br> -<div class="indent02"> -<br>This book contains a number of misprints. -<br>The following misprints have been corrected: -<br> -<br>[the prisoner nonchalently.] —> [the prisoner nonchalantly.] -<br>[to commuicate with wireless] —> [to communicate with wireless] -<br>[was calculated to be from] —> [was calculated to be seen from] -<br>[of what had occured,] —> [of what had occurred,] -<br>[hostilites as a godsend] —> [hostilities as a godsend] -<br>[a courtesey that the captain] —> [a courtesy that the captain] -<br>[its horribly slippery] —> [it's horribly slippery] -<br>[the concusion had caused] —> [the concussion had caused] -<br>[with the laudible intention] —> [with the laudable intention] -<br>[he crosssd the line] —> [he crossed the line] -<br>[a stragetic point of view] —> [a strategic point of view] -<br>[the faintest attenion to] —> [the faintest attention to] -<br> -<br>A few cases of punctuation errors were corrected, but are not -<br>mentioned here. -<br> -<br>A list of illustrations has been added. -</div> -</div> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's A Sub. of the R.N.R., by Percy F. 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