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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..e08855c --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #52141 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/52141) diff --git a/old/52141-0.txt b/old/52141-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 93ef51b..0000000 --- a/old/52141-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,7436 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Under the White Ensign, 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: Under the White Ensign - A Naval Story of the Great War - -Author: Percy F. Westerman - -Illustrator: E.S. Hodgson - -Release Date: May 23, 2016 [EBook #52141] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK UNDER THE WHITE ENSIGN *** - - - - -Produced by R.G.P.M. van Giesen - - - - -[Illustration: cover art] - - - - -Under the White Ensign - - - - - BY PERCY F. WESTERMAN - - ------ - -"No boy alive will be able to peruse Mr. Westerman's pages without a - quickening of his pulses." --Outlook. - - ------ - -The Dispatch-Riders: The Adventures of Two British Motor-cyclists - with the Belgian Forces. - "No boy will find a dull page in Mr. Westerman's story." --Bookman. - -The Sea-girt Fortress: A Story of Heligoland. - "Mr. Westerman has provided a story of breathless excitement, and - boys of all ages will read it with avidity." --Athenaeum. - -Rounding up the Raider: A Naval Story of the Great War. - -The Fight for Constantinople: A Tale of the Gallipoli Peninsula. - "Breathless adventures crowd into this thrilling story.... It teems - with enthralling episodes and vivid word-pictures." - --British Weekly. - "The reader sits absolutely spellbound to the end of the story." - --Sheffield Daily Telegraph. - -Captured at Tripoli: A Tale of Adventure. - "We cannot imagine a better gift-book than this to put into the - hands of the youthful book-lover, either as a prize or present." - --Schoolmaster. - -The Quest of the "Golden Hope": A Seventeenth-century Story of - Adventure. - "The boy who is not satisfied with this crowded story must be - peculiarly hard to please." --Liverpool Courier. - -A Lad of Grit: A Story of Restoration Times. - "The tale is well written, and has a good deal of variety in the - scenes and persons." --Globe. - - ------ - -LONDON: BLACKIE & SON, LTD., 50 OLD BAILEY, E.C. - - -[Illustration: "TRUE TO THE LONG-ESTABLISHED AND GALLANT CUSTOM OF -THE SEA"] - - - - -Under the White Ensign - - -A Naval Story of the Great War - - - -BY - -PERCY F. WESTERMAN - -Author of "Rounding Up the Raider" -"The Fight for Constantinople" -&c. - - - -_Illustrated by E. S. Hodgson_ - - - -BLACKIE AND SON LIMITED -LONDON GLASGOW AND BOMBAY - - - - - Contents - - ------ - - CHAP. - I. LADDIE'S WARNING - II. HELD UP BY A U-BOAT - III. THE BOMB IN THE HOLD - IV. A NIGHT ON THE NEUTRAL GROUND - V. THE ENCOUNTER WITH A SPY - VI. THE DUMMY PERISCOPE - VII. RAMMED - VIII. "IN THE DITCH" - IX. A MIDNIGHT EXPEDITION - X. HOW THE LANDING PARTY FARED - XI. OSBORNE'S CAPTURE - XII. THE TURKISH BIPLANE - XIII. THE "SUNDERBUND'S" LIFE-BOAT - XIV. SUBMARINED - XV. CASTAWAYS ON A HOSTILE SHORE - XVI. 'TWIXT U-BOAT AND ARABS - XVII. THE WHALER'S VOYAGE - XVIII. IN THE NICK OF TIME - XIX. MISUNDERSTANDINGS - XX. THE DESERT WIRELESS STATION - XXI. "A PROPER LASH UP" - XXII. THE FOULED PROPELLERS - XXIII. DRIVEN TO DESTRUCTION - XXIV. THE CHASE OF THE FELUCCA - XXV. AN UNKNOWN ANTAGONIST - XXVI. REUNITED - XXVII. A DARING OPERATION - XXVIII. OSBORNE'S REWARD - - - - - Illustrations - - ------ - - "TRUE TO THE LONG-ESTABLISHED AND GLORIOUS - CUSTOM OF THE SEA" - - - Frontispiece - - "ONE BY ONE FIVE GERMANS STUMBLED UP THE LADDER" - - "THE SUBMARINE WAS NOW IN AN AWKWARD PLIGHT" - - "PROGRESS WAS TEDIOUSLY SLOW" - - "THE GREEKS WENT DOWN LIKE NINEPINS" - - - - -UNDER THE WHITE -ENSIGN - - ------ - - -CHAPTER I - -Laddie's Warning - - -"WHAT a rotten night!" - -With this well-expressed remark Sub-lieutenant Webb gained the head -of the bridge-ladder of H.M. armed merchant-cruiser _Portchester -Castle_. - -Contrasted with the brightness of his comfortable cabin the blackness -of the night seemed impenetrable. The horned moon, already well down -in the western sky, was almost hidden by a rapidly drifting patch of -mottled clouds of sufficient density to obscure its pale rays. -Slapping viciously against the ship's starboard side were the surging -rollers of the Bay of Biscay. With a succession of heavy thuds the -waves broke against the vessel's hull, recoiling in masses of -phosphorescent foam and at the same time sending clouds of spindrift -flying across the lofty bridge. The _Portchester Castle_ was -forty-eight hours out from England, bound for patrol duties in the -Eastern Mediterranean. It was by no means her first trip to that -inland sea. In pre-war days, under a different name, she had been -making regular pleasure trips under the auspices of a touring agency. -It had been said that her skipper could find his way practically -blindfold into any of the better-known Mediterranean ports, so long -had he been on this particular service. - -But the outbreak of the Great War had changed all that. Taken over by -the Admiralty, the former liner-yacht had been rapidly and -efficaciously adapted to her new rĂ´le. Her palatial cabin fittings -had been ruthlessly scrapped. The dazzling white enamel had been -hidden under a coat of neutral grey. Her bluff funnels were disguised -with "wash" of the same dingy hue. Light armour protected her vital -parts; quick-firing guns of hard-hitting power were mounted on the -decks that previously had been given over to pleasure-seeking -tourists. In short, the _Portchester Castle_ was now a swift and -formidable unit of the British Navy. - -Four years had made a marked difference in the appearance of Tom -Webb, formerly Tenderfoot of the Sea Scouts' yacht _Petrel_. Thanks -to his preliminary training in the rudiments of seamanship and -navigation acquired in the little ketch yacht, Webb had had no -difficulty in being accepted for service in the trawler patrol soon -after the outbreak of hostilities. - -It was now that his Sea Scout training bore fruit. Self-reliant, and -willing to undertake the most arduous tasks with the utmost good -humour and alacrity, he quickly gained the goodwill of his superiors. - -Two years in the North Sea in the trawler _Zealous_ gave him plenty -of experience and adventure, until the trawler came to an untimely -end in an encounter with some German torpedo-boats, but not before -she had sent one of them to the bottom. The outcome of this little -"scrap", as far as Tom Webb was concerned, was that the ex-Tenderfoot -was given a commission as Acting Sub-lieutenant, R.N.R., and -appointed to the armed merchant-cruiser _Portchester Castle_. - -It required a fair effort on Webb's part to carry out one portion of -the Scout's creed and "keep smiling" as he mounted the bridge in this -particular middle watch. Turning out of a comfortable bunk to do duty -in an exposed, spray-swept post was not a matter of choice but of -obligation. - -Still dazed by the sudden transition from the electric light 'tween -decks to the intense blackness of the night, Webb could just discern -the figure of the Sub he was about to relieve. - -"Mornin', Haynes!" - -"Wish you well of it, my festive," was Dick Haynes's rejoinder. -"Nothing to report. Here's the course. You ought to sight the Spanish -coast in an hour or so. Well, so long, and good luck!" - -The relieved Sub-lieutenant vanished down the bridge-ladder. Webb, -muffled in his greatcoat, satisfied himself that the quartermasters -were acquainted with the correct compass course, and received the -usual report: "Screened light's burning, sir, and all's well." - -This done he took up his position on the lee side of the bridge and, -sheltered by the storm-dodger, gazed fixedly in the direction of the -swelter of black water ahead of the labouring ship. - -Slowly the minutes sped. The _Portchester Castle_, steaming at -seventeen knots, rolled and plunged through the long waves without so -much as the distant navigation lights of another vessel to break the -monotony of the night. Yet the utmost vigilance was necessary. The -safety of the ship depended upon the sharp eyes of the two look-out -men on the fo'c'sle, and the alertness of the junior watch-keeper on -the bridge. To the ordinary risk of collision was added another -danger, for hostile submarines had been reported making for the -Mediterranean, and were reasonably expected to take a very similar -course to that followed by the British armed merchant-cruiser. - -The "Rules of the Road for Preventing Collision at Sea" reduced the -former danger to a minimum, provided an efficient watch were -maintained; against the mad dogs of the sea--the German submarines, -who never hesitated to torpedo at sight anything afloat regardless of -her nationality--the ship had to take her chances, and trust to -Providence and a quick use of the helm to avoid the deadly torpedo, -should the phosphorescent swell in the wake of the weapon betray its -approach. - -A faint click, barely perceptible above the howling of the wind and -the swish of the waves, attracted Webb's attention. The officer of -the watch had switched off the light in the chart-house before -emerging, lest a stray beam should betray the vessel to a lurking -foe. - -Presently the door opened and a tall, broad-shouldered man appeared, -his outlines just discernible in the faint light; for the moon, now -soon on the point of setting, was momentarily unobscured. - -"Hallo, Tom!" he exclaimed. "What do you think of the Bay, eh?" - -The speaker was Lieutenant Jack Osborne, R.N.R., for the time being -officer of the watch. He, too, had good reason to be thankful for his -early training as a Sea Scout on the yacht _Petrel_. The outbreak of -war found him at Shanghai--a Third Officer on one of the liners of -the Royal British and Pacific Steamship Company's fleet. Within two -hours of the receipt of the mobilization telegram, Osborne was on -board a vessel bound for Vancouver, _en route_ for home by the -Canadian Pacific. Twelve months' sea service procured him his -promotion as lieutenant, R.N.R., and when the _Portchester Castle_ -was commissioned he found that one of his brother officers was his -former Sea Scout chum, Tom Webb. - -"An improvement on the North Sea in winter," replied Webb -optimistically. "And it will be a jolly sight warmer when we get to -the Mediterranean." - -"You haven't been abroad before?" asked Osborne. - -"Strictly speaking--no," replied the Sub. "I've been within sight of -Iceland a few times, and don't want to see it again; but I have never -set foot ashore. You remember---- Hallo! What's that?" - -He gave an involuntary start as something gripped his left hand with -a gentle yet firm hold. - -Osborne smiled. - -"You're a bit jumpy," he said. "Come, this won't do; it's only -Laddie. He's always with me on the bridge, you know." - -"Hope he hasn't mistaken my hand for a piece of raw beef-steak," -remarked Webb, disengaging his hand from the jaws of a large dog. -"I'm not afraid of dogs, you know, Osborne, but for the moment I -wondered what was up." - -"Only his way of showing friendliness," explained the Lieutenant. -"I've had him on board ever since he was a pup. He's only fourteen -months old now." - -"I haven't seen him before." - -"No, I kept him ashore while we were commissioning, and he generally -keeps down below for the first twenty-four hours at sea. He'll be a -pal to you, Webb; almost as much as Cinders. Well, I'll leave him -with you. Stop there, Laddie, there's a good dog. Call me directly -you sight Cape Villano light, Webb. Keep it well on the port bow; -we're off a tricky coast, you know." - -Left alone the Sub stooped and patted the silky hair of the -sheep-dog's head. Webb was one of those fellows to whom most dogs -take at sight. This animal was no exception to the general rule. - -Laddie was a large bob-tailed sheep-dog standing more than two feet -from the ground--or rather, deck--and powerfully built. Even in the -dim light Webb noticed one peculiarity. The animal's eyes were of a -turquoise-blue colour and gleamed in the dark like those of a cat. - -Suddenly the animal bounded to the weather side of the bridge and, -placing his front paws on the guard-rail, gave vent to three deep, -angry barks. - -"What's the matter, old boy?" asked Webb, peering in vain to -ascertain the cause of the dog's excitability. - -Hearing his pet's warning bark Lieutenant Osborne was on the bridge -in a trice. One glance at Laddie was sufficient. - -"Action stations!" he roared in stentorian tones; then, "Hard-a-port, -quartermaster!" - -Even as the spokes of the steam steering-gear revolved rapidly under -the helmsman's hands, the guns' crews, who had been fitfully dozing -beside their weapons, manned the quick-firers, while the -search-lights with their carbons sizzling were trained outboard, -ready at the word of command to unscreen and throw their dazzling -rays upon the surface of the waves. - -Listing heavily to port as she turned rapidly on her helm, the -_Portchester Castle_ just missed by a few yards an ever-diverging -double track of foam that contrasted vividly with the inky blackness -of the water. - -By a few seconds the British vessel had escaped destruction from a -torpedo fired from a lurking hostile submarine. - - - - -CHAPTER II - -Held Up by a U-Boat - - -"HARD-A-STARBOARD!" roared Osborne. In the vivid glare of the now -unmasked searchlights he had detected a short spar-like object -projecting a couple of feet or more above the waves. Almost at the -same time three of the _Portchester Castle's_ quick-firers united in -a loud roar, their projectiles knocking up tall clouds of foam in the -vicinity of the supposed periscope ere they ricochetted a mile or so -away. - -Dipping in the trough of an enormous roller the slight target was -lost to sight. Whether hit by the shell the young lieutenant could -not determine. In any case he meant to try and ram the skulking foe. - -Round swung the armed liner and, steadying on her helm, bore down -upon the spot where the submarine was supposed to be lurking. No -slight jarring shock announced the successful issue of her attempt. - -"Missed her, I'm afraid, Mr. Osborne," exclaimed a deep voice. - -The Lieutenant turned and found himself confronted by the Captain, -who, aroused from his slumbers, had appeared on the bridge dressed -only in pyjamas, a greatcoat, and carpet slippers. - -"And fortunately she missed us, sir," replied Osborne. "The wake of -the torpedo was close under our stern." - -"Did anyone sight her?" - -"The dog, sir," said the Lieutenant. "He began barking at something. -I immediately hurried up to see what was amiss, and ordered the helm -to be ported." - -"Then your wall-eyed pet has done us a good turn," observed Captain -Staggles grimly. He was a keen disciplinarian, and did not altogether -approve of a dog being brought on board. It was only on Osborne's -earnest request that the skipper had relented, and then only on the -condition that the animal must be got rid of should he give trouble. - -Osborne had run the risk. To lose his pet would be nothing short of a -calamity, but such was his confidence in Laddie that he had brought -him on board; and now, within a few hours of leaving port, the -sheep-dog had gained distinction. - -"Suppose the brute's got second sight," remarked the Captain. "Well, -carry on, Mr. Osborne, and put the ship on her former course. Call -for more speed--the sooner we get away from this particular danger -zone the better, since we can do nothing on a night like this. See -that a wireless is sent reporting the presence and position of the -U-boat." - -Having steadied the vessel and dispatched a signalman to the wireless -room, Osborne rejoined Webb, who was methodically examining the -surface of the sea with his night glasses. Already the search-lights -had been switched off and the guns cleaned and secured. - -"A close shave," remarked Webb. "I thought she'd bagged us that time. -It was fortunate that Laddie gave us warning." - -"Fortunate in a double sense," added Osborne. "The skipper will be -more favourably disposed towards Laddie after this. I've nothing to -say against the Captain (wouldn't if I had, you understand). From -what I know of him he's a jolly smart skipper, but I fancy he doesn't -cotton on to animals." - -"He ought to as far as Laddie is concerned, after this," said the -Sub. "It is a perfect mystery to me how the dog spotted the -submarine. I'll swear he did. He was so excited that I thought he was -going to jump over the rail." - -Just then a signalman ran up the bridge-ladder and tendered a -writing-pad to the officer of the watch. - -"'S.O.S.' call, sir," he explained. "Sparks can't make head or tail -of it, in a manner of speaking. He's jotted it down just as it was -received." - -Osborne took the message and retired into the chart-room. At a glance -he discovered that the message was partly in International Code and -partly in Spanish, or a language closely approaching it. An intimate -knowledge of the ports of the Pacific coast of South America had -enabled Osborne to understand a good many words in Spanish. He could -therefore make a fair translation of the appeal for aid. - -"It's a message from a Portuguese merchantman--the _Douro_," he -explained to Webb. "She is being pursued by a German submarine. She -gives her position. We're thirty miles to the nor'nor'-east. Inform -Captain Staggles," he added, addressing the signalman. - -In a very short space of time the Captain again appeared on the -bridge. - -"It will be daybreak before we sight her," he observed when Osborne -had made his report. "You didn't acknowledge the signal, I hope?" - -"No, sir." - -"That's good. Sorry to keep Senhor Portuguese on tenterhooks, but if -we wirelessed him the strafed Hun might pick up the message. We must -try and catch the U-boat on the hop. Pass the word for the look-out -to keep his eyes well skinned." - -The Captain leant over the for'ard guard-rail of the lofty bridge. -Beneath lurked two greatcoated figures sheltering under the lee side -of the deckhouse from the driving spray. - -"Bos'n's mate!" shouted Captain Staggles. - -"Ay, ay, sir." - -"Pipe General Quarters." - -The shrill trills of the whistle brought the watch below surging on -deck. Already by some mysterious means the news had spread along the -lower deck. Taking into consideration the fact that the ship had been -but newly commissioned, there was little fault to be found with the -way in which the men responded to the call. - -In the engine-room the staff had risen nobly to the Captain's request -to "whack her up". Quickly speed was increased to twenty knots as the -_Portchester Castle_ hastened on her errand of succour to the -harassed Portuguese merchantman. - -"I shouldn't be surprised if we are too late," remarked Captain -Staggles. "That wireless will most certainly be picked up by the -Portuguese destroyer flotilla patrolling the Tagus. They'll be on the -spot before us, I fancy." - -Lieutenant Osborne did not reply. He had good cause to think -otherwise, but he kept his thoughts to himself. Nevertheless he was -glad when the skipper expressed his intention of "carrying on" in the -direction of the pursued tramp. - -With daybreak came the sound of distant intermittent gun-fire. For -five minutes the cannonade was maintained, and then an ominous -silence. In addition the hitherto constant wireless appeals for aid -ceased abruptly. - -"They've got her, I'm afraid," remarked Webb to his chum and brother -officer as the twain searched the horizon with their binoculars. - -"Not a sign of her," began Osborne. - -"Sail ahead, sir," reported the masthead man, who from his point of -vantage could command a far greater distance than the officers on -the bridge. - -"Where does she bear?" shouted Osborne. - -"Two points on the port bow, sir," was the prompt reply. - -In anxious suspense officers and crew waited for the Portuguese -vessel to come within range of vision. Quickly the daylight grew -brighter. A slight mist that hung around in low, ill-defined patches -began to lift. The sea, still high, rendered it difficult to locate a -vessel at any considerable distance from the British auxiliary -cruiser. - -Presently Osborne went to the voice-tube communicating with the -engine-room. His observant eye had noticed that the _Portchester -Castle's_ funnels were throwing out considerable volumes of smoke. -Since it was imperative that she should conceal her approach until -the last possible moment, he requested the Engineer-lieutenant to -exercise a little more care in the stokeholds. A minute or two later -the black volumes of smoke gave place to a thin haze of bluish -vapour. - -"There she is!" exclaimed Webb. "By Jove, they've bagged her! She's -hove-to." - -The tramp, a vessel of about 2000 tons, was lying motionless and -showing almost broadside on to the oncoming _Portchester Castle_. As -yet there was no sign of the pursuing submarine. - -By the aid of the binoculars the British officers could just discern -the red and green mercantile ensign of Portugal being slowly lowered -from the vessel's ensign-staff. The _Douro_ had surrendered: would -the _Portchester Castle_ be in time to save her from being sunk, or -merely able to witness her final plunge, and experience the -mortification of finding that the lawless U-boat had submerged into -comparative safety? - -For some seconds the silence on board the _Portchester Castle_ was -broken only by the swish of the water against her bows, the muffled -thud of the propeller shaftings, and the clear incisive tones of the -range-finding officer as the distance rapidly and visibly decreased -betwixt the ship and the supposed position of the German submarine. - -Presently, upon the rounded crest of a roller appeared the elongated -conning-tower and a portion of the deck of the U-boat. She was -forging gently ahead, and was just drawing clear of the bows of the -_Douro_. - -The situation was a delicate one. If the German commander's attention -were wholly centred upon his capture it might be possible that the -submarine would increase her distance sufficiently to enable the -_Portchester Castle_ to send a shell into her without risk to the -Portuguese vessel. If, on the other hand, the approaching succourer -were sighted by the Huns, the submarine would have time to go astern, -close hatches under the lee of the _Douro_, and dive. - -Five thousand yards. - -A uniformed figure appeared above the poop-rail of the captured -tramp. The officers of the British vessel, keeping him under -observation by means of the powerful glasses, could see him -gesticulating to the submarine. The latter began to lose way before -going astern. - -Now or never. A gap of barely fifty yards lay betwixt captor and -prize. At the word of command the gun-layers of the two for'ard -quick-firers bent over their sights. The two reports sounded as one -as the projectiles screeched on their errand of destruction. - -One shell hurtled within a few feet of the top of the conning-tower, -sweeping away both periscopes in its career. The other struck the -raised platform in the wake of the conning-tower, exploded, tearing a -jagged hole in the hull plating. Before the smoke had time to clear -away the U-boat had vanished for all time, only a smother of foam and -a series of ever-widening concentric circles of iridescent oil -marking her ocean bed. - -Viewed from the deck of the _Portchester Castle_ there could be no -doubt as to the fate of the modern pirate. Simultaneously a deafening -cheer burst from the throats of the British crew. It was a feat to be -proud of, sending a hostile submarine to her last account before the -_Portchester Castle_ was three days out of port. - -When within signalling distance of the _Douro_ the latter rehoisted -her colours and made the "NC" signal, "Immediate assistance -required". - -"Perhaps the Huns have already begun to scuttle her," remarked Tom -Webb. "Although I can't detect any sign of a list." - -"We'll soon find out," replied Osborne. "Pipe away the cutter," he -ordered, in response to a sign from the skipper. - -Quickly the falls were manned, the boat's crew, fully armed, -scrambling into the boat as it still swung from the davits. -Sub-lieutenant Webb, being the officer in charge, dropped into the -stern-sheets. - -"Lower away." - -With a resounding smack the cutter renewed a touching acquaintance -with the water. The falls were disengaged, and, to Webb's encouraging -order, "Give way, lads!" the boat drew clear of the now almost -stationary ship, which was within a couple of cables' lengths of the -_Douro_. - -"Wonder what's wrong?" thought Webb, for there were still no signs -that the Portuguese vessel had sustained damage. She was rolling -heavily in the seaway. Her engines being stopped, she had fallen off -in the trough of the sea. - -Rounding under her stern the Sub brought the cutter under the lee of -the tramp. The bowman dexterously caught a coil of rope thrown by a -seaman on the _Douro's_ deck. The trouble was how to board without -staving in the cutter's planks against the heaving, rusty sides of -the tramp. - -The _Douro_ had not come off unscathed in her flight from the German -submarine. Under her quarter, and about three feet above the -water-line, were a couple of shell-holes. Fortunately the projectiles -had failed to burst, otherwise the tramp would not be still afloat. -The missiles had partly demolished the wheel-house and played havoc -with the bridge, as the shattered woodwork and the debris that -littered the deck bore witness. Two of the crew had been slain and -three wounded, as a result of being unable to lift a hand in -self-defence, yet the Portuguese skipper had held gallantly on his -way until a sliver of steel from one of the shells had penetrated the -main steam-pipe and had rendered the _Douro_ incapable of further -flight. - -A Jacob's ladder--a flexible wire arrangement with wooden rungs--had -been lowered from the tramp's side. At one moment its bottommost end -was swaying far from the vessel's water-line; at another it was -pinned hard against her side according to the roll of the ship. -Boarding was a difficult--nay, dangerous--business. - -Standing with his feet wide apart on the stern-sheets grating, Webb -awaited his opportunity. Then he became aware that his boot was -touching something soft and endowed with life. To his surprise he -found Laddie crouching under the seat. - -Evidently the sheep-dog was under the impression that the boat was -bound for the shore. He had contrived to leap into the cutter as it -was on the point of being lowered, and, although the Sub had not -noticed him, the boat's crew had seen and had winked at the presence -of the canine stowaway. - -"All right, my boy," thought Webb as he made a spring for the -swinging ladder. "There you'll have to stop, I fancy. Now you're -properly dished." - -But the young officer was mistaken. Laddie waited until the last of -the boarding party had gained the deck of the _Douro_, then, -knowingly biding his time until the tramp had rolled away from the -boat, he made a spring at the ladder and gained the deck. - -"Good morning, senhor!" exclaimed the Portuguese skipper in very good -English as he greeted the British boarding officer. "We are grateful -for your assistance. Another five minutes and the _Douro_ no more -would be. I offer my respects to the brave representative of our -ancient ally." - -"Thank you, senhor capitan," replied Tom with a bow, for he was -determined not to be outdone in courtesy by the grateful Portuguese -skipper. "Yes, we have sent that submarine to Davy Jones, I fancy. -But I have to convey the compliments of Captain Staggles of His -Majesty's armed merchant-cruiser _Portchester Castle_, and to offer -you any assistance that lies in our power. You have the 'NC' signal -flying, I see." - -"Yes," replied the skipper, grinning broadly and shrugging his -shoulders in a manner peculiar to dwellers in southern climes. "The -trouble, senhor, is this: down below in the fore-hold are six -Germans--men sent on board from the submarine to place explosives in -the hold. They are armed, we are not. Can you get them out for us?" - - - - -CHAPTER III - -The Bomb in the Hold - - -"WELL, that's a cool request," soliloquized Webb. "The old chap wants -us to act the part of the cat, and hook the monkey's chestnuts out of -the fire. All in a day's work, I suppose." - -He glanced at the Portuguese skipper, who was anxiously awaiting the -Sub's reply. - -"It seems to me a simple matter," said Tom, "to clap on the hatches -and carry them into the Tagus. We'll have to tow you, I suppose. -There are several of your war-ships off Belem, and I fancy they'll be -only too glad of a chance to collar a few Huns." - -The captain of the _Douro_ shook his head. - -"Senhor, you do not quite understand. These pirates are armed. We are -not. Moreover they threaten to blow up the ship." - -"Very good," decided the Sub. "Unship the hatches. Stand by, men; -take cover until we find out what these rascals intend doing. Laddie, -you imp of mischief, keep to heel." - -The dog obeyed, reluctantly. Already he had his suspicions that there -was danger. His instinct prompted him to bound forward and grapple -with the foe. - -Deftly the fore hatchway cover was drawn aside. A ray of brilliant -sunshine penetrating the narrow opening played with a pendulum-like -movement into the dark recesses as the vessel rolled from side to -side. The Sub deemed it safe to show himself, since the eyes of the -imprisoned Huns were likely to be dazzled by the sudden glare. - -"Now then!" he shouted sternly. "Do you surrender?" - -"Nein," was the guttural reply; "we vos stop here. If you attempt to -damage us do, den we der ship sink." - -"All right, please yourself," rejoined Webb coolly. "Only remember, -you'll be cooped up under hatches, and I need not remind you that -it's a mighty unpleasant death, and you have only yourselves to blame -for the consequences of your rash decision." - -The trapped Huns conversed amongst themselves for some moments. -Apparently their spokesman had been impressed by the Sub's view of -the situation, and was communicating the news to his fellows. - -"Don't hurry on our account," continued Webb cheerfully. "The odds -are that we shall get to the Mediterranean before your submarine. But -please do make up your minds." - -"You vos our lives spare?" enquired the Hun spokesman anxiously. - -"Of course; you will be treated as prisoners of war," replied the -young officer promptly. - -"Every von of us?" - -"Yes, every man jack of you." - -"Goot; den we surrender make." - -One by one five Germans stumbled up the ladder, each man raising his -hands high above his head as he appeared above the coaming. Mistrust -was written upon their brutal-looking faces until they found that no -attempt was made to harm them. Then their demeanour became insolently -defiant towards the smiling young officer. - -Webb stepped aside and conferred with the Portuguese captain. The -latter nodded his head emphatically. - -"Si, senhor; there were _six_," he declared. - -The smile vanished from Webb's face. - -"Which of you speak English?" he enquired of the five prisoners. - -"Me," replied the man who had tendered the surrender. "Before der war -I vos in der English merchantship----" - -"Never mind about what you were," said Webb. "The point is: six of -you boarded this vessel. There are only five on deck. How about it?" - -"We tell you all about it when in the boat we vos," declared the -spokesman, glancing over the side at the waiting cutter. - -"You'll tell me now," corrected the Sub with unmistakable firmness. -"Otherwise I'll have you put in irons." - -For a brief instant the Hun hesitated. - -"Der six man, Hans, below is," he explained. "He vos stop and light a -bomb. Ach! You vos do nodings. You promise make to all our lives -spare." - -The Sub realized that he had been done. It was up to him to do his -best, even at the risk of his life, to prevent the destruction of the -ship. It was obviously unfair to risk the lives of his men in a task -that, but for his precipitate pledge, need never have been -undertaken. - -"Keep those fellows on deck under close arrest. The boarding party -will remain here," he exclaimed, addressing the coxswain petty -officer of the cutter. "I'm going below." - -Without hesitation Webb descended the ladder into the gloomy depths -of the fore hold. Groping until his feet touched the iron floor, he -waited while his eyes grew accustomed to the dim light. The place was -crowded with cargo, for the most part tiers of barrels. Fore and aft -ran a narrow space, terminating at the transverse steel bulkheads. - -A faint hissing sound was borne to his ears. For'ard a splutter of -dim reddish sparks told him that already the time-fuse had been -lighted; but the Hun responsible for the firing of the bomb had not -yet bolted for the deck. Was it possible that he was going to throw -away his life in a useless act of revenge upon the _Douro_? Or was -the time-fuse of sufficient length for him to remain in the hold for -several minutes before making a dash for safety? - -In any case the Sub had no time to debate upon the situation. His -chief concern was to save the ship. Unhesitatingly he made his way -towards the hissing fuse. - -"Tamped" by means of a bale of cotton, the bomb had been placed -against the curved tapering side of the ship. Only a few inches of -the fuse was visible. It seemed a matter of a few seconds before the -powerful explosive would be detonated. - -Placing his boot upon the ignited tape, Webb severed the fuse. As he -knelt there, in order to make certain that the sparks were thoroughly -extinguished, a pair of powerful hands gripped him from behind. The -desperate Hun, hitherto hidden in the after part of the hold, had -thrown himself upon the young officer. - -Taken by surprise, although he had been prepared for a frontal -attack, Webb found himself stretched upon his back with a burly -Teuton kneeling on his chest. The Hun's left hand was pressed over -the Sub's mouth, thus effectually preventing him from making a sound, -while with his right the fellow groped for the severed portion of the -fuse, which, released from the pressure of Webb's boot, had again -burst into a splutter of angry sparks. - - -[Illustration: "ONE BY ONE _FIVE_ GERMANS STUMBLED UP THE LADDER"] - - -For a seemingly interminable time Webb struggled desperately yet -unavailingly. Slowly yet surely the relentless pressure on his chest -was telling. Multitudes of lights flashed before his eyes; vainly he -gasped for breath, writhing frantically to refill his lungs with air. -Dimly he wondered why his men had not come to his assistance. His -mind was too confused to remember that it was by his express order -that he had forbidden anyone to accompany him upon his hazardous -enterprise. - -Suddenly the Hun gave vent to a yell of terror. His grasp relaxed. -Again he yelled, this time the scream trailing off into a muffled, -choking sob. A savage and determined snarl gave the half-dazed Tom an -inkling of the identity of his rescuer. It was Laddie. - -Unseen and unheard by the Sub the sheep-dog had followed him down the -ladder. Eager to face the danger, yet fearing to pass his master's -chum, the dog had lurked in the darkness until the German had -launched his treacherous attack. In reality the seemingly long -interval during which Webb was at the mercy of his assailant was but -a few seconds, for with a bound Laddie flew at the Hun's neck. - -At the first contact of the animal's teeth in the back of his neck -the Hun had yelled. An instant later Laddie had shifted his grip, and -was savagely worrying the German's throat. Vainly the man strove to -throw off his four-footed enemy. Laddie was not to be denied. - -Hearing the sound of the encounter, and guessing rightly that their -young officer was in danger, several of the cutter's crew swarmed -down into the fore hold. They were barely in time to save the German -from death. Even then the dog was reluctant to relax his jaws. - -Once more the still fizzling portion of the severed fuse was -extinguished. The prisoner was hauled unceremoniously out of the -hold, while Webb was assisted to the deck, where in the open air he -soon recovered sufficiently to direct operations. - -"They're signalling, sir," reported the coxswain, indicating the -_Portchester Castle_, which now lay about a quarter of a mile on the -port beam of the _Douro_. "They want to know what the delay is for." - -"Tell them that the vessel's engines are disabled, that an attempt -has been made to destroy her by means of bombs, and that we have six -prisoners. Ask instructions how to proceed." - -A signalman perched upon the guard-rail of the _Douro's_ shattered -bridge quickly sent the message. After a brief interval came the -order: - -"Cutter to be recalled. Bring off prisoners. Inform commanding -officer of _Douro_ that we propose to take her in tow." - -Without resistance the six Huns were bundled into the boat. The Hun -who had attacked Webb in the hold was now quite incapable of so -doing, even had he been inclined. With a bandage applied to his -lacerated throat he crouched in the stern-sheets, anxiously watching -with ill-concealed terror Laddie's fierce-looking blue eyes. - -The Portuguese skipper was profuse in his expressions of thanks when -Sub-lieutenant Webb took his departure. For the time being all danger -was at an end. There was every reason to believe that the _Douro_ -would in safety make her destination. - -"Very good, carry on," was Captain Staggles's stereotyped remark -after Tom had made his report. The Sub saluted and went aft, -wondering dimly what manner of man his new skipper could be, since -his spoken expression of the Sub's conduct was limited to four words. - -For the next twelve hours the _Portchester Castle_ towed the crippled -_Douro_. Late in the afternoon the latter was taken over by a couple -of tugs that had been summoned from the Tagus by wireless. Free to -resume her interrupted voyage, the British armed merchantman -acknowledged the dip of the Portuguese ensign, and was soon reeling -off the miles that separated her from Gibraltar. - - - - -CHAPTER IV - -A Night on the Neutral Ground - - -"GAME for a jaunt into Spanish territory, old man?" enquired Osborne, -indicating the hilly ground across the blue waters of the bay. -"There's a boat leaving for Algeciras in half an hour." - -The _Portchester Castle_ lay off the New Mole at Gibraltar. She had -coaled and had taken in stores. A few minor defects were being made -good, and she was awaiting orders to proceed. Leave had been given to -the starboard watch that afternoon, and, having nothing in the way of -duty to perform, Osborne had made a tempting suggestion to his chum -Tom Webb. - -"Rather, I'm on," replied the Sub. "There's leave for officers till -eight bells, I believe." - -"Yes, but we'll have to be back well before that time," observed -Osborne. "The gates of the fortress close at sunset, remember." - -Tom Webb during the last few days had made good use of his time at -Gib., but, he argued, being ashore on that bold, rocky promontory was -not exactly being abroad. He was still on British territory. Hence -his eagerness to set foot upon foreign soil. - -Soon the two chums, in undress uniforms, were picking their way -through the narrow streets of Gibraltar, dodging among the motley -crowd that comprises the populace of the place--Spaniards, Greeks, -Moors, Arabs, and "Rock Scorps", with a liberal leavening of British -seamen, marines, and soldiers. - -"That fellow seems to take a lot of interest in us," remarked Webb as -the two officers found themselves on board the little steamer bound -for Algeciras. - -"Let him," declared Osborne inconsequently. He had had too long an -acquaintance with foreign ports to trouble about the curious looks -and attentions of the inhabitants. "Which one do you refer to? That -Spaniard with the piebald side-whiskers?" - -"No, the johnny leaning against the ventilator," replied the Sub. -"Looks as if he wants a permanent prop, and his hands seem sewn up in -his pockets." - -Osborne glanced over his shoulder. Instantly the individual in -question feigned interest in the smoke issuing from the steamer's -funnel, until the effort of craning his neck was too much of a -physical strain, and he again looked curiously at the two naval -officers. - -He was a man of about thirty, full-faced and of a sleek and oily -complexion. His dark chestnut hair was closely cropped. He sported a -tuft of side-whiskers on each cheek and a heavy moustache. His -costume consisted of a dirty white shirt, ill-cut trousers, and -straw-plaited shoes round his waist was a gaudily coloured scarf that -might or might not have hidden a knife. On the back of his head he -wore a broad-rimmed straw hat with a band of vivid yellow, into which -was stuck a bunch of peacock's feathers. - -"A picturesque-looking villain!" commented Webb. - -"A typical Spaniard, that's all," Osborne reassured him. "We'll have -a few dozen of 'em crowding round directly we land, you know. Every -man jack will offer his services as a guide, philosopher, and -friend." - -Apparently the fellow thought it worth while to take time by the -forelock, since his interest in the British officers was -reciprocated. Removing his hands from his pockets he came forward, -and giving an elaborate sweep with his hat he tendered a dirty piece -of pasteboard. - -"My card, señores!" he exclaimed. "At your service. Show you -everyzing in Algeciras. Blow me tight, I will." - -The last sentence, of which he seemed particularly proud, had been -picked up from a British Tommy. The Spaniard considered it to be the -hall-mark of correct English. - -Osborne took the proffered card. On it was printed: "Alfonzo y Guzman -Perez, Qualified Guide and Interpreter". - -"We don't require a guide," said Osborne. - -Señor Perez smiled benignly. - -"P'raps ze senores get into ze mischief wizout a Spanish caballero -who through misfortune is obliged to accept ze monies for his -services. You officers are from ze war-ship _Paragon_?" - -"No, from the----" began Webb. Then he brought himself up with a -round turn. - -"From ze----?" repeated the Spaniard. But Tom was not to be caught -napping a second time. - -"Sorry, Señor Perez," interrupted Osborne firmly. "We don't want -you. Nothing doing this trip." - -The steamer was now making fast to the little pier. Without paying -further attention to the over-attentive Spaniard the young officers -landed, and, as Osborne had foretold, were surrounded by a mob of -frantically gesticulating natives. - -"Not much of a place," declared Webb. "Horribly dirty, in fact. Can't -we get out into the country?" - -"We could," replied his chum. "In fact we could give the steamer a -miss on the return journey." - -"How?" - -"By walking round the Bay and getting back to Gib. by means of the -Neutral Ground. It's a tidy step, but we've heaps of time." - -"Good idea!" declared Webb enthusiastically. "Let's get along out of -this." - -By degrees the mob of undesirables diminished. The pace set by two -mad Englishmen was far too hot. A few, however, still hung on, their -appeals for alms giving place to abuse at the callousness of the -British officers. - -"Wish we had Laddie with us," remarked Webb. "He'd soon make the -crowd take to their heels." - -"Couldn't be done," said Osborne. "I thought of it, but there are the -local quarantine restrictions to be taken into consideration. Also, -there'd be a risk of the dog being shot by the Spanish Customs guards -on the Neutral Ground. They're dead nuts on dogs." - -"Why?" asked Tom. - -"Because dogs are largely used by smugglers to run contraband into -Gib. Of course, I'm sorry, but it can't be helped." - -At last the Spaniards dropped behind and the chums were free of any -embarrassing society. They, too, were glad to ease down, for the day -was extremely sultry. There were bunches of delicious grapes to be -had without let or hindrance, and altogether the two chums were -beginning to enjoy themselves. - -"How much farther?" enquired Tom at length. - -Osborne consulted his watch. - -"By Jove, we must look sharp!" he said. "We've a tidy step yet. In -fact, we haven't got as far as Mayorga." - -The road, hitherto by no means good, had deteriorated into a rough -track. Progress, too, was impeded by several inlets, which meant -considerable detours inland. Consequently it was late in the -afternoon when, hot and tired, the young officers limped into the -village of Mayorga, some five miles from the "Lines" of Gibraltar. - -"I vote we get a carriage of sorts," suggested Osborne. "We'll be -properly dished if we don't. My heel's galled, and it's still some -way to go." - -Making the best of his limited knowledge of Spanish, Osborne -contrived to hire, for the sum of five pesetas, a ramshackle -conveyance with solid wooden wheels and drawn by a couple of oxen. It -was the only vehicle available, but the villainous-looking driver -assured his hirers that it was a swift means of transport. - -The cart set off in excellent style--"Under forced draught," Osborne -explained--but before it was clear of the village the swaying, -jolting conveyance had settled down to a funeral pace. When Osborne -expostulated, the driver stopped to offer a lengthy explanation of -the dangerous character of the road, promising to make up for the -lost time directly the comparatively level Neutral Ground was -reached. - -Anxiously the Lieutenant consulted his watch, glanced at the setting -sun, and mentally measured the distance between him and the frowning -Rock, which appeared much nearer than it actually was. - -Suddenly the cart gave an extra heavy lurch. The oxen stumbled; -while, to the accompaniment of a rending crash and the angry oaths of -the driver, the off-side wheel was wrenched from its axle. The next -instant Osborne and Webb found themselves lying in the long rank -grass by the side of the cart-track. - -"Excelsior, old bird!" exclaimed the Lieutenant as the twain -recovered their feet. "Look alive, there's no time to be lost!" - -Paying the Spaniard his five pesetas, although he had not completed -his part of the contract, the two officers hastened towards their -goal, regardless of the forcible demands of the driver that his late -fares would contribute towards the damage done to the crazy vehicle. - -Nearer and nearer came the "Lines", until the Neutral Ground was less -than four hundred yards away. Then, to the chums' consternation, a -gun boomed forth in the still evening air. It was the signal that -until daybreak the gates of Gibraltar were closed so that none should -enter or depart. - -"A fine old business!" declared Osborne. "It's no use going on. We'd -stand a chance of being fired upon by the Spanish guards, and a still -greater one of being winged by the British sentries. They were alert -enough in pre-war days, and you can bet your bottom dollar that -they'll be doubly sharp now." - -"Suppose the best thing to do is to return to Mayorga and get a bed -at the inn," suggested Webb. "My word, there'll be a row for -overstaying our leave!" - -"No Spanish inn for me," said the Lieutenant with conviction. -"Verminous holes, that's what they are. No, we'll camp out, and -imagine it's the good old Scout days." - -"Might do worse," agreed Tom with his cheery smile. "So the sooner we -pitch upon a suitable spot the better. It will be dark in another ten -minutes." - -The site selected was a sandy hollow fringed with long coarse grass, -and open to the east. In that direction lay the Mediterranean, its -shores being separated from the officers' bivouac by a distance of -about twenty yards. To the south the summit of the towering heights -of the Rock could just be discerned, above the ridge of sand that -enclosed the hollow on three sides. - -Thoroughly tired with their exertions, the chums were soon fast -asleep. Then Webb awoke with a start and a stifled exclamation on his -lips. It seemed as if he had slept but a few minutes. In reality six -hours had elapsed. - -He could hear voices conferring in undertones--voices unfamiliar, and -speaking in a foreign language. - -For some moments Webb lay still. He remembered where he was, and that -it was not at all strange for men to be conversing in an unknown -tongue. What he remarked was the fact that they should choose an -isolated spot in the small hours of the morning to engage upon what -was evidently a secret confabulation. - -Cautiously the Sub raised himself on his elbows and peered through -the long grass. In the bright starlight he made a strange discovery. -There were three men: two in the uniform that bore a strong -resemblance to that of the British Navy; the third was none other -than the chums' would-be philosopher and guide, Señor Alfonzo y -Guzman Perez. - - - - -CHAPTER V - -The Encounter with a Spy - - -WITH hardly a sound Sub-lieutenant Webb made his way to the side of -his sleeping chum, and roused him effectually and silently by the -simple expedient of grasping him firmly by the hand. - -"'Ssh!" cautioned Tom. - -Side by side the two officers crawled to a place of vantage from -which the three men could be kept under observation. - -"By Jove!" thought Osborne. "Two German officers and our old pal -Alfonzo. Jabbering away in German, too; and I don't understand the -lingo. Now if they were to try Spanish----" - -"Ach, friend Georgeos Hymettus!" exclaimed the senior Hun officer in -execrable English. "Your German a disgrace is. You kultur have -neglected. We confused are in your explanations. Therefore, since we -talk not Spanish nor Greek it will be more easy to talk in der -accursed English. You say you no haf der list of ships?" - -"No," replied Perez, or, to give him his true name, Hymettus. "It no -safe. Me no trust ze writing. Carry all here," and he tapped his -forehead significantly. "S'pose me caught and nodings found in ze -writing. Zen, nodings doin' as ze Englise say." - -Thereupon, with great fidelity the Greek spy named the British -war-ships on the station and their probable destinations. One -exception was the _Portchester Castle_. Either the name had slipped -his memory, or else he was ignorant of her presence in the Bay of -Gibraltar. He then proceeded to detail the names of British and -foreign merchantmen at Gib. and their probable date of departure, -which information the Germans jotted down in a notebook. - -An off-shore wind, rustling across the sand-dunes, rendered a -considerable portion of the following conversation inaudible, but the -chums could see that a sum of paper money changed hands. - -"U-boat officers!" whispered Webb, taking advantage of the hush of -the grass. "Game to tackle them?" - -"Yes, I'm game," replied Osborne, "but it can't be done yet. I'll -explain later. Steady!" - -The spy and the Huns were on the point of separating. - -"Till Friday," cautioned the senior German officer. "Meanwhile tell -Gonales dat we be off Alminecar on Wednesday, an' dat we vos have -more petrol. Leben Sie wohl, Georgeos. Do not from dis place move -make until twenty minutes." - -The Huns moved off diagonally in the direction of the shore. Before -they had gone very far two greatcoated seamen jumped to their feet -and saluted. Osborne, then, was wise in not attempting to tackle the -officers, since there were members of the submarine's boat's crew -within easy hailing distance. Silently the Germans pushed off in a -collapsible canvas boat, and were rowed seaward until they were lost -to sight and hearing of the British officers. - -True to his instructions, Georgeos Hymettus remained at the spot -where he had parted with his uniformed confederates. He was -stealthily counting the notes he had received as the price of his -espionage, as if to make sure that he had not been cheated by his -Teutonic paymasters. Rapidly Osborne revolved the situation in his -mind. With the assistance of his chum the capture of the solitary spy -ought to present no special difficulties; but, having laid him by the -heels, the question arose, what could they do with him? The spy was -in Spanish territory, and, if the facts became known, his arrest -constituted a breach of neutrality. Again, between them and the -Neutral Ground were the Spanish Lines, through which it would be -almost a matter of impossibility to conduct the captive without -detection by the Civil Guards. On the other hand it would be a -thankless task to give the Greek over to the Spanish authorities. Not -only would it mean delay, when it was imperative that Osborne and his -chum should return to the ship as soon as practicable, but the -chances were that the Spanish officials would refuse to keep the -fellow under arrest, since he had been merely engaged in conversation -with two subjects of a friendly power. In Spain, especially in the -southern part, the officials are notoriously pro-German, having -succumbed to the wiles and pecuniary charms of the Hun agents. - -"I'll risk it," decided the Lieutenant. "Even if we don't succeed in -planting him down in Gib. it will give him a rare fright." - -He pointed towards the unsuspecting Greek. Webb nodded. Stealthily -the twain advanced, treading on the soft sand and avoiding contact -with the dry driftwood that abounded in the grass. - -Without warning Georgeos Hymettus turned and saw two forms -approaching through the gloom of the starlit night. He took to his -heels, doubtless imagining that he was about to be attacked by some -of the numerous robbers who, under the guise of beggars, infest the -countryside. - -Swift of foot though the Greek might be, the two Englishmen were -swifter. Before the fugitive had covered a hundred yards he realized -that escape by means of flight seemed hopeless. - -He was almost on the point of stopping and feigning surrender when -Osborne's foot tripped over a projecting stone, sending the -Lieutenant sprawling in the grass. Webb, springing aside to avoid the -prostrate form of his chum, shouted to the spy to give in. - -Promptly the Greek held both hands, with the fingers outspread, high -above his head. - -"That's sensible," declared Tom, and incautiously he turned to see -how his companion was progressing. Like a flash of lightning the -spy's right hand sought his voluminous sash, and grasping a long, -keen-bladed knife he slashed viciously at the Sub's chest. - -Springing backwards Webb avoided what would otherwise have been a -fatal blow. As it was, the sharp steel ripped his coat from lapel to -waist, while so much energy had Georgeos put into the blow that his -arm swung outwards behind him. - -The Sub was quick to counter. Throwing himself upon the ground, he -gripped his antagonist by the ankles. With a crash the fellow -measured his length on his back, while Webb, following up the attack, -seized him by the throat. - -Over and over the two rolled, Hymettus striking blindly with his -knife, while Tom, shifting one hand, strove to pin the spy's right -arm to his side and render him incapable of dealing further -dangerous, but fortunately ineffectual, blows. - -By this time Osborne had regained his feet, and was awaiting an -opportunity of coming to his chum's assistance. It was no easy -matter, for in the starlight it was hard to distinguish betwixt -friend and foe as they writhed and rolled in a close embrace. - -The glint of steel prompted Osborne to take the risk. At any chance -moment a thrust might bury the weapon in Webb's body. Both combatants -were obviously becoming exhausted. Their quick breaths sounded like -those of a pair of dogs spent after running a long distance, while, -in addition, the Greek was snarling like a wild beast. - -Grasping a favourable moment, Osborne took a flying kick at the knife -as for a brief instant it paused in mid-air. The weapon flew a dozen -yards, the bright blade twirling and scintillating in the dim light -ere it vanished from sight in the soft sand. - -With the loss of the weapon the Greek ceased to offer resistance. -Upon that knife he had relied to win clear; it was the mainstay of -his defence. - -"What you was do?" he whined in broken English, for he had already -recognized his assailants. "Me harmless Spanish caballero." - -"We'll see about that," retorted Osborne. "The question is: are you -coming quietly or are you not?" - -"Where?" asked the spy. - -"To Gibraltar." - -"What for ze reason?" - -The Lieutenant thought it best to ignore the question. With Webb's -assistance he set the spy upon his feet, securely bound his arms -behind his back by means of his shawl, and, cutting off a portion of -the latter, effectually gagged the prisoner. - -Osborne listened intently. There was nothing to show that the Spanish -Civil Guards had been alarmed by the noise of the struggle. -Everything seemed quiet. There was a fair chance of being able to -pass the captive through the Spanish Lines without detection, -especially as it was now close upon dawn and the sentries apt, in -consequence, to relax their vigilance. - -All went well until the two officers and their prisoner were within -fifty yards of one of the guard-houses that mark the termination of -Spanish territory and the commencement of the Neutral Ground. There -were no signs of any of the sentries; and Osborne was beginning to -congratulate himself upon the successful issue of his attempt, when a -cock-hatted, gaudily uniformed man sprung seemingly from the ground. - -Levelling his rifle he called upon the British officers to halt, -following up this order by a warning shout to others of his comrades -within the block-house. - -"It's all right," declared Osborne in his halting Spanish. "We're -bringing back a deserter." - -"Do not be in a hurry," was the exasperating reply. "Have you any -papers bearing the Alcalde's signature for the prisoner's removal?" - -The thought flashed across the Lieutenant's mind that it was more -than likely that none of the Spanish guards could read. Education in -Spain, he remembered, is in a very backward state, barely ten per -cent of the population being able to read or write. As president of -the mess on board the _Portchester Castle_ he had in his possession -several receipted bills. The most imposing of these he produced for -the Civil Guard's inspection. At the same time he noticed that others -of the Spaniards were about to remove the gag from the spy's mouth. - -"Get them to hang on a minute, old man," he exclaimed, addressing -Webb. Then tendering the document to the inquisitive soldier, he -ostentatiously displayed a handful of coins. - -The natural cupidity of the man was unable to resist the bait. "Palm -oil" would have done the trick had not the spy contrived at that -moment to slip the bonds that secured his wrists. With a deft -movement he produced the bundle of English Treasury notes that had -been paid him by the German submarine officers, at the same time -fumbling with the knot that held his gag in position. - -Before Webb, whose attention had been centred upon restraining the -rest of the Civil Guards, could prevent it, the spy had freed himself -from the gag, and was protesting in voluble Spanish that he was an -Andalusian who had been kidnapped by English brigands. - -Hopelessly outbidden, for the Greek was doling out pound notes in a -most lavish fashion, Osborne realized that he had been beaten at his -own game. The climax came when Georgeos Hymettus scattered a handful -of paper money in the dim light, and while the Spanish troops were -scrambling for the spoil he took to his heels. - -Since it was useless to follow, Osborne and Webb watched him till he -vanished in the darkness. Then silently they waited until the morning -gun from the citadel announced that the fortress of Gibraltar was -open until the setting of the sun. - -"A pretty pickle!" remarked Osborne. "Nothing done, your undress -uniform ripped to ribbons, the spy gone, and we ourselves have to -face the music for having overstayed our leave. Rotten, I call it!" - -"Don't know so much about that'," remarked Webb, the cheery optimist. -"We've discovered something that will be of interest to the -authorities, and, after all, we've had quite an exciting adventure. -Some night, eh, what?" - - - - -CHAPTER VI - -The Dummy Periscope - - -CAPTAIN STAGGLES interviewed the two delinquents separately. The -skipper was one of those men who are apt to bluster and browbeat -whenever occasion offered. It was his idea of imparting discipline. -Popularity he scoffed at. He was, in short, one of a fortunately rare -type of officer of the old school, who at the outbreak of the war had -been once more employed on the active list. To his disappointment -Captain Staggles had not received a shore appointment, owing to a -lack of sufficient influence; and after filling various stopgap -billets he had been given the armed merchant-cruiser _Portchester -Castle_, whose complement consisted entirely of Royal Naval Reserve -and Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve officers and men. - -Unfortunately Captain Staggles did not possess sufficient sagacity to -realize that there must be a difference between a crew, trained for -years in proper Navy fashion, and a body of men drawn from the -merchant service. In both cases good material was present, but one -had been developed to meet certain requirements, the other had not. - -"The point is," thundered Captain Staggles to Jack Osborne; "the -point is, sir, you had to be on duty on board. You were not. You, -instead, try to bamboozle me with some cock-and-bull yarn about a -spy. Now, what have you got to say?" - -"I take it, sir, that you insinuate I'm not speaking the truth," said -Osborne quietly, controlling his indignation with a strong effort. -"And that without giving me an opportunity of proving my statement." - -"I take it, sir," mimicked the skipper, "that you don't realize that -you've overstayed your leave?" - -"Unfortunately, no, sir," replied Osborne. "It was my fault entirely -that Mr. Webb was in the same predicament." - -"Very well," exclaimed Captain Staggles, raising his voice to a -regular roar. "Now, don't do it again. Clear out, sir." - -"But concerning the spy, sir?" began the Lieutenant. - -"Don't want to hear any more about it," bellowed the skipper. "Thank -your lucky stars you've got off so lightly. Leave my cabin, sir." - -Osborne saluted and withdrew. On the half-deck he encountered Webb, -who was awaiting his turn "on the carpet". - -"Reprimanded," announced Osborne laconically. "The captain won't -listen to my explanation. Better luck, old man." - -But Sub-lieutenant Webb fared no better. His attempt to throw a light -upon the night's work met with an equally curt reception. - -"I believe the skipper's been drinking," said Webb to his chum after -his interview. - -"Since you mention it, I agree," said Osborne gravely. "I've known it -for some time, but I didn't like to give my chief away. We've struck -hard lines in the matter of a skipper, Tom. You see, our temporal -future lies entirely in his hands. If he sends in an unfavourable -report upon our conduct and abilities, we're done as far as the -Service is concerned. There is no appeal. However, we must carry on -and do our duty." - -Osborne had previously said that Captain Staggles was a keen officer. -He had been; but retirement had blunted his zest and rusted his -abilities. Still rankling under the mistaken idea of injustice at -having been refused a shore appointment, the skipper had lost -interest in his work. He was content to rely mainly upon the -stereotyped order "Carry on", and a non-committal "Very good" when -addressing his subordinate officers. His formerly active brain, -fuddled by intemperance, was no longer capable of controlling the -destinies of a ship's company. Had he been permitted to remain in -command the result might have been fatal to the efficiency of the -ship. Fortunately it was otherwise. - -By some means the story of the adventure of Osborne and his chum -reached the ears of the Senior Naval Officer on the Station. He -immediately applied for a report from Captain Staggles, and the -latter had to admit that he knew nothing of the details of the -occurrence. The result was that Osborne and Webb were sent for, and, -under severe cross-examination, had to reveal the facts of their -interview with their commanding officer, and how the latter had -refused to hear the report concerning the spy. - -Two hours later Captain Staggles was ordered to undergo a medical -examination and, found unfit for duty, was sent to hospital; the -Lieutenant-commander of the _Portchester Castle_ was given temporary -command pending a fresh appointment from the Admiralty. - -Jimmy M'Bride, Captain Staggles's successor, was a man of totally -different character and disposition. There was a humorous side to his -nature that the former skipper lacked. He knew his job thoroughly, -regarding the men under him as something different from mere -machines. He expected a high standard--and got it; not by aggressive -methods, but by example. He was always ready to consider a grievance, -but woe betide the incautious man who attempted to impose upon him. - -Already precious time had been lost, but M'Bride delayed no longer in -acting upon the information that Osborne and Webb had gained from the -Greek spy. Since the _Portchester Castle_ had not figured in the list -of ships supplied to the kapitan of the German submarine, the armed -merchant-cruiser was detailed to take the place of a large tramp, the -s.s. _Two-Step_, which was under orders for Marseilles. - -Just before sundown the _Portchester Castle_ was, roughly, twenty -miles east of Gibraltar. It was a calm, glorious evening. Not a -ripple disturbed the placid surface of the Mediterranean, save the -long, ever-diverging swell in the wake of the slowly moving vessel, -for in the rĂ´le of merchant-man the _Portchester Castle_ was -steaming at a bare fifteen knots. Three miles away and broad on the -starboard beam was the tramp, flying the red ensign. Already by means -of the International Code she had "made her number". Her course was -approximately parallel to that of the _Portchester Castle_, although -her speed was less by a good five knots. - -"Spot anything?" enquired Osborne of his chum, as Webb kept his -binoculars focused at something almost midway and ahead of the two -vessels. - -"Yes," replied the Sub. "A periscope, or I'm a greenhorn. Here you -are, Osborne, right in line with the foremast shrouds." - -"By Jove, you're right!" assented the Lieutenant. "I can see it -distinctly. Now who is she going for--the _Two-Step_ or us?" - -"The _Two-Step_, I fancy," replied Webb. "It looks to me as if the -U-boat's periscope is trained in that direction." - -Quickly the guns were manned. A warning signal, "'Ware submarine on -your port bow", was sent to the tramp. The suppressed excitement grew -as the _Portchester Castle_ drew nearer to her as yet unsuspecting -foe. - -M'Bride was on the bridge at the time. Deliberately he delayed the -order to open fire. The gun-layer could, he knew, easily knock away -that pole-like object, but that was not enough. The U-boat, even when -deprived of her "eyes", could dive and seek shelter until the danger -had passed. Not until the submarine showed herself above the surface -could a "knock-out" blow be delivered, unless the _Portchester -Castle_ could approach and ram her antagonist before the latter had -time to submerge to a sufficient depth. - -"Look!" exclaimed Osborne. "She's actually going to attempt to ram. -Well, of all the cool cheek!" - -The Lieutenant was correct in his assertion, for the plucky tramp, -starboarding helm, was bearing down upon the vertical spar that -denoted the presence of the otherwise hidden danger. - -This manoeuvre interested Webb hardly at all. His attention was -centred upon the periscope. For some time he had been keeping it -under observation through his marine glasses. There was something -fishy about it. He had seen partly submerged periscopes before, and -they had never behaved in that erratic fashion. - -This one was stationary as regards direction. No feather-like spray -denoted its passage through the water. It certainly was not forging -ahead. It was, however, rolling erratically, its centre of -semi-rotation being but a few inches beneath the surface. The -periscope of a submarine, if it were inclining in a vertical plane at -all, would have a very different movement, protruding as it was from -the comparatively huge hull of the vessel. - -"It's a dummy periscope," he announced. - -"Sure of it, Mr. Webb?" asked Captain M'Bride. - -"Positive, sir." - -The skipper of the _Portchester Castle_ did not hesitate. A warning -blast from the armed merchant-cruiser's syren was followed by the -peremptory signal, "Go astern instantly", while the white ensign -hoisted aft imparted the necessary authority to the _Two-Step_. - -An exchange of signals followed, with the result that the tramp -forged ahead once more, and, altering her course slightly, passed -quite a couple of cables' lengths from the sinister spar that bobbed -lazily above the sea. - -"And there are half a dozen destroyers leaving Gib. to-day," remarked -Captain M'Bride. "If they had sighted this decoy one of them would -have gone at it like a bull at a gate. We must risk it, I suppose. -Away first cutter's and whaler's crews!" - -The _Portchester Castle_ had to slow down to enable the boats to be -lowered. This in itself was a risky operation, since it was quite -possible that a real hostile submarine might be lurking in the -vicinity, awaiting the opportunity to discharge a torpedo at the -almost stationary target afforded by the armed merchantman. -Nevertheless the risk had to be undertaken. It fell within the scope -of the duties of the Royal Navy in its gigantic task of rendering the -maritime highways as safe as possible for the sea-borne commerce of -Britain, her Allies, and of neutral nations. - -Tom Webb was in charge of the cutter, his brother Sub-lieutenant, -Dicky Haynes, having command of the whaler. The moment the two boats -cast off, the _Portchester Castle_ pelted off at full speed, -maintaining an erratic course to minimize possible danger until the -two Sub-lieutenants had carried out their hazardous investigations. - -Each boat had two hundred yards of grass rope trailing astern, the -other ends being made fast to the bight of a flexible steel wire, -which, by means of a couple of buoys, was permitted to sink to a -depth of one fathom beneath the surface. Steadily the boats -approached the dummy periscope, the cutter passing it to port and the -whaler to starboard at a distance of twenty yards. - -Presently Webb glanced astern. The towed buoys were now quite close -to the upright spar. - -"Give way for all you're worth, lads!" he ordered, while Haynes -shouted a similar encouragement to the whaler's crew. - -The strain on the grass rope increased. Then with a terrific roar a -column of water shot two hundred feet into the air from the spot -where the dummy periscope had been. - -"We're much too knowing birds to be caught by that sort of chaff," -remarked a member of the cutter's crew. The man was right. Had any -passing vessel rammed the tempting-looking periscope she would have -found herself bumping over a couple of mines that, with fiendish -ingenuity, the Huns had lashed to the decoy in the hope that an -inquisitive foe would be sent to the bottom. The trick was an old -one, but it added to the complication of perils which the British -seamen have to face hourly in the frequently underrated task of -preserving the millions of inhabitants of the United Kingdom from the -horrors of famine. - - - - -CHAPTER VII - -Rammed - - -THE echoes of the explosion had scarce died away when the -_Portchester Castle_ turned and steamed back to pick up her two -boats. She was still about two miles off, and nearly three times that -distance from the receding _Two-Step_. - -The crews of the cutter and the whaler were busily engaged in coiling -away the undamaged grass ropes. The connecting span had, of course, -been blown to bits by the detonation. Both boats had to be baled out, -for a quantity of water hurled skywards by the exploded mines had -fallen into the little craft. Webb's command was flooded to a depth -of a couple of inches over the bottom boards, while the whaler had -considerably more water in her. - -"Look astern, sir!" exclaimed the coxswain of the cutter. - -The Sub glanced across his shoulder. The sea in the vicinity had now -almost regained its mirror-like aspect, but in the direction -indicated by the petty officer its surface was rippled by a tell-tale -swell, as if some large object were moving slowly at a considerable -depth. - -"Stand by, lads!" ordered Webb. "Oars!" - -The blades had barely touched the water when, at a distance of less -than five yards from the cutter, appeared the twin periscopes of a -submarine--this time the genuine article. - -The U-boat, for such she was, had been lurking in the vicinity of the -decoy. Her kapitan had seen the approach of the _Portchester Castle_ -and the tramp, and feeling confident that the booby periscope would -be noticed, had remained to watch the effect of the Englanders' -curiosity. - -On hearing the explosion he wrongly concluded that the experiment had -not been a successful one, as far as the inquisitive vessel was -concerned; and after a brief interval he ordered the U-boat to the -surface, with the intention of gloating over the sinking of yet -another strafed English ship. - -"Back port--pull starboard!" ordered Webb. - -Almost in her own length the cutter swung round until she lay -broadside on to the appearing periscopes, which were still forging -ahead and momentarily showing higher and higher above the surface. - -Drawing his revolver the Sub took steady aim at almost point-blank -range. It was practically impossible to miss. The mirrors on the top -of the periscope were shattered. The next instant, the foremost metal -pipe of the now blinded submarine was grinding against the cutter's -gunwale. - -"Cutter ahoy!" shouted Haynes. - - -[Illustration: "THE SUBMARINE WAS NOW IN AN AWKWARD PLIGHT"] - - -The whaler was now a hundred yards off, and the cutter lay between -her and the still submerged U-boat. Haynes had heard the double -report of the revolver shots, and was at a loss to account for -Webb's seemingly inexplicable act. - -"Come alongside as hard as you can!" shouted Webb; then addressing -the bowman of the cutter he ordered: "A couple of hitches with your -painter, man." - -The bowman acted promptly. In a few seconds the cutter had swung -round and was being urged at a steady rate through the water with her -painter made fast to the foremost of the damaged periscopes. - -Haynes, too, had now grasped the situation. The whaler, urged at the -greatest speed by the rowers, was quickly on the spot. Her painter -was then secured to the aftermost periscope. - -The two Subs were now keenly on the alert for further developments. -The point to consider was whether the U-boat would attempt to -continue to ascend, or make a frantic effort to submerge completely. -In the former case both boats would have to be trimmed by the head to -counteract the lifting power of the invisible submarine; in the -latter case all hands, with the exception of the bowman, would have -to crowd aft in order to impart the greatest buoyancy to the for'ard -portion of the boats. - -The submarine was now in an awkward plight. In spite of the fact that -her displacement was something in the neighbourhood of six hundred -tons she had little reserve of buoyancy, represented by the weight of -water in her ballast tanks. Against this she was hampered by the two -boats, the cutter weighing a little over a ton without her crew and -gear, and the whaler supplying a dead weight of nearly half that of -her consort. - -The U-boat dare not rise. To do so, even if she were capable of the -fact with the two "millstones" literally hanging round her neck, she -would be running an unknown risk, since she was unaware of the nature -of the obstruction. Nor could she dive with safety. Before she could -admit sufficient water ballast to make her heavy enough to swamp the -two boats, the strain would wrench the periscopes from the -submarine's hull. In spite of the intricate valves, the wrench -imparted to her mechanism would make it an impossibility to prevent -quantities of water entering the interior, and send the U-boat down -for good and all. - -"We've got her, old man!" explained Haynes joyously. - -"And she's got us, too," replied Webb. "Sort of marine game of beggar -my neighbour." - -Haynes was certainly right, and so was his brother officer. Until the -_Portchester Castle_ arrived to render assistance the struggle looked -like being a dead heat, unless---- - -Yes, Webb knew that there was an "unless"--a mighty unpleasant one. -There was a possibility that the U-boat's skipper would not -surrender. Rather he would explode the war-heads of the torpedoes -still within the hull, and send the submarine to instant destruction, -at the same time involving the annihilation of the two boats and -their crews. - -At all costs Webb determined to "stand fast", but it was with mingled -feelings of elation and apprehension that he regarded the shadowy -outlines of his "capture", as the enormous hull showed dimly at -twelve feet beneath the surface. Air bubbles broke upon the slightly -agitated waves as the U-boat strove either to "sound" or break away -and rise awash. At intervals her twin screws churned the water, -sometimes going ahead and sometimes astern, with the result that the -cutter and the whaler crashed gunwale to gunwale half a dozen times -in twice as many minutes. Only the skilful and strenuous endeavours -of their crews prevented the strongly-built sides from collapsing -like shattered egg-shells. - -All this while the _Portchester Castle_ was bearing down upon the -boats. Captain M'Bride knew that something unusual was taking place. -The erratic movements of the two craft told him that, but he was at a -loss to understand the reason. - -"Cutter ahoy!" came a hail through a megaphone from the armed -merchantman's bridge. - -"What are you foul of?" - -One of the boat's crew, producing two handflags, dexterously balanced -himself upon one of the thwarts. - -"Hooked a submarine, sir," he reported. - -"How does she lie?" was the skipper's next question. - -"Bows away from you, sir; her stern's swinging on to your port bow." - -This knowledge was of importance, for, although the U-boat was blind, -it was just possible that her crew might discharge a torpedo on the -off chance of the missile getting home. - -"Stand by to cast off roundly," came the next order from the -_Portchester Castle_. "I'm going to ram her aft." - -"Now for it," thought Tom Webb. "If we're not in the ditch within the -next fifty seconds I'll be very much mistaken." - -The Sub had barely expressed himself thus, when with a quivering jerk -the U-boat shot above the surface, exposing the whole of the after -part of the conning-tower, although the fore part was still beneath -the surface. She was so down by the head that the blades of her stern -hydroplanes were visible. Realizing that it was touch-and-go, the -German skipper had released the emergency metal keel with which these -craft are equipped. - -Owing to their short painters, the cutter and the whaler were swung -in close alongside the rounded hull, their bows hoisted clear of the -water by the terrific strain upon their bow ropes. - -Several of their crews had been flung upon the bottom boards and -stern-sheets, while streams of water from the U-boat's deck -threatened to swamp the frail craft alongside. - -Instantly the after hatch of the submarine was flung open, and, -headed by a stout, fair-haired _leutnant_, the German crew armed with -revolvers began to pour through the narrow opening on to the U-boat's -decks. - -There was no indication on their part of a wish to surrender. It was -evidently going to be a hand-to-hand scrap 'twixt British and -Germans. - -The submarine's officer had taken in part of the situation at a -glance. Shouting to a couple of hands to cut the painters, he led the -rest of the men in a headlong rush towards the two boats, the Huns -opening a hot but erratic fire from their small-arms. Unfortunately -for him the _leutnant_ had not noticed in his haste the _Portchester -Castle's_ approach, until a warning shout from one of the Germans -revealed the immediate danger. - -The attack stopped immediately. Throwing down their revolvers the -Huns raised their hands above their heads, shouting "Mercy, kamerad!" -at the fullest pitch of their lungs, some directing their appeal -towards the British seamen in the boats, others towards the vengeful -merchant-cruiser. - -"Cast off!" shouted Webb. "Back, men, for all you're worth." - -Deftly the bowman of the cutter severed the painter. With a flop the -boat's bows slid down the bulging sides of the submarine, and, backed -by the vigorous efforts of half a dozen rowers, drew away from the -doomed pirate. - -No human effort on the part of Captain M'Bride could now avert the -work of destruction that the _Portchester Castle_ had already -attempted. It was impossible to check the momentum of thousands of -tons of metal, moving at fifteen knots through the water; nor could a -change of helm be effected in time to allow the ship to glide -harmlessly astern. Hulling the U-boat's side at a distance of about -fifty feet from her stern, the _Portchester Castle's_ sharp bows cut -completely through the doomed craft. The after part sank like a -stone; the major portion rolling over until the top of the -conning-tower dipped beneath the surface, floated for nearly thirty -seconds, emitting air, oil, and petrol, and disappeared from view. - -This much Tom Webb saw; then in front of his field of vision appeared -the towering hull of the armed merchantman as she tore past. Caught -between the vortex caused by the sunken U-boat and the sharp-crested -wave from her destroyer's bow, the cutter was completely overset, and -in the midst of a smother of foam the Sub found himself swimming for -dear life. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - -"In the Ditch" - - -IT was one of the rare occasions when Tom Webb could not carry out -the Scout's maxim, "Keep smiling"--at least outwardly. On being slung -out of the boat he had been temporarily winded by the edge of the -gunwale buffeting his ribs. He had sunk to a considerable depth, and -just before he regained the surface he had been compelled to swallow -a mouthful--not of honest sea water, but of some vile liquid of which -petrol and oil formed component parts. Fortunately the coating of oil -on the surface was not thick, otherwise his chance of reappearing -would have been very remote. - -"Here you are, sir; clap hold of this," exclaimed a deep voice close -to his ear, and a large grating was thrust into his grasp. - -Rubbing the water from his eyes with his disengaged hand, Webb saw -that his benefactor was the coxswain of the cutter. Half a dozen or -more men were swimming about, some supporting their less-gifted -comrades who were unable to swim. - -Owing to the presence of oil the turmoil of broken water had already -subsided. Ten yards away the cutter was floating lazily upon the long -swell, keel uppermost and with five or six men holding on, or else -somewhat foolishly attempting to clamber upon her upturned bilges. -Still farther away was the whaler, waterlogged and with only her bow -and stern-posts showing above the surface. Quite half a mile off, and -still carrying way in spite of having reversed her engines, was the -cause of the disaster to the boats. - -"Stick it, men," exclaimed Webb encouragingly. "They'll soon pick us -up." - -At which information, unnecessary since the _Portchester Castle's_ -intention was obvious, the men gave a cheer. Most of them had been -"in the ditch" before, and in far more hazardous conditions. This -immersion in a warm sea and on a calm day was of the nature of an -aquatic picnic, while with the prospect of a speedy rescue none of -the men thought it worth while to sacrifice his boots. - -The Sub found himself counting the heads of the survivors. Thank God! -the number tallied with that of the complete boat's crew. In fact, he -was not sure but that there seemed to be more. - -"Any casualties?" he enquired of the coxswain, who was lazily -swimming close to his young officer. - -"Bill Evans, sir; stopped a bullet. Right shoulder, sir. They've got -him in tow alongside the cutter. Nothing more." - -The coxswain did not think it necessary to inform Webb that he -himself had a little memento of the brief scrap with the U-boat's -crew, in the shape of a wound just above the left knee. In the water -it was hardly noticeable. - -The whaler's people, too, seemed to be in the best of spirits. They -had closed in around the waterlogged craft, each man gripping the -partly submerged gunwale and lustily singing one of the latest -ditties, just to emphasize the fact that they were very far from -being down-hearted. With them were five or six survivors of the -U-boat. Enmity had disappeared, the whaler's men treating their -companions in misfortune with the utmost good humour. - -Presently Webb felt a hand clutch at his shoulder. - -"Here, come off it!" exclaimed the coxswain. - -"If you do want a leg-up, don't put your dirty paws on our officer." - -The Sub turned his head. Behind him was a German seaman, obviously -distressed and in difficulties. He had been holding on to an oar, but -the buoyancy of the wood was insufficient to keep his head above the -surface. - -"Can you swim?" asked Webb. - -"Nein," spluttered the Hun. "Me vos no swim----" - -"Then hang on to this," continued the Sub, pushing the broad end of -the grating within reach of the German. The fellow seized it without -a word of thanks. - -"Most amiable-looking blighter," commented Webb, regarding the heavy, -sullen features of the submariner. "Wonder if you were one of the -crowd that jeered at the crew of that torpedoed Italian liner the -other day? Shouldn't be at all surprised, but I suppose I must not -ask awkward questions. Hallo, what's wrong now?" - -A yell of rage attracted the young officer's attention. One of the -Germans, either rendered temporarily insane by the fate of the -U-boat, or else filled to overflowing with the gospel of "Gott strafe -England", had made a sudden and furious attack upon one of the -whaler's crew, who a minute or so previously had generously made room -for the half-drowned Hun. - -The latter, having regained his breath, had drawn a knife and had -made several ineffectual attempts to sheathe the blade in the British -seaman's body. - -Jack Tar was quite equal to the occasion, although interrupted in the -midst of "spinning a yarn" with his chum. Evading a sweep with the -knife he gripped the German's arm, and drawing up his legs threw them -over the shoulders of his assailant. Then, literally sitting on the -Hun, he held him under water until he had swallowed a quart of -petrol-tainted fluid and was reduced to a state of insensibility. -This done, he allowed his assailant's head to appear above the -surface, and supported him until the arrival of the _Portchester -Castle's_ boats. - -"Why didn't you 'out' him while you were about it, mate?" enquired -the man's "raggie". - -"No bloomin' fear," was the reply of the magnanimous bluejacket. -Then, anxious to excuse himself, he added: "Drownin's too good for -that brute. Well, I was a-tellin' you about that there bloke wot -sneaked Bill's plug o' bacca. You see it wur like this----" - -And as if the incident of the murderous Hun had never occurred, the -sailor resumed his yarn. - -Five minutes later the saturated but undaunted crews of the capsized -boats were safe and sound on board. Nine members of the U-boat's -complement were sent below after having been provided with dry -clothing by their good-natured foes. The cutter and the whaler were -recovered and hoisted inboard, having sustained very little damage. -Then, having made their report and been complimented on their work, -Webb and Haynes went below to change their soaked uniforms. The -_Portchester Castle_, this part of her mission successfully -accomplished, put about and retraced her course to Gibraltar. - -Here the prisoners were to be sent ashore until an opportunity -occurred to put them on board a vessel bound for England, there to -swell the total of ever-increasing numbers of Hun pirates living in a -state of comparative ease in a hostile country, while thousands of -Britons, who had fought cleanly for King and Country, were -languishing, half-starved and in rags, in the hideous prison-camps of -Germany. - -"Hallo, there's a fellow who evidently wants to pow-wow with you, -Tom," said Osborne, as the two officers stood at the head of the -gangway, watching the U-boat's survivors being marched ashore. - -The German whom Osborne had indicated had stepped forward and was -signing vigorously to Webb. Then, to the Sub's surprise, the man -produced a small packet and held it out. - -"Tanks!" he exclaimed. "For you--many tanks." - -Then it was that Webb recognized the man whose life he had been -instrumental in saving. The Hun had some sense of gratitude after -all, he reflected, as he took the proffered packet. - -But before Webb could examine its contents a loud yell distracted his -attention from the Hun's gift. The last of the prisoners to leave the -ship was the fellow who had attempted to knife one of the whaler's -crew. With a show of bravado and out of sheer cruelty, he had -deliberately kicked Laddie in the ribs as he passed towards the -gangway. - -The Hun had one of the shocks of his life. He had underestimated the -spirit of an Old English sheep-dog. - -Although the kick was a heavy one, Laddie never uttered a sound. Like -an arrow from a bow the dog flew straight at the leg that was wearing -the offending boot. - -Laddie bit hard--so hard that Osborne afterwards declared that he -could hear the dog's teeth grinding upon the aggressor's shin-bone. -Yelling frantically with pain and terror the German strove to shake -off the animal, but, retaining a vice-like hold, Laddie hung on, and -finally threw the fellow on deck. As for his comrades, they ran -panic-stricken down the brow and across the Mole in spite of the -efforts of the guards to keep them under control. Nor did the British -bluejackets attempt to interfere. There was no knowing what the angry -animal might or might not do, and since the Hun brought the -punishment upon himself there was no great anxiety on the part of the -crew to intervene. - -"That's enough, I think, Mr. Osborne," said Captain M'Bride quietly. - -The Lieutenant had his doubts as to whether his pet would, in his -fury, listen to his master's voice. - -"Come here, Laddie," he ordered sternly. - -The dog obeyed instantly, and releasing his grip trotted over to -Osborne's feet. Not possessing the luxury of a tail, Laddie wagged -the whole of his hind quarters as much as to say: "Now, who says a -dog cannot do his bit for his country?" - -Limping painfully the brutal German was assisted down the gangway. He -had had his lesson. - -"What did that Hun give you?" asked Osborne some minutes later. - -"I'd forgotten all about it," said Webb, producing the packet from -his pocket. "Laddie's little dust-up put all thought of it out of my -head. It is from a fellow to whom I gave a hand when we were 'in the -ditch'. He didn't seem particularly grateful then, but I suppose he -was a bit done up. Hallo, what's this?" - -He held up an Iron Cross. - - - - -CHAPTER IX - -A Midnight Expedition - - -"HEIGH-HO! So we are up against Johnny Turk at last," exclaimed Jack -Osborne. "And a jolly clean fighter too. A foeman one can admire." - -"And treat with all proper respect," added Sub-lieutenant Haynes. "I -remember how in the earlier part of the war people at home used to -sneer at the lying Turkish _communiquĂ©s_, but, by Jove, they were -mighty close on the bull's-eye." - -"Of course I haven't had any experience of Turkish ways," remarked -Webb, "but I know something of the dirty tricks of the Huns in the -North Sea and elsewhere. I used to be under the impression that the -Turks were an effete, lying nation, only permitted to retain a small -slice of Europe by the mutual consent of the Great Powers. See how -the Bulgarians and Serbs made them run only a few years ago. And now -they're putting up one of the toughest fights that ever figured in -history." - -A fortnight had elapsed since the _Portchester Castle_ had left Gib. -for the second time. She was now cruising on outer patrol duty in the -AEgean Sea, her station being on the eastern or Asiatic shore of that -island-studded expanse of water. - -"I suppose the Germans stiffen the Turks a bit," said Osborne. "For -one thing, the presence of Hun U-boats in these waters has hampered -our movements. I wonder what sort of a job ours will be to-night?" - -The "job" to which the Lieutenant referred was the destruction of a -hitherto carefully concealed petrol depot on the shores of Asia -Minor, somewhere in the neighbourhood of Smyrna. It was from a Greek -member of a Turkish coasting vessel, captured a few hours previously, -that the information had been obtained of the precise position of the -depot; and, in spite of the fact that it is almost impossible to -trust a Greek, Captain M'Bride determined to put the information to -the test. For one thing he held the informer as a hostage, much to -the latter's undisguised alarm. - -The discovery and destruction of these secret lairs of German -_unterseebooten_ in the Mediterranean was proceeding systematically, -yet there remained a lot of work in that direction. Once the hostile -submarines were deprived of the means of replenishing their stores of -fuel, the menace to the merchant shipping of the Allies in these -waters would cease to exist, and once more the Suez Canal could be -fully utilized as an artery of commerce. Hitherto the depredations of -modern pirates had succeeded in diverting a considerable portion of -Far East shipping round the Cape of Good Hope, thus increasing the -cost of freightage and the length of a voyage. - -A messenger pattered along the deck and, approaching the three -officers, smartly saluted. - -"Cap'n's compliments, sir," he said, addressing Lieutenant Osborne. -"He wants to see commanding officers of boats in his cabin." - -"Now to business," exclaimed Osborne gleefully as, accompanied by -Webb and Haynes, he made his way aft. They found Captain M'Bride -leaning over the table, his head supported by his hands, and his -elbows planted upon a large-scale map. - -"Good evening, gentlemen!" was his cheery greeting. "We may as well -go into final details of this little business. You, Mr. Osborne, will -be in charge of the boats. I am sending the steam cutter, the pulling -cutter, and the whaler. Now, here is your objective--Akhissareli. -According to this chart, there are four fathoms to within fifty yards -of the shore so long as you give that ledge of rocks a wide berth. -There is a sandy bottom, so you ought to have no difficulty in -getting ashore. My experience is that one usually finds soft mud in -the inlets in these parts, but this gives emphatic information to the -contrary. We'll take the ship in to within ten miles of the shore. -The steam cutter can then tow the other boats to save the men a long -and arduous pull. Use your discretion, Mr. Osborne, when to cast off -the tow, but for goodness' sake don't let the Turks have an inkling -of your approach. See that the leading stoker does not let even a -solitary spark escape through the funnels. By the Greek's account -there'll be a guard of fifteen men, so everything depends upon a -complete surprise. I'll leave you to make your own arrangements, but -at six bells I'll close with the shore and keep a bright look-out for -your signals, so as to pick you up without delay. The Admiral is -sending a couple of destroyers to keep an eye on the _Portchester -Castle_, so we ought to be fairly safe from submarine attack. Now, -Mr. Osborne, suppose you discuss your plans with your two -subordinates, and if I have any criticism to make I'll do so." - -As a matter of fact the skipper listened in silence while Osborne -discussed the operations with the two sub-lieutenants. He had a high -opinion of the young officer's sound judgment, and, listening, had no -cause to alter his opinion. - -"By the by," remarked Captain M'Bride when the council of war was -about to break up, "I suppose you'll see that that pet of yours is -left behind? Not that I have any complaint to make against him. He's -turned up trumps more than once; but I think it advisable to mention -the matter." - -"Of course, sir," replied Osborne. "Laddie was hanging round the -cook's galley, so he won't know that we're going." - -But Osborne was mistaken. The dog instinctively knew that something -was about to transpire. Possibly when the leading stoker of the steam -cutter, who was one of the animal's special pets, proceeded to raise -steam, Laddie spotted a chance of a run ashore. - -So while in the darkness--for night had fallen--the landing party -mustered for inspection, the dog slipped quietly up the ladder to the -cutter on the booms, and concealed himself under one of the seats in -the cabin. - -By the feeble glimmer of a hand lantern borne by one of the -quartermasters, Lieutenant Osborne made a critical inspection of the -men's arms and equipment. Then, the landing party having been -reported all correct, they were briefly addressed by the Captain, -who, having explained the nature of the operations, bade them good -luck and a safe return. - -The men having embarked, the steam cutter took the two boats in tow -and steered solely on a compass course shaped in the direction of the -invisible Akhissareli. An hour later, for progress was slow, the loom -of the land became visible, while shortly afterwards the rugged -outlines of the mountains could be discerned silhouetted against the -starlit sky. - -"Stop her," ordered Osborne. - -Still carrying way the two pulling boats ran close alongside, while -their crews silently dropped the heavy ash oars into the muffled -rowlocks. For the time being the steamboat was to "stand by", ready -to proceed to the assistance of her consorts, should aid be -necessary. It was upon the cutter and the whaler that the brunt of -the operations was to fall. - -Armed with a pair of powerful night-glasses Osborne took up his post -on the cabin top and swept the distant shore. Everything appeared to -be quiet. Not a sound was to be heard save the distant roar of the -surf on a ledge of rocks well to windward of the inlet. Not a light -was visible on shore. The place seemed as deserted as the polar -regions. - -"Sir," whispered a petty officer; "here's this dog of yours." - -"How came he on board?" asked Osborne sternly. - -"Dunno, sir; he's just come out of the cabin." - -Osborne realized that he was on the horns of a dilemma. Unwittingly -he had disobeyed an indirect order from his skipper, since he was -responsible for the dog. Should Laddie bark or make a sound the -success of the enterprise would be jeopardized. Briefly, the -situation was this: everything depended upon the animal's behaviour. -In one scale of the balance were the lives and liberties of, perhaps, -fifty men; in the other the life of a dog. - -Quickly the Lieutenant decided how to act. - -"Now, Laddie," he said earnestly, "lie down and don't make a sound -until I give you permission. Be a good dog." - -Then addressing one of the steamboat's crew he continued: "Get a -marline-spike from the tool-chest, Walters; that's right. Now listen. -I want you to stand by Laddie. Keep one hand in his collar. At the -first sign he makes of barking, hit him as hard as you can over the -head. You understand?" - -"Yes, sir," replied the man. He was a trustworthy and thoroughly -steady-nerved bluejacket, who would not be likely to become "jumpy". -Laddie's life, then, was safe in his charge, provided Osborne's pet -obeyed his master's instructions. - -The Lieutenant resumed his watch. By this time both pulling boats -were out of sight, swallowed up in the intense darkness. At intervals -he glanced at the luminous dial of his watch. The minutes seemed to -drag with a persistency hitherto unknown. Surely the two boats were -by this time close to their objective? - -Suddenly a flash of reddish light stabbed the darkness, then a galaxy -of others--a regular blaze of rifle fires. As the report of the first -shot reached the Lieutenant's ears, Osborne leant over the edge of -the cabin top. - -"You can put that marline-spike down, Walters," he said quietly. -Then, leaping into the stern-sheets and snatching up the voice-tube, -he gave the order "Full speed ahead". - -Even as the steamboat gathered way, half a dozen search-lights were -unmasked ashore. Two of the giant beams swung seawards, the rest -being directed upon the enclosed water of the creek. At the same time -the rattle of musketry was augmented by the deeper bark of -quick-firers and the ominous tap-tap-tap of machine-guns. - -Instinctively Osborne realized that, far from being a surprise, the -landing expedition had been properly ambushed. Treachery had been at -work. The Greek who, fortunately, was still detained on board the -_Portchester Castle_ had deliberately misled the British. Instead of -the operations being directed against a secret petrol depot, the -boats found themselves up against a powerful and well-organized -system of shore batteries and a strong force of troops to oppose -their landing. - -Clearly Osborne knew his duty. At all costs the steamboat must dash -in and rescue her consorts or perish in the attempt. - -Suddenly one of the seaward-directed searchlights swung rapidly past -the steam cutter and, hesitating, played fairly upon the hull of a -large torpedo-boat that was making at full speed in the direction of -Akhissareli. - -For a brief instant Osborne hesitated. He knew that British -destroyers were in the vicinity, and possibly this was one tearing to -the assistance of the _Portchester Castle's_ boats. He dare not make -a private signal lest the shore batteries should spot the steamboat's -presence. On the other hand, there were two factors that tended to -upset the friendly destroyer theory. The Turks ashore had made no -attempt to fire upon the approaching craft; her outlines, as shown up -by the search-lights, were unfamiliar. As she drew nearer, Osborne -knew conclusively that it was a Turkish torpedo-boat, no doubt -attempting to run the gauntlet of the Allied fleets. - -"Let her have it," shouted Osborne, at the same time ordering the -helm to be ported ten degrees, in order to bring the steamboat on a -slightly converging course with that of the Ottoman torpedo craft, -which, by reason of superior speed, was rapidly overtaking the -British boat. - -The gun-layer of the quick-firer obeyed instantly. With a lurid -flash, accompanied by an ear-splitting detonation, the first shell -sped on its errand of destruction. Well and truly laid was the gun, -for the projectile, striking the lightly armoured conning-tower of -the torpedo-boat, literally pulverized it. Five seconds later a -second shell, hitting the Turkish craft just abaft the second funnel, -played havoc in the engine-room. Columns of steam, gleaming like -tarnished silver in the glare of the search-light, poured through the -shattered deck, as, listing heavily, the torpedo-boat circled to -starboard. Feebly she replied to the steamboat's fire. Momentarily -she lost way, for the lucky shot had crippled her engines; while the -survivors of her crew on deck, imagining that she was about to -founder, or else panic-stricken by the destruction wrought by the -shell, threw themselves overboard and began to swim for the shore. - -That particular piece of work accomplished--the action had lasted -less than a minute--Osborne again steadied the steam cutter on her -course to the rescue of the trapped landing party. - - - - -CHAPTER X - -How the Landing Party Fared - - -IT will now be necessary to set back the hands of the clock, and -follow the adventures of Sub-lieutenants Webb and Haynes from the -time when the cutter and the whaler parted company with the -steamboat. - -Tom Webb, being now the senior officer, led the way, steering a -compass course, and having to make due allowances for the southerly -current from the distant Dardanelles. Only the ripple of the water -from the boat's bows, the laboured breathing of the oarsmen, and the -creak of the stretchers broke the silence of the night. The muffled -oars were admirably handled, not a plash being audible as the blades -rose cleanly from the phosphorescent water. The superb pulling of -those Royal Naval Reserve men would have evoked praise from the most -critical naval officer. - -Gradually the shore loomed up nearer and nearer. Progress was slow -but sure, for Webb had taken the precaution to reserve the rowers' -strength for the final lap. On the port hand the land rose abruptly. -To starboard a ledge of jagged rocks stretched seaward; while dead -ahead lay a comparatively broad expanse of land-locked water, its -extent rendered baffling by the deep reflection cast by the high -ground upon the placid surface. - -Keeping midway between the entrance points Webb steered straight in. -The petrol depot was supposed to be on the port-hand side, on gently -shelving ground hidden from seaward by a line of low cliffs. - -Webb would not have been surprised if, on rounding the entrance, -there were signs of activity on shore. A couple of submarines, -perhaps, anchored in the seclusion of the creek, and in the act of -taking in quantities of fuel. But all was quiet. Not a sound came -from the shadowy land; not a light was visible. - -The cutter was in the act of turning to port, when from the high -ground at the entrance to the creek a rifle-shot rang out, and a -bullet whizzed within fifty feet of the boat's bows. There was no -mistaking the shot. It was not a chance bullet, but a purposely-made -signal. - -"Give way, lads!" exclaimed the Sub, all necessity for silence now at -an end. Haynes, too, gave the word for his men to pull their hardest, -and now, almost neck and neck, the two boats literally tore through -the water, greeted by a veritable fusillade from the heights on the -left and from the shelving ground ahead. - -A stifled cry of pain told Webb that one of the boat's crew had -stopped a piece of nickel; but, setting his teeth grimly, the wounded -man, despite a bullet wound completely through the left arm, stuck -gamely to his oar. - -"By Jove!" muttered the young officer as the blinding glare of the -first of the unmasked search-lights played fairly upon his eyes, -"we're trapped." - -Then other rays darted across the surface of the creek, transforming -the darkness of the night into a state of brilliance almost -approaching that of daylight. A seven-pounder shell, hurtling -overhead, exploded a hundred yards astern of the whaler, while, all -around the two boats, the water was churned into a series of -miniature waterspouts by a hail of bullets. - -The British craft did not come off unscathed. Splinters from the ash -oars and from the gunwales flew in all directions. Already writhing -figures were huddled upon the cutter's bottom-boards, while stifled -groans from the whaler told the unpleasant fact that some of her crew -had been hit. - -"Pull starboard, back port!" ordered Webb. With the opening fire of -the Turkish light guns he knew that it would be worse than useless to -attempt to carry out the operations. It would only be needlessly -sacrificing the lives of the men without the faintest chance of -success. All that could be done was to withdraw from the veritable -death-trap, if such a course were possible. - -The Turks were now using machine-guns, but luckily their aim was bad, -for the scythe-like hail of bullets passed harmlessly over the boats. -Had the weapons been depressed a mere fraction of an inch, the -British would have been wiped out to a man. - -Quickly the whaler followed the cutter's example, turning and making -for the open sea. - -By this time the roar of the hostile fire was deafening. Had the -search-lights not been running, the flashes of the guns and of the -continuous musketry were sufficient to turn the hitherto pitch -darkness into a lurid glare. Showing up clearly against the high -ground on the opposite side of the creek, the boats presented an easy -target. By all the laws and theories of modern warfare they should -have been blown clear out of the water; instead, they seemed to be -shielded by a special providence. - -As the boats withdrew and the range of the hostile fire increased, -the Turks began to aim with better results. The coxswain of Webb's -boat, shot through the head, was lying across the backboard of the -stern-sheets. The bowman, hit by a flying fragment of shell, had -dropped inertly over the thwart. Others of the crew had sustained -more or less serious wounds, until only six men were left to use the -oars. - -Nor did the whaler fare better. Four dead men lay upon the -bottom-boards, seven badly wounded were striving to make light of -their terrible injuries. Even when face to face with death the -gallant British seamen "stuck it", with grim smiles on their faces -and light-hearted jests on their lips. Several of the oars had been -splintered; there were half a dozen bullet holes through the planks -'twixt wind and water, to say nothing of numerous perforations in the -top-strakes of the gunwales. Yet the whaler still kept afloat, thanks -to the determination and resource of her crew, who stuffed strips -torn from their scarves into the shot holes and plied balers -vigorously, despite the galling fire to which they were unable to -reply. - -In vain Webb looked for the steam cutter; but while scanning the -entrance to the creek he saw something that called for instant -action--something that in a measure accounted for the fact that the -boats had not been destroyed. The Turkish quick-firers and most of -the small arms were directing a fairly concentrated storm of shot and -shell across the entrance, thus creating an almost impassable -barrage. Clearly the Sub saw the object of these tactics: the enemy -were trying to force the two boats into surrendering, rather than -blow them out of the water. - -Webb found himself asking the question "For why?" He could give no -satisfactory reply. He was in a very tight corner; but he had been in -similar predicaments before, and his resource and courage had brought -him through. Why not now? - -"By Jove!" he muttered; "if we can get in close to the shore those -cliffs will shelter us. They don't seem to have posted any troops -there, and certainly there are no quick-firers." - -Acting promptly he altered helm. The rowers, finding their boat -heading towards the shore, regarded their young officer with evident -concern, until they saw the cool resolute look upon the Sub's face. -Then they knew that he had something in view that might extricate -them from the deadly trap. - -The whaler, too, followed suit, and, before the Turks realized the -fact, both boats were sheltered from the hostile fire. - -The Sub now steered the cutter parallel with the line of low cliffs -and at a distance of about three boats' lengths from their base. At -intervals the two craft had to edge outwards in order to avoid the -jagged reefs that jutted out from the precipitous cliffs; yet -progressing slowly, for the men at the oars were either wounded or -well-nigh exhausted, the cutter, followed by the whaler, crept -towards the open sea. And still no sign of the steamboat that was -supposed to be standing by to cover their movements. - -Suddenly Webb spotted something ahead that filled him with vague -apprehension. He stood upright in order to verify his suspicions. -There was no mistake: stretched right across the narrowest part of -the entrance was a formidable barrier composed of wire hawsers -supported on floating iron-spiked balks of timber. - -The obstruction had not been there when the boats entered the -land-locked estuary. It was a device planned under the supervision of -German officers, and was simple in its design and operation. The -balks had been bunched together close on shore. From the outermost -one a flexible steel hawser crossed the entrance and was secured to a -powerful capstan on the opposite bank. With no strain upon it the -hawser lay on the bottom of the creek, and the navigable channel was -clear. Directly the cutter and the whaler had passed over the hawser -a strain was taken on it, with the result that the balks of timber -were hauled into position, forming a "boom" too strong to be severed -by the "way" of a rowing boat, too buoyant to be pushed under water -to allow a craft to pass above, and with too great a strain on the -connecting hawser to permit a boat to force her way underneath. It -was like being in a bottle with the neck tightly corked. - -"What do you make of it?" shouted Tom to the Sub in charge of the -whaler. - -"A tough job," replied Haynes. "D'you think that there's a live wire -attached to that contraption?" - -"I'll soon find out, old son," rejoined Webb. There was no time to be -lost, for the Turks, realizing that the boats were temporarily -sheltered, would almost certainly rush a couple of machine-guns to -the summit of the cliff. At close range, for the boats were now -within twenty yards of the shore, the British landing party would be -at the mercy of the enemy. - -Snatching up an india-rubber mat that lay in the stern-sheets Webb -made his way for'ard, over the thwarts and the pack of wounded men. -Then, clambering on the nearest balk of timber, he threw the -insulated material over one of the wires and forced it against the -next cable. Nothing resulted. That pair, at all events, did not -convey any powerful and death-dealing current of electricity. - -"A couple of hands for'ard," ordered the Sub. "Bring a hammer and -chisel from the boat's bag and start cutting through this wire gear." - -Volunteers were quickly forthcoming--two seamen who had been but -slightly wounded. While they were tackling the task, knee-deep in -water owing to the timber sinking under their weight, Webb tested the -remaining wire ropes. To his intense satisfaction they were -comparatively harmless; but the fact remained that there were six -2-inch flexible wires to be cut through before the boats could gain -the open sea. - -Desperately the two seamen attacked the stubborn wire with cold -chisel and hammer. It was a slow business, for the steel was -extremely tough, while the lack of anything in the nature of an anvil -caused much of the force of the hammer to be wasted. - -"One nearly through, sir," reported the seaman with the chisel. His -hands were streaming with blood, owing to lacerations made by the -severed strands, each of which was as tough and as sharp as a -sailmaker's needle. "Wish we had a hacksaw," he added. - -"No good wishing for something we haven't got," said Webb. "We'll do -it all in good time. Let me give you a spell." - -But before the Sub could make his way along the partly submerged -timber Haynes exclaimed: - -"Stand by; here they come!" - -Webb listened intently. He could distinguish the thud of many feet, -and the high-pitched sort of cheer that Turkish infantry frequently -give vent to when advancing at the double. - -"Back with you!" he ordered, addressing the two seamen on the balk. -"Stand to your arms, men!" - -The Sub had made up his mind. It must be a fight to the death. There -could be no surrender. Yet it was a forlorn hope. At the utmost, only -a dozen rifles would be able to reply to the renewed attack. - -Another and totally different sound wafted across the sea, at first -so faintly that Webb was afraid to trust the evidence of his own -senses. The sound increased in volume. Now it was unmistakable--the -chug-chug of the steam cutter's engines. - -Snatching up a Very's pistol and inserting a cartridge, Webb fired -into the air. The green light from the signal-cartridge threw a -sickly glare upon the scene, hitherto shrouded in intense darkness; -for, although the greater portion of the creek was one blaze of -search-lights, the darkness under the cliffs was almost impenetrable. - -Well it was that Webb had fired the signal, for the steamboat was -heading for the centre of the creek. Instantly the boat altered helm -and tore down upon the two trapped craft. She was charging at full -speed against the formidable boom. "Steamboat ahoy!" shouted Webb at -the full force of his lungs. "Slow down; there's an obstruction ahead -of you." - -The warning was unheeded. Either Osborne had failed to hear his -chum's voice, or else he had made up his mind to charge the boom, in -the hope that the steamboat's sharp bow would shear through the -danger. - -The outermost wire of the boom parted like packthread under the -terrific impact of ten tons of deadweight, travelling at fifteen -knots. By good luck the boat had struck the boom immediately between -two of the balks of timber, otherwise her planks would have been -ripped like paper by the formidable steel spikes. - -The second wire sagged but held. A whole section of the boom swayed, -the side nearest the cutter slipping under the water, while the other -side reared five or six feet in the air, narrowly missing the bows of -the whaler in its descent. - -For quite twenty yards the steamboat was forced astern by the rebound -of the hawser; then, just as she was forging ahead once more, Osborne -ordered the engines to be stopped. Very docilely the boat ran -alongside the insurmountable barrier. - -"All aboard here--all hands!" ordered Osborne, addressing the -survivors of the cutter and the whaler. - -The bow gun of the steamboat was spitting venomously at parties of -Turks who had now appeared upon the top of the cliffs. Distinctly -silhouetted against the glow of the search-lights they made an -excellent target, while the boats, lying close alongside the steeply -rising ground, were practically invisible, save for the flashes of -the steamboat's gun. - -Assisted by their slightly wounded comrades, the disabled seamen were -helped along the swaying timber and received on board the steam -cutter. Webb and Haynes were the last to leave. The latter had come -off lightly, having sustained nothing more than a graze across the -forehead. - -"Bear a hand, old man!" exclaimed Webb, after a vain attempt to -scramble upon the boat's side. - -"Hit?" enquired Haynes laconically. - -"Don't know. Fancy I must be," replied the Sub dully. - -Had not Haynes grasped his comrade by the shoulders Webb would have -dropped inertly from the balk of timber into the sea. Everything was -turning a dazzling white before his eyes. His nerveless hands were -holding on to the top-strake of the cutter, yet he was unconscious of -the fact. - -"Buck up!" exclaimed Haynes encouragingly. "Now, up she comes!" - -With a determined effort the Sub of the whaler heaved his chum upon -the cutter's waterways. - -"Where are you hit, old man?" he asked, but the question was -unanswered. Sub-lieutenant Tom Webb was unconscious. - - - - -CHAPTER XI - -Osborne's Capture - - -WITH assistance Dicky Haynes contrived to carry his brother Sub to -the diminutive cabin, where three badly wounded men had already been -placed in comparative shelter. More for his chum, Dicky Haynes was -unable to do for the present. His duty required him to be on deck to -assist the already hard-worked Osborne. - -The bow gun was still firing. Not that any of the enemy were visible, -but merely to let them know that sections of the cliffs in the -vicinity of the steamboat were decidedly "unhealthy". The Turkish -infantry had suffered fairly heavily when they appeared above the -crest, and the renewed fire from the steam cutter was sufficient to -keep them at a discreet distance. - -"Easy astern!" ordered the Lieutenant. "One of you nip below and see -if she's strained." - -A seaman disappeared down the hatchway of the fore-cabin, quickly -reappearing with the disconcerting news that there was water on the -floorboards. - -"A couple of hands to try and locate the leak," continued Osborne. -Then grasping the flexible voice-tube he gave the leading stoker -instructions to couple up the steam bilge-pump. - -Having drawn clear of the boom, and left the pulling cutter and the -whaler to their fate, the steamboat forged ahead, and put a safe -distance betwixt her and the trap that had all but proved fatal to -the unfortunate landing party. - -The result of running ahead was to increase the rush of water through -the holed plank, which, located close to the bulkhead at the fore-end -of the stokehold, was awkward to get at. Moreover, a hole in a -diagonal-planked craft is specially difficult to repair, even in a -temporary fashion. In spite of the action of the powerful pumps the -water was gaining, although the transverse bulkhead kept the -engine-room from being flooded. Yet the danger of the boat foundering -had to be faced. - -With fire-tinged smoke pouring from her funnels the cutter continued -her retreat. As long as she kept on a certain bearing, she was masked -by the cliffs from the search-light and the direct fire of the -Turkish quick-firers yet Osborne knew that by so doing he was running -a risk of piling the little craft upon one of the numerous ledges of -rock that jutted out from the shore. - -"Vessel dead ahead, sir," reported the look-out man. - -A couple of hundred yards away and right athwart the steamboat's -course was a long, low-lying craft, apparently hove-to. She showed no -lights, nor had she attempted to hail the approaching British boat. -To pass her to starboard meant almost certain disaster upon the -rocks; to alter helm to pass her to port would result in the -steamboat entering the field of the search-lights, and consequently -make her an easy target for the hostile guns. - -"Stand by, there!" exclaimed Osborne. "Let her have it directly I -give the word. Steady on your helm, coxswain. Keep her at that." - -For a few seconds Lieutenant Osborne kept his glasses focused on the -mysterious craft. Was she a Turkish patrol-boat intent upon cutting -off the steam cutter's retreat, or one of the British motor craft -sent to assist the landing party? - -Suddenly the Lieutenant gave a chuckle of delight. - -"It's our old friend the Turkish torpedo-boat," he remarked to -Haynes. "We gave her what-ho! on our way to pick you up. Her crew -jumped overboard and swam for it." - -One thing still puzzled him. The torpedo-boat, when abandoned by her -panic-stricken crew, was a couple of miles farther to the south-west. -Now, although apparently without way, she had almost grounded on the -north-eastern shore of the extensive bay. - -"Can't be the current," mused Osborne. "That sets southerly from the -Dardanelles. Perhaps it's a counter-current, though." - -The latter theory was correct. A strong run of water, deflected from -the opposite side of the bay, had set the derelict in a totally -different direction from the one Osborne had imagined. - -"We'll have her, old man," he exclaimed to Haynes. "It will be -something to make up for the rotten business. Stand by, bowmen. Out -fenders!" - -With hardly the faintest bump, for there was no sea on, the steam -cutter was brought alongside the abandoned Turkish craft. Although -badly damaged about the upper works and hulled several times above -the water-line, the latter was still "as tight as a bottle". A couple -of hands were placed on board to take the helm, and the cutter, -lashed alongside fore and aft, began to gather way. Gradually speed -worked up to five knots, as the little captor and her comparatively -large prize drew away from the dangerous shore. - -Osborne realized that he was not yet "out of the wood". Ahead was a -stretch of brilliantly illuminated water, where the search-lights, -playing above and over the cliffs, were able to throw direct rays -upon the sea. Yet, as the steamboat and her prize entered the light, -the Turks refrained from reopening fire. They had spotted the -captured torpedo-boat; the steam cutter lashed alongside was hidden -from their view by the greater bulk of her capture. They recognized -the former as a unit of the Ottoman Navy. She was known to be -attempting a run from the Dardanelles to Smyrna; and yet there could -only be one reason why she should be proceeding in a westerly -direction. - -When at length the Turks realized that the torpedo-boat was a prize, -they brought every available gun to bear upon her. For several -minutes the water all around was churned into columns of foam. -Several fragments of shell struck the prize. The steamboat, snugly -sheltered under her lee, escaped without further damage. Foiled in -their endeavour, the enemy reluctantly ceased fire. - -As soon as they were out of range the boat's crew were able to devote -themselves to their wounded comrades. For the first time that night a -lamp was lighted in the after-cabin. - -Tom Webb had recovered consciousness when, having left Haynes in -charge, Lieutenant Osborne went below to see how his brother officer -and close companion fared. - -The Sub's injuries consisted of a painful, though not dangerous, -flesh wound in the muscles of the right leg--a nasty laceration -caused by one of the sharp spikes of the boom. Webb, in his desperate -work, had not noticed the wound until he had attempted to climb over -the side of the steamboat. In addition he had a contused wound on the -top of his head, although he had no idea of how or when the injury -was received. - -"I always was noted for my thick skull, Osborne," he remarked, with a -rather sorry endeavour to follow out the Scout's maxim of "Keep -smiling". "But I'm sorry for what has happened." - -"It wasn't your fault, or anyone's, as far as I can make out," said -the Lieutenant. "We were had properly. These things are bound to -occur in war-time. It's lucky it's no worse." - -"Rather humiliating, though," continued Webb. "Getting in a proper -rat-trap without the chance of firing a shot." - -"We fired many a round, only you know nothing about it," announced -Osborne. "We were quite hotly engaged----" - -"What's that noise I hear?" interrupted the injured officer, as a -grinding, rasping sound penetrated into the cabin. - -"Oh, that? Nothing much," replied Osborne modestly. "We've a prize -lashed alongside--a Turkish torpedo-boat. She got in our way after -the boats had cast off, and we winged her. Later on we fell in with -her again, and finding her abandoned but seaworthy, we took -possession of her. So you see, Tom, it hasn't been altogether a -fruitless expedition. We've lost the pulling cutter and the whaler, -and collared a torpedo-boat in exchange." - -"Good business!" exclaimed Webb. "I'd like to cheer, Osborne, only my -throat's burning; and I can't grin my appreciation; the bump on my -head has stretched my cheeks so tightly that if I did I really -believe I'd crack the skin. You know----" - -"Destroyer bearing down on the starboard bow, sir," reported Haynes -in his best professional manner. - -Osborne hurried from the cabin. Feeble though the lamplight was, it -was sufficient to dazzle his eyes and render him incapable of seeing -anything distinctly. - -"Bring a signalling lamp with you," he ordered, at the same time -making a leap for the torpedo-boat's deck. - -Out of the darkness flashed the destroyer's search-light full upon -the prize. It was a nerve-racking ordeal, for the oncoming craft, -recognizing the torpedo-boat as a Turkish vessel, would perhaps start -blazing away without further ado. - -Promptly the steamboat's signalman made her private number. The -destroyer acknowledged, and the danger was at an end. Circling and -easing down, the British war-ship approached within hailing distance. - -"_Portchester Castle's_ steamboat and prize, eh?" shouted her -Lieutenant-commander. "You're lucky to have collared their -torpedo-boat. We've been on the look-out for her the last week. Can -we render any assistance?" - -Osborne considered. It was still a long way back to the _Portchester -Castle_. Already the wind was rising, and the sea, hitherto calm, -promised to become at least choppy before very long. - -"Will you relieve us of our prize?" he asked. - -"Certainly," was the reply. "We'll tow her into Lemnos." - -Admirably manoeuvred, the destroyer came close enough to enable a -line to be thrown to the prize's fore-deck. To the line was attached -a stout wire hawser, the end of which was made fast to the -torpedo-boat's for'ard bollard. Half a dozen sailors from the -destroyer boarded and took possession of the capture, while Osborne -and his men returned to the steamboat. The lashings securing the -latter alongside the prize were then cast off, and in less than ten -minutes the destroyer and her tow were swallowed up in the darkness. - -"That's a load off my mind," soliloquized Osborne, as speed was -increased to fifteen knots. By this time the leak had been -temporarily plugged, the water that had made its way into the -fore-cabin had been ejected, and there was every chance of the -steamboat making a quick run back to her parent ship. - -"Where be the dawg, sir?" enquired one of the steamboat's crew. "I -can't see 'im nowheres aboard." - -"Laddie!" exclaimed the Lieutenant. "Where are you? Come here, old -boy." - -There was no response. In ordinary circumstances Laddie would be -within a paw's length of his master. Even though the animal might be -sulking after the Lieutenant's admonition (and the dog was not given -to sulking), the mere utterance of his name would bring him bounding -to his master in an ecstasy of delight. - -"Anyone seen Laddie recently?" sang out the Lieutenant, addressing -the men up for'ard. - -"I saw him a-followin' you when you got aboard that tawpeda-boat, -sir," declared a young able-seaman. "He were close on your heels when -you jumped, sir." - -"Have a look down below," continued Osborne anxiously. - -A search of the fore-cabin produced no desired result. In the -diminutive engine-room, the leading stoker examined every nook and -cranny of the compartment housing that box of tricks of intricate -machinery. Reluctantly Osborne came to the conclusion that his pet -was missing. The able-seaman, questioned further, was firm in his -belief that he had seen Laddie following his master, but he could not -say whether the animal actually boarded the prize. Nor could any of -the other men express a definite opinion on that point. - -It was just possible that the dog might have missed his footing, and -have fallen between the steamboat and her capture. Failing being -crushed between the two craft he might have fallen into the sea, and, -unnoticed in the bustle, had been lost in the darkness. - -Two hours later the steamboat--the sole survivor of the three boats -that had left the ship--ran alongside the _Portchester Castle_. - -"By Jove, Osborne!" exclaimed Captain M'Bride, who in his anxiety had -remained all night on deck. "What has happened?" - -"They were properly on the alert, sir," replied the Lieutenant. "We -were trapped, and were unable to accomplish our mission. However, we -fell in with a Turkish torpedo-boat, engaged her, and compelled the -crew to abandon ship. On the return run we again fell in with the -torpedo-boat, took possession, and towed her until relieved by one of -our destroyers." - -"That evens things up a bit," remarked the skipper. "And the cutter -and the whaler?" - -"Had to be abandoned, sir. They found themselves on the wrong side of -a boom." - -"And our casualties?" - -"Mr. Webb wounded, Mr. Haynes wounded slightly. Five men killed and -nine wounded, and----" - -"And----?" repeated Captain M'Bride. - -"Laddie missing, sir," continued Osborne. - - - - -CHAPTER XII - -The Turkish Biplane - - -A WEEK passed. Although the _Portchester Castle_ was far from being -inactive, the result of almost continuous patrol work amongst the -islands of the AEgean Sea produced nothing in the nature of the -capture or destruction of a hostile craft. There had been numerous -false alarms; suspicious vessels had been chased, overhauled and -boarded, only to find that their papers were in thorough order and -their cargoes of a non-contraband nature; wild-goose expeditions had -been carried out in search of imaginary petrol depots--all of which -were most disappointing. The only redeeming feature of the business -was that the presence of a strong fleet of patrolling craft tended to -curtail the enemy's activities. The mere knowledge that the -approaches to the Dardanelles were closely watched, acted as a -deterrent both to the Turkish torpedo craft and the German submarines -that had been sent hither, in a vain attempt to drive the Allied -fleets from the open water of the Mediterranean and to stifle the -merchant shipping of that inland sea. - -Before the expiration of those seven days Sub-lieutenant Tom Webb was -reported fit for duty. Thanks to clean living and a robust -constitution, he made rapid progress under the skilful care of the -ship's doctor. His regret for Osborne's loss was almost equal to that -of Laddie's master. - -The latter was badly hit by the catastrophe. Although he gave little -outward sign of his grief, he felt the loss of his pet acutely. - -"He may turn up again, old man," said Webb consolingly. "Just as -likely as not he was left on board the torpedo-boat. If so, the -destroyer's people will look after him until we get in touch with -her." - -"I wish I could share your opinion, Tom," replied Osborne. "But I -can't see how that could possibly happen. Laddie wouldn't remain on -board when I left. No, I'm afraid he's gone for good; and it's the -horrible uncertainty of his fate that makes matters worse." - -Captain M'Bride, too, was profuse in his sympathy. - -"Of course, Osborne," he remarked, "I can't very well send out a -general wireless asking if one of our destroyers has picked up a dog. -I'd possibly get rapped over the knuckles by the Admiral for my -pains. But I'll tell you what I'll do. I'll write a private letter to -a chum of mine at Lemnos--he's the skipper of the _Tarbox_--and ask -him to institute enquiries. I'm rather inclined to favour Mr. Webb's -theory, you know." - -"Thanks, sir," replied Osborne. "It would be----" - -"Aeroplane on our port quarter, sir," shouted one of the look-out -men. - -The three officers hastened to the bridge, where the officer of the -watch had already brought his telescope to bear upon the approaching -air-craft. - -"A Johnny Turk, sir," reported the watchkeeper. "There are crescents -on her planes." - -A bugle blared "Action Stations". The two anti-aircraft guns were -manned, while the quick-firers were trained to their extreme -elevation in the hope that the oncoming aerial foe would still be a -sufficient distance from the ship to enable the weapons to be brought -to bear upon the swiftly-moving target. - -Already it was too late for the ordinary quick-firers to be of -service. The "anti's" alone had to be employed to fire at the Turkish -aeroplane. Should the latter elect to rise to a great altitude the -comparatively feeble weapons would be of little use. On the other -hand, the higher the aeroplane rose the greater difficulty there -would be of hitting a moving target like the _Portchester Castle_. - -The two guns spoke almost simultaneously. By the aid of the -"tracers", thin wisps of smoke from the soaring projectiles, it was -quite easy to follow the flight of the shrapnel shells. Both burst -seemingly close to the enemy air-craft. The observers in the armed -merchant-cruiser could see the delicate smoke-wreaths from the -detonating projectile being riven by the rush of air from the -swiftly-moving machine. For a few seconds the aeroplane appeared to -falter; then steadying herself, continued her flight undamaged. - -Ten seconds later a bomb crashed into the sea, exploding with a -terrific detonation within fifty yards of the _Portchester Castle's_ -starboard quarter. It was near enough to send a shower of spray -completely over the ship's poop, while fragments of metal rattled -against her steel sides. - -Again a shrapnel shell burst overhead, but so far from the target -that Osborne involuntarily exclaimed, "Rotten shot"; but, the instant -after, "anti No. 2" succeeded in making the aeroplane side-slip for -nearly a hundred feet before it recovered and circled in order to -regain a favourable position for dropping more explosives. - -Instinctively Tom Webb edged nearer the chart-house, but only for a -moment. Captain M'Bride and Lieutenant Osborne were standing rigid -and apparently unconscious of the danger. Their example, coupled with -the fact that if the bomb did hit the bridge there would not be -sufficient fragments of the chart-house to fill a pint measure, -steadied the Sub's nerves. Many a time he had been in danger of being -blown sky-high by mine or torpedo. He had grown used to such perils; -but the unprecedented possibility of being pulverized by an enemy -that could be seen had been responsible for his unpremeditated effort -to gain a useless shelter. - -Meanwhile the _Portchester Castle_, having been given the fullest use -of the helm, was swinging to port. As she did so, the second bomb -fell where her bows would have been had she held on her course. - -"That was a near one, Osborne," remarked Captain M'Bride calmly, as -he wiped the spray from his eyes, for the cascade of foam had fallen -inboard, some of it flying over the elevated bridge. "This chap is a -sticker for business. See, he's making another circle." - -At that moment a man rushed up from below, and, leaping over the -stanchion-rails, disappeared beneath the waves. Osborne and Webb -hastened to the end of the bridge, but the suicide never appeared -again. - -It was the Greek, who had been detained on board pending his trial -for treachery in connection with the thwarted attempt upon the -non-existent petrol depot of Akhissareli. According to custom, all -prisoners are released from cells when the vessel goes into action; -and, profiting by this circumstance, the Greek, terrified by the -crash of the guns and the explosion of the bombs, had escaped -execution by order of a court-martial by choosing a voluntary death. - -"He's cheated the hangman," remarked Osborne. "But what's the next -move?" - -The officers' attention was again directed towards the hostile -air-craft. The biplane had swung round, in order to make yet another -attempt to bomb the war-ship. - -The Turkish airman was not lacking in daring. Reckless of the -_Portchester Castle's_ anti-aircraft guns, he volplaned from a height -of three thousand feet until he had descended to less than two -hundred and fifty feet from his target. - -In so doing he unconsciously swung to leeward, and got within the -maximum elevation of the 4.7-inchers. One of the gun-layers saw his -chance and took it. With a shrill screech the projectile sped from -the inclined muzzle of the powerful weapon. It was a splendid shot, -but hardly good enough, for, without exploding, the shell passed -completely through the right-hand planes. - -Again the biplane lurched heavily, and side-slipped to within a -hundred feet of the sea. Then, with superb skill, the airman righted -the damaged machine. He had had enough. It was now his endeavour to -save himself by flight if possible. - -"Cease fire!" ordered Captain M'Bride in stentorian tones. "She's -done for." - -Lower and lower sank the crippled aeroplane, despite the efforts of -the pilot to keep her clear of the surface of the water. With a -strange spiral-like motion the biplane carried on for nearly a mile, -then with a tremendous splash struck the water, reared her tail -twenty feet in the air, and promptly disappeared from sight. - -"There he is, sir; there's the pilot!" shouted a score of voices, as -the head and shoulders of the airman were to be discerned bobbing up -and down on the waves. - -"And he's still alive," added Webb, still keeping his telescope -bearing upon the scene of the biplane's dive. - -"Away sea-boat!" ordered the skipper, at the same time telegraphing -for "Half-speed astern". - -There was a rush to man the boat. The jack-tars, who a few moments -previously were in danger of being blown to atoms, were now eager to -show their appreciation of a brave foe by doing their level best to -save his life. Although Johnny Turk had, on several occasions, made -things pretty hot for the Allies, the British seamen and soldiers, -unanimously regarding him as a clean fighter and far superior in -chivalry to the Hun, were quick to recognize his good qualities. - -Before way was off the ship the sea-boat, commanded by Dicky Haynes, -had been disengaged from the falls, and was pulling strongly in the -direction of the airman, who, although unable to swim, was being -supported by an inflated air life-belt. - -Speedily the Turk was lifted into the boat. For a few moments he felt -a trifle uncertain of the manner of his reception, but he was quickly -put at his ease by the young Sub, who, finding that the airman spoke -French, was able to maintain a simple conversation. - -"You are a prisoner of war, sir," said Captain M'Bride, through -Haynes's interpretation, when the airman was brought on board the -_Portchester Castle_. "We are quite agreeable to letting you have -plenty of liberty, providing you give us your parole. You will be -well treated, and, subject to certain restrictions, allowed freedom -of movement. If, on the other hand, you are discovered engaging upon -any action likely to prejudice the safety of the ship, then the -penalty will be death." - -The airman, who announced himself as Afir-al-Bahr, Flight-lieutenant -of the Ottoman Navy, showed unmistakable signs of sincere gratitude -for his rescue and generous treatment. He swore by Mohammed and his -father's beard--the most binding oath that a Mussulman can take--to -abide faithfully by the terms under which his parole was granted. - -Later on in the day he became quite communicative. He admitted that -his heart was not in his work. He was one of the educated class of -Turks who realized, perhaps too late, that Germany had selfish -ulterior motives in her profuse expressions of friendship for her -near Eastern ally. He was sensible of the friendliness of Great -Britain towards the Ottoman Empire in times past, and regretted the -turn of events that had compelled the Porte to throw in its lot with -the Hun. - -"But since we are enemies," he added, "we must fight bravely until -Allah wills that Ottoman and Englishman shall again sheathe the -sword." - -"Quite a decent sort," declared Webb to his chum Osborne later in the -afternoon. "Did you notice how tactfully he evaded a chance question -on the part of the skipper? He couldn't have given a direct answer -without betraying some of the Turkish war plans. By Jove! what a -contrast to those Hun officers we had on board the old _Zealous_. -Comparisons may be odious, but a German is a jolly sight more -odious." - -"Seen this, you fellows?" asked the junior watch-keeper, holding out -a slip of paper. "Something doing this trip, I fancy." - -It was a decoded wireless message, brief and to the point. - -"Mail-boat _Sunderbund_ reported torpedoed, latitude 34° 15' 20" N., -long. 22° 4' 16" E. Passengers and crew taken to boats, supposed -making for Alexandria. _Portchester Castle_ to proceed and -investigate to eastward of position; _Restormel_ to westward. -Immediate." - - - - -CHAPTER XIII - -The "Sunderbund's" Life-boat - - -THE latitude and longitude given showed that the attack upon the -mail-boat had occurred close to the Tripolitan coast off the province -of Barca, a desolate country on the western frontier of Egypt. At the -time of receiving the message the _Portchester Castle_ was twenty -miles S.E. of Cape Sidero, in the island of Crete, and roughly 250 -miles from the scene of the disaster. - -Immediately upon receipt of the wireless the armed merchant-cruiser -set off at full speed to carry out instructions. A message from the -_Restormel_ announced the fact that that vessel was eighty miles to -the westward. - -"Glass tumbling down as if someone had knocked a hole in the bulb," -remarked Osborne. "We're in for a spell of very dirty weather before -very long. The _Sunderbund's_ boats won't stand much chance in the -heavy seas one meets with in the Eastern Mediterranean, and heaven -help them if they are cast ashore. They've an even chance of death by -starvation--that is, if they survive the landing through the -breakers--or captivity in the hands of the Senussi." - -"I thought that those fellows had been knocked out long ago," -remarked Haynes. - -"Yes, as far as the Sollum district is concerned," replied the -Lieutenant. "But, unfortunately, numbers of these undesirables have -made their way westward into the fringe of the Tripolitan desert. -They have, apparently, lost their Turkish officers, and are acting as -banditti. From all accounts they are well armed with modern rifles, -although their field-guns and machine-guns were captured several -months ago." - -The barometer had given a certain warning of bad weather, and before -many hours had elapsed it was blowing hard from the east'ard. The sun -set in a ragged bank of indigo-coloured clouds. The wind whistled -shrilly through the armed merchant-cruiser's rigging, and the -spindrift began to fly in heavy masses over the weather bow. - -Morning brought no improvement in the weather. In fact it looked -worse, for the waves were so heavy that the _Portchester Castle_ had -lost a quantity of deck gear, while two of the boats had been "stove -in" at the davits, owing to the gripes being carried away under the -hammer-like blows of the green seas. - -"Not much chance for the _Sunderbund's_ boats," said Haynes. "They -couldn't possibly make headway against this tumble. They'd be swamped -to a dead cert." - -"Unless they rigged up sea-anchors and rode to them," added Webb. -"These waves are not so steep as those we get in the North Sea, and -luckily the wind is not blowing dead on shore. It's my belief that -the _Restormel_, being farther to lee'ard, will stand a better chance -than we shall of picking up the boats." - -By this time the _Portchester Castle_ had altered helm and was -steering eastward, right into the eye of the wind. Broad on the -starboard beam could be faintly discerned the low, sandy cliffs of -the African shore, fringed by a wide belt of milk-white foam. North, -west, and east the horizon was unbroken. Sea and sky met in an -ill-defined blurr. Not another sail was in sight, nor had the -_Portchester Castle_ passed any wreckage, although her course had -taken her over the spot where the ill-fated liner had been reported -to have sunk. - -Wireless messages constantly passed between the _Portchester Castle_ -and the _Restormel_, each vessel keeping her consort posted as to her -position; but neither was able to announce the gratifying news that -the object of their quest had been achieved. About eight bells (8 -a.m.) the officer of the watch reported what appeared to be a boat, -well on the starboard bow. A course was immediately shaped to -approach the supposed craft, while the _Portchester Castle's_ -officers kept it well under observation with their glasses. - -"I don't think it is a boat," suggested Haynes. "Looks to me like -surf breaking over a rock." - -He wiped the moisture from the lens of his telescope and looked -again. - -"It's only broken water," he said with conviction. - -"I believe it is a boat--a white-painted one," said Webb. - -"Sure?" enquired Haynes, unwilling to own that his surmise was at -fault. - -"Yes; she's lifting to the waves. I can see people in her." - -"By Jove, yes," agreed Osborne. "And they are unpleasantly close to -the broken water. They don't seem to be making headway." - -"We're in as close as we dare go, I fancy, Mr. Osborne," remarked -Captain M'Bride. "We cannot hazard the ship by going inside the -ten-fathom line. Fire a couple of rockets, and see if they will be -able to pull out to us." - -Quickly the order was carried out. The two detonating rockets -exploded with loud reports, and, in spite of the fury of the wind, -the people in the boat heard the signal. Hitherto their attention -seemed to have been directed towards the inhospitable shore, and they -had not noticed the _Portchester Castle's_ approach. The latter -slowed down, steaming at half-speed into the wind at a distance of a -couple of miles from one of the _Sunderbund's_ life-boats, for such -she was. - -"They'll never do it," declared Captain M'Bride. "They're only -pulling four oars and look quite done up. We'll have to call for -volunteers, Mr. Osborne, to take the steamboat in and give them a tow -back to the ship." - -"Very good, sir," replied the Lieutenant. "I'll go." - -"No, not you, Mr. Osborne," said the skipper. "You'll be more useful -on board. It will be a ticklish job lowering the steamboat." - -"May I, sir?" asked Webb eagerly. - -Captain M'Bride assented. He had great confidence in the -Sub-lieutenant's capability, coolness, and sound judgment, and -already Webb had acquired a considerable amount of practice in -handling the steam cutter. - -There was no lack of volunteers to man the boat, and the Sub had no -difficulty in picking out those men who were accustomed to the -cutter. Steam was quickly raised, and in a very short time the heavy -craft was ready to be hoisted out. - -The _Portchester Castle's_ helm was then starboarded, bringing the -vessel broadside on to wind and sea, and thus affording a floating -breakwater for the rescuing boat. Even then the vessel rolled so -heavily, and the waves even to leeward were so vicious, that the -operation of casting off from the ship's side would be fraught with -danger. - -"We'll try the effect of a little oil," declared the skipper. "Pass -the word for a cask of heavy stuff to be started. Look lively there." - -The effect of the oil was little short of marvellous. Far to leeward -the tumultuous seas subsided as if by magic, leaving a calm, -fan-shaped belt of iridescent water bounded by a terrific turmoil of -broken water. - -Clad in oilskins, sou'wester, and rubber boots, Webb took his place -by the side of the coxswain. For'ard everything had been battened -down, while in the stern-sheets were a couple of coils of rope and a -strongly-stropped empty water breaker. - -"Easy ahead," ordered the Sub. Although every moment was precious, he -was too good a seaman to attempt to drive his boat at full speed -through the turmoil of foaming seas immediately beyond the belt of -oil-quelled water. To have done so would have resulted in a severe -strain upon the engines owing to the racing of the propeller as the -boat's stern lifted clear of the waves, and quite possibly the cutter -would have found herself in a far more dangerous predicament than the -life-boat to whose assistance she was proceeding. - -Soon the steamboat was in the thick of it. Solid waves swept her as -far aft as the cabin top; clouds of vapour, caused by the cold water -coming in sudden contact with the hot funnel-casing, enveloped the -Sub and the coxswain in a blinding, scurrying pall of moisture. Only -by holding on like grim death were the two able to save themselves -from being thrown overboard by the erratic, almost vertical jerk of -the boat's stern. At rapid intervals the helm had to be smartly -ported in order to enable the steamboat to meet the hissing crested -waves, which, had they hit the craft on her broadside, might easily -have capsized her, or at least flooded her cockpit flush with the -coamings. - -Nobly the cutter struggled onwards. Every foot gained was the result -of sheer hard work--a contest of the product of a mechanical age with -the forces of nature. Gradually the distance between her and the -_Portchester Castle_ increased; she was making slow but sure headway -against wind and waves. - -"See anything of the boat?" asked Webb, bellowing into the coxswain's -ear in order to make himself understood in the racket of pounding -machinery and the roar of the elements. - -"Not a sign, sir," replied the man. "Maybe she's in the trough of the -sea when we're on top of a wave, and t'other way about. Anyways, -we'll pick her up if she's still afloat." - -For full half an hour the strenuous struggle continued, then the -steamboat entered a comparatively calm belt of water. The respite was -but temporary, for two hundred yards ahead began the broken water as -the waves began to thunder on the flat shore. - -"There she is, sir," shouted the coxswain, as the glistening white -bows of the _Sunderbund's_ life-boat were for a brief instant visible -on the summit of a wave. "And lumme," he added under his breath, -"they're about done in, I fancy. At all events it'll take some -getting out of that jumble of surf." - -The man was quite right in his surmise. The liner's boat was -gradually and steadily losing ground. Despite the desperate and -heroic efforts of her rowers--they had double- and treble-banked the -oars that still remained serviceable--the physical strain was -beginning to tell. - -"Where she can keep afloat we can go," decided the Sub. "So here -goes." - -The steamboat approached cautiously, easing down as each successive -comber swept towards her. Already there was a foot of water in the -engine-room, while, in spite of the most skilful handling, the -propeller was racing madly as the boat dipped her nose and threw her -stern clear of the waves. - -It was, indeed, almost miraculous that the _Sunderbund's_ life-boat -had so far weathered the storm. As it was, green seas were breaking -over her, necessitating prompt, vigorous, and constant baling on the -part of her passengers and crew. Many of the former, too, were down -with sea-sickness of the worst form, and only lay inertly on the -bottom-boards, too ill to take further interest in the proceedings. - -At length the steamboat approached sufficiently near to enable the -breaker and grass rope to be veered to the sorely pressed life-boat. -Directly the towing-hawser was made fast the former forged ahead; but -hardly had she taken the strain when the means of communication -parted like packthread, one portion narrowly missing being caught by -the propeller. Had it done so the steamboat would have been helpless -in the trough of the sea. - -It was now an even more difficult matter to take the boat in tow -again, for the breaker and grass rope had been taken on the -_Sunderbund's_ boat. Meanwhile both craft had drifted farther to -leeward, and closer to the worst of the broken water. Clearly Webb -had to act now or the opportunity would be gone for ever. - -Frequently buried in green seas, from which she shook herself clear -like an enormous dog, the steam cutter staggered to windward of the -boat and, turning, approached within casting distance. - -Dexterously communication was re-established, and once more the -steamboat began to take the strain of the towing-hawser. At one -instant stretched as taut as a steel bar, at another dipping limply -in the sea, the stout rope stood the strain, and gradually the -life-boat began to gather way. If progress was slow on the outward -run, the journey back to the ship was even more so. Yet the -_Portchester Castle_ was unable to approach another cable's length -without an almost certain risk of grounding. - -"The old ship's chucking overboard some more oil, sir," reported the -coxswain. "Maybe we'll get some benefit, although I'll allow it'll -drift too far to wind'ard." - -"It's spreading," shouted Webb in reply. "That will do the trick." - -Twenty minutes later the steamboat ran alongside her parent. The -hawser was transferred to the latter's steam-capstan, and the cutter -was deftly hoisted inboard. - -Now came the more difficult task of transhipping the rescued men from -the life-boat to the _Portchester Castle_. Without means of hoisting -the heavy boat bodily out of the water, the armed merchant-cruiser's -crew had to haul each survivor separately by means of bowlines and -bos'n's chairs, for most of the passengers had collapsed from -exposure. - -There were two exceptions, however: one a tall, fair-haired man in -the khaki uniform of a Major of artillery. In spite of the fact that -his left arm was in a sling, he experienced no difficulty in making -the ascent, and came over the side with a decided smile on his face. - -Sub-lieutenant Webb looked at him intently; then, to confirm his -surmise, he glanced at the officer's companion--a slightly shorter -and broad-shouldered man of about forty. His face was bronzed, his -hair, crisp in spite of the drenching spray, was tinged with grey at -the temples. His attire consisted of a pair of navy-blue trousers and -a shirt. It afterwards transpired that he had given his monkey-jacket -to one of the lady passengers, or Webb would have recognized him as a -Lieutenant-commander of the Royal Naval Reserve. - -"By Jove, Billy!" drawled the naval man. "Thought you and I, old -bird, would have had to swim for it--eh what? How's that groggy wrist -of yours now?" - -Tom Webb hesitated no longer. He stepped up to the pair of rescued -officers and held out his hand. - -"Thanks, many thanks," exclaimed the coatless one. "You're the Sub in -charge of the steamboat? Smart bit of work, 'pon my word." - -"Glad to have the opportunity of repaying a good turn, Mr. Dacres," -said Webb. - -"Good turn?" repeated Dacres, knitting his brows. "Good turn. I don't -follow you. I haven't met you before, have I?" - -"Yes, and so has Mr. Fane." - -Mr. Fane was equally at a loss. - -"Give it up," he declared. "All the same----" - -"Dash it all, I've tumbled to it," interrupted Dacres. "You were that -curly-headed Sea Scout I met at Haslar Creek three or four years ago. -I believe you were the means of enabling me to get a yacht off my -hands." - -"And incidentally the means of getting me my commission," added the -ex-Tenderfoot. "And Osborne is on board too. There he is: officer of -the watch. If it hadn't been for the experience we gained on board -the old _Petrel_, I don't suppose we would have been here." - -"Then the little yacht did some practical good work after all. I told -you so, Billy," said Dacres, addressing his companion. "Yes, thanks -very much," he added, in response to the Sub's invitation. "The loan -of a dry kit and a good meal would be very acceptable. It's -nearly----" - -"Submarine on the starboard bow, sir!" roared the mast-head man, his -words unmistakably clear in spite of the howling of the wind. - -The _Portchester Castle_ began to turn in obedience to a quick -movement of the helm. Hoarse orders were shouted from the bridge and -taken up by the bos'n's mates in other parts of the ship. But the -warning came too late. The armed merchant-cruiser reeled as with a -terrific explosion a torpedo "got home" just abaft her engine-room. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV - -Submarined - - -OF what happened during the next few minutes Sub-lieutenant Tom Webb -had but a hazy confused idea. The reverberations of the tremendous -detonation were straining his ear-drums almost to bursting-point. -Wreaths of pungent smoke, caught by the vicious blasts that eddied -over the deck, obliterated everything from his vision and made him -gasp for breath like a drowning man. His brain seemed benumbed by the -concussion, his legs were on the point of giving way until he almost -unconsciously grasped a guard-rail within arm's length. - -Gradually he began to realize that disaster had overtaken the ship. -He was aware of men rushing hither and thither, some shouting, others -almost as dazed as himself. The _Portchester Castle_ was listing -heavily to starboard. Mingled with the tumult on deck, the howling of -the wind, the hiss of escaping steam, and the slap of the vicious -seas, came the unmistakable sound of volumes of water rushing in -through the enormous rent in the ship's bottom, caused by the -explosion of the torpedo. - -"By Jove, Billy!" exclaimed Dacres in his customary drawl; "we've -pulled off a double event. Torpedoed twice within twenty-four hours, -eh, what?" - -Before Fane could reply a bugle-call rang out sharply. It was the -"Still". Instantly the turmoil of humanity ceased. As steady as if at -a ceremonial inspection the men stood at attention until "Collision -Quarters" brought the ship's company into a state of disciplined -activity. - -The _Portchester Castle_ was doomed. All on board realized the fact. -In spite of the terrific seas a German submarine had "stood by" the -_Sunderbund's_ life-boat, keeping submerged at a distance sufficient -to prevent any of the liner's survivors "spotting" the pole-like -periscopes as they appeared at intervals above the waves. - -The Hun skipper of the U-boat had caught the wireless appeal from the -stricken _Sunderbund_. He knew that aid would be speedily -forthcoming, and setting aside all dictates of humanity, he had lain -_perdu_ for the opportunity of yet a further display of -"frightfulness". - -He was not mistaken in his conjecture. He had witnessed from afar the -rescue of the _Sunderbund's_ life-boat, and awaiting his chance had -approached within torpedo range while the attention of the -_Portchester Castle's_ crew was directed towards the hoisting in of -the steamboat and the reception of the survivors of his previous -victim. And now the armed merchant-cruiser, with a rent twenty feet -in length, was settling down. Her strained water-tight bulkheads were -unable to withstand the enormous pressure. It was merely a matter of -minutes before the _Portchester Castle_ would make her final plunge. - -Captain M'Bride, though cool and collected, realized the gravity of -the situation. Apart from the danger of lowering boats in that angry -sea, the great list of the ship rendered practically impossible the -use of the boats on the port side. - -There was one chance: that of making for the inhospitable African -shore in the hope that the ship would ground. In that case her crew -could remain on board until rescue was forthcoming; or, in the event -of the vessel breaking up, there would be a chance of taking to the -boats and effecting a landing under the lee of the stranded hull. - -By this time Webb had recovered his normal state of mind, and was -directing the provisioning and arming of some of the boats. Osborne -was on the fo'c'sle, superintending the clearing away of the anchors, -so that on approaching the shore the stricken vessel could be thrown -broadside on to the waves. Haynes and other officers were engaged in -assisting the men to make rafts and getting provisions and water from -the store-rooms. - -Every member of the ship's company had donned a life-belt; the -survivors of the _Sunderbund_, who had only just discarded their -life-saving gear, had to put their belts on once more. Theirs was a -hard case, since they were almost exhausted with the privations they -had previously undergone; yet they made a brave show of spirit that -is typical of the Briton in a tight corner. - -Presently the starboard engine gave out. The stokehold was flooded -and the fires damped. Within a few minutes the port engines followed -suit, and although still carrying way the _Portchester Castle_ -gradually slowed down. Her head fell off, and she wallowed in the -trough of the breakers. - -By this time her rail on the starboard side was only a few feet above -water. She was deep down by the stern, her bows being correspondingly -high. The very lifelessness of the ship, in spite of the enormous -waves, showed that the end was not far off. - -"Lower away!" shouted the skipper through a megaphone. - -Smartly, but without undue haste or confusion, the boats in the -davits on the starboard side were lowered. The first to disengage -from the falls was the second cutter. Barely had she cast off when a -terrific sea caught and completely capsized her. Half a dozen of her -crew succeeded in catching hold of life-lines thrown by their -comrades on board the ship, and were hauled on board again. Some were -trapped underneath the upturned boat, others, supported by the -life-belts, were swept shorewards through the chaos of surf and foam. - -The remaining boats on the starboard side got away without accident; -then, owing possibly to the amount of water that had poured into the -ship's engine-rooms and holds, the _Portchester Castle_ swung back on -an even keel. - -Captain M'Bride saw his chance--and took it. - -"Let go both anchors!" he shouted. - -With a rattle and a roar the steel cables rushed through the -hawse-pipes, and presently, the vessel's drive to leeward being -checked, she swung round, with her bows pointing diagonally for the -shore. - -Now was the opportunity to man and lower the boats on the port side. -Osborne, his work on deck accomplished, took charge of one, Webb of -another; and with only the loss of a couple of oars which were -smashed against the ship's side the frail craft took the water. - -"Look out, she's going!" exclaimed a score of voices. - -Which was a fact. The end had come suddenly. With a decided movement -the ship's bows slid under water; her stern reared perhaps twenty -feet clear of the waves. Webb could see those of the crew who had not -time to take to the boats struggling waist-deep in the surging water -ere they were swept clear of the foundering vessel. On the bridge -stood the gallant skipper, true to the long-established and glorious -custom of the sea. Until the last man had left the ship his place was -on the bridge. - -He made no effort to save himself. Gripping the guard-rail he stood -erect, his attention directed towards those of his ship's company who -had hesitated to trust themselves to swim ashore. - -"Pull to leeward, men," ordered Webb. "We may even yet pick up our -skipper." - -Even as he spoke the _Portchester Castle_ ceased to sink. She had -grounded in about eight or nine fathoms of water, leaving her bridge -and a portion of the spar-deck still showing above the waves. - -Those still on board were quick to recognize the change of fortune. -Some made their way to the bridge, others clambered into the -lee-rigging, until the shrouds were black with humanity. - -All the boats were turning back. Those from the starboard side were -sufficiently loaded to endanger their safety should more men crowd -into them; but those lowered from the port side had not been able to -take their full complement before the vessel sank. On the latter, -then, fell the task of rescuing the skipper and the remaining men, -while the other boats contented themselves with picking up a few -survivors who had been carried clear when the _Portchester Castle's_ -decks had been swept by the breakers. - -By dint of hard pulling, in spite of the shelter afforded by the lee -of the stranded ship, Osborne contrived to get his boat within a few -yards of the bridge. At one moment the projecting platform was -towering twenty feet or more above the boat, at the next the latter's -gunwales were almost level with it. All the while there was the -pressing danger of the boat's bows being jammed against the underside -of the bridge, or of her bottom subsiding, with disastrous results, -upon the iron-work projecting from the submerged sides of the ship. - -In Webb's case the task was simpler, though by no means free from -danger. Watching his opportunity he ran close alongside the resilient -main-shrouds, and succeeded in taking on board every man who had -found a temporary refuge in that part of the rigging. He was now able -to ride to leeward of the wreck by means of a long scope of cable, -thus conserving the energies of the rowers until the hazardous dash -through the surf to the shore. - -The Sub could not help admiring the skill with which his chum Osborne -went about his work, keeping the boat within a few feet of the bridge -as the former rose on the waves. One by one the men leapt into the -rescuing craft until only the skipper remained. - -Then raising his hand in a last salute to the ship's white ensign, -which was still visible between the crests of the waves, Captain -M'Bride jumped agilely into the stern-sheets of the boat. - - - - -CHAPTER XV - -Castaways on a Hostile Shore - - -A ROUSING cheer from the other boats greeted Captain M'Bride when it -was seen that he was for the time being safe. It was a spontaneous -tribute to the skipper's popularity. Even when faced with the -possibility of being hurled lifeless upon the surf-swept shore, the -ship's company "let themselves go". - -There was a smile of confidence on Captain M'Bride's weather-beaten -face as he acknowledged the compliment. He, too, had good cause to be -pleased with the people under his command. He realized that, with men -of that dogged pluck and cheerfulness in the face of danger, the -traditions of the White Ensign would be maintained come what might. - -And now began the nerve-racking ordeal of attempting a landing -through the surf. Rowing steadily the boats approached the fringe of -broken water, then each turned her bows from shore and backed. -Whenever a breaker more dangerous than the rest bore down, the rowers -pulled ahead until the foaming mass of water had swept past. - -"We're getting on," thought Webb. "Only a couple of cables' lengths -more, and all right up to now." - -He dare not give more than a rapid glance shorewards, but it was -enough to give him an inkling of what the reception would be; for on -the crest of the low sandy cliffs were a dozen Arabs mounted on -camels. The riders were crouching on the animals' backs, and holding -their white burnouses close to their faces to shield them from the -spray-laden wind. All were armed with rifles. - -When the Sub turned his head and looked again the Arabs had vanished. -Instead of remaining to aid the castaways, they had apparently ridden -off to bring others of their tribe to plunder, murder, or carry into -captivity any survivors who had the misfortune to fall into their -hands. - -Others in the boat saw the new danger. Had the presence of the -Senussi been noticed earlier, the flotilla could have returned to the -wreck and brought up under her lee, in the hope of rescue by the -_Restormel_ or other patrolling craft. It was now too late, for it -was impossible to row against the wind and waves. The only hope was -to effect a landing, hold the fierce Arabs at bay, and trust to the -_Restormel_ putting in an appearance when the weather moderated. -Unfortunately, when the _Portchester Castle_ was torpedoed the shock -had thrown the wireless completely out of gear, and communication -with her consort was out of the question. A wireless had been sent -out an hour previous to the disaster; whether the _Restormel_ had -come to the conclusion that the _Portchester Castle_ was on her way -to Port Said, or whether she would guess by the absence of signals -that the latter had met with a grave mishap, was merely a matter for -conjecture. - -But Tom Webb had other things at present to occupy his attention, for -with an irresistible rush a mass of green sea poured completely over -the boat, capsizing her and throwing her crew into the water. - -The Sub was one of the few who were thrown clear. Some, trapped -underneath the upturned craft, were unable to dive under the -gunwales, owing to the buoyancy of their life-saving gear, until they -had wrenched off their belts. Two were stunned by their heads coming -into violent contact with the woodwork. - -Caught by a crested breaker, Webb found himself being urged -shorewards at a terrific speed. Presently his feet touched the sand. -In vain he started to make his way to land. Gripped by the undertow -he was dragged back until the succeeding breaker overtook him, -hurling him forwards like a stone from a catapult. Again the wave -receded. Prone upon the soft, yielding sand, the Sub endeavoured to -obtain a hold by digging his hands into the treacherous shore till -the receding mass of water drew him backwards to be again pounded by -the next mountain of water. Boats' gear, hurled shorewards by the -waves, was thrown all around him. Several times he was struck by -heavy objects. Not only was he in danger of being drowned; there was -also a likelihood that he might be battered into a state of -insensibility by the flotsam. - -For how long this state of affairs continued Webb had not the -faintest idea. Nor did he know how his companions were faring, except -that farther along the shore some saturated figures were staggering -up the beach. He was fast losing count of time and place. Torpor was -beginning to seize him in its remorseless, oblivion-giving grasp. - -Suddenly his hands came in contact with the broken blade of an oar. -The instinct of self-preservation was yet strong enough to enable him -to take the remote chance that remained. Waiting until the next wave -was beginning to run back, the Sub planted the slightly cambered -piece of wood deeply in the sand. The broad surface held, despite the -terrific backward drag of the undertow. - -Directly the suction ceased, Webb staggered to his feet and began to -make his way to safety; but before he had gone five yards he was -flung headlong by the succeeding breaker, and the blade of the oar -was wrenched from his grasp. - -Before the backwash gripped him the Sub felt a hand grasp his wrist. -He was just conscious of seeing Dacres with a line round his waist -standing thigh-deep in the water, and hearing his cheering words of -encouragement. Then everything became a blank. - -When Sub-lieutenant Webb came to himself he found that he was lying -under the lee of the sand-hills. A broad-leaved prickly bush afforded -shelter from the sun, the rays of which were beating fiercely down -upon the almost barren ground. His head had been roughly bandaged, -and was supported by a rolled coat. - -He was not alone. A dozen men, all in varying stages of recovery from -a state of insensibility, were lying on the ground. At some distance, -others were busily engaged in emptying boxes of stores that had been -washed ashore and--ominous sight--were filling them with sand. -Others were hacking at the prickly scrub and erecting a form of -fortification known as a zariba. Apparently an attack by the Senussi -was expected. - -There was Osborne in coat and shirt, and with a strip of calico -wrapped round his head to protect it from the sun, toiling as -arduously as the seamen; Dacres and Fane, the latter with his arm -still in a sling, were dragging heavy gear up from the shore. A short -distance away was Captain M'Bride, inspecting the few rifles which -had come ashore in the boats; with him was Dicky Haynes. Most of the -remaining officers were safe, but there were some whom Webb would -never again meet on this earth. - -Taking into consideration the violence of the storm, the _Portchester -Castle's_ people had come off lightly. Of her complement of 215, four -officers and thirty-two men were missing. With three exceptions, the -passengers and crew rescued from the _Sunderbund's_ life-boat were -safe, while the Turkish airman, Afir-al-Bahr, had come ashore without -injury. - -Of the boats, only one was in a serviceable condition. The others had -been smashed up on the beach by the surf before sufficient hands were -available to haul them above the reach of the waves. Most of the gear -had been saved, including twenty-four rifles, a couple of cases of -ammunition, seven barrels of biscuits, some salt beef, and half a -dozen barricoes of water. - -Although the waves were still running high, the storm had nearly -blown itself out. The shore was littered with debris. Several seamen -were busily engaged in collecting everything that might prove to be -of value from the wreckage. - -At some distance from the shore was the wreck of the _Portchester -Castle_, with waves breaking against those portions that showed above -water. One of her funnels had vanished; the other was still manfully -resisting the onslaught of the heavy breakers. Both her masts -remained, while from the ensign staff that showed four or five feet -above the waves the white ensign still fluttered in the strong -breeze. - -Osborne waved a cheery greeting to his chum as Webb regained his -feet. The Lieutenant was too busy to "knock off" and yarn with him. -Every moment was precious if the place were to be put into a state of -defence before the threatened attack. - -A short, round-faced man, whose headgear consisted of a white -cap-cover, came bustling along the top of the dunes. It was Donovon, -the ship's surgeon. - -"Faith," he exclaimed, catching sight of Webb, "and what might you be -doing out in the sun? Get back to bed this minute." And he indicated -the scanty shade of the thorn bush. - -"I'm all right, Doctor," protested the Sub; "I am really." - -"So you think," rejoined Dr. Donovon. "If you're knocking yourself -up, that is your affair; only I'd let you know that I've my hands -pretty full without asking for more patients." - -He hurried off to attend to other cases, leaving the Sub to speculate -on the surgeon's warning. "All right" hardly described Webb's present -state. He felt considerably battered about, and had a dull headache; -but, he reflected, it wasn't playing the game to lie down when he -felt capable of doing something to assist the general work. - -"Mr. Webb!" called out Captain M'Bride, seeing the Sub approach. - -Webb hurried up to the captain and saluted. - -"Better? That's good," said the skipper. "Look here, muster a party -and start digging a trench on the left of that wall of thorn bushes. -Bring it at a sharp angle to the shore. Three feet deep will be -enough, if you pile the displaced sand on the outside edge of the -trench." - -The young officer soon found half a dozen men who had figured on his -watch bill. These, provided with the broken blades of oars, which -formed excellent spades for throwing out soft sand, set strenuously -to work despite the heat of the day. - -"Strikes me there's somethink precious hard, sir," remarked an -able-seaman after the party had been at work for twenty minutes. -"Rock or somethink." - -"Sandstone, possibly," replied the Sub. "No matter, you're nearly -down to the required depth." The man plied his wooden spade -vigorously in order to lay bare the supposed rock. Suddenly he gave -an exclamation of astonishment. - -"Blow me!" he exclaimed, "a bloomin' petrol tin." - -With a strenuous heave he wrenched the can from its hiding-place. As -he did so the sides of two adjacent tins were revealed. - -"We've found what I believe to be a secret petrol store, sir," -reported Webb to his skipper. - -"Eh, what?" exclaimed Captain M'Bride, hurrying towards the partly -excavated trench. "By Jove, Mr. Webb, it looks like it! Start one of -those metal caps and see if the can really contains petrol." - -The cap was removed. Webb poured a small quantity of the liquid into -the palm of his hand. The spirit evaporated with remarkable -quickness. - -"Petrol right enough, sir," he announced. - -"And there are dozens of cans here, sir," declared one of the men. -"Sort of garidge for the Sahara General Omnibus Company, I'll allow." - -"Wot's a garidge, Bill?" enquired his pal. "You means a gayrage, -don't ye?" - -The skipper, who had overheard the conversation between the two -seamen, smiled grimly. - -"Carry on, Mr. Webb," he said, "and dig up the lot. We've stumbled -upon a German petrol depot--that's my belief--and before long we'll -have an _unterseeboot_ putting in an appearance." - -"What shall I do with them, sir?" enquired Tom. - -"Oh! reserve a couple," was the reply. "They'll come in handy for -flares. Empty the others on the sand." - -"One moment, Captain M'Bride," interposed Major Pane, who, noticing -the excitement, had strolled up to satisfy his curiosity. "It's a -pity to waste good stuff." - -"Better to do that than allow it to fall into the hands of the -enemy," remarked Captain M'Bride. "But what suggestion have you to -make, Major?" - -"Put a row of them about a hundred yards in front of the zariba," -continued Fane. "In the event of the Senussi attempting to rush our -defences we can set fire to the stuff." - -"I fail to see how, Major," objected Captain M'Bride, "unless someone -applies a light to it; and the effect is, to a certain extent, lost -if we have to do that before the Arabs are actually over the line of -tins. Remember we have no time-fuses." - -"You have some good marksmen, I presume?" asked Major Fane. - -"Some first-class shots." - -"Then we could lash up this metal matchbox to one of the tins, and -ignite the contents by means of a rifle-bullet." - -"It might be feasible," remarked the skipper. - -"I think I know of a better plan, sir," said Webb. "We have the -Very's pistol and signal-cartridges. I saw them lying over yonder. At -the critical time a few bullets could be shot at one of the tins, -and, when the petrol runs out, it could be fired by a signal-bullet -from the pistol." - -"Ah, that's more like it, Mr. Webb!" said the skipper warmly. "Now -set to work and get your men to place the tins in position. Heap sand -on the outward face so that they are rendered as inconspicuous as -possible. Meanwhile, Major, I think I will get you to pass an opinion -upon our defences on the right flank." - -The Sub had barely completed his task of constructing what was -expected to form an efficient "fire barrage" when one of the seamen -patrolling the shore gave the warning cry of "Submarine coming in, -sir." - -Almost simultaneously a rifle cracked from somewhere about five -hundred yards inland. A Senussi sniper had approached between the -sand-dunes, while, at a distance of a mile or so, was a large armed -party of mounted nomads from the desert. - -Sub-lieutenant Webb gave vent to a low whistle. - -"A hot corner this time," he said to himself. "We're properly between -two fires." - - - - -CHAPTER XVI - -'Twixt U-Boat and Arabs - - -HAD the discovery of the petrol store been made a few hours earlier, -steps would have been taken to cope with the peril from the sea that -menaced the castaways. The defences that had been hurriedly thrown up -had been constructed against attack from the landward side; the -possibility of being shelled from a German submarine had not -previously been taken into account. - -Hastily the British seamen set to work to strengthen the parados of -the trenches, in order to convert it into an earthwork sufficiently -strong to resist the comparatively light shells fired from the -hostile submarine. - -Bullets from the Senussi now began to sing over the heads of the -defenders. Well it was that the Arabs were very indifferent shots at -long range, otherwise they would have taken a heavy toll of the -seamen who were obliged to present a fair target as they toiled in -the open. - -The German submarine, which had been approaching rapidly, had now -eased down. She was running on the surface, showing her conning-tower -and the whole length of her deck. She displayed no colours, but her -two quick-firing guns had been hoisted from below, and were manned -ready for opening fire. - -"I feel pretty certain," said Captain M'Bride to Osborne as the -officers kept the hostile craft under observation, "that that -submarine is the one which bagged us--and the _Sunderbund_ as well. -She's been lying off-shore waiting for the weather to moderate in -order to replenish her fuel, and now she finds her depot in our -possession. It was a rotten blunder on her part, sinking the old -_Portchester Castle_ so close to her temporary base." - -"If it hadn't been for the firing, perhaps she would have come right -in, sir," remarked Osborne. "Now she has her suspicions." - -"The wreck of the ship would in itself give her warning," said the -skipper. "Besides, if she did approach we could do little or nothing. -It's just as likely that there's an understanding between the Arabs -and the Huns. However, we must take things as we find them, and not -look for trouble before it comes." - -Accompanied by Lieutenant Osborne, the Captain made a tour of the -trench, where every man who possessed a rifle was kneeling in front -of a loophole, ready at the word of command to pour a destructive -volley into the approaching Arabs. At the left flank stood Webb, with -the Very's pistol in his hand, awaiting the time to fire the petrol. - -"Picturesque sight, Mr. Webb," remarked the Captain composedly, but -at the same time his keen eye was trying to detect any sign of -"jumpiness" in the young Sub. But there was none; beyond a slightly -heightened colour, Webb was as cool as if he had been on the -quarter-deck of the _Portchester Castle_. - -Captain M'Bride had aptly described the scene that lay before them. -The Senussi were approaching in all the barbaric splendour of their -race. Some were on camels, others astride small wiry horses. With -loose rein they would dash forward perhaps a hundred yards, wheel, -and, firing their rifles somewhere in the direction of the foe, would -tear back for fifty yards, repeating the manoeuvre and uttering -shrill yells of defiance. On their flanks in the rear were crowds of -men on foot, for the most part armed with long broad-bladed spears, -two-edged straight swords, and circular hide shields. - -Outnumbering the British by ten to one, the Senussi looked, and were, -formidable. Had every man of the _Portchester Castle_ possessed a -rifle the odds would have been considerably lowered. With a Maxim the -defenders could have regarded the onset as a foregone conclusion in -their favour. - -It was to be a tough and desperate struggle. Every man realized -that--a fight to the death, for a worse fate awaited them should they -fall alive into the hands of the savage foe. At all costs the Senussi -must be kept on the far side of the sorry breastwork of sand and the -hedge of thorns, otherwise sheer weight of numbers would decide the -day. - -And as if the situation were not serious enough, a U-boat was -threatening to shell their puny defences. - -"Don't throw away a single shot, men," cautioned the Captain. -"Reserve your fire till I give the word." - -"She's opening the ball, sir," exclaimed Osborne, as a shell from the -U-boat hurtled through the air and exploded away on the right flank, -sending up a huge cloud of smoke and sand. - -"Wonder what damage that's done?" remarked Captain M'Bride. - -"I'll see, sir, if you wish," said the Lieutenant. - -"Do, by all means, Mr. Osborne," was the rejoinder. "I'll make my way -to the centre and await you there." - -Before Osborne returned, two more shells had been fired by the -submarine. Whatever damage they might have caused, they also did -good, for the bursting projectiles had the effect of cooling the -ardour of the approaching Arabs. Absolutely fearless as far as -bullets are concerned, they have a wholesome respect for -high-explosive shells which would, in their opinion, render a True -Believer a sorry spectacle when he came to present himself at the -gates of the Mohammedan paradise. - -"No casualties, sir," reported Osborne. "The first shell fell short; -the others pitched thirty yards over. One has blown a big gap in our -zariba, unfortunately." - -"Strafe her!" exclaimed Captain M'Bride. "She'll be improving on that -before long, I'm afraid." - -Even as he spoke there came a loud rumble from seawards--a long -drawn-out report, totally unlike the crisp bark of the German -submarine's quick-firers. Where the modern pirate had been was merely -a dense cloud of greyish smoke. - -"She's properly strafed, sir," declared the Lieutenant delightedly, -grasping what he absent-mindedly took to be his uniform cap, with the -result that on removing his calico headgear he brought a handful of -his own hair with it. - -"Internal explosion," suggested the skipper. "Well, we've something -to be thankful for. Half our difficulties wiped out in one fell -swoop." - -Slowly the smoke dispersed, for there was now practically no wind. -The sea, momentarily agitated by the explosion, had resumed its -oil-like aspect. Not a vestige of wreckage was visible to mark the -grave of yet another of the inglorious pirates. It was indeed a just -retribution. The U-boat, in common with other German war-ships, had -been in the habit of discharging her torpedoes without previously -setting the sinking mechanism according to the recognized rules of -war. Therefore, in the event of a torpedo missing its mark, it would, -at the end of its run, float, and thus become a sort of derelict -mine, instead of sinking to the bottom as these weapons are supposed -to do. - -When the submarine attacked the _Portchester Castle_ she had let -loose two torpedoes, one of which hit the mark. The other, passing -under the vessel's stern, came to a standstill a couple of miles off. -By sheer chance the U-boat, while in the act of shelling the shore, -had bumped upon the warhead of the missile she had discharged several -hours previously, with the result that she was practically blown to -pieces with all her officers and crew. - -Three hearty cheers from the sun-baked British seamen greeted the -strafing of the craft that was directly responsible for their present -precarious position. Then, having given relief to their pent-up -feelings, the sturdy sailors directed their attention once more to -the danger that threatened them from the landward side. - -The Senussi, not knowing what had occurred, and still showing -considerable reluctance to enter the region where the German shells -had fallen, were "marking time". The camel-men had withdrawn behind a -range of sand-hills, but the glint of spear-heads denoted pretty -conclusively that the foe had not decided upon a discreet retirement. - -Several times an intrepid sailor stood upon the breastwork, with the -intention of drawing the enemy's fire; but even this tempting bait -did not succeed. The Senussi were evidently going to tire the -defenders by a period of nerve-racking inactivity. - -"It's this rotten waiting for something to turn up that makes you -jumpy," declared Webb to Osborne, as during the prolonged lull the -Lieutenant made his way along the trench to see how his chum fared. -"I don't mind so much when these beggars start a rush, but it's the -suspense of expecting them." - -"Like our troops on the Somme," rejoined Osborne. "It's the five -minutes' wait before the whistle goes for the men to go over the top -of the parapet, that is such a strain. Once they're off they don't -seem to notice their surroundings. But I've rather bad news, old man. -I've just reported to the skipper that one of those shells has played -Old Harry with the water barricoes. Only three left--and you can -guess what thirst is in this sun-baked spot." - -"How long will that last?" asked the Sub. - -"Ten days with the utmost economy," said the Lieutenant gravely. - -"I say, Osborne----" began Webb. - -"Well?" - -"Isn't it a good thing, after all, that poor old Laddie isn't with -us? What a horrible time he would have without anything to drink!" - -"He would have had half my share whatever happened," declared Osborne -resolutely. "But, unfortunately, there is no necessity for that. I -wish there were." - -Webb made no further remark upon the subject. He knew that Osborne -was still awfully cut up about the loss of his pet, and now, rather -clumsily, he had touched upon the matter of the dog's death. - -"We do look a pretty pair," he remarked, setting out on a fresh tack. -"Our fond parents wouldn't recognize us if they could see us now." - -"They would be very pleased to," was his chum's rejoinder; "or rather, -we should both be most delighted to see them at home. I've had enough -of African sands to last a lifetime. And these flies!" - -A petty officer, mopping the perspiration from his face, wriggled -past his comrades in the narrow trench, and approached the Lieutenant -and his chum. - -"Cap'n's compliments, sir," he said as he saluted. "He'd like to have -a word with Mr. Webb." - -Webb found Captain M'Bride consulting with the gunner and the bos'n. -Seeing Webb hesitate, he signed to him to approach. - -"I've a little job on hand, Mr. Webb," he said. "After due -consideration I've decided that you are the best officer I can spare -for the business. We're short of water. Up to the present there is no -sign of the _Restormel_ putting in an appearance to search for us. -The niggers are evidently going to protract their assault and subject -us to a state of siege. So since help is not forthcoming, we must -fetch it. In short, I want you to take the whaler and make a dash for -Crete. Mr. Cox" (indicating the bos'n) "has examined the boat, and -finds that she's seaworthy. A few slight repairs will have to be -made, but they won't take long. The distance is roughly 180 miles, -but perhaps you'll fall in with a vessel before that." - -"Hope it won't be a U-boat, sir," remarked the Sub. - -"You're game? I need not remind you that it is a risky voyage for an -open boat." - -"I'm quite willing, sir," said Webb resolutely. - -"As I thought," added the skipper. "Well, good luck! The weather -looks promising, and ten to one you'll get a fair slant of wind -directly you're a few miles from shore." - -Delighted at the prospect of being afloat once more, yet reluctant to -have to leave his comrades in dire peril, Webb hastened to make -preparations for his hazardous voyage in the open whaler. He realized -the risk--he also realized the tremendous responsibility, for if he -failed in the enterprise the rest of the survivors of the -_Portchester Castle_ were doomed. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII - -The Whaler's Voyage - - -HAVING selected his crew--a matter of personal difficulty--since no -man cared to volunteer to exchange a post of peril for a duty only -slightly less hazardous--Sub-lieutenant Webb proceeded to prepare the -boat for her voyage. - -The whaler was one of the Service type, twenty-seven feet in length. -She had two masts, slightly raking aft, and carried "dipping lug" -fore and mainsails--a powerful rig, but one that requires smart and -careful handling when going about in a strong breeze. - -The bos'n--the carpenter warrant officer having been lost in the -struggle for the shore--had instructed the carpenter's crew to nail -several pieces of planking across the bows, covering the rough deck -with canvas from some spare sails. Empty barricoes, of which a number -had been cast upon the beach, were lashed to the thwarts, thus -affording considerable buoyancy in the event of the boat being -capsized. These were the only alterations made in preparing the -whaler for her run across to the distant island of Crete. - -The number of hands selected for the voyage was the very minimum -required to work the boat. More would unduly weaken the little -garrison ashore; the victualling problem had also to be taken into -account. - -"I can only let you have a gallon of water, sir," decided the bos'n, -"and dry biscuit and salt beef enough for two days. Sure 'tis short -rations, but you know, sir, how things go. There are half a dozen -lemons, too, sir; some were washed up before they had been in the -water very long, so I don't suppose they're brackish. A fine thing to -quench the thirst, Mr. Webb." - -Having bade his comrades a hearty adieu, the Sub ordered the whaler -to be pushed off. Three cheers were given for the voyagers, the -compliment being returned in right good earnest by the boat's crew. - -"Give way, lads," ordered Webb. "Long easy strokes. We'll soon pick -up a breeze." - -Steadily the shore receded. Ahead the placid water was ruffled by a -dark-blue line that betokened a smart breeze. Sitting bolt upright -and holding the yoke-lines, the Sub could not help at frequent -intervals turning his head and looking back at the inhospitable sandy -shore. So fierce was the sun that the radiating heat made the barren -dunes appear to quiver, distorting objects ashore. Everything there -seemed quiet. No rifle-shots pulsated on the still air. Beyond a few -seamen, patrolling the beach to look out for further jetsam, there -were no signs of life. The torrid heat had thrown its languorous -spell upon Britons and Senussi alike. - -"It's hot enough here, in all conscience," thought Tom. "It must be -like a slow oven ashore." For an hour the men toiled at the oars, the -sweat pouring from their brick-red faces; yet uncomplainingly they -maintained their long swinging strokes, as if they were pulling -across a harbour rather than setting out for a 180-mile voyage. - -"Here's the breeze, lads," exclaimed Webb as a faint zephyr fanned -his face. "Well on the starboard quarter, too. Stand by to make -sail." - -Thankfully the jaded men boated oars. Willing hands stepped the two -masts, and quickly the powerful dipping lugs were bellying to the -quartering breeze. The water gurgled pleasantly under the whaler's -forefoot, while a long white wake was a silent testimony to the -boat's speed through the blue water. - -"Five to six knots now, sir, I'll allow," replied the coxswain in -reply to his officer's query. "She's footing it fine." - -"That's what I estimate," agreed the Sub. "If it holds, another -thirty hours ought to bring us within sight of land." - -"Not much doubt about it holding, sir," declared the man, glancing to -windward. "Unless I'm much mistaken there'll be a power o' wind afore -nightfall--more'n we'll want," he added under his breath. - -"Cover up that hard tack there," ordered the Sub, as the first spray -flew over the gunwale and threatened to soak the scanty supply of -biscuits. "A pull on your fore-sheet there. That's better; now she -feels it." - -The whaler was moving now, cutting through the rising waves like a -race-horse. Every stitch of canvas was drawing, while feathers of -spray dashed over the weather bow. But, in spite of these encouraging -conditions, the wind was backing slowly yet steadily. By sunset it -was broad on the starboard beam. - -As darkness set in Webb relieved the coxswain at the tiller. Few -words were spoken between them, for the Sub's attention was mainly -directed to windward, ready to cope with any sudden increase of wind. -Either seated or lying on the bottom-boards, the men were engaged in -the time-honoured custom of "chewing the rag" before "turning in" on -their hard couch. Scraps of conversation caught the Sub's ears. He -smiled grimly, for the boat's crew were not discussing the chances of -the hazardous voyage, or the plight of their comrades they had left -behind: an animated discussion was in progress as to which team won -the English Cup in a certain year of that remote period previous to -the outbreak of the greatest war the world has yet seen. - -At eight bells the "watch below" turned in, their outlines just -discernible in the starlight as, in unpicturesque attitudes, each -sleeper adapted himself as comfortably to his individual tastes as -hard and unyielding bottom-boards permitted. Their comrades, told off -for the night watches, crouched under the lee of the gunwale, -sheltering from the keen wind, for with the setting of the sun the -temperature had fallen considerably. Clad only in sub-tropical -uniforms and being unprovided with greatcoats, the men felt acutely -the contrast between the heat of the day and the chilliness of the -night. When at length the order came to reef sails, they obeyed -smartly and cheerfully. The very act of doing something was as balm -to their cold and cramped limbs. - -Webb had been wise to reef in time. The wind was now for'ard of the -beam and increasing in violence. Directly water showed a tendency to -come over the lee gunwale he had given the order to shorten sail. - -He was very anxious--not on account of the rising wind and sea, but -because it was now only just possible to keep the whaler on her -course. - -"If the wind backs another point it will head us," he remarked to the -coxswain. - -"'Fraid it will, sir," was the imperturbable reply. "I'd as lief up -helm and run for Malta as make board after board and not gain more'n -a few yards to wind'ard." - -The Sub had to admit the force of the petty officer's remarks. The -whaler, being unprovided with a drop keel, would make a very -indifferent performance to windward. There were no tidal currents to -help her--the Mediterranean being tideless--and what "drift" there -was would be against her, since the currents in this part of the vast -inland sea are set up solely by the force of the prevailing wind. In -these circumstances it might take a week or more to reach Crete, and -by that time the comrades they had left behind would be conquered by -famine, even if they succeeded in holding in check the savage foes -who menaced them. - -Yet there was another chance. The whaler would soon be in the regular -steamer track between Port Said and the Western Mediterranean -seaports. In normal times the probability of aid from passing vessels -would be great; but now, owing to the U-boat menace, things were very -different. - -A moaning sound pierced the darkness of the night. In an instant Webb -grasped the situation. A squall was sweeping down. - -"Check sheets!" he shouted, at the same time putting the helm down -ever so slightly, so as not to get the boat "in irons". - -The squall hit the boat hard. Green seas poured over her bows, -effectually awaking the sleepers. So fierce was the strength of the -wind that the Sub was compelled to order the canvas to be -close-reefed. - -By dint of strenuous baling the whaler was kept afloat; yet she was -sagging to leeward like an empty cask. Worse, the wind was now -absolutely dead ahead, and more than enough for the meagre amount of -sail that was still set. - -"Think she'll stick it?" shouted Webb to the coxswain. - -"No, I don't, sir," replied that worthy bluntly. "Better ride to our -gear while there's time." - -The petty officer's advice was sound. To attempt to carry on was a -suicidal policy. As quickly as possible the oars and yard were lashed -together, the foresail being still bent to its spar. To these a scope -of grass rope was attached, and the whole of the gear thrown -overboard, the kedge having been previously bent to the lower part of -the canvas to ensure it floating "up and down". - -To this rough-and-ready sea-anchor the whaler rode in comparative -safety, for, although the seas were breaking all around, there was a -complete absence of crested, dangerous waves in the wake of the -floating gear, fifty yards ahead of the boat. - -"So well, so good," thought Webb. "But, unfortunately, though we may -have saved our own skins, the fact remains that we are not helping -Captain M'Bride and our comrades ashore." - -"She's riding handsomely, sir," remarked the coxswain. "And we've -plenty of sea-room. Short and sharp this has been in coming up, and -maybe 'twill be short and sharp when it does pipe down." - -Slowly the minutes sped. The inactivity, combined with a prolonged -lack of sleep, was beginning to tell upon the young officer. Once or -twice he found his head involuntarily dropping on his chest. - -"All right, sir," said the coxswain, who had "spotted" his superior -officer's movements. "Just you have forty winks. Nothin' doin'; and -I'll pass the word if there is." - -It seemed less than a few minutes when Webb was roused by the petty -officer touching him on the shoulder. - -"Vessel o' sorts bearin' down, sir." - -There was no time to be lost if help was to be forthcoming in that -direction. Already the black outlines of a large ship were looming -through the night mirk. - -The whaler was without means of signalling. Webb found himself -wishing that he had brought the Very's pistol with him, until he -reflected that it might perform an even greater service in the -defence of the zariba. There were no rockets in the boat; neither -flashing lamp nor flare. Not even matches, for the very scanty stock -had been used up in a fruitless attempt to light the binnacle lamp, -which had been found lying in the bottom of the boat when she had -come ashore half-filled with water. Nor was there a rifle on board. -Every available weapon was required by the men facing the Senussi. - -"Stand by to give a hail, men," cautioned the Sub. "When I give the -word, then all together. Luckily she'll pass to leeward of us." - -At Webb's order the night echoed to the stentorian tones of the -whaler's crew. It must have been impossible for the officer of the -watch not to have heard the combined efforts of the strong-lunged -men. - -"She's not slowing down, sir," said one of the men, after a pause. - -"Give her time," replied the Sub, hoping against hope that the vessel -would respond to the appeal for aid. - -But no; instead of reversing engines she ported helm, and at full -speed was soon lost to sight in the darkness. - -"Rale haythens, sure they be!" muttered an Irishman indignantly. - -Webb took the acute disappointment philosophically. These were times -when unprecedented horrors encompassed the mariner--cold-blooded -murder in the darkness of the night by cowardly lurking U-boats. -Cases had been known of German vessels of war luring their victims to -destruction by false signals of distress, and it was more than likely -that the officer of the watch of the unknown ship, hearing the hail, -had come to the conclusion that it was a decoy cry from a hostile -submarine, and had altered her course in order to avoid a torpedo. - -With the first streaks of dawn the wind moderated, although dead -ahead. The seas, still high, no longer maintained their vicious, -crested aspect. It was now safe to rehoist sail, and, accordingly, -the sea-anchor was brought on board and the masts restepped. - -The Sub had already made up his mind to steer westward. With luck he -might reach Malta, or at least fall in with some of the numerous -war-ships that make Valetta their base. - -As luck would have it, the "traveller", or iron ring that runs up and -down the mast and to which is attached the yard, was jerked upwards -during the operation of making sail. Slackening the halyard made no -difference. The elusive ring remained at a tantalizing distance of -two or three inches above the tallest man's outstretched hand, and -there was no boat-hook to bring it down. - -Webb was about to order the mast to be unstepped, when one of the men -swarmed up the swaying pole and recovered the "traveller". As he did -so he happened to glance to windward. - -"A sail!" he shouted. "Coming bows on." - -For a few minutes all on board the whaler were in a state of -suspense. The vessel was approaching rapidly, but to a great extent -was obscured by the cloud of black smoke that was carried ahead by -the following wind. - -"Hurrah, lads!" exclaimed the coxswain. "She's a destroyer." - -Soon there was no doubt on the matter. She was a large four-funnelled -torpedo-boat destroyer with a red, white, and green ensign at each -masthead, indicating her to be a unit of the Italian Navy. The one -fly in the ointment was the disconcerting sight of the bow -twelve-pounder gun manned and trained upon the whaler. - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII - -In the Nick of Time - - -"STEADY, lads! Aim low. Don't throw a single shot away." - -Calmly and resolutely Captain M'Bride's voice travelled along the -whole length of the trench. Every man possessing a rifle gripped the -weapon resolutely, while the rest of the defenders, armed with -whatever means of defence came to hand, braced themselves for the -coming desperate struggle. - -It was close on sunset. Not a breath of wind tempered the still -stifling heat. The gale of wind that had beset the whaler had not yet -reached the sun-baked sand-dunes where the _Portchester Castle's_ -survivors still held grimly to their scanty defences. - -After a series of feints extending over the greater part of the day, -the Senussi were at last about to make a determined onslaught. The -camel-men had dismounted and sent their docile animals out of harm's -way, but the horsemen had massed in a long curved line of foot. There -was some semblance of military order in the array, taught no doubt by -their former Turkish instructors, for on each flank, and on rising -ground, riflemen were posted so as to pour a converging force upon -the British, while the horsemen, supported by hundreds of dismounted -Arabs armed with sword and spear, charged the extreme left of the -defences. - -This was a masterly stroke that Captain M'Bride had not anticipated, -for here the trench ran in a diagonal direction to the sea, and if -carried would expose the rear of the centre to a flanking and -enfilading fire. But what the attackers did not know was the -existence of a novel form of _fougasse_--the row of petrol tins. - -Clearly the foremost of the assailants were visible in the slanting -rays of the setting sun. Behind them followed a cloud of sand, thrown -up by the horses' hoofs, through which could be discerned the -indistinct forms of a howling mob of fanatical warriors armed with -cold steel. In the forefront rode a tall bearded fellow with green -jibbah and turban. With his right hand he brandished a long, straight -two-edged sword, while in his left he bore a green banner with a -scarlet crescent. - -"They are not fighting under Turkish colours," remarked Captain -M'Bride to Dacres, who stood by his side. "A sort of Holy War banner, -I take it." - -Evidently Afir-al-Bahr was of the same opinion, and, finding that he -had not to fight against a force under the Turkish Crescent, he -picked up a huge axe that had come ashore in one of the ship's boats. - -"What's that fellow doing?" enquired the skipper hurriedly. - -Dacres, whose service in Egypt had made him fairly proficient with -the language of the Eastern Mediterranean States, spoke a few words -to the Turkish airman. - -"I think it's all right, Captain M'Bride," explained Dacres. "The man -has no intention of breaking his parole. He knows quite well that if -he should fall alive into the hands of the Senussi their treatment -would be much worse than ours. He told me that some time ago a party -of these meek and mild gentlemen mutinied, and murdered their Ottoman -officers." - -"Then let him carry on," decided the skipper. He gave a quick glance -in the direction of the oncoming foe. The foremost were now within -two hundred yards. - -"Volley firing by sections--ready!" - -A well-timed volley burst from the British trench. The high-velocity -bullets, fired at point-blank range, wrought havoc in the crowded -ranks of the Senussi. Saddles were emptied by the dozen, and before -the stricken riders had time to fall to the ground the second section -poured in a murderous fire. - -Yet undaunted the Senussi pressed on, the standard-bearer, apparently -unhurt, still brandishing his gleaming weapon. Then, slowly yet -surely, he began to lean forward until he lay across the horse's -neck. The banner dropped from his nerveless grasp just as a bullet, -striking the animal on its white blaze, brought man and steed to the -ground. - -In an instant another Arab had snatched up the green flag, and, with -redoubled shouts, the dense and now disorganized mob came thundering -across the level stretch of ground in front of the zariba. - -It was now Osborne's time to take up the work with which the absent -Webb had charged him. Already one of the bright-red petrol cans had -been holed by a couple of accurately placed shots, and the highly -volatile fluid was escaping and soaking into the hot sand. The -Lieutenant could even detect the pungent fumes of the evaporating -spirit. Raising the short, smooth-bored pistol, Osborne pressed the -trigger. The missile--a red rocket--burst against the perforated tin, -just as the foremost of the assailants were leaping over the mound -that partly concealed the line of tins. - -The next instant flames shot twenty feet or more into the air--a fire -so intense that the heat could be distinctly felt by the defenders of -the trench, while the zariba quivered in the current of air set up by -the sudden rise of temperature. - -Five seconds later the adjacent tin exploded, and then another and -another, until the tongues of fire darted a good fifty feet skywards. - -That part of the attack was checked and beaten back. The fire barrage -was impassable; but on the enemy's left their impetuous rush brought -them right up to the zariba. - -Dauntlessly the Arabs sought to tear away the prickly barrier. Rifles -cracked, but the number of small arms at the disposal of the British -was insufficient to annihilate--it could only diminish--the great -superiority of the enemy's forces. - -Several of the seamen, armed with knives and marline-spikes lashed to -the end of oars and poles, rendered yeoman service by the use of -these improvised pikes. Others, having provided themselves with a -supply of large stones, hurled them across the intervening barrier at -the nearmost of their assailants. - -Nor was Afir-al-Bahr to be denied. With his axe he fought -desperately, dealing smashing blows whenever a fanatical Arab -succeeded in getting within reach. - -For some moments the situation was extremely critical. The improvised -pikes were no match for the long broad-bladed, razor-edged spears, -and the advantage of fighting behind the zariba was fast disappearing -as the fearless and desperate Senussi persevered in the work of -tearing away the wall of thorns. - -Against these tremendous odds the handful of the _Portchester -Castle's_ crew fought magnificently, making the best use of their -ungainly weapons. British courage and dogged pluck were there. The -men meant to hold their position at all costs, but already the -numbers were being thinned by the relentless pressure of the Arab -assault. - -At this critical juncture Captain M'Bride, realizing that the British -left was in no immediate danger--for the contents of the whole line -of exploded petrol cans were blazing furiously--rushed up every -available rifleman. In a few moments the attack, that had had every -appearance of being successful, broke down. The Arabs melted away, -the survivors retreating in disorder, leaving fifty or more of their -number huddled in front of the partly demolished zariba, and others -at varying distances from the defences. - -"We've been and gone and done it now," commented Major Fane. - -"How's that?" queried Dacres, as he held out his left wrist for his -chum to apply a bandage to a deep but clean gash caused by the -partly-parried thrust of a spear. - -"We've fired all the petrol except the two tins we held in reserve. -We have none available to repeat the dose." - -"I fancy they've had quite enough, eh, what?" rejoined Dacres. -"Thanks, old man, it feels absolutely all right. A trifle on the -tight side, perhaps, but for an amateur, Billy, you know how to -doctor a fellow. Hallo, Osborne; how goes it? My word, that petrol -flare shook 'em up a bit; but we needn't have used the lot. I was -just saying----" - -"It is indeed unfortunate," interposed Captain M'Bride. "We certainly -ought not to have used the whole quantity. I had no idea that it -would make such a furnace. Nearly lifted my eyebrows off, by Jove!" - -"It's my opinion that the Arabs won't come up for a second dose," -remarked Dacres. - -"If they do they'll exercise more caution," said the skipper. "We -must be prepared for a night attack. I've told off a party to pick up -the rifles, ammunition, and spears of the Senussi left on the field. -Mr. Osborne, will you see that the zariba is repaired?" - -The Lieutenant saluted, and hurried away to carry out the Captain's -order. Already twenty additional Mauser rifles had been brought in, -and about four hundred rounds of ammunition. These were served out to -the seamen, the recipients being specially cautioned to keep the -captured ammunition apart from the British Service cartridges, so -that no confusion would arise in the event of a possible attack -during the hours of darkness. - -Osborne had not allowed the lessons of the grim conflict to pass -without gaining useful hints. At his suggestion the zariba was -increased in thickness, the height remaining the same, while the -ground for a width of twenty yards in front was liberally "salted" -with sharp-pointed thorns that were buried "business end uppermost" -in the sand, leaving a couple of inches projecting as a trap for -unwary and unshod feet. - -Since there was not another _fougasse_ to fire, the Lieutenant loaded -the Very's pistol and lashed it to the stump of a bush about a -hundred yards from the trenches. To the trigger he tied a thin piece -of cord, obtained by unreeving the strands of a length of rope, and -secured the other end to a picket driven deeply into the sand. In the -event of any of the Senussi creeping up to the defences at night, -contact with the cord would instantly give the alarm. - -By dint of hard work, these preparations were completed before the -short twilight gave place to intense darkness. It was now blowing -hard from the nor'east, and, in spite of the fact that only a narrow -strip of ground lay between the rear of the trenches and the sea, the -defences were exposed to irritating clouds of fine sand that -penetrated almost everything--even the intricate breech-mechanism of -the magazine rifles. - -"I wonder how the whaler is faring?" was the question that rose to -the lips of almost every member of the shipwrecked crew, not once but -many times. With the rising breeze the men realized that the boat had -a dead beat to wind'ard, and that, even if she could still carry -canvas, her progress towards the distant goal would be very, very -slow. - -The night was cold, for the sand radiated its heat with remarkable -rapidity, while the on-shore wind was bitterly keen. Without adequate -clothing the men suffered acutely, their condition accentuated by the -quick contrast with the scorching rays of the sun during the day. -Those not detailed for sentry work huddled together in the trenches, -the wounded being provided with awnings fashioned from the boats' -sails stretched between pairs of oars. Slowly the hours passed, for, -although not a single watch belonging to the castaways had survived -the prolonged immersion in salt water, a fairly accurate count of -time could be kept by means of the position of certain well-known -stars. - -At about midnight the sky was overcast, and even this means of -calculating time was at an end. In utter silence the sentries -maintained a vigilant look-out, while their comrades either dozed -fitfully or lay awake, shivering with cold, and on thorns of -expectancy for the night attack. - -Suddenly the tense stillness of the night was broken by a sharp -report, followed by the appearance of a vivid light two hundred feet -or more in the air. The Very pistol had been discharged. - -Instantly the defenders sprang to their feet. Those having rifles -manned the loopholes, opened the "cut-offs" of the magazines, and -prepared to pour a withering fire into the expected mass of Senussi. - -But nothing in the nature of a wild chorus of war-cries pierced the -darkness. In the distance could be heard sounds of commotion amongst -the Arabs, who had encamped at about two or three miles from the -scene of the previous encounter. In front of the zariba all was -quiet. - -"Did you see anything, Wilson?" asked Osborne of one of the sentries. - -"Nothing, sir," was the reply. "And when that rocket went off it was -as clear as day, in fact my eyes are still dazzled by the light." - -"Perhaps it was a sniper or a scout," suggested Dacres, who at the -first alarm had hurried to his post. - -"If so, I fancy he's made himself scarce," added Osborne. - -"By the by, Osborne," remarked Major Fane, "did you set that cord up -fairly tight when you fixed it to the trigger?" - -"As taut as I dared," replied the Lieutenant. "It wanted only a -four-pound pull to set off the cartridge." - -"Then I fancy I can explain," continued the Major. "You didn't make -any allowance for the contraction of the cord with the dew." - -Osborne bit his lip. He was too straightforward to offer excuses. He -knew perfectly well the effect of damp upon rope, and at this -critical time he had omitted to make practical use of his knowledge. -The false alarm had turned out every man when they badly needed sleep -and rest. - -The Very's pistol was reloaded and the trigger-line slacked off. Once -more the men not on sentry sought to gain some hours of slumber in -their uncomfortable surroundings. - -The rest of the night passed without further incident, the enemy -making no further attempt to molest the camp. With the dawn the -defenders were roused. A small quantity of water, half a biscuit, and -a morsel of salt beef were served out, and on this scanty ration each -man had to exist for the next six hours. - -"Where's that Turkish fellow?" enquired Osborne. "He hasn't put in an -appearance for his food." - -No one had seen him, for owing to his religious scruples the Ottoman -aviator had constructed his shelter at a little distance to the rear -of the trench. - -"I seed 'im makin' for his caboodle just after that there set-to last -night, sir," volunteered one of the seamen. "Shall I rout 'im out?" - -"No, I'll go," said Dacres. "I can speak his lingo." And crossing the -intervening stretch of sand he reached the artificial hollow that the -Turk had dug out. - -Afir-al-Bahr was lying on his side; his "prayer-carpet", which devout -Mohammedans carry with them in all circumstances, was spread at his -feet. To all appearance the Turk was sleeping peacefully--but it was -the sleep of death. During the attack on the zariba he had received a -mortal wound; yet, with a remarkable reticence, he had crawled away -to die in solitude. - -They buried him hastily in the hollow he had constructed. No volleys -were fired over his grave--cartridges were too precious for that; no -"Last Post" rent the air, since no bugle was available. Yet the -homage of the _Portchester Castle's_ ship's company to a brave and -gallant enemy--a man who had done his level best to blow the ship to -pieces, and had afterwards fought side by side with his country's -foes--was none the less sincere. - -Hardly had the last rites been accomplished when signs of renewed -activity were visible amongst the Senussi. During the night their -numbers had been augmented by other bands of desert nomads, until the -present strength more than exceeded the force that had delivered the -previous attack with such disastrous results. - -Yet the Arabs appeared to be in no immediate hurry. Evidently they -guessed that the defenders were scantily supplied with food and -water. They could afford to wait until the British, faint with -hunger, and weakening under the effect of the enervating, torrid -atmosphere, would be unable to offer any strenuous resistance. - -"I almost wish they'd make a move, by Jove, I do!" remarked Dacres. -"Suppose I oughtn't to say it though, since the longer they wait the -more chance we have of rescue; but it's slow work hanging on to a -mound of sand and expecting those fellows to make a rush." - -"Looks as though your half-expressed wish will be gratified, old -man," replied Major Fane, as a swarm of white-robed men edged along -to the right of the defenders' position, taking considerable care to -keep good cover. "See their move? They're making for the beach. If -they get behind us, there'll be the deuce to pay!" - -The tactics of the Senussi necessitated a rearrangement of the -defenders. At Captain M'Bride's order, those of the riflemen who had -been armed with rifles taken from the dead Arabs were detached from -the centre and moved to a flanking position, so as to command the -approach along the shore. Those seamen who had brought their own -rifles were still retained in front of the zariba, so as to check any -frontal attack. - -Meanwhile Osborne, assisted by two volunteers, boldly left the -shelter of the trenches and began to dig up the scorched and -blistered petrol tins. These they set up in a conspicuous place a few -yards in front of the original line, coolly completing the task in -spite of an erratic fire from the Arab sharpshooters. - -"What's the move?" enquired Dacres when the Lieutenant returned -safely to shelter. - -"It may work; it's a little ruse," replied Osborne. "They'll see -the tins easily enough. I've put the best side of them facing -outwards. If they think that we'll be able to repeat the -curtain-of-fire business, they'll think twice before making a frontal -attack. It's quite bad enough to be taken in the rear of both flanks, -without a direct rush." - -"There's the green banner again," exclaimed Fane. "That looks like -business." - -"Steady, my lads," shouted the heroic skipper. "Let 'em have it." - -The rattle of musketry sounded along the shore. The result surpassed -all expectation, for, to the defenders' surprise, scores of Senussi -toppled over on the sand, some writhing, although for the most part -those who fell lay still. The rush ended abruptly, the rest of the -Arabs turning and running at full speed for the shelter of the dunes. - -"That's knocked the stuffing out of them," declared Captain M'Bride. -"Now, lads, there's another haul of equipment." - -A dozen or more of the seamen who did not possess rifles made their -way through the zariba, and approached the fallen foe with the -intention of despoiling them of their arms. While engaged in this -task, quite fifty of the fallen Senussi sprang to their feet, and -fell upon the tricked men. The ruse was disastrous as far as the -defenders were concerned, for those remaining in the trenches dare -not fire for fear of hitting their comrades. Before a rescue-party -could approach, the over-eager despoilers, hopelessly outnumbered, -were cut down to a man, while the cunning Arabs, pursued by a fierce -fire from the vengeful defenders, succeeded in regaining the main -body with severe losses. - -The handful of the _Portchester Castle's_ crew who had fallen in this -daring ruse could ill be spared. Although they had fought and died -gamely, and had accounted for more of the enemy than their own -numbers, the relative loss went against the beleaguered force. They -had gained experience at a high price. - -Another grave discovery was brought home to the sorely pressed men. -Their ammunition was running short. Magazine rifle-fire is apt to -make heavy inroads upon the stock of cartridges, and, although the -men had exercised considerable restraint and had hardly thrown away a -single shot; the fact remained that the supply had dwindled down to -less than a couple of hundred. - -"And the worst of it is," confided Major Fane, "we have those four -women--passengers from the _Sunderbund_--in our hands. They are as -plucky as one could wish; by Jove, they are! If the worst comes to -the worst----" - -"Yes, Major," added Captain M'Bride quietly. "I understand. We must -never let them fall alive into the hands of these brutes." - -Throughout the rest of the morning and well into the afternoon the -Senussi continued their wearing-down tactics, making numerous feints, -either singly or simultaneously at different points; yet no definite -attack matured. All the while a long-range fire was directed upon the -defences, and although the enemy wasted prodigious quantities of -ammunition the net result was two men severely, and four slightly -wounded. - -"Now they mean business, I fancy," said Major Fane, as a tremendous -hubbub, in which the beating of drums figured largely, came from the -enemy position. "These fellows seem to fancy the hours before -sunset." - -A vast semicircle of dark-featured Arabs, their strength now -exceeding three thousand, told pretty plainly that the defences were -to be rushed from all available directions. This time, save for a few -exceptions, all the attackers were on foot, although in the centre -rode another green-turbaned Amir, bearing the emerald-hued banner -that was to bring victory to the Faithful. - -Even as the survivors of the _Portchester Castle_ stood ready for the -order to open fire, the air was torn by the shrill screech of a heavy -projectile, quickly followed by another and another. With a -succession of terrific crashes, twelve-pounder shells burst fairly -amidst the dense serried ranks of the Senussi. It was more than -fanatical courage could stand. They broke and fled, leaving the green -banner torn to shreds in the grasp of the lifeless Amir. - -Too utterly done up even to cheer, the rescued garrison gazed -seawards. Less than two miles from shore, and pelting onwards at a -good twenty-five knots, was a British destroyer. It was rescue in the -very nick of time. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX - -Misunderstandings - - -WE left Sub-lieutenant Tom Webb and the whaler's crew in the act of -being rescued by a destroyer flying the Italian ensign. The vessel -was the _Bersagliere_, a 28-knot boat armed with four -twelve-pounders. - -It was not sheer luck that brought it to the rescue of the Sub and -his companions. The liner that had passed them in the night was not -so callous as they had supposed. Although she dared not stop to -investigate the cause of the shouting, fearing the presence of a -hostile submarine, she had sent out a wireless message in the -International Code, reporting on the circumstance, giving the -approximate position, and suggesting the possibility of a U-boat. - -The call was picked up by several patrolling war-ships, amongst them -the _Bersagliere_. The latter being nearest to the position -indicated, set off at full speed, and cleared for action in the event -of meeting with a U-boat which had resorted to the device of using a -decoy. - -The Italian destroyer's people were unremitting in their attentions -to what they supposed to be the sole survivors of a British naval -craft. Not one of either officers or crew could understand English, -nor could Webb and his men speak a word of Italian, and the Sub's -endeavour to indicate by means of signs that the rest of the -survivors were cast ashore on the Tripolitan coast, and were in dire -peril from the Senussi, was fruitless. - -The commanding officer of the _Bersagliere_ did his best, but, -unfortunately, with somewhat disconcerting results. He wirelessed in -International Code the news that he had on board the sole survivors -of the British war-ship _Portchester Castle_. The message was picked -up and decoded by several vessels, and also the naval receiving -station at Malta, and within a very short time of the rescue of the -whaler's crew the inaccurate news was transmitted to the Admiralty. - -Webb and his comrades were, of course, ignorant of this stage of the -proceedings. They knew, however, that they were being taken in a -nor'westerly direction by the destroyer--farther and farther away -from the scene of the unequal conflict ashore. Instead of bringing -aid to the hard-pressed Captain M'Bride and his handful of undaunted -men, they were being spirited away to an unknown -destination--possibly Castellamare or some other distant Italian -naval port. - -"'Spose these Eytalians thinks as 'ow they are doin' their level -best," remarked one man to his "raggie". "Strikes me we're being -bloomin' well kidnapped. Look 'ere, Ginger; you can 'andle a pencil. -Just you draw a sort o' sketch of our chaps ashore, an' put a few -niggers in. That might do the trick." - -Ginger pondered. The trouble was to get pencil and paper. The rest -was simple, for he had a strong reputation amongst his lower-deck -mates as an artist. - -The difficulty was overcome by boldly commandeering a pad and pencil -from the _Bersagliere's_ signalman, somewhat to the surprise of the -good-natured Italian; then, surrounded by interested spectators of -both the Allied navies, Ginger proceeded with his task. - -"'Ere we are," he explained. "Them's the sand-dunes; 'ere's the -skipper, Number One, an' Lootenant Osborne. This is the zayreber; -them's the enemy. That orter do the trick, didn't it, mates?" - -"'Spose so," admitted one of the whaler's men rather dubiously. "A -little smoke chucked in would improve the picture, I'll allow." - -The artist reluctantly admitted the force of the criticism, and -proceeded to depict far more vapour than modern engagements with -smokeless powder justified. Then, stepping up to one of the -_Bersagliere's_ officers, he tendered his handiwork. - -The Italian took the drawing and examined it intently and -sympathetically. He was obviously puzzled for some minutes. Then a -smile lit up his olivine features, and he spoke a few words to one of -his men. - -"Guess he's off to explain to the skipper of this packet," declared -Ginger's pal. "I knowed that 'ud do the trick." - -But instead of making his way to the bridge the Italian seaman went -below. The British tars regarded each other with feelings akin to -consternation, nor was their surprise any the less when the man -reappeared with a dish containing a "plum duff" liberally provided -with currants. - -The artistic idol of the _Portchester Castle's_ ship's company was -shattered. - -"Arter all," decided the coxswain, "'tain't to be wondered at, -Ginger. Those sand-dunes of yourn do look like the outlines of a -'spotted Dick', smoke an' all; but I guess the owner wouldn't be -pleased to find he'd been mistaken for a bloomin' currant." - -Almost immediately afterwards attention was directed in another -direction, for a vessel was sighted on the starboard bow. In a few -moments, for both craft were moving rapidly, the stranger was found -to be the British destroyer _Paradox_. - -An exchange of signals followed. The _Paradox_ had been one of the -vessels that had received the _Bersagliere's_ wireless message, and -it was with the intention of taking over the survivors of the -_Portchester Castle_ that she had made towards the Italian destroyer. - -Once more Sub-lieutenant Webb trod the decks of a craft flying the -white ensign; while the two destroyers, dipping their flags by way of -a courteous international salute, proceeded on different courses the -_Bersagliere_ "holding on", while to her commander's astonishment he -saw the British craft circle to port, and steam off at full speed in -a south-easterly direction, instead of returning to her base at Suda -Bay. - -Webb had lost no time in explaining to the Lieutenant of the -_Paradox_ that Captain M'Bride and a considerable number of men were -at bay on the Tripolitan coast; while to his surprise the Sub learnt -of the inaccurate wireless message from the _Bersagliere_ reporting -the whaler's crew as sole survivors of the ill-fated _Portchester -Castle_. - -"We'll be in time yet, I think," remarked the commanding officer of -the _Paradox_. "You reckoned to fetch Crete in an open boat and yet -be able to summon assistance. We've saved you at least twenty-four -hours. Yes, I'll see that a wireless correcting the previous -inaccurate report is sent off; but I think I'll wait till we've seen -this business through." - -Upon approaching the coast Webb could distinctly hear the rattle of -musketry. That was a good sign. It told him that Captain M'Bride and -his men were still holding out. - -At twenty-five knots the _Paradox_ was soon within range of her -twelve-pounders. In the slanting rays of the setting sun the dense -masses of the Senussi could be distinctly made out. It was a target -that could not well be missed. - -Six rounds were sufficient. The Lieutenant-commander, standing on the -destroyer's bridge, thrust his binoculars into their case with an -emphatic snap. - -"Good enough!" he exclaimed. "Cease fire--out boats!" - -Bringing the _Paradox_ to a standstill close to the almost submerged -wreck of the _Portchester Castle_, and keeping between the latter and -the shore--a precaution necessary should hostile submarines be in the -vicinity--her skipper lost no time in taking off the survivors of the -torpedoed armed merchant-cruiser. Yet before the evacuation of the -zariba was accomplished night had fallen. - -"I thought you would not fail us, Mr. Webb," was Captain M'Bride's -greeting as he came over the side. "You've been very quick over the -business. How did you fare when the wind piped up?" - -"Sheer good luck, sir," replied the Sub modestly. "We were picked up -by an Italian destroyer and afterwards transferred to the _Paradox_." - -The skipper of the _Portchester Castle_ kept his young officer -engaged in conversation for some time, during which Webb's eyes were -periodically turned in the direction of the returning boats. Yes, -thank God! there was Osborne, apparently safe and sound; Dacres too, -and Major Fane; most of the ship's officers whom Webb had left behind -when he made his dash in the whaler. - -At length his Captain dismissed him, and went below to enjoy the -hospitality of the diminutive ward-room. Webb made his way across to -where Osborne was standing. - -"Hallo, old bird--back again, you see!" was the Lieutenant's -greeting, informal, but none the less hearty. - -"Where's Haynes?" enquired Webb, after returning his chum's -salutation. "I've been looking out for him, but all the boats have -returned." - -"You're a bright lad not to spot your chums," rejoined Osborne. "He -was one of the first to be brought off. He got it badly almost at the -last lap--a gunshot wound in the side. Donovon's got him in hand now. -'Fraid Haynes' career in the Service is a closed book." - -"Sorry to hear that," said the Sub. "I only hope you're wrong, -Osborne." - -"Wouldn't be the first time," admitted the Lieutenant. "I made a fine -mess of things ashore just now." And he told his chum the episode of -the Very pistol. - -"Do you know where we are bound for?" he continued. - -"Port Said--so I heard the Navigating Lieutenant of the _Paradox_ -say," replied Webb. "I was hoping that it was Malta; still, one -mustn't complain after what we've been through. Not that we'll find -Egypt particularly exciting just for the present. From all accounts -there's precious little doing." - -But Sub-lieutenant Webb was mistaken in his surmise. Before very long -he was to find that the Land of the Pharaohs was anything but a place -for an uneventful existence. - - - - -CHAPTER XX - -The Desert Wireless Station - - -"DONKEY, sah? Good donkey, sah? Me good dragoman. Talk Englis' like -Englisman, sah. Me good----" - -"Oh, chuck it, do!" exclaimed Osborne. "No can do; savee?" - -It was on the outskirts of Alexandria. Osborne and Webb, already -"bored stiff" with the doubtful charms of the sun-baked Egyptian -seaport, were longing to be afloat once more. Up to the present their -wishes in that direction had not been gratified. In common with the -rest of the surviving officers and crew of the lost _Portchester -Castle_, they were resting, first at Port Said and then at -Alexandria, pending Admiralty instructions and appointment to another -ship. - -Early on this particular afternoon the two chums had gone for a walk -beyond the limits of the town. It was a glorious chance to tramp on a -broiling hot day, in a place where almost everyone rides, and then -only when it is necessary to be out and about. It was the time of -siesta, or midday rest, but the superabundant energies of the two -young officers were not to be denied. Both carried revolvers--a -precaution rendered necessary by the existing conditions of the -Egyptian frontiers. - -Barely had they drawn clear of the squalid native quarter when they -were assailed by the demonstrative attention of a swarm of 'Gippy -donkey-boys, whose natural cupidity overcame their curiosity at the -sight of two Englishmen braving the scorching heat of the sun. - -By dint of very forcible language, backed by a pretence of forcible -methods, Osborne had succeeded in freeing himself and his companion -from the undesired attentions of the mob, with one exception. The -latter, a tall, sparely built fellah, hung on like a leech. - -"Tomb of Ctesos, sah," he vociferated. "Not far. Far to walk, but not -far for donkey, sah. Twen'-fivee piastres" (up went the fingers of -his right hand five times to emphasize the point) "all de way. Dirty -cheap, sah." - -Osborne hesitated and was lost. - -"Tomb of Ctesos?" he repeated. "H'm, I've heard of it. Sort of ruined -pyramid, I believe, Tom. Well, it's something definite to do. How -about it?" - -"I'm on," replied Webb. "Figuratively, of course. When it comes to -the back of a donkey it may be a different matter." - -"The brutes look quiet enough," resumed Osborne, eyeing the three -sorry-looking donkeys, who were continually flicking their ears in a -vain attempt to rid themselves of the tormenting attentions of a -swarm of flies. "All right," he added, addressing the donkey-boy. -"Twenty-five piastres, mind!" - -The 'Gippy extended a grimy, sunburned hand. "On de nail," he -exclaimed, making use of one of many English idioms that he had -picked up in the course of his dealings with tourists in pre-war -days, and with British and Australian troops since the outbreak of -hostilities. - -The officers smiled. The words, coming from the lips of a -dark-skinned Egyptian, tickled them. The fellow's eyes looked so -pathetic and trustful that Osborne obligingly paid for the hire of -the animals. - -Evidently the guide was not going to exert himself by walking. -Throwing himself upon the back of the third donkey he urged the -brutes into a steady trot, yelling the while in a jargon of English -and Arabic, and belabouring the animals with a stick. - -"Avast there!" said Osborne authoritatively. "Stop it! Not so much of -the stick business. They'll go just as well without." - -The "boy"--he was a man of between twenty-five and thirty--obeyed, -but only for a time. Ere long he began to thrash the animals again. - -"For the second time, stop it!" thundered the Lieutenant. - -The donkey-driver muttered something under his breath. A momentary -scowl flashed across his olivine features. If looks could kill, -Osborne would have been stretched lifeless in the desert. - -On and on the donkeys went, sometimes trotting, at others plodding -stolidly through the sand; for already the cotton-fields had been -left behind, and nothing but the desert could now be seen, bounded on -the right hand by the intricate swamps of Lake Mareotis. Before they -had gone five miles, both the officers discovered, to their great -discomfort, that their mounts possessed very aggressive backbones, -the pain from the sharp edges of which the meagre native saddle did -little to mitigate. - -"How much farther?" enquired Webb. - -"Not far," was the 'Gippy's non-committal reply. - -"Hanged if I don't think the rascal is taking us past the place," -declared Osborne, indicating a solidly constructed building on the -left, at a distance of about three-quarters of a mile. - -The donkey-boy saw the gesture. - -"No, sah, no," he expostulated earnestly. "Him no good. Nothing dere; -empty. Tomb of Ctesos, sah, him be right dere." - -"Dash the tomb of Ctesos!" declared Osborne. "It's not good enough. -Look here, Ali Babi; we've chucked the idea. We'll have a look at -this place instead. We may find shelter from the sun, and get back in -the cool of the evening." - -The suggestion did not at all meet with the native's approval. -Obviously he had strong reasons against falling in with the proposal. - -"Evidently our dusky dragoman considers this to be a breach of -contract," observed Webb. - -"Can't imagine why," rejoined Osborne. "If what he says is correct -with reference to the direction of this precious tomb, we're saving -his animals a considerable distance. He who pays the piper calls the -tune, you know; so let's be firm." - -Accordingly, the two officers turned the donkeys in the direction of -the ruined building that Osborne had indicated. With ill-concealed -sullenness the Egyptian slowed down, riding at twenty paces in the -rear of the chums. - -Suddenly he gave vent to a shrill cry. Instantly the animals that -Osborne and Webb were bestriding came to a dead standstill; then, -keeping their forefeet planted firmly in the ground, they lashed out -furiously with their hind legs. - -In vain Webb attempted to keep his saddle. Describing an inelegant -curve he alighted on his head in the sand. Fortunately the softness -of the ground deadened the impact; but, feeling considerably shaken, -he regained his feet to find Osborne sitting regarding him ruefully. -As for the donkeys, they were skeltering off more quickly than they -had done before in the course of that afternoon, while the 'Gippy, -still astride his mount, jeered at his employers until he was out of -ear-shot. - -"The fellow's got his own back," admitted Osborne, laughing at his -own discomfiture. "And we paid him beforehand, worse luck! No matter! -we'll carry on now we're about it, and inspect this ruined show. If -we start at four o'clock we ought to be back before sunset, and it -won't be so oppressively hot to pad the hoof." - -"We're taking a long time to cover this half-mile," remarked Webb, -when after a steady tramp the ruins seemed no nearer. "Suppose it -isn't a mirage, what?" - -"Hope not," replied Osborne. Then he had to admit that the real -distance had been diminished by the vagaries of the atmosphere. -Although the tomb, or whatever it might be, was a real object, it had -seemed to be less than three-quarters of a mile away when Osborne -first noticed it. Actually it was four times that distance. - -At last they approached the elusive building. It consisted of a -rectangular central edifice with a few smaller buildings attached. -The roof was originally a dome, but the greater portion had fallen -in. Fronting the main portion was a row of weather-worn pillars of -red sandstone, ground smooth by the action of the sand-storms of -centuries. In places the portico still remained, but was evidently in -a very insecure state. - -"Hallo!" exclaimed Webb, who with true scouting instinct had been -examining the ground. "Look here; someone has been here recently. -We're just converging upon the track of a couple of men and a led -camel." - -"Yes," agreed Osborne, "and Europeans, too; or at any rate not -barefooted felaheen or sandalled Arabs. Well, I suppose they have a -perfect right to come here, as much as we have--perhaps more if they -have fixed up their abode in this desirable suburban residence." - -"There's the camel," said the Sub, indicating the humped animal -which, hobbled in characteristic Arab fashion, was standing in the -shade of a partly shattered wall. "No signs of the owners. We'll have -to be careful, old man. We don't want to intrude upon these fellows -if they are engaged in their devotions. If they are Mohammedans they -are bound to be pretty sensitive as far as the presence of -unbelievers is concerned." - -For the last hundred yards the two chums maintained silence. Their -footfalls made no sound on the soft sand. At the lofty entrance they -paused. The dense shadows, in contrast to the powerful slanting rays -of the sun, made it impossible to see what was within the place until -their eyes grew accustomed to the violent transition from the glare -to a deep gloom. - -Suddenly Webb grasped his companion's arm. - -"Hist!" he whispered. - -His trained ear had caught the faint cackle of a wireless apparatus. - -For some moments the chums stood motionless. The sounds came from an -apartment either built in the thick walls or else in a raised -outbuilding. Presently the message ended, and the two men began to -engage in conversation, speaking in Arabic--a language of which both -Webb and Osborne knew but a few words, acquired during their brief -stay in Port Said and Alexandria. - -Both officers drew their revolvers. Clearly this was a time for -action. The ruins were not a Government telegraphic post. Since the -Western Egyptian Frontier campaign that ended in the defeat of the -somewhat formidable Senussi rising, a quantity of wireless gear, -known to have been smuggled ashore with other warlike stores for the -use of the enemy, had been unaccounted for. So thorough had been the -methods adopted by the Turks and their German taskmasters, that even -the nomad Arabs of the Tripolitan hinterland had been instructed in -the use of the most modern form of telegraphy. - -When sufficiently accustomed to the gloom, Osborne advanced -cautiously, Webb following at his heels. Guided by the sounds of -conversation they crossed the floor, where the dust of years lay -ankle-deep, until they came to a flight of stone steps, flanked on -either side by gigantic stone images representing two grotesque -Egyptian divinities, seated with their hands resting on their knees -and their orbless eyes staring blankly. So smooth were the carvings -that they might have been chiselled yesterday, instead of several -centuries before the Christian era. - -Up the flight of stairs the two officers crept. The illicit -operators, still engaged in an animated conversation, were unaware of -their presence until with a bound Osborne entered a small room on a -level with the roof of the portico, and covered them with his -revolver. - -Even as he did so he recognized one of the men as Georgeos Hymettus, -the Greek spy, who in the disguise of Alfonzo y Guzman Perez had -furnished the U-boat officers with information concerning the -movements of shipping at Gibraltar, and who had so nearly been laid -by the heels by Osborne and Webb during their adventurous trip to -Algeciras. - -"The world is small, my festive Hymettus," observed Osborne suavely. -"Now, kindly put your hands up and give no trouble." - - - - -CHAPTER XXI - -"A Proper Lash Up" - - -FINDING himself covered by Webb's pistol, the Greek's companion -promptly extended both arms above his head as a token of surrender. - -The fellow was attired in characteristic Bedouin dress. His face was -of a deep olivine, his features being partly concealed by a heavy -black beard and by the front of his burnous. In the folds of his -voluminous sash were thrust an automatic pistol, and a couple of -knives of Arab manufacture protected by sheaths of undressed leather. - -"Take charge of that gentleman's armoury, old man," said Osborne. "It -seems most discourteous to deprive such a meek and mild old buffer of -his playthings, but needs must!" - -Webb complied, dexterously removing the knives; but, just as he was -taking possession of the pistol, the latter slipped from his grasp -and clattered on the stone floor. With a deafening report one of the -cartridges exploded. - -In a trice the wily Hymettus saw his chance and took it. With a swift -sideward movement he interposed the body of the Arab between himself -and the muzzle of Osborne's revolver; then turning, he dashed for a -narrow doorway with the Lieutenant in pursuit. - -"About turn; off you go!" ordered Webb, unconsciously addressing his -prisoner in English. "No hanky-panky tricks, mind, or I'll shoot!" - -He pointed to the opening through which the Greek and Osborne had -vanished. The Arab obeyed, still keeping his hands above his head. - -The doorway opened upon the flat roof of the portico. Without was an -expanse of stone slabs, roughly fifty feet by ten. In front and on -one side a parapet of about thirty inches in height afforded -protection from a sheer drop of thirty feet to the ground. On the -remaining side no such wall existed, owing to the partial collapse of -the masonry. Where the portico had fallen, the face of the building -was pitted with holes, caused by the wrenching away of the dovetailed -stones. Each aperture formed a convenient foothold, and from this -hazardous path to safety Hymettus ran. Could he but make his -precarious way along the sheer face of the wall, comparative safety -awaited him, for beyond was a place where one man could defy a -hundred unless his assailants were provided with ladders. - -But at the brink of the riven masonry the Greek paused irresolute. -The sheer drop had more terrors than the weapon of his pursuer. -Before he could finally make up his mind, Osborne, laying aside his -revolver, gripped him by the neck and laid him on his back. - -Hymettus made no attempt at resistance, but the Lieutenant, mindful -of the previous encounter on Spanish territory, was taking no further -chances. With a sailor's deftness he bound the spy's arms behind his -back, and secured his ankles with a length of leather belt that -enabled the prisoner to make a stride of a bare eighteen inches. - -"That's all serene," remarked Osborne with a tone of relief, as he -regained his feet and took possession of his revolver once more. -"Now, old man, we've a good ten miles to tramp, with two villainous -rascals for company." - -"How about the camel?" enquired Webb. - -"I haven't overlooked the fact," rejoined the Lieutenant. "It's not -much use to us as a mode of conveyance. After our meteor-like flight -from the backs of those donkeys, I don't fancy an aerial perch on a -ship of the desert. Humanitarian reasons won't permit us to leave the -beast to die of starvation in this sand-blown spot. We'll make the -Greek ride, and that white-livered Arab will conduct the brute. If -they attempt to sheer off--well, that's where our revolvers will come -in handy." - -"And the wireless gear?" asked the Sub. - -"Let it stop as evidence. The Royal Engineers will see to that -to-morrow. Now, best foot for'ard: it's a long, long way to -Alexandria." - -To his unbounded relief Osborne convoyed the prisoners into the open. -He was unfeignedly glad to get clear of the frowning walls of the -ruined building, with its labyrinth of side passages and weird nooks -and crannies. - -"Now then, don't lag," said Webb sharply, addressing the Arab, who -seemed loath to keep up with his fellow-prisoner. - -The man shot a curious glance at his captor and stood stock-still. - -"No, you don't," continued Webb, giving the prisoner a sturdy shove. -"We mean business, my bearded friend. Thank goodness I have a pistol -in my hand and you haven't. I wouldn't trust you with a halfpenny." - -Thus urged, the Arab resumed his pace, until they came to the spot -where the camel was hobbled. - -"I suppose the Greek hasn't any weapons concealed about him?" -enquired Webb. - -"Trust me for that," was the Lieutenant's reply. "I passed my hands -over his carcass right enough. Now then, Ben Hazi Notion, or whatever -your tally happens to be, bear a hand and hoist this rascal up." - -The Arab spoke a few words to the camel. The animal immediately -crouched on the ground. - -"I say, this condemned nigger understands English," declared Osborne. -"He knew exactly what I said. Now, how far is it to Alexandria?" he -asked, addressing the Bedouin. - -But the latter's face wore a mask of imperturbability. When the -question was repeated, he rolled his eyes and raised his hands with a -gesture of utter incomprehensibility. - -"He must have guessed what I meant," commented Osborne as he signed -to the Arab to make the camel regain its feet. - -Progress was tediously slow. The camel would not be hurried, while -the two Englishmen found that the sand was growing more and more -fatiguing to their feet as mile after mile was covered in the still -hot sunshine. - -The Arab trudged stolidly, holding the gaily coloured head-rope of -the ship of the desert. At intervals the Greek would give furtive -glances around the horizon, as if he expected help to be forthcoming -from some quarter of the trackless desert. - -By the time the weary officers reached the outskirts of the -cotton-fields the sun was low in the west, and the lengthening -shadows betokened the fact that soon it would be night. A few of the -felaheen peasants, still toiling, paused in their work to contemplate -the unusual spectacle of a couple of Englishmen trudging at the tail -end of a camel, while a Greek--there were many such in Alexandria ---rode, seemingly in indolent ease, upon the animal's back. - -Ahead, silhouetted against the sky, could be discerned the lofty -lighthouse of Ras - el - Tin, dominating the slender minarets, and -the masts of the shipping in the harbour. Just then the still air was -rent by the shrill blast of a bugle. The sound was taken up in other -parts of the town, while, as if to emphasize the contrast,'twixt East -and West, the voices of the muezzins calling the Faithful to prayer -could be faintly distinguished amidst the warlike notes of the -bugles. - - -[Illustration: "PROGRESS WAS TEDIOUSLY SLOW"] - - -"I won't be sorry to have a jolly good meal and a rest," remarked -Osborne. "We'll have to be sharp if we are to get in before sunset. -With two slippery customers like these, our work will be cut out to -prevent them giving us the slip." - -"It's only that Greek rascal that worries me," said Webb. "The other -fellow doesn't seem to have the courage of a worm, the sagacity of a -bat, or the energy of a snail. Hallo, here's a squad of 'Gippy -troops!" - -Marching at the quick step affected by the native African troops, the -white-clad soldiers drew near, all but the leading files enveloped in -clouds of dust. At their head were two British officers in white -tropical uniforms, and wearing the scarlet tarboosh of the Egyptian -Government service. - -Seeing the two naval men approach with their bound prisoners, the -officer in command ordered the troops to halt. - -"Hallo, what game has he been up to?" enquired the Major, indicating -the secured Hymettus. "Trying to rob you, and caught a Tartar, eh?" - -Briefly Osborne explained the situation, adding that he would be -greatly obliged if the prisoners could be handed over to the custody -of the military until the Lieutenant could report the facts to the -Senior Naval Officer. - -"Certainly," was the reply. "I'll furnish a subaltern's guard. Mr. -Fordyce!" - -"Sir!" replied an alert, bronzed Second-lieutenant. - -"These two men are to be marched back under escort. See that they are -placed in the guard-room. You will be responsible for their safe -custody." - -At an order from a tall, smiling-faced, native sergeant, who appeared -to take a delight in having a rascally Greek in his charge, Georgeos -Hymettus descended from his lofty perch. Surrounded by men with fixed -bayonets he was hurried off to a distance of fifty yards, while other -soldiers took up their position around the Arab prisoner. - -The latter, now that his companion in misfortune was out of ear-shot, -addressed a few rapid sentences in Arabic to the British Major. Then, -to Osborne's and Webb's astonishment, the officer drew them aside, at -the same time halting the escort and signing to the Arab to follow. - -"The courage of a worm, the sagacity of a bat, the energy of a snail, -by Jove! Gentlemen, I begin to feel particularly cheap." - -Osborne stood stock-still, dumb with amazement. Webb, hardly able to -realize the situation, looked at the speaker with ill-disguised -astonishment. The utter surprise of being reminded of his own words, -by a man who appeared to be a genuine Bedouin, literally took the -wind out of his sails. - -"Thanks for a very pleasant afternoon!" continued the disguised -prisoner. "It is indeed most unfortunate that your misplaced zeal -prompted you to raid friend Georgeos's secret wireless station. I've -been on his track for weeks. I may as well introduce myself as Major -Ferriter, of the Intelligence Staff. If necessary, my friend Major -Scott here will guarantee my _bona fides_." - -"For weeks?" echoed Osborne. "Then why didn't you nab the spy before? -He must have been doing tons of mischief." - -"Not so much as you have done by chipping in," replied Major -Ferriter. "Unwittingly, of course, but none the less unfortunate. I -assume that what I tell you will be treated in strict confidence. For -nearly two months the authorities have been aware of the Greek spy's -activities. He was shadowed from Barcelona to Athens, and thence to -Port Said. I was instructed to keep in touch with him, and as luck -would have it I succeeded. In this disguise I completely hoodwinked -him; lived with him; assisted him at his work of espionage--only I -took care to transmit the messages sent by wireless from the German -U-boats to the Eastern Mediterranean myself. It paid the Government -handsomely to let the fellow pursue his activities. It enabled us to -account for nearly a dozen hostile submarines, and now you've put the -hat on it all." - -"Couldn't you arrange to escape with the spy?" enquired Osborne, -almost panic-stricken at the result of his unintentional blunder. - -"Might," replied Major Ferriter. "Only Hymettus might smell a rat and -slip away to some more congenial atmosphere. I must think it over. -Now, Scott, I think you had better hand me over to the tender mercies -of your men. I must keep up the disguise a little longer, but for -goodness' sake, old man, see that I am smuggled out as soon as it is -safe to do so. After weeks of existence upon dates, pilau, and goats' -milk, I pine for the flesh-pots of civilization." - -Osborne and his chum waited until the supposed Bedouin prisoner was -marched off under escort; then, bidding the infantry Major farewell, -they set off in the gathering darkness, to their quarters. - -For some minutes they spoke not a word; but when at length the -Lieutenant broke the silence, his remark was brief, forcible, and to -the point: - -"My word, old bird; what a proper lash up!" - - - - -CHAPTER XXII - -The Fouled Propellers - - -FOR the next few days the chums heard nothing more of the spy and his -disguised tracker, nor did they deem it wise to make enquiries. It -was not until the end of the week that news circulated rapidly -through the native quarter to the effect that a Greek and an Arab, -arrested by order of the Kafir authorities, had broken out of their -place of detention. Europeans "not in the know" heard the same story. -Vaguely they wondered how such an escape could be effected, in the -face of the strict measures taken for the safe custody of malefactors -and criminals. And when Osborne and Webb were told of the incident -they glanced at each other in a way that denoted that they were not -at all surprised. - -"We'll hear more about Georgeos Hymettus," declared Webb. - -One morning orders were received for the surviving members of the -ill-fated _Portchester Castle's_ ship's company to hold themselves in -readiness for embarkation on the transport _Sinai_, which was about -to sail for Malta. - -Dacres and Major Fane had already bidden farewell to their former -companions in peril. They had left a few days after the _Paradox_ -arrived at Port Said--the former for England, the Major, with his -leave cancelled at his own request, to resume duty with a Soudanese -battalion somewhere in the vicinity of Khartoum. - -"Looks like getting into harness again," remarked the Sub on hearing -the news. "Well, I, for one, am not sorry. Things are a bit slow out -here, in spite of our little encounter with the spy. And I'm afraid -we didn't shine over that." - -"A common failing with fellows who take on the amateur-detective -business," commented Osborne, who was never reticent in owning up to -the errors for which he was responsible. "However, that's over and -done with," he added cheerfully. "A little bird whispered to me that -we're to be sent to the Grecian Archipelago. From all accounts -there's going to be trouble with the so-called Royalist section of -the Greek nation. The rotten way in which these fellows are carrying -on is enough to make any self-respecting Greek of ancient history -literally squirm in his grave. There's only one thing, in my opinion, -that prevents Tino's army from marching northwards from Athens, and -taking the Allied forces at Salonika in the rear." - -"And what's that?" enquired Webb. - -"The Navy--the British and French fleets," replied the Lieutenant. -"With Athens and Corinth under the guns of the fleet, and a stern -reminder that 'He who is not for us is against us', the -double-dealing Tino will have to tread warily." - -Early on the following day the depleted ship's company of the -_Portchester Castle_ boarded the vessel that was to take them to -Malta. Under her quarter-deck awnings Osborne and Webb were pacing up -and down, looking, without any qualms of regret, at the sun-baked -town and port of Alexandria. - -At that moment a small coasting steamer, flying the Greek mercantile -ensign, fussily slipped from the quay-side and steamed seawards. - -"She's bound for Crete with stores for the Venezelists," remarked -Osborne. "I saw her departure mentioned in yesterday's orders." - -The Lieutenant was right, up to a certain point. Had he known exactly -the nature of the vessel's cargo, he might have evinced far greater -interest in her; for, stowed away in the dark and ill-ventilated -fore-hold, was the spy Hymettus. - -On his escape from prison--a feat rendered comparatively easy by the -connivance of the authorities--he decided that the wireless business -was far too risky--at least for the present. He had also developed a -sense of distrust against his supposed Arab accomplice, -notwithstanding the active aid given him by the latter in shaking off -the bonds of captivity. He had, therefore, succeeded in giving Major -Ferriter the slip, and, by his intimate knowledge of the native -quarter of Alexandria, had been able to secrete himself until -arrangements were made for him to stow himself away on board the -Greek tramp. - -The _Sinai's_ run from Alexandria to Valetta was brief and -uneventful. There was not even a false alarm of the appearance of a -U-boat's periscopes. For the present, at least, German submarines had -been effectually "warned off" the Egyptian coast; yet, as there was -likely to be a fresh outburst on the part of these modern pirates, -the authorities were strenuous in their efforts to anticipate the -next display of maritime frightfulness. - -"By Jove, what luck!" ejaculated Osborne soon after the _Sinai_ had -moored to a buoy in the Grand Harbour. "I've got a command, Webb, my -boy. They've given me 0916." - -"Good luck, old man!" replied Webb heartily; then with a tinge of -regret: "I suppose it means that we won't see much of each other in -future." - -"Wrong again, my festive," said Osborne. "You've been appointed to -the same packet." - -"That's good," declared the Sub. "Any idea what she's like?" - -"Yes; a Yankee-built, sixty-footer motor-patrol boat. You know the -type well enough: V-sectioned with flush deck, and a small -chart-house and steering platform for'ard. She's a flier, from all -accounts. Goes twenty-six knots with her three eight-cylindered -160-horse-power motors. She carries two officers and a crew of six." - -"Sounds promising," remarked Webb. "Wonder where our cruising ground -will be?" - -"In and around the Archipelago," replied the Lieutenant. "Part of our -duties is, I believe, to dance attendance upon the sea-plane carrier, -_Fleetwing_. She's a stranger to me, but I dare say we'll both make -her acquaintance before very long. Well, buck up, and get ashore. -Here's a tender coming alongside. We've quite enough to do before -Monday." - -With the commissioning of 0916, Osborne for the first time assumed -full responsibility as the skipper of a command. Used, since his -entry into the Merchant Service, to the huge bulk of a steamer, he -might have found the quick, lively motion of the sixty-footer -decidedly awkward, had it not been for his previous experiences on -board an eight-ton yacht. Nevertheless the handling of a twenty-six -knotter, especially in a crowded harbour, required considerable skill -combined with a steady nerve. - -"It's the first few hours that count," confided the Lieutenant to his -subordinate and chum Webb, as the patrol-boat prepared to cast off -for a preliminary run into the open water of the Mediterranean. "I -remember a chief officer in the Royal British and Pacific--a fellow -with forty years' experience. His Company gave him command of one of -their tugs--a sort of comfortable home billet to fill in the rest of -his time. Hang it if he didn't run full tilt into a caisson the very -first trip, battered the face of the caisson like an old tin can, and -buckled the bows of the tug till they resembled a concertina! That -little bust-up cost the Company a cool ten thousand pounds." - -Fully equipped with stores, provisions, and munitions, and carrying -six hundred gallons of petrol, No. 0916 stole cautiously towards the -mouth of the harbour. Not until St. Elmo Point was broad on the port -quarter did Osborne give the order for full speed ahead. - -With a jerk the powerfully engined craft leapt forward. It gave Webb -the sensation of being on a lift that had been started too suddenly. -With the spray flying in silvery cascades on either side of her -knife-like bow, the patrol-boat cut through the water at a dizzy -speed, yet docile to the touch of the helmsman's hand. - -Suddenly a nerve-racking jar shook the frail craft. Her starboard -propeller was still running normally, tending to thrust her head to -port, while the port propeller, having struck some wreckage, had been -"brought up", stopping the motor almost dead. - -"Fouled something, by Jove!" ejaculated Osborne. "Be sharp there, -Wilkins. See if there's anything round the blades. Hope to goodness -they're not 'stripped'." - -"No fear of that, sir," replied the man addressed. "The blades have -held, or the motor would have started to race. I see it, sir," he -added, as he leant over the broad transome and peered into the limpid -water. "It's a length of rotten grass rope round the boss as tight as -a chunk of metal." - -The Lieutenant also surveyed the cause of the mishap. Round and round -the port propeller, and "laid" as evenly as rope round a drum, was a -length of two-inch grass line. About twenty feet of this still -trailed astern, terminating in a piece of painted wood. - -"Some boat's old mooring broken adrift," commented Osborne. "Horrible -nuisance, to say the least of it." - -"We can run back with the starboard engine, and get the dockyard -divers to clear it," observed Webb. "Fortunately we're not so very -far off." - -"Beastly ignominious," objected the Lieutenant. "Crawling home like a -lame duck on one's trial trip. It seems to me that if we go easy -astern, both engines, the reverse action will unwind the rope." - -"But----" began Webb. - -"I'll try it, at all events," decided Osborne, without waiting to -hear his chum's objection. "Easy astern!" - -With the motors well throttled down and the two clutches slipped in -as easily as possible, No. 0916 gathered sternway; but, before the -propeller had made fifty revolutions, the starboard engine was -stopped by a steady yet irresistible strain. Ten seconds later the -port propeller, momentarily freed from the rope, fouled the -obstruction and wound it round the shaft in the opposite direction. - -Osborne had omitted to take into account the trailing length of rope, -and now the patrol-boat was helpless, drifting at the mercy of the -winds. - -Attempts to turn the heavy fly-wheels round by hand proved -unavailing, so firmly were the propeller shafts held in the vice-like -grip. - -"I'll strip and dive in, sir," volunteered the intrepid Wilkins. -"Maybe I'll be able to tease the ends clear." - -"No, I think not, Wilkins," replied the youthful skipper, giving a -glance at the fairly lifting waves. "You'll get your head stove in if -you attempt to try conclusions with her quarter. It's humiliating, -but we'll have to send out a wireless for assistance." - -The patrol-boat was now drifting broadside on towards the shore, the -nearest points of which were distant about a mile and a half. Between -these, a deep bay that contracted with comparative regularity could -be discerned. To the nor'west the greater part of the island of Gozo -opened clear of the smaller island of Comino. - -A cast with the lead gave fifteen fathoms. For the present there was -no need to anchor. With safety the disabled craft could approach -until the depth shoaled to five fathoms. - -"No immediate danger so long as the ground tackle holds," declared -Osborne. "There's a fair amount of wind, and a decent sea, but -they'll send out a vessel to tow us back in less than an hour, I -fancy." - -Webb, too, thanked his lucky stars that the weather conditions were -moderate. He found himself picturing a huge unwieldy vessel, with her -gaping seams held together with ropes, drifting helplessly towards -that self-same shore, notwithstanding the ineffectual drag of four -anchors cast from the stern. For No. 0916 was off the mouth of St. -Paul's Bay, the reputed scene of the Apostle's shipwreck upon the -"island which is called Melita". - -Webb's reveries were interrupted by the sight of a huge grey shape -coming into view round a projecting cliff. The shape gradually -resolved itself into a large transport, outward bound for the Near -East, and making for Valetta _en route_. - -"Pretty rotten pickle!" ejaculated Osborne savagely. "Here we are as -helpless as a log, and in full view of those fellows." - -"I don't suppose they'll notice us," said Webb. "We're lying close -in. I say," he added, laying down his position-finder, "we're -drifting pretty rapidly; isn't it about time we dropped the hook?" - -"Yes," assented the Lieutenant. "We'll anchor at once. All clear -for'ard?" - -"All clear, sir." - -With a plash the mass of metal disappeared beneath the waves, taking -with it nearly forty fathoms of chain before Osborne gave the order -to check the cable. No. 0916, no longer drifting broadside to wind -and waves, rode jerkily at the end of the length of chain. - -By this time the transport was in full view at a distance of -one-and-a-half sea miles, and was slowing down in order to prevent -damage to the shore by her bow wave. - -"Periscopes on the port bow, sir!" shouted one of the patrol-boat's -crew, indicating with his outstretched arm a couple of objects that -looked like a pair of short sticks, at a distance of less than a -hundred yards. - -Osborne realized the situation in the twinkling of an eye. The -U-boat, for such she undoubtedly was, had been lying in wait for -passing vessels worthy of her attention. It was a piece of the -greatest audacity on her part to attempt to operate within a mile of -the island of Malta; but, hearing nothing of the nature of a -propeller churning the water in her immediate vicinity, she had come -to the conclusion that it was safe to display the tips of her -periscopes. And now, within easy torpedo range, was a large vessel -packed with troops and munitions. - -Osborne gave the word to open fire. In spite of the "lively" -platform, the gun-layer of the for'ard quick-firer was equal to the -occasion. In a trice a gleaming cylinder disappeared into the open -breech-block of the gun. The metallic clang, denoting that the -breech-block had been closed, had hardly sounded when the weapon -barked. - -The eyes of all on the patrol-boat were fixed on the target--the two -pole-like periscopes that were now almost in line as the submerged -boat swung round so as to bring her torpedo-tubes to bear upon her -intended victim. - -A column of water thrown fifty feet in the air hid the gun-layer's -objective from them. A cloud of smoke denoted, however, that the -shell had struck something offering more resistance than water, -while, in addition, there was no ricochet. - -What happened to the U-boat was never known. Whether she sank like a -stone, or was able to crawl blindly for some sheltering lair, -remained a secret; but the transport passed on her way unmolested. - -Three hours later, No. 0916 was safely berthed in Valetta harbour. -Here the fouled rope was removed and slight defects made good. - -"After all," remarked 'Webb, "perhaps it was a jolly good thing that -we did get into that little jamboree. It was a fairly exciting trial -trip, eh, what?" - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII - -Driven to Destruction - - -THREE days later, No. 0916, in company with three other patrol-boats -of similar type, left Malta for Grecian waters. They were not alone, -for acting as a parent ship was the sea-plane carrier _Fleetwing_. - -Osborne would not have recognized in the _Fleetwing_ one of his old -vessels of the Royal British and Pacific Company. In pre-war days she -had been employed as an intermediate steamer between Vancouver and -Yokohama, calling at Honolulu each way. In those days she was known -as the _Flightaway_, and was painted black, with white deck-houses; -she sported two funnels and two masts, the former being colour-washed -in a vivid yellow hue. - -In her new rĂ´le the renamed vessel was completely disguised. A -uniform garb of "battleship grey" covered her from truck to -water-line. Her foremast had disappeared, while, from her bows to -well abaft the position of her funnels, a long, gradually sloping -platform had been built for the purpose of enabling the sea-planes to -ascend while the vessel was under way. Then, since the foremost -funnel interfered with the "clear run" of the launching platform, it -had been removed, and a pair of smaller ones erected in its place, so -that the _Fleetwing_ now had three funnels set on a triangular -base--two well abreast, the third and original one being on the -centre line. - -As if these drastic conversions were not enough, the ship had been -(to use a nautical expression) "gutted" aft, and a huge tank built -in. The top of this was flush with the upper deck, while its base was -far below the water-line. In this receptacle were stowed four large -"kite" balloons, while adjacent was the necessary gear for inflating -and repairing their unwieldy yet necessary fabrics. - -Practically the whole of the remaining portions of the main deck was -a vast repairing workshop. High-class machines of all sorts and -descriptions filled every available space, while a veritable forest -of belting gave a stranger the impression that he was in some large -factory ashore, rather than on board a converted liner. There were -also carpenters', plumbers', shipwrights' and painters' shops--in -short, every necessary for the care and maintenance of those delicate -yet supremely important adjuncts to a modern navy--the sea-planes. - -Had it been considered desirable, the patrol-boats could have been -slung on board the parent ship; but, as the weather was fine and the -sea comparatively smooth, No. 0916 and her consorts were to proceed -under their own power in order to give their crews an opportunity of -manoeuvring in company. - -Somewhere to the south'ard of Cape Matapan, the _Fleetwing_ received -wireless information that a large German submarine had been -particularly active in these waters, and, while expressing the -advisability of extreme vigilance, the authorities ordered that steps -should be taken to capture or destroy the enemy. - -Towards the position in which the U-boat was last reported seen, the -patrol-boats sped, keeping a far-flung formation extending over a -front of three miles. A mile astern came the _Fleetwing_, while -overhead flew a couple of sea-planes of the most recent type. - -They were tri-planes with a huge wing-spread of over two hundred -feet, the planes being in adjustable sections to ensure compact -storage and rapid assemblage. Power was supplemented by means of six -200-horse-power motors, coupled in twin units and driving three -15-feet propellers. While taxi-ing on the surface a water-propeller -was provided, giving the sea-plane a speed of fifteen knots; while -when in flight her speed could be altered at will, ranging from a -minimum of 40 to the terrific rate of 180 miles per hour. - -Each of the sea-planes carried a crew of ten men, and was armed with -a 3-inch non-recoil quick-firer; while as a specialized means of -offence against submarines she carried a torpedo-tube discharging a -3-inch projectile. - -The torpedo was fired by the ignition of a small charge of petrol -gas, and could be aimed with considerable accuracy. At the head of -the weapon was a small fan, the use of which was to prevent premature -explosion of the charge on impact with the surface of the water. The -depth at which the torpedo exploded could be regulated by adjusting -the fan to a certain position on its threaded axis. - -The sea-planes had been up for less than ten minutes when a wireless -was received reporting the position of the quarry. The U-boat was -"sounding" at a depth of twelve fathoms--too deep for the aerial -torpedoes to reach with accuracy. Her grey hull could be discerned by -the airmen with tolerable ease as she lay upon the sandy bottom. - -It was now the _Fleetwing's_ task to get the submarine to bestir -herself. The German captain would be too wily to attempt to rise to -the surface with the churning of four high-speed propellers sounding -over his head. So the patrol-boats eased down while the sea-plane -carrier forged ahead, thrashing the water with her twin screws, the -sea-planes describing vast circles over the spot where the U-boat -lay. - -Presently another message was received that the submarine was moving. -She was about to take stock of the apparently solitary vessel. If she -did rise to the surface the patrol-boats could almost with certainty -destroy her, either by gun-fire or by ram. On the other hand, if she -exposed the tips of her periscopes only, such tactics would not be -likely to result in definite destruction. - -Breathlessly Osborne and Webb awaited developments, ready at the -first warning to urge No. 0916 at full speed towards the enemy. - -Still the sea-planes circled. It was the only means of keeping in -touch with their prey, for the former were travelling through the air -at fifty miles an hour, compared with the latter's maximum submerged -speed of fifteen knots. Trained downwards, and only a few degrees -from the perpendicular, were the grey-painted torpedo-tubes of each -tri-plane. - -Presently the upward movement of the U-boat ceased. Her periscopes -rippled the surface. Something glistening shot from the sea-plane -nearest overhead. Like a silvery dart the object plunged seawards, -struck the water with hardly a splash, and disappeared. - -Almost simultaneously a column of foam was hurled skywards, to the -accompaniment of a muffled detonation. - -"Missed!" was the laconic wireless message from the air-craft that -had discharged the missile. "She's heading nor'east." - -Two more aerial torpedoes were fired, with no better result than to -send the U-boat scurrying off at a depth of ten fathoms. It was now -the patrol-boats' turn to take up the pursuit. - -Directed by the aerial pilots the four swift craft converged. Then -began a sort of marine waltz, the lively vessels dodging to and fro, -circling and crossing each other's bows in a most daring fashion ---all with the idea of confusing the fugitive U-boat. - -In this they succeeded. With their nerves shaken by the narrow escape -from the explosions of the torpedoes, and in the knowledge that they -were hunted by an unknown number of the dreaded patrol-boats, the -Huns were literally in a panic. Their sole idea was to keep at a safe -depth and steal away from their pursuers, trusting that the latter -would be unable to discern their presence by the "surface wake" and -the trail of air-bubbles. - -But the U-boat had reckoned without the sea-planes. Remorselessly, -the wireless reports from the observers kept the patrol-boats in -close touch with their prey. Ceaselessly, the churning of the small -yet powerful propellers betokened the grim fact that for once the -modern pirate could not shake off pursuit. - -Suddenly a huge air-bubble rose to the surface, agitating the water -in ever-widening circles. No. 0916, fairly in the thick of the -maelstrom, was swept from fo'c'sle to taffrail. Then, almost as -quickly as it had risen, the sea calmed down under the influence of a -rapidly-spreading patch of iridescent oil. - -"How about it?" wirelessed No. 0916. - -"Get out of the light and we'll see," was the sea-plane's laconic -reply. Then a minute later: "She's properly strafed." - -In her blind dash for safety the U-boat had crashed, bows on, against -a rock that rose abruptly for ninety feet to within nine fathoms of -the surface. In spite of her strong construction the steel bows -collapsed like an egg-shell. An inrush of water under terrific -pressure followed, and yet another of the Kaiser's boasted submarines -had ceased to exist, save as a waterlogged wreck upon the bed of the -Mediterranean. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV - -The Chase of the Felucca - - -"STRANGE sail bearing N.N.E. seven miles: No. 0916 will proceed and -investigate." This was the reading of a signal hoisted on the -_Fleetwing_ within four hours of the destruction of the submarine. - -The sea-plane carrier and her convoy had now entered the southern -limits of the AEgean Sea. Broad on the port quarter could be -discerned the rugged outlines of the Grecian peninsula, while ahead -were the distant Cyclades, a veritable jumble of small islands, most -of which are well-known names in ancient history, when Greece was -Greece--a resolute and hardy nation compared with which the modern -Greek nation is as clay in relation to steel. - -It was now towards Milos, the nearmost of these islands, that a small -felucca-rigged craft was making. Had she held on her former course, -which was N.N.W., she might not have aroused the suspicions of the -_Fleetwing's_ officer of the watch; but on sighting the lofty hull of -the sea-plane carrier the felucca had promptly hauled to the wind. -That in itself was a strange manoeuvre, since the wind was in a -quarter that enabled her to have a leading breeze on her former -course. - -"Let her rip!" ordered Osborne, addressing the motor -engineer-artificer. "We want to get this job over before dark, if -possible. I suppose," he added in an aside to his chum, "it's only -another wild-goose chase." - -"We're generally lucky," rejoined Webb the optimist. "However, I -shouldn't think that yonder craft is likely to cause trouble. My -word, isn't she footing it!" - -The last sentence referred to the patrol-boat, which was now cleaving -the tranquil waters at a knot above the contract speed. Her powerful -motors had been running sufficiently to enable them to be "tuned up" -to perfection. She was overhauling the felucca hand over fist. - -Upon seeing the unwanted motor craft approach, the sailing vessel, -knowing that escape by flight was out of the question, fell off on -her former course, at the same time hoisting her colours. By the aid -of their binoculars Osborne and Webb made the simultaneous discovery -that the felucca was a Greek--or at any rate that was the nationality -she wished to assume for the present. - -"By Jove, they're heaving something overboard!" declared the Sub. "I -distinctly saw splashes under her counter. Wonder if they are mines?" - -"I'm sorry for those fellows if that is the case," said Osborne -grimly. "At any rate, if we don't follow in her wake we're safe -enough. Other questions dealing with the matter will be tackled -later." - -Apparently the crew of the felucca were particularly anxious for the -objects they had thrown overboard to sink; for, finding that a couple -of almost waterlogged bales were floating astern, one of the men -leapt overboard and slashed furiously at them with a knife. Then, his -task accomplished, finding that he could not overtake the sailing -craft, he struck out for the distant shore. - -"Think he'll do it?" enquired Webb. "It's a fearful long way." - -"Yes, I do," replied Osborne. "These Levanters are splendid swimmers, -and the sea is particularly warm. He's good for ten miles, I should -say. However, on second thoughts, I think we'll pick him up, and then -devote our attentions to the felucca." - -The swimmer, finding that the patrol-boat had altered helm and was -heading in his direction, took in the situation most philosophically. -Treading water he awaited the approach of his captors, and, grasping -a rope thrown to him, swarmed on board with the greatest agility. - -"Me think you German ship," he explained nonchalantly. - -As he stood dripping on the deck his face was towards the setting -sun. On the other hand, the two officers who were confronting him -were standing back to the dazzling light. - -"Oh, indeed!" rejoined Osborne, signing to two of the crew to stand -by. "German ship? No, you won't get me to swallow that yarn, Georgeos -Hymettus." - -At the sound of his name the Greek started violently, and made an -attempt to throw himself overboard. In this he nearly succeeded. For, -as he had divested himself of his clothing as far as the waist in -order to swim the better, his wet skin afforded little hold. After a -brief yet furious struggle he was secured and taken below. - -By this time the felucca was less than two cables' lengths ahead. Her -crew must have observed the struggle on the patrol-boat's deck. -Without waiting to be hailed, they promptly lowered the huge lateen -sails and awaited their captor's approach. - -"Now what's all this running-away business about?" enquired the -Lieutenant, addressing a gaudily dressed Greek who was evidently the -skipper. "Where are your papers? Where's your passenger list? I find -you had a passenger," he added significantly. - -The master disappeared into a small deck-house abaft the mainmast. -Webb, revolver in hand, followed. - -Meanwhile the two dozen ruffianly-looking fellows who formed the -felucca's crew--she carried an unusually large complement--had gone -for'ard, and were standing in a group around the primitive windlass. -Amidships were Osborne and two of the patrol-boat's crew. Two more -were standing on No. 0916's deck, fending her off with boat-hooks. -The remaining members of the crew were down below in the motor-room. - -Suddenly the muffled report of a revolver shot rang out, and a moment -later Webb reappeared, holding the still smoking revolver, and with -his left hand clasped firmly against his mouth. He was gasping -heavily, while his eyes were twitching with pain. By his movements -his chum saw that he was incapable of seeing. - -"This way, Tom!" shouted Osborne. He could not go to the aid of his -chum, for, with the report of the pistol shot, the rest of the crew -of the felucca made a concerted rush upon the handful of British. -Flourishing their knives and uttering wild yells, in the hope of -striking terror into the breasts of their numerically inferior -antagonists, they came tearing aft, headed by a tall, -broad-shouldered man brandishing an automatic pistol. - -Osborne and his men stood their ground. But for the fact that Webb -had been temporarily rendered incapable, they would have retired to -the deck of the patrol-boat, sheered off, and made good use of their -quick-firers. Until the Sub's rescue was assured, his comrades had to -make good their front. - -An excellent shot from Osborne's revolver brought the mate of the -felucca sprawling on his face. Three others of the crew were stopped -by the British fire, but even then the rush was maintained, two of -the Greeks making in the direction of the hapless Sub, who was -groping towards his comrades. - -With a bound Osborne gained Webb's side, grasping his shoulder with -his left hand. At the same time he dropped one of the Sub's two -assailants, while the other, making no further attempt to close, -hurled his knife with deadly precision at the Lieutenant. - -Stepping adroitly aside, Osborne missed the glittering blade by a -hair's-breadth. The missile, sinking a couple of inches into the -hardwood tiller, quivered like a twanged harp-string. Simultaneously -Webb's revolver dropped from his grasp. - -To retreat, leaving the weapon for the use of the enemy, was to court -disaster. Since Osborne could not stoop to recover it without running -grave risks of being taken unawares, he kicked the revolver -overboard, and, still holding Webb's shoulder, dragged the -unresisting Sub to the side. - -Here the two seamen were still holding their own, though hardly -pressed. One, bleeding from a clean cut in the left shoulder, had -already accounted for three of his assailants. His revolver being -empty, he had snatched at a knife that was sticking in the bulwarks. -His companion, using his weapon with deadly skill and precision, had -disabled four before the hammer clicked ineffectually upon the empty -chamber. - -Grasped by the coxswain of the patrol-boat, Webb was hauled -unceremoniously on board his own craft. Now remained the task of the -rest of the boarding-party, to regain the deck of No. 0916 without -giving the felucca's men a chance of rushing them during the -retrograde movement. - -At this critical juncture the bowman of the patrol-boat created a -diversion. Taking a turn with the bight of a rope in order to hold -the two vessels, the seaman sprang to the felucca's deck, brandishing -the gun-metal-tipped boat-hook. Under the formidable blows dealt by -the hefty bluejacket, the Greeks went down like ninepins. Knives were -as nought when opposed to the powerfully wielded pole of ash. Heads -were cracked like egg-shells, arms snapped like match-sticks, and -shin-bones broken like glass under the shower of blows. Even in his -work of self-defence Osborne could not help admiring the -business-like work of his stalwart coxswain. - -The struggle was over. Osborne, well-nigh breathless with his -exertions, was compelled to lean against the wall of the deck-house. -Those of the seamen who had come out of the ordeal practically -unscathed, busied themselves by collecting the knives of the -vanquished crew of the felucca, and securing the treacherous Greeks -who had not been reduced to a state of unconsciousness or -helplessness. One by one the prisoners were passed below into the -recesses of the felucca's hold, the hatches were clapped on, and the -British white ensign hoisted in place of the mercantile flag of a -treacherous and effete nation. - -By this time darkness was on the point of setting in. The short -period of twilight was giving place to intense darkness, for there -was no moon and the stars were obscured by opaque clouds. The -_Fleetwing_ and the rest of the patrol-boats were already lost to -sight. - -Having recovered his breath, the Lieutenant went on board No. 0916. -He found Webb lying on deck, his head supported by a bundle of -sailcloth, and one of the bluejackets bathing his face with -sea-water. - -"How goes it, old man?" enquired Osborne. - -"Better now," replied 'Webb, striving somewhat ineffectually to force -a smile. "That brute suddenly threw something in my face--ammonia, I -fancy. Just had time to fire my revolver, and then I found myself -gasping for breath. Felt as if my throat was gripped by pincers, and -my eyes were completely bunged up. Yes, thanks, I can see, but it's -still mighty painful. How's the Greek skipper?" - -"Dead as a bloomin' door-nail, sir," volunteered the seaman who was -assiduously attending to the injured Sub. "You plugged him properly, -sir. Served the swine right, I'll allow." - -"S'pose so," admitted Webb. "I wonder what it was that those fellows -hove overboard?" - -"I wonder," rejoined Osborne. "We may find out yet, especially as we -have our old pal Georgeos Hymettus laid by the heels. Well, old man, -excuse me; I've a lot to attend to." - -And Osborne spoke without exaggeration. Here he was, with some of his -scanty crew disabled, with a prize on his hands, and out of touch -with his parent ship, while in addition it was black night with a -dangerous and badly charted shore under his lee. It was "up to him" -to extricate his command from the difficulties that beset her, and -with characteristic grit and determination Osborne set about his -task. - - - - -CHAPTER XXV - -An Unknown Antagonist - - -LIEUTENANT OSBORNE'S first step was to take the captured felucca in -tow. Leaving one man on board to attend to the helm, he steered the -patrol-boat ahead, with a hawser made fast to the bitts of the prize. -A wireless message was then sent to the _Fleetwing_ announcing the -successful issue of the enterprise, and requesting further -instructions. After a brief interval the sea-plane carrier replied: - -"Under urgent orders for Salonika. Take prize into Mudros and report -to Senior Naval Officer." - -"Hallo, something in the wind," soliloquized Osborne. "Urgent orders -for Salonika. That looks like business. Meanwhile we're entirely on -our own, and confronted with the task of navigating the felucca into -Mudros. Well, I suppose there are worse jobs knocking around." - -Yet the order involved work of no mean skill. Osborne was a stranger -to the waters in the vicinity of the Cyclades. Once clear of that -dangerous locality he was in well-known "ground", but there was the -always present danger of a hostile submarine. In ordinary conditions -the swift patrol-boat was more than a match for the U-boat, but, -hampered by her tow, No. 0916's superiority in speed and manoeuvring -was eliminated. - - -[Illustration: "THE GREEKS WENT DOWN LIKE NINEPINS"] - - -A glance at a chart, or even at a map of the AEgean Sea, will give -some idea of the intricate navigation that called for Osborne's skill -and courage. Dozens of islands lay athwart the direct course, reefs -abounded, while intricate currents traversed this part of the -tideless sea in directions that were hardly ever constant. A change -of wind might divert the current eight or ten degrees without having -any appreciable effect upon its velocity, while, in addition, the -islands were badly lighted, especially during this critical epoch in -the history of modern Greece. - -Throughout the night Osborne remained on deck, standing in the low -wheel-house beside the helmsman. Fortunately the sea was calm and the -glass high, while there was little or no shipping about, which was as -well, since No. 0916 and her tow were without navigation lights. - -When day broke, the Lieutenant snatched a few minutes' well-earned -rest, awaking to find Sub-lieutenant Webb touching him gently on the -shoulder. - -"Yes, fit as ninepence," replied the Sub in answer to Osborne's -enquiry. "But that's not the reason why I roused you. There's a -strange-looking packet coming up astern. She's overhauling us pretty -rapidly." - -Osborne leapt from his bunk, buckled on his belt, and rammed his cap -on his head the rite of "dressing" when on active service. - -"Is she showing her colours?" he asked. - -"Nothing," replied Webb. "We signalled her, but she took no notice." - -Upon gaining the deck the Lieutenant found that the overtaking vessel -was a steamer of about five hundred tons. She looked like a yacht -with her schooner bows, raking masts, and white topsides. He -estimated her speed at about fourteen knots, and since she was -following almost in the wake of No. 0916 and her tow, it seemed -fairly evident that she was desirous of making a closer acquaintance -with the patrol-boat. - -The unanswered signal, "What ship is that?" still fluttered from the -yard-arm of the patrol-boat's diminutive mast, and since the wind was -blowing steadily abeam there could be no doubt of the ability of the -stranger to read the flags. - -That in itself was suspicious; yet what hostile nation was there that -would dare to send a vessel, other than a submarine, into waters -firmly held by the Allied fleet? And of the countries bordering the -Mediterranean Sea the only one strictly neutral was Spain. It was -very unlikely that a Spanish yacht would be cruising in these waters, -and especially so for her to stand in pursuit of a British armed -craft. - -Osborne glanced at the felucca. The helmsman had just been relieved, -No. 0916 slowing down to enable the change of crew to be effected. - -"All right there, Smith?" he hailed. - -"All correct, sir," was the reply. "The lubbers under hatches are as -quiet as mice." - -"Very good," continued the Lieutenant. "I may have to cast you -adrift. If so, can you manage to set sail on the foremast and steer -to the west'ard? We'll wireless for assistance and pick you up." - -"Ay, ay, sir," was the imperturbable response. - -The possibility of being adrift, single-handed, with a crew of -cut-throats in the hold, never troubled the bluejacket in the -slightest. He was a firm believer in the creed, "Duty is duty". - -The patrol-boat was already cleared for action, but until Osborne was -certain of the intentions of the approaching vessel he refrained from -casting off the hawser. It was as well to mislead the stranger -concerning the speed of No. 0916. - -Without warning, the pursuing craft opened fire with a couple of -light guns that were hitherto concealed behind hinged plating in the -bows. Yet, contrary to all the international rules of war, she still -made no attempt to display her colours. - -The projectiles flew wide, one ricochetting a hundred yards on the -patrol-boat's starboard quarter, the other churning up a column of -spray a cable's length ahead; but there was now no doubt as to the -unknown vessel's intentions. - -With the report of the guns a succession of shrieks emanated from the -patrol-boat's forepeak. The spy, Hymettus, almost frantic with -terror, was clamouring to be released. - -"You're all right, my festive bird," chuckled Osborne as he gave the -signal for the hawser to be cast off. "A little of that won't hurt -you. I'll warrant you didn't study other people's feelings when you -helped the Huns to torpedo our merchant craft." - -With her wireless sending out messages for aid, No. 0916, relieved of -her tow, shot ahead at full speed. Had Osborne wished, he could have -sought safety in flight; but such was not his intention. He meant to -keep in touch with the mysterious armed vessel, and, should her -shooting prove inferior, engage her at maximum range. - -"She's using seven-pounders," declared Webb. "And jolly rotten -shooting! Sort of can't-hit-a-haystack-at-ten-yards, eh, what?" - -Osborne nodded. All the same, he kept the patrol-boat on a zigzag -course in order to avoid running unnecessary risks. A chance shot, -scoring a direct hit, would simply pulverize the lightly built hull -of the patrol-boat. - -"By Jove!" ejaculated Webb. "What are those fellows doing? They've -abandoned the pursuit." - -The stranger was starboarding her helm. Still firing erratically, she -was standing in pursuit of the felucca. The latter, with her enormous -fore-yard hoisted half-way (in spite of the assistance of tackles, -Smith was unable to raise it another inch), was driving before the -steady breeze on a course almost at right angles to that of the -patrol-boat. Obviously the armed yacht, or whatever she was, had some -important reason for bearing down upon the insignificant felucca. - -"Wireless from _Scragger_ and _Grunter_, sir," reported the operator. -"Both destroyers coming up at full speed." - -"That's good," remarked Osborne, addressing his chum. "We'll nab her -right enough. But," he added, after a brief survey of the situation, -"why shouldn't we have a cut in? We'll risk it, by Jove we will!" - -Round swung No. 0916, listing to an alarming angle under the abrupt -change of helm. Then, steadying, she tore off at full speed straight -for her unknown assailant. - -Osborne had scored a decided advantage, for, approaching the -mysterious craft well on her quarter, his boat was immune from -hostile fire. The enemy vessel had quick-firers mounted for'ard only, -and could not be brought to bear abaft the beam. Unless she altered -helm she was powerless to reply to the hail of small yet highly -powerful shells from the patrol-boat. - -It was turning the tables with a vengeance. A well-aimed projectile -demolished the enemy's bridge and chart-house. Another started a fire -for'ard--probably where the ammunition for the fo'c'sle guns was -placed on deck, for a series of explosions followed in quick -succession. Two shells, getting home 'twixt wind and water, gave the -stranger her _coup de grĂ¢ce_, for listing heavily to port she at -length turned completely over. For a few minutes the whole of her -keel was exposed; then, with a muffled roar as the boilers exploded, -the hull slid beneath the waves. - -In vain No. 0916 searched for survivors. There were none, so swift -had been the destruction of the unknown craft. A few lifebuoys were -recovered, but these gave no clue as to her identity. - -"Destroyers bearing down, sir," reported one of the bluejackets, -while Osborne was directing the operation of taking the felucca in -tow once more. Pelting along at thirty-three knots, the _Scragger_ -and _Grunter_ were quickly upon the scene. - -"'What the dickens do you mean by wirelessing us?" enquired the -genial Lieutenant-commander of the _Scragger_ with feigned -indignation. "You've done the job yourself, and pretty neatly, I -should imagine." - -"You might have been jolly useful," replied Osborne modestly. "It was -just luck, you see." - -"Well, what was the vessel? Do you know her name and nationality?" - -"There was nothing to show what she was," replied the skipper of No. -0916. - -"Then I suppose it will remain a mystery," added the -Lieutenant-commander of the _Scragger_. "There are some queer cusses -of craft knocking around in these waters. Well, we'll take your prize -in tow, and you'll be able to keep in company, hands down. 'The -Phantom Buccaneer; or, Blown to Bits by a Pigmy!' Some sort of a -title for a novel, eh?" - - - - -CHAPTER XXVI - -Reunited - - -"THAT'S all very well," confided Webb, when the destroyer had taken -charge of the captured felucca; "but I fancy we'll find out all about -our mystery craft. She seemed mighty keen on recapturing our prize. -Having, as she thought, driven us off, she paid us no further -attention until we pitched into her. It is just possible that her -object was to rescue our friend Georgeos Hymettus." - -Upon No. 0916's arrival at Mudros, the skilful and dangerous spy was -conveyed ashore under a strong guard. Placed upon his trial he made a -full and abject confession of his misdeeds. Totally lacking in honour -and _esprit de corps_, he unhesitatingly denounced his accomplices. -As an intermediary between the German Government and the Greek king -he had caused immense harm to the Allies, apart from the damage done -with his assistance by the U-boats in Mediterranean waters. On his -escape from Alexandria, Hymettus had undertaken a secret mission on -behalf of the so-called Royalist faction of Greece. This was with the -idea of dealing a counter-stroke against the Venezelists, who held -most of the islands in the Archipelago. Should he fail to accomplish -the principal object, he was to furnish a list of names of Greeks -favourably inclined to the Allies. This document was found on him -when he was rescued from the sea. For safety's sake he had hidden it -in a fold of his skirt, for he was in the old national Greek dress -when on board the felucca, and unaccountably he had forgotten to -destroy the paper during the period of captivity in the patrol-boat's -forepeak. - -During the court martial it also transpired that the vessel which had -attacked Osborne's command and had attempted the recapture of the -felucca was the _Pyrgos_, a steam yacht belonging to a strong -adherent to the Germanized royal family of Greece. It was not with -the sole desire of rescuing Hymettus that the daring attempt was -made. The spy would have been ruthlessly abandoned by his employers -but for the fact that he bore incriminating documents. Hence the -mysterious tactics of the _Pyrgos_ that had led to her destruction, -and to the failure to regain the written evidence of Tino's -treachery. - -The confession of Georgeos Hymettus did not save his miserable life. -Condemned to be shot, the sentence was confirmed and duly carried -out--not with the idea of vengeance, but as a deterrent to other -cosmopolitan rogues who infest the shores of the Levant. - -Two days later, Osborne and Webb were making their way from their -temporary shore quarters to the harbour, where they suddenly ran up -against Captain M'Bride. - -"Well met, Osborne!" exclaimed the genial skipper. "We only arrived -last night, and I was on my way to look you up. About that dog of -yours. No, don't get excited. What a fellow you are! I have a letter -from my chum on the _Tarbox_, but nothin' doin'. I hear you've been -given a command. Well, hearty congratulations!" - -"Yes, a patrol-boat," replied the Lieutenant. "She's quite a decent -little craft." He was too bashful to refer to his achievement. "We're -laid up for repairs. Strained the connecting-rods while we were -towing some old hooker. But about Laddie, sir?" - -M'Bride gripped Osborne's arm and turned him in the direction of the -harbour. - -"Come along," he said. "Let's see what we can do by making enquiries -of the destroyer flotilla. They've only just arrived from Salonika. -And you too, Mr. Webb. I believe you are almost as keen about the -animal as Osborne." - -Under the lee of the stranded hull of an immense dummy battleship, -that was finishing a life of strenuous activity in the utilitarian -yet humble capacity of a breakwater, lay seven long, lean destroyers. -They had just completed a stretch of duty off the Grecian coast, and, -relieved by their "opposite numbers", were about to re-bunker, -replenish stores and provisions, and give their crews a well-earned -spell of rest. - -Alongside the little stone jetty lay Captain M'Bride's gig. Into this -the three officers stepped. The men "gave way", and the boat sped -towards the nearmost destroyer. - -"If that's not your dog it's his double, Osborne," remarked Captain -M'Bride, pointing to a large animal that was sedately pacing the -diminutive quarter-deck of the destroyer, at the heels of a couple of -officers. - -"Laddie!" shouted Osborne, oblivious of the fact that he was a -subordinate officer in the presence of his former skipper. - -"Hold on!" protested Captain M'Bride laughingly. "Do wait till we get -alongside. He'll be overboard if we don't." - -The warning came too late. Osborne had made no mistake in recognizing -his long-lost pet, although he had erred in calling to him. - -In a trice Laddie cleared the rail, plunged into the water, and swam -vigorously towards the gig. - -Steering wide of the swimming animal, Captain M'Bride brought the -boat alongside the destroyer, and, literally racing up her short -accommodation-ladder, gained the shelter of the quarter-deck. - -"Now haul the brute into the boat," he exclaimed. "If he soaks you to -the skin, that's your funeral, Osborne, not mine." - -The possibility of being drenched never deterred Osborne. Grasping -the dog by the scruff of the neck, he hove him over the side into the -gig; and the next moment the interested onlookers could hardly -distinguish the Lieutenant from the dog, so violently excited were -both. - -"Your dog, I presume?" explained the destroyer's -Lieutenant-commander. "Well, take the brute; he's been a regular -nuisance to us for the last two months. Of course, I only say this -because I don't mean it, Mr. Osborne. If it were of any use I'd offer -you a tenner on the spot." - -It was quite evident from Laddie's appearance that he had been well -cared for. His coat, in spite of the wetting, was in excellent -condition. He had, in fact, been "adopted" by the ship's company, -and, although their regret at his departure was undoubted, officers -and men realized that Osborne had the higher claim. - -"He was discovered trapped in a coal bunker of the captured -torpedo-boat," explained the Lieutenant-commander. "Goodness only -knows what he was doing there! We thought he was a Turkish dog, so we -didn't trouble to report the circumstance. We just adopted him. It -was only this morning that Captain M'Bride happened to mention the -matter; and, when we told him, he was off on shore like a young -hurricane." - -"I'm awfully grateful," began Osborne. - -"Yes, yes, and we are very, very modest. We don't like being -overwhelmed with thanks, my dear fellow. Well, s'long! If you have a -chance, bring Laddie on board while we're here. By the by, we called -him Mustapha, and we rather wondered why he didn't cotton to it." - -"Shows your rotten ignorance, Sefton," said Captain M'Bride in mock -reproof. "A fellow who tries to give a Turkish name to a respectable, -thoroughbred English sheep-dog deserves to be cashiered. Come along, -Osborne; you hardly look dignified in those saturated togs." - -"Come and have lunch with us, sir," said Osborne as the gig returned -to the quay. "We've fairly snug shore quarters, and I think there's -something going." - -Captain M'Bride consented, and the three officers set off towards the -low, rambling stone building in which Osborne and Webb had taken up -their temporary abode. - -Their way lay along a narrow and somewhat crowded street of the -native quarter. In places the three officers had to make their way in -single file, Captain M'Bride leading, Webb coming next, and Osborne -bringing up the rear, with Laddie sticking closely to his heels. - -Suddenly Webb was jostled violently, his head coming in contact with -his former skipper's back. Turning, he found Osborne still staggering -from the effect of a blow, while Laddie was at the throat of a -ruffianly Greek whose outstretched hand was grasping a glittering -knife. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVII - -A Daring Operation - - -IT all happened in such a brief space, and so unexpectedly, that -Captain M'Bride and Webb had but a hazy notion of what had taken -place. - -A crowd had gathered quickly, but by the time Laddie was pulled off -the prostrate Greek the would-be assassin was dead. - -"Narrow squeak, by Jove!" remarked Captain M'Bride. "The beggar tried -to knife you, Osborne. Hallo, what's happened to the dog?" - -"What's happened to the dog?" repeated Osborne in a voice that hardly -sounded like his own. "Laddie, boy, what has the brute done to you?" - -"He's broken his jaw," declared Webb. - -"Yes, a double fracture," added a young officer in the uniform of the -Veterinary Corps. "You ought to have him shot, sir, and put him out -of his misery." - -Poor Laddie seemed the least concerned of any of the group. His jaw -had dropped, and he presented a rather pathetic figure, with his -wide-open eyes fixed upon his master. - -Osborne leant heavily upon his chum's shoulder. "Tom," he whispered. -"Don't have him shot if it can be possibly avoided. I--I----" - -Then, with a stifled groan, he collapsed insensible at the feet of -the astonished and horrified Sub-lieutenant. - -A stretcher was quickly upon the scene, and, attended by a couple of -surgeons, Osborne was removed to the Naval Sick Quarters. Examination -revealed the presence of a deep knife-thrust that had narrowly missed -the left lung. - -"It's a case of revenge, without doubt," declared the senior medical -officer to Captain M'Bride. "Mr. Osborne was the principal witness -against the spy Hymettus, and one of the Greek's relatives or -associates has tried the vendetta touch. Dangerous? Yes; it's no use -mincing matters. Even if complications do not ensue--and these Greeks -are not at all particular as to the antiseptic condition of their -knives--Osborne will have a hard struggle for his life. One thing his -appearance tells me: that he is a clean-living fellow, and that's -greatly in his favour. By all means look in this evening, and I'll -tell you how he is progressing." - -Throughout the rest of the day Osborne lay unconscious. Towards night -he began to speak, wildly and disjointedly. The nurse on duty noticed -that in the midst of his incoherence he seemed to be imploring -someone to save Laddie from being shot. - -"That's his pet dog," said the principal medical officer when the -sister reported the circumstance. "I've heard all about it from -Captain M'Bride. He seemed devotedly attached to the animal, and, I -believe, if the dog has to be destroyed, it seems likely that Mr. -Osborne's chances will be greatly diminished. It's certainly -remarkable, but the fact remains. If, when he recovers consciousness, -he can be convinced that the dog is alive, half the battle will be -won." - -That night the Lieutenant was in the throes of fever, battling, -although unconscious, with the grim Angel of Death. - - * * * * * * - -Sub-lieutenant Webb sat in the verandah of his quarters, nervously -handling his heavy Service revolver. Not once, but many times, he had -borne himself manfully in tight corners. He had been cheek by jowl -with death without flinching. But now he was confronted with a -problem that taxed his resolution almost to the uttermost. - -With Osborne's words ringing in his ears he sat and fumbled -irresolutely with the loaded weapon. Such a lot depended upon the -next few moments, when a veterinary officer would arrive and give his -verdict upon Laddie. If the dog's case were considered hopeless, Webb -would be the executioner of his chum's pet. Osborne, he knew, would -wish it. And yet, if anything could be done---- - -A shadow fell athwart the verandah. - -Webb looked up enquiringly. A young fellow in military uniform stood -without. - -"Hallo!" remarked the stranger with a slight drawl. "I say, put that -pistol away, you won't need it. You don't seem to remember me?" - -"I can't," replied Webb. - -"I was in that little affair when your chum was stabbed," continued -the army officer. "It was I who suggested the dog should be shot--but -I've changed my opinion. You and I, Mr. Webb, are going to save that -animal--and we start at once." - -"You think he's a chance?" enquired Tom hopefully. - -"It's a pure experiment on my part," continued the veterinary -officer. "I have hopes that it will succeed. It depends largely upon -the dog. Compound fracture of an animal's jaw is considered 'na poo'. -You see it takes eighteen days for the bones to set, and in that time -the brute's starved to death. How long are you here?" - -"About a month, I expect, Mr.----?" - -"Dixon, my name. A month? Plenty of time on your hands? Good. Same -here. We're having quite a slack after a most unholy rush. Hope it'll -last. If not, you'll have to continue the treatment single-handed." - -"I say, it's awfully good of you," began Webb. - -"Not at all," expostulated Dixon. "I saw how concerned Osborne was. A -fellow who can conceal his own injuries in his anxiety for his pet is -a pal worth having. He's some grit, has Osborne. Where's the dog?" - -"In there," replied the Sub, indicating his private room. - -The two men entered. Laddie was lying on a folded blanket, with his -injured jaw supported by his paw. - -"He does not seem in much pain," remarked Webb. - -"No, it's too early. The nervous system of a dumb animal is somewhat -different to ours. When mortification sets in--but we mustn't give -that a chance," said Dixon. "I've had a dental training, you know, -and that's why I think I'll be able to fix it up all right. The first -job is to take an impression. Steady his head, will you?" - -Gently but firmly Dixon pressed a lump of soft wax against the inside -of Laddie's jaw. The dog submitted without protest. Instinctively he -realized that what was being done was for his good. - -"Ripping fine impression!" declared the operator, regarding the wax -model with professional satisfaction. "That'll do for the present. -I'll nip off to the work-room and make a plate." - -Before long, Dixon returned with a vulcanite plate that exactly -fitted the inside of the patient's jaw. Then the under side of the -dog's mouth was encased in plaster of Paris, the whole being secured -with india-rubber straps. - -"That'll do," remarked the veterinary officer. "Feed him with -beef-tea and arrowroot. I'll be round early to-morrow." - -The grave report concerning Osborne which reached Webb that night -urged the Sub to even greater efforts. He would willingly give up his -rest in order to save Laddie, knowing that Osborne's life depended -largely upon the success of the daring experiment. - -Next morning Dixon looked grave. "H'm!" he remarked. "That plate's -cracked. Part of the dog's jaw has dropped an eighth of an inch." - -"Is it a failure?" asked Webb anxiously. - -"Never say die till you're dead," said the other. "Failure? Not if I -know it. I'll make something that won't crack." - -He was as good as his word, for within an hour he was back with a -second plate, made, this time, out of hard dental alloy. - -Once more Laddie's jaw was set, and from that time things went well. -Other vets., hearing of the weird operation, came to visit the canine -patient, and all expressed their opinion that Dixon would win through -with his case. - -Unremittingly Webb attended to his part of the contract, keeping -Laddie well supplied with nourishing liquids. One morning--it was the -seventh day of Osborne's illness--Captain M'Bride came to Webb's -quarters. - -"I've just seen the principal medical officer," he announced, hardly -able to conceal the state of his mind. "Osborne recovered -consciousness at four this morning. His first enquiry was whether -Laddie were alive; and, of course, he could be truthfully informed -that he was, and that the animal was well on the road to recovery. -Osborne is, I believe, now out of danger. We'll be able to see him in -another ten days, I hope, and bring Laddie restored to health as -tangible evidence. And, by the by, here's something of a personal -nature that will interest you--a copy of a part of to-day's Orders." - -"Oh, I say!" exclaimed Webb, the wind completely shaken out of his -sails. "What's that for?" - -"Bravery and discretion under circumstances of great peril," replied -Captain M'Bride. "You've won it fairly, Webb. I congratulate you." - -For Webb, Sub-lieutenant no longer, had been specially promoted to -Lieutenant and awarded the D.S.O. for services in connection with the -rescue of the crew of the mined _Portchester Castle_. - -"And Osborne--and Haynes?" asked Webb. "They did quite as much as I." - -Captain M'Bride shrugged his shoulders. - -"I cannot offer any opinion," he replied. "All I know is that they -were mentioned in my dispatch. Perhaps recognition in their case will -come later." - -On the seventeenth day following Laddie's operation, the plate and -the plaster of Paris were removed. To everyone's satisfaction the -operation was perfectly successful. - -"Good old boy!" exclaimed Webb. "Now we'll take you to your master." - -Osborne was reported to be fit to receive visitors that afternoon. A -regular crowd of officers expressed their intention of paying -congratulatory calls, but at the suggestion of the surgeon the number -was limited to three--Captain M'Bride, and the two men who had been -chiefly instrumental in Laddie's recovery, Webb and Dixon. - -"I think, in view of previous experience, it would be as well to walk -in the centre of the street," said Captain M'Bride, as the trio made -their way along the lane where Osborne had been treacherously struck -down. - -"Rather, sir!" agreed Webb; then--"Oh, dash it all! Now what's going -to happen?" - -For a large native cur, emerging from a squalid hovel, had suddenly -hurled himself upon the unsuspecting Laddie, and in an instant both -dogs were engaged in a terrific combat. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVIII - -Osborne's Reward - - -THE three officers stood aghast. They could do little or nothing to -separate the struggling, heaving forms of the canine combatants. In -ordinary circumstances Laddie would have been more than a match for -the mongrel, but with a recently healed injury the sheep-dog was -considerably handicapped. - -"He'll break that jaw again!" exclaimed Dixon, alarmed at the -prospect of three weeks' work being thrown away. - -Webb said not a word. Anxiously he watched the struggle, his thoughts -dwelling upon the effect the impending calamity would have on his -wounded chum. Captain M'Bride at length made an effort to separate -the antagonists, but wisely desisted. - -In less than a minute the fight was over and Laddie was the victor. -The mongrel, making for the most vulnerable part of his opponent--for -the thick under-coat of the sheep-dog forms an almost complete -protection--had seized him by the ear. With a quick wrench Laddie -shook himself clear, and gripped the cur by the neck. Then, like a -terrier shaking a rat, the sheep-dog banged his foe's head thrice -upon the hard ground. The aggressor had had more than enough. - -Anxiously Dixon knelt down, and examined the jaw of the -dust-smothered and foam-flecked Laddie. Then he gave a whoop of -satisfaction. - -"Sound as a bell!" he exclaimed. "My word! Some successful operation -that--eh, what?" - -"We must give the brute a drink of water and a good brush down," said -Captain M'Bride. "By Jove! he's a tough customer. We can't take him -in that horrible state to see his master." - -Adjournment for Laddie's refreshment and toilet followed. This done, -the "deputation", as Captain M'Bride insisted upon calling it, -proceeded on its delayed visit. - -It had been the captain's intention to keep Laddie in the background -until Osborne had been given an opportunity of greeting his chum, and -had been introduced to the army officer who had been instrumental in -saving the dog's life. It was M'Bride's idea of "breaking news -gently". But Laddie, not having been consulted in the matter, thought -fit to do otherwise. - -His instinct told him that his master was in the buildings. With a -run he bounded into Osborne's room, and in an ecstasy of delight -rubbed his head against the Lieutenant's hand. - -"I don't know how to thank you enough," said Osborne, when Dixon had -been introduced and his part in the saving of Laddie's life related. - -"No need," replied Dixon protestingly. "Quite an interesting -operation. Mere professional motives. Difficult case--rather out of -the ordinary, don't you know--so I tackled it, and it came off all -right." - -"He's too modest, Osborne," declared Webb. "Some day, when he's not -here, I'll tell you what he did and the trouble he took." - -"If you do," said Dixon with mock severity, "I'll let Osborne know -what _you_ were doing when first I called at your quarters." - -"Hallo, what's this?" enquired the wounded Lieutenant, noticing the -additional gold ring on the sleeve of Webb's uniform. "Congrats., -Tom; the heartiest!" - -"And he has the D.S.O.," added Captain M'Bride. - -"Goodness only knows what for!" said Webb. "I did no more than the -rest of us, and yet---- You ought to have had the distinction, old -man." - -Osborne smiled. - -"It's reward for having done your duty, old chap," he said. "I, too, -have mine--I have Laddie back again." - -"Can you stand the receipt of serious news, Osborne?" asked Captain -M'Bride gravely. - -Webb and Dixon looked at the skipper with ill-disguised astonishment. -The idea of breaking bad news to a sick man seemed, to say the least -of it, rather out of place. - -"I'm afraid that, when this war's over," continued Captain M'Bride, -"you'll never go back to the old British and Pacific Company." - -"Has the company smashed?" asked Osborne with evident concern. - -"Smashed? Not it," replied the skipper. "Who ever heard of a shipping -concern going smash in these days of high freightage? No, Osborne, -it's not that. In recognition of your services the Admiralty have -transferred you from the R.N.R. to the Royal Navy--a signal honour." - -"And that means," added Osborne, "that not for the period of the war -only, but after, I'll still be under the White Ensign." - -"Ay," exclaimed Webb. "Under the White Ensign--you lucky bounder!" - - - -PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN -_At the Villafield Press, Glasgow, Scotland_ - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's Under the White Ensign, by Percy F. Westerman - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK UNDER THE WHITE ENSIGN *** - -***** This file should be named 52141-0.txt or 52141-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/2/1/4/52141/ - -Produced by R.G.P.M. van Giesen - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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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: Under the White Ensign - A Naval Story of the Great War - -Author: Percy F. Westerman - -Illustrator: E.S. Hodgson - -Release Date: May 23, 2016 [EBook #52141] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK UNDER THE WHITE ENSIGN *** - - - - -Produced by R.G.P.M. van Giesen - - - - - -</pre> - - -<a name="01_cover"></a> -<center><img src="images/01_cover.jpg" alt="Cover" style="width:100%; height:auto; max-width:600px;"></center> -<center>[Illustration: cover art]</center> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<center><h2>Under the White Ensign</h2></center> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> - -<center> -<div CLASS="notebox"> -<table style="padding: 1em;" summary="otherbooks"> - <thead> - <tr> - <th><div CLASS="fontsize133"><span class="smallcaps">By</span> PERCY F. WESTERMAN</div> - </tr> - </thead> - <tbody> - <tr><td><hr align="center" width="25%"></td></tr> - <tr><td></td></tr> - <tr><td><center>"No boy alive will be able to peruse Mr. Westerman's pages without a quickening of his pulses."—<b>Outlook</b>.</center> - </td></tr> - <tr><td><hr align="center" width="25%"></td></tr> - <tr><td><div class="p2"><b>The Dispatch-Riders:</b> The Adventures of Two British Motor-cyclists with the Belgian Forces. - <span class="fontsize80"><br>"No boy will find a dull page in Mr. Westerman's story." —<b>Bookman</b>.</span></div> - </td></tr> - <tr><td></td></tr> - <tr><td><div class="p2"><b>The Sea-girt Fortress:</b> A Story of Heligoland. - <span class="fontsize80"><br> "Mr. Westerman has provided a story of breathless excitement, and boys of all ages will read it with avidity." —<b>Athenaeum</b>.</span></div> - </td></tr> - <tr><td><div class="p2"><b>Rounding up the Raider:</b> A Naval Story of the Great War.</div></td></tr> - <tr><td></td></tr> - <tr><td><div class="p2"><b>The Fight for Constantinople:</b> A Tale of the Gallipoli Peninsula. - <span class="fontsize80"><br>"Breathless adventures crowd into this thrilling story.... It teems with enthralling episodes and vivid word-pictures." —<b>British Weekly</b>. - <br>"The reader sits absolutely spellbound to the end of the story." —<b>Sheffield Daily Telegraph</b>.</span> - </div></td></tr> - <tr><td></td></tr> - <tr><td><div class="p2"><b>Captured at Tripoli:</b> A Tale of Adventure. - <span class="fontsize80"><br>"We cannot imagine a better gift-book than this to put into the hands of the youthful book-lover, either as a prize or present." —<b>Schoolmaster</b>.</span> - </div></td></tr> - <tr><td></td></tr> - <tr><td><div class="p2"><b>The Quest of the "Golden Hope":</b> A Seventeenth-century Story of Adventure. - <span class="fontsize80"><br>"The boy who is not satisfied with this crowded story must be peculiarly hard to please." —<b>Liverpool Courier</b>.</span> - </div></td></tr> - <tr><td> - <tr><td><div class="p2"><b>A Lad of Grit:</b> A Story of Restoration Times. - <span class="fontsize80"><br>"The tale is well written, and has a good deal of variety in the scenes and persons." —<b>Globe</b>.</span> - </div></td></tr> - <tr><td></td></tr> - <tr><td><hr align="center" width="25%"></td></tr> - <tr><td></td></tr> - <tr><td><center>LONDON: BLACKIE & SON, <span class="smallcaps">Ltd.</span>, 50 OLD BAILEY, E.C.</center></td></tr> - </tbody> -</table> -</div> -</center> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<center> -<a name="02_frontispiece"></a> -<img src="images/02_frontispiece.jpg" alt="image: 02_frontispiece.jpg" style="width:100%; height:auto; max-width:600px;"> -</center> -<center>[Illustration: "TRUE TO THE LONG-ESTABLISHED AND GALLANT CUSTOM OF THE SEA"]</center> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<center> -<h1> -Under the White Ensign -</h1> -<h2>A Naval Story of the Great War</h2> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4>BY</h4> -<h3>PERCY F. WESTERMAN</h3> -<h6>Author of "Rounding Up the Raider" -<br>"The Fight for Constantinople" -<br>&c.</h6> -</center> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<center><i>Illustrated by E. S. Hodgson</i></center> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<center> -<h3>BLACKIE AND SON LIMITED -<br><span class="fontsize80">LONDON GLASGOW AND BOMBAY</span></h3> -</center> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h3 align="center">Contents</h3> -<hr width="25%" align="center"> -<table align="center" width="80%" summary="contents"> - -<tbody><tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">CHAP.</td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> </td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">I. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a href="#chapter01"><span class="smallcaps">Laddie's Warning</span></a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">II. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a href="#chapter02"><span class="smallcaps">Held Up by a U-Boat</span></a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">III. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a href="#chapter03"><span class="smallcaps">The Bomb in the Hold</span></a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">IV. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a href="#chapter04"><span class="smallcaps">A Night on the Neutral Ground</span></a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">V. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a href="#chapter05"><span class="smallcaps">The Encounter with a Spy</span></a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">VI. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a href="#chapter06"><span class="smallcaps">The Dummy Periscope</span></a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">VII. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a href="#chapter07"><span class="smallcaps">Rammed</span></a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">VIII. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a href="#chapter08"><span class="smallcaps">"In the Ditch"</span></a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">IX. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a href="#chapter09"><span class="smallcaps">A Midnight Expedition</span></a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">X. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a href="#chapter10"><span class="smallcaps">How the Landing Party Fared</span></a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">XI. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a href="#chapter11"><span class="smallcaps">Osborne's Capture</span></a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">XII. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a href="#chapter12"><span class="smallcaps">The Turkish Biplane</span></a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">XIII. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a href="#chapter13"><span class="smallcaps">The "Sunderbund's" Life-boat</span></a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">XIV. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a href="#chapter14"><span class="smallcaps">Submarined</span></a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">XV. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a href="#chapter15"><span class="smallcaps">Castaways on a Hostile Shore</span></a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">XVI. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a href="#chapter16"><span class="smallcaps">'Twixt U-Boat and Arabs</span></a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">XVII. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a href="#chapter17"><span class="smallcaps">The Whaler's Voyage</span></a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">XVIII. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a href="#chapter18"><span class="smallcaps">In the Nick of Time</span></a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">XIX. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a href="#chapter19"><span class="smallcaps">Misunderstandings</span></a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">XX. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a href="#chapter20"><span class="smallcaps">The Desert Wireless Station</span></a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">XXI. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a href="#chapter21"><span class="smallcaps">"A Proper Lash Up"</span></a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">XXII. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a href="#chapter22"><span class="smallcaps">The Fouled Propellers</span></a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">XXIII. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a href="#chapter23"><span class="smallcaps">Driven to Destruction</span></a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">XXIV. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a href="#chapter24"><span class="smallcaps">The Chase of the Felucca</span></a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">XXV. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a href="#chapter25"><span class="smallcaps">An Unknown Antagonist</span></a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">XXVI. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a href="#chapter26"><span class="smallcaps">Reunited</span></a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">XXVII. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a href="#chapter27"><span class="smallcaps">A Daring Operation</span></a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">XXVIII. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a href="#chapter28"><span class="smallcaps">Osborne's Reward</span></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><hr align="center" width="25%"></td></tr> - <tr><td><br></td></tr> - <tr><td><a href="#02_frontispiece"><span class="smallcaps">"True to the long-established and glorious custom of the sea"</span> - - - <i>Frontispiece</i></a></td></tr> - <tr><td><br></td></tr> - <tr><td><a href="#03_germans"><span class="smallcaps">"One by one <i>five</i> Germans stumbled up the ladder"</span></a></td></tr> - <tr><td><br></td></tr> - <tr><td><a href="#04_awkward"><span class="smallcaps">"The submarine was now in an awkward plight"</span></a></td></tr> - <tr><td><br></td></tr> - <tr><td><a href="#05_progress"><span class="smallcaps">"Progress was tediously slow"</span></a></td></tr> - <tr><td><br></td></tr> - <tr><td><a href="#06_ninepins"><span class="smallcaps">"The Greeks went down like ninepins"</span></a></td></tr> - </tbody> -</table> -</center> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<center><h2>UNDER THE WHITE ENSIGN</h2></center> -<hr align="center" width="25%"> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<a name="chapter01"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER I</h3> - -<h4 align="center">Laddie's Warning</h4> - -<p>"<span class="smallcaps">What</span> a rotten night!"</p> - -<p>With this well-expressed remark Sub-lieutenant Webb gained the head -of the bridge-ladder of H.M. armed merchant-cruiser <i>Portchester -Castle</i>.</p> - -<p>Contrasted with the brightness of his comfortable cabin the blackness -of the night seemed impenetrable. The horned moon, already well down -in the western sky, was almost hidden by a rapidly drifting patch of -mottled clouds of sufficient density to obscure its pale rays. -Slapping viciously against the ship's starboard side were the surging -rollers of the Bay of Biscay. With a succession of heavy thuds the -waves broke against the vessel's hull, recoiling in masses of -phosphorescent foam and at the same time sending clouds of spindrift -flying across the lofty bridge. The <i>Portchester Castle</i> was -forty-eight hours out from England, bound for patrol duties in the -Eastern Mediterranean. It was by no means her first trip to that -inland sea. In pre-war days, under a different name, she had been -making regular pleasure trips under the auspices of a touring agency. -It had been said that her skipper could find his way practically -blindfold into any of the better-known Mediterranean ports, so long -had he been on this particular service.</p> - -<p>But the outbreak of the Great War had changed all that. Taken over by -the Admiralty, the former liner-yacht had been rapidly and -efficaciously adapted to her new rôle. Her palatial cabin fittings -had been ruthlessly scrapped. The dazzling white enamel had been -hidden under a coat of neutral grey. Her bluff funnels were disguised -with "wash" of the same dingy hue. Light armour protected her vital -parts; quick-firing guns of hard-hitting power were mounted on the -decks that previously had been given over to pleasure-seeking -tourists. In short, the <i>Portchester Castle</i> was now a swift and -formidable unit of the British Navy.</p> - -<p>Four years had made a marked difference in the appearance of Tom -Webb, formerly Tenderfoot of the Sea Scouts' yacht <i>Petrel</i>. Thanks -to his preliminary training in the rudiments of seamanship and -navigation acquired in the little ketch yacht, Webb had had no -difficulty in being accepted for service in the trawler patrol soon -after the outbreak of hostilities.</p> - -<p>It was now that his Sea Scout training bore fruit. Self-reliant, and -willing to undertake the most arduous tasks with the utmost good -humour and alacrity, he quickly gained the goodwill of his superiors.</p> - -<p>Two years in the North Sea in the trawler <i>Zealous</i> gave him plenty -of experience and adventure, until the trawler came to an untimely -end in an encounter with some German torpedo-boats, but not before -she had sent one of them to the bottom. The outcome of this little -"scrap", as far as Tom Webb was concerned, was that the ex-Tenderfoot -was given a commission as Acting Sub-lieutenant, R.N.R., and -appointed to the armed merchant-cruiser <i>Portchester Castle</i>.</p> - -<p>It required a fair effort on Webb's part to carry out one portion of -the Scout's creed and "keep smiling" as he mounted the bridge in this -particular middle watch. Turning out of a comfortable bunk to do duty -in an exposed, spray-swept post was not a matter of choice but of -obligation.</p> - -<p>Still dazed by the sudden transition from the electric light 'tween -decks to the intense blackness of the night, Webb could just discern -the figure of the Sub he was about to relieve.</p> - -<p>"Mornin', Haynes!"</p> - -<p>"Wish you well of it, my festive," was Dick Haynes's rejoinder. -"Nothing to report. Here's the course. You ought to sight the Spanish -coast in an hour or so. Well, so long, and good luck!"</p> - -<p>The relieved Sub-lieutenant vanished down the bridge-ladder. Webb, -muffled in his greatcoat, satisfied himself that the quartermasters -were acquainted with the correct compass course, and received the -usual report: "Screened light's burning, sir, and all's well."</p> - -<p>This done he took up his position on the lee side of the bridge and, -sheltered by the storm-dodger, gazed fixedly in the direction of the -swelter of black water ahead of the labouring ship.</p> - -<p>Slowly the minutes sped. The <i>Portchester Castle</i>, steaming at -seventeen knots, rolled and plunged through the long waves without so -much as the distant navigation lights of another vessel to break the -monotony of the night. Yet the utmost vigilance was necessary. The -safety of the ship depended upon the sharp eyes of the two look-out -men on the fo'c'sle, and the alertness of the junior watch-keeper on -the bridge. To the ordinary risk of collision was added another -danger, for hostile submarines had been reported making for the -Mediterranean, and were reasonably expected to take a very similar -course to that followed by the British armed merchant-cruiser.</p> - -<p>The "Rules of the Road for Preventing Collision at Sea" reduced the -former danger to a minimum, provided an efficient watch were -maintained; against the mad dogs of the sea—the German submarines, -who never hesitated to torpedo at sight anything afloat regardless of -her nationality—the ship had to take her chances, and trust to -Providence and a quick use of the helm to avoid the deadly torpedo, -should the phosphorescent swell in the wake of the weapon betray its -approach.</p> - -<p>A faint click, barely perceptible above the howling of the wind and -the swish of the waves, attracted Webb's attention. The officer of -the watch had switched off the light in the chart-house before -emerging, lest a stray beam should betray the vessel to a lurking -foe.</p> - -<p>Presently the door opened and a tall, broad-shouldered man appeared, -his outlines just discernible in the faint light; for the moon, now -soon on the point of setting, was momentarily unobscured.</p> - -<p>"Hallo, Tom!" he exclaimed. "What do you think of the Bay, eh?"</p> - -<p>The speaker was Lieutenant Jack Osborne, R.N.R., for the time being -officer of the watch. He, too, had good reason to be thankful for his -early training as a Sea Scout on the yacht <i>Petrel</i>. The outbreak of -war found him at Shanghai—a Third Officer on one of the liners of -the Royal British and Pacific Steamship Company's fleet. Within two -hours of the receipt of the mobilization telegram, Osborne was on -board a vessel bound for Vancouver, <i>en route</i> for home by the -Canadian Pacific. Twelve months' sea service procured him his -promotion as lieutenant, R.N.R., and when the <i>Portchester Castle</i> -was commissioned he found that one of his brother officers was his -former Sea Scout chum, Tom Webb.</p> - -<p>"An improvement on the North Sea in winter," replied Webb -optimistically. "And it will be a jolly sight warmer when we get to -the Mediterranean."</p> - -<p>"You haven't been abroad before?" asked Osborne.</p> - -<p>"Strictly speaking—no," replied the Sub. "I've been within sight of -Iceland a few times, and don't want to see it again; but I have never -set foot ashore. You remember—— Hallo! What's that?"</p> - -<p>He gave an involuntary start as something gripped his left hand with -a gentle yet firm hold.</p> - -<p>Osborne smiled.</p> - -<p>"You're a bit jumpy," he said. "Come, this won't do; it's only -Laddie. He's always with me on the bridge, you know."</p> - -<p>"Hope he hasn't mistaken my hand for a piece of raw beef-steak," -remarked Webb, disengaging his hand from the jaws of a large dog. -"I'm not afraid of dogs, you know, Osborne, but for the moment I -wondered what was up."</p> - -<p>"Only his way of showing friendliness," explained the Lieutenant. -"I've had him on board ever since he was a pup. He's only fourteen -months old now."</p> - -<p>"I haven't seen him before."</p> - -<p>"No, I kept him ashore while we were commissioning, and he generally -keeps down below for the first twenty-four hours at sea. He'll be a -pal to you, Webb; almost as much as Cinders. Well, I'll leave him -with you. Stop there, Laddie, there's a good dog. Call me directly -you sight Cape Villano light, Webb. Keep it well on the port bow; -we're off a tricky coast, you know."</p> - -<p>Left alone the Sub stooped and patted the silky hair of the -sheep-dog's head. Webb was one of those fellows to whom most dogs -take at sight. This animal was no exception to the general rule.</p> - -<p>Laddie was a large bob-tailed sheep-dog standing more than two feet -from the ground—or rather, deck—and powerfully built. Even in the -dim light Webb noticed one peculiarity. The animal's eyes were of a -turquoise-blue colour and gleamed in the dark like those of a cat.</p> - -<p>Suddenly the animal bounded to the weather side of the bridge and, -placing his front paws on the guard-rail, gave vent to three deep, -angry barks.</p> - -<p>"What's the matter, old boy?" asked Webb, peering in vain to -ascertain the cause of the dog's excitability.</p> - -<p>Hearing his pet's warning bark Lieutenant Osborne was on the bridge -in a trice. One glance at Laddie was sufficient.</p> - -<p>"Action stations!" he roared in stentorian tones; then, "Hard-a-port, -quartermaster!"</p> - -<p>Even as the spokes of the steam steering-gear revolved rapidly under -the helmsman's hands, the guns' crews, who had been fitfully dozing -beside their weapons, manned the quick-firers, while the -search-lights with their carbons sizzling were trained outboard, -ready at the word of command to unscreen and throw their dazzling -rays upon the surface of the waves.</p> - -<p>Listing heavily to port as she turned rapidly on her helm, the -<i>Portchester Castle</i> just missed by a few yards an ever-diverging -double track of foam that contrasted vividly with the inky blackness -of the water.</p> - -<p>By a few seconds the British vessel had escaped destruction from a -torpedo fired from a lurking hostile submarine.</p> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<a name="chapter02"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER II</h3> - -<h4 align="center">Held Up by a U-Boat</h4> - -<p><span class="smallcaps">"Hard-a-starboard!"</span> roared Osborne. In the vivid glare of the now -unmasked searchlights he had detected a short spar-like object -projecting a couple of feet or more above the waves. Almost at the -same time three of the <i>Portchester Castle's</i> quick-firers united in -a loud roar, their projectiles knocking up tall clouds of foam in the -vicinity of the supposed periscope ere they ricochetted a mile or so -away.</p> - -<p>Dipping in the trough of an enormous roller the slight target was -lost to sight. Whether hit by the shell the young lieutenant could -not determine. In any case he meant to try and ram the skulking foe.</p> - -<p>Round swung the armed liner and, steadying on her helm, bore down -upon the spot where the submarine was supposed to be lurking. No -slight jarring shock announced the successful issue of her attempt.</p> - -<p>"Missed her, I'm afraid, Mr. Osborne," exclaimed a deep voice.</p> - -<p>The Lieutenant turned and found himself confronted by the Captain, -who, aroused from his slumbers, had appeared on the bridge dressed -only in pyjamas, a greatcoat, and carpet slippers.</p> - -<p>"And fortunately she missed us, sir," replied Osborne. "The wake of -the torpedo was close under our stern."</p> - -<p>"Did anyone sight her?"</p> - -<p>"The dog, sir," said the Lieutenant. "He began barking at something. -I immediately hurried up to see what was amiss, and ordered the helm -to be ported."</p> - -<p>"Then your wall-eyed pet has done us a good turn," observed Captain -Staggles grimly. He was a keen disciplinarian, and did not altogether -approve of a dog being brought on board. It was only on Osborne's -earnest request that the skipper had relented, and then only on the -condition that the animal must be got rid of should he give trouble.</p> - -<p>Osborne had run the risk. To lose his pet would be nothing short of a -calamity, but such was his confidence in Laddie that he had brought -him on board; and now, within a few hours of leaving port, the -sheep-dog had gained distinction.</p> - -<p>"Suppose the brute's got second sight," remarked the Captain. "Well, -carry on, Mr. Osborne, and put the ship on her former course. Call -for more speed—the sooner we get away from this particular danger -zone the better, since we can do nothing on a night like this. See -that a wireless is sent reporting the presence and position of the -U-boat."</p> - -<p>Having steadied the vessel and dispatched a signalman to the wireless -room, Osborne rejoined Webb, who was methodically examining the -surface of the sea with his night glasses. Already the search-lights -had been switched off and the guns cleaned and secured.</p> - -<p>"A close shave," remarked Webb. "I thought she'd bagged us that time. -It was fortunate that Laddie gave us warning."</p> - -<p>"Fortunate in a double sense," added Osborne. "The skipper will be -more favourably disposed towards Laddie after this. I've nothing to -say against the Captain (wouldn't if I had, you understand). From -what I know of him he's a jolly smart skipper, but I fancy he doesn't -cotton on to animals."</p> - -<p>"He ought to as far as Laddie is concerned, after this," said the -Sub. "It is a perfect mystery to me how the dog spotted the -submarine. I'll swear he did. He was so excited that I thought he was -going to jump over the rail."</p> - -<p>Just then a signalman ran up the bridge-ladder and tendered a -writing-pad to the officer of the watch.</p> - -<p>"'S.O.S.' call, sir," he explained. "Sparks can't make head or tail -of it, in a manner of speaking. He's jotted it down just as it was -received."</p> - -<p>Osborne took the message and retired into the chart-room. At a glance -he discovered that the message was partly in International Code and -partly in Spanish, or a language closely approaching it. An intimate -knowledge of the ports of the Pacific coast of South America had -enabled Osborne to understand a good many words in Spanish. He could -therefore make a fair translation of the appeal for aid.</p> - -<p>"It's a message from a Portuguese merchantman—the <i>Douro</i>," he -explained to Webb. "She is being pursued by a German submarine. She -gives her position. We're thirty miles to the nor'nor'-east. Inform -Captain Staggles," he added, addressing the signalman.</p> - -<p>In a very short space of time the Captain again appeared on the -bridge.</p> - -<p>"It will be daybreak before we sight her," he observed when Osborne -had made his report. "You didn't acknowledge the signal, I hope?"</p> - -<p>"No, sir."</p> - -<p>"That's good. Sorry to keep Senhor Portuguese on tenterhooks, but if -we wirelessed him the strafed Hun might pick up the message. We must -try and catch the U-boat on the hop. Pass the word for the look-out -to keep his eyes well skinned."</p> - -<p>The Captain leant over the for'ard guard-rail of the lofty bridge. -Beneath lurked two greatcoated figures sheltering under the lee side -of the deckhouse from the driving spray.</p> - -<p>"Bos'n's mate!" shouted Captain Staggles.</p> - -<p>"Ay, ay, sir."</p> - -<p>"Pipe General Quarters."</p> - -<p>The shrill trills of the whistle brought the watch below surging on -deck. Already by some mysterious means the news had spread along the -lower deck. Taking into consideration the fact that the ship had been -but newly commissioned, there was little fault to be found with the -way in which the men responded to the call.</p> - -<p>In the engine-room the staff had risen nobly to the Captain's request -to "whack her up". Quickly speed was increased to twenty knots as the -<i>Portchester Castle</i> hastened on her errand of succour to the -harassed Portuguese merchantman.</p> - -<p>"I shouldn't be surprised if we are too late," remarked Captain -Staggles. "That wireless will most certainly be picked up by the -Portuguese destroyer flotilla patrolling the Tagus. They'll be on the -spot before us, I fancy."</p> - -<p>Lieutenant Osborne did not reply. He had good cause to think -otherwise, but he kept his thoughts to himself. Nevertheless he was -glad when the skipper expressed his intention of "carrying on" in the -direction of the pursued tramp.</p> - -<p>With daybreak came the sound of distant intermittent gun-fire. For -five minutes the cannonade was maintained, and then an ominous -silence. In addition the hitherto constant wireless appeals for aid -ceased abruptly.</p> - -<p>"They've got her, I'm afraid," remarked Webb to his chum and brother -officer as the twain searched the horizon with their binoculars.</p> - -<p>"Not a sign of her," began Osborne.</p> - -<p>"Sail ahead, sir," reported the masthead man, who from his point of -vantage could command a far greater distance than the officers on -the bridge.</p> - -<p>"Where does she bear?" shouted Osborne.</p> - -<p>"Two points on the port bow, sir," was the prompt reply.</p> - -<p>In anxious suspense officers and crew waited for the Portuguese -vessel to come within range of vision. Quickly the daylight grew -brighter. A slight mist that hung around in low, ill-defined patches -began to lift. The sea, still high, rendered it difficult to locate a -vessel at any considerable distance from the British auxiliary -cruiser.</p> - -<p>Presently Osborne went to the voice-tube communicating with the -engine-room. His observant eye had noticed that the <i>Portchester -Castle's</i> funnels were throwing out considerable volumes of smoke. -Since it was imperative that she should conceal her approach until -the last possible moment, he requested the Engineer-lieutenant to -exercise a little more care in the stokeholds. A minute or two later -the black volumes of smoke gave place to a thin haze of bluish -vapour.</p> - -<p>"There she is!" exclaimed Webb. "By Jove, they've bagged her! She's -hove-to."</p> - -<p>The tramp, a vessel of about 2000 tons, was lying motionless and -showing almost broadside on to the oncoming <i>Portchester Castle</i>. As -yet there was no sign of the pursuing submarine.</p> - -<p>By the aid of the binoculars the British officers could just discern -the red and green mercantile ensign of Portugal being slowly lowered -from the vessel's ensign-staff. The <i>Douro</i> had surrendered: would -the <i>Portchester Castle</i> be in time to save her from being sunk, or -merely able to witness her final plunge, and experience the -mortification of finding that the lawless U-boat had submerged into -comparative safety?</p> - -<p>For some seconds the silence on board the <i>Portchester Castle</i> was -broken only by the swish of the water against her bows, the muffled -thud of the propeller shaftings, and the clear incisive tones of the -range-finding officer as the distance rapidly and visibly decreased -betwixt the ship and the supposed position of the German submarine.</p> - -<p>Presently, upon the rounded crest of a roller appeared the elongated -conning-tower and a portion of the deck of the U-boat. She was -forging gently ahead, and was just drawing clear of the bows of the -<i>Douro</i>.</p> - -<p>The situation was a delicate one. If the German commander's attention -were wholly centred upon his capture it might be possible that the -submarine would increase her distance sufficiently to enable the -<i>Portchester Castle</i> to send a shell into her without risk to the -Portuguese vessel. If, on the other hand, the approaching succourer -were sighted by the Huns, the submarine would have time to go astern, -close hatches under the lee of the <i>Douro</i>, and dive.</p> - -<p>Five thousand yards.</p> - -<p>A uniformed figure appeared above the poop-rail of the captured -tramp. The officers of the British vessel, keeping him under -observation by means of the powerful glasses, could see him -gesticulating to the submarine. The latter began to lose way before -going astern.</p> - -<p>Now or never. A gap of barely fifty yards lay betwixt captor and -prize. At the word of command the gun-layers of the two for'ard -quick-firers bent over their sights. The two reports sounded as one -as the projectiles screeched on their errand of destruction.</p> - -<p>One shell hurtled within a few feet of the top of the conning-tower, -sweeping away both periscopes in its career. The other struck the -raised platform in the wake of the conning-tower, exploded, tearing a -jagged hole in the hull plating. Before the smoke had time to clear -away the U-boat had vanished for all time, only a smother of foam and -a series of ever-widening concentric circles of iridescent oil -marking her ocean bed.</p> - -<p>Viewed from the deck of the <i>Portchester Castle</i> there could be no -doubt as to the fate of the modern pirate. Simultaneously a deafening -cheer burst from the throats of the British crew. It was a feat to be -proud of, sending a hostile submarine to her last account before the -<i>Portchester Castle</i> was three days out of port.</p> - -<p>When within signalling distance of the <i>Douro</i> the latter rehoisted -her colours and made the "NC" signal, "Immediate assistance -required".</p> - -<p>"Perhaps the Huns have already begun to scuttle her," remarked Tom -Webb. "Although I can't detect any sign of a list."</p> - -<p>"We'll soon find out," replied Osborne. "Pipe away the cutter," he -ordered, in response to a sign from the skipper.</p> - -<p>Quickly the falls were manned, the boat's crew, fully armed, -scrambling into the boat as it still swung from the davits. -Sub-lieutenant Webb, being the officer in charge, dropped into the -stern-sheets.</p> - -<p>"Lower away."</p> - -<p>With a resounding smack the cutter renewed a touching acquaintance -with the water. The falls were disengaged, and, to Webb's encouraging -order, "Give way, lads!" the boat drew clear of the now almost -stationary ship, which was within a couple of cables' lengths of the -<i>Douro</i>.</p> - -<p>"Wonder what's wrong?" thought Webb, for there were still no signs -that the Portuguese vessel had sustained damage. She was rolling -heavily in the seaway. Her engines being stopped, she had fallen off -in the trough of the sea.</p> - -<p>Rounding under her stern the Sub brought the cutter under the lee of -the tramp. The bowman dexterously caught a coil of rope thrown by a -seaman on the <i>Douro's</i> deck. The trouble was how to board without -staving in the cutter's planks against the heaving, rusty sides of -the tramp.</p> - -<p>The <i>Douro</i> had not come off unscathed in her flight from the German -submarine. Under her quarter, and about three feet above the -water-line, were a couple of shell-holes. Fortunately the projectiles -had failed to burst, otherwise the tramp would not be still afloat. -The missiles had partly demolished the wheel-house and played havoc -with the bridge, as the shattered woodwork and the debris that -littered the deck bore witness. Two of the crew had been slain and -three wounded, as a result of being unable to lift a hand in -self-defence, yet the Portuguese skipper had held gallantly on his -way until a sliver of steel from one of the shells had penetrated the -main steam-pipe and had rendered the <i>Douro</i> incapable of further -flight.</p> - -<p>A Jacob's ladder—a flexible wire arrangement with wooden rungs—had -been lowered from the tramp's side. At one moment its bottommost end -was swaying far from the vessel's water-line; at another it was -pinned hard against her side according to the roll of the ship. -Boarding was a difficult—nay, dangerous—business.</p> - -<p>Standing with his feet wide apart on the stern-sheets grating, Webb -awaited his opportunity. Then he became aware that his boot was -touching something soft and endowed with life. To his surprise he -found Laddie crouching under the seat.</p> - -<p>Evidently the sheep-dog was under the impression that the boat was -bound for the shore. He had contrived to leap into the cutter as it -was on the point of being lowered, and, although the Sub had not -noticed him, the boat's crew had seen and had winked at the presence -of the canine stowaway.</p> - -<p>"All right, my boy," thought Webb as he made a spring for the -swinging ladder. "There you'll have to stop, I fancy. Now you're -properly dished."</p> - -<p>But the young officer was mistaken. Laddie waited until the last of -the boarding party had gained the deck of the <i>Douro</i>, then, -knowingly biding his time until the tramp had rolled away from the -boat, he made a spring at the ladder and gained the deck.</p> - -<p>"Good morning, senhor!" exclaimed the Portuguese skipper in very good -English as he greeted the British boarding officer. "We are grateful -for your assistance. Another five minutes and the <i>Douro</i> no more -would be. I offer my respects to the brave representative of our -ancient ally."</p> - -<p>"Thank you, senhor capitan," replied Tom with a bow, for he was -determined not to be outdone in courtesy by the grateful Portuguese -skipper. "Yes, we have sent that submarine to Davy Jones, I fancy. -But I have to convey the compliments of Captain Staggles of His -Majesty's armed merchant-cruiser <i>Portchester Castle</i>, and to offer -you any assistance that lies in our power. You have the 'NC' signal -flying, I see."</p> - -<p>"Yes," replied the skipper, grinning broadly and shrugging his -shoulders in a manner peculiar to dwellers in southern climes. "The -trouble, senhor, is this: down below in the fore-hold are six -Germans—men sent on board from the submarine to place explosives in -the hold. They are armed, we are not. Can you get them out for us?"</p> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<a name="chapter03"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER III</h3> - -<h4 align="center">The Bomb in the Hold</h4> - -<p><span class="smallcaps">"Well</span>, that's a cool request," soliloquized Webb. "The old chap wants -us to act the part of the cat, and hook the monkey's chestnuts out of -the fire. All in a day's work, I suppose."</p> - -<p>He glanced at the Portuguese skipper, who was anxiously awaiting the -Sub's reply.</p> - -<p>"It seems to me a simple matter," said Tom, "to clap on the hatches -and carry them into the Tagus. We'll have to tow you, I suppose. -There are several of your war-ships off Belem, and I fancy they'll be -only too glad of a chance to collar a few Huns."</p> - -<p>The captain of the <i>Douro</i> shook his head.</p> - -<p>"Senhor, you do not quite understand. These pirates are armed. We are -not. Moreover they threaten to blow up the ship."</p> - -<p>"Very good," decided the Sub. "Unship the hatches. Stand by, men; -take cover until we find out what these rascals intend doing. Laddie, -you imp of mischief, keep to heel."</p> - -<p>The dog obeyed, reluctantly. Already he had his suspicions that there -was danger. His instinct prompted him to bound forward and grapple -with the foe.</p> - -<p>Deftly the fore hatchway cover was drawn aside. A ray of brilliant -sunshine penetrating the narrow opening played with a pendulum-like -movement into the dark recesses as the vessel rolled from side to -side. The Sub deemed it safe to show himself, since the eyes of the -imprisoned Huns were likely to be dazzled by the sudden glare.</p> - -<p>"Now then!" he shouted sternly. "Do you surrender?"</p> - -<p>"Nein," was the guttural reply; "we vos stop here. If you attempt to -damage us do, den we der ship sink."</p> - -<p>"All right, please yourself," rejoined Webb coolly. "Only remember, -you'll be cooped up under hatches, and I need not remind you that -it's a mighty unpleasant death, and you have only yourselves to blame -for the consequences of your rash decision."</p> - -<p>The trapped Huns conversed amongst themselves for some moments. -Apparently their spokesman had been impressed by the Sub's view of -the situation, and was communicating the news to his fellows.</p> - -<p>"Don't hurry on our account," continued Webb cheerfully. "The odds -are that we shall get to the Mediterranean before your submarine. But -please do make up your minds."</p> - -<p>"You vos our lives spare?" enquired the Hun spokesman anxiously.</p> - -<p>"Of course; you will be treated as prisoners of war," replied the -young officer promptly.</p> - -<p>"Every von of us?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, every man jack of you."</p> - -<p>"Goot; den we surrender make."</p> - -<p>One by one five Germans stumbled up the ladder, each man raising his -hands high above his head as he appeared above the coaming. Mistrust -was written upon their brutal-looking faces until they found that no -attempt was made to harm them. Then their demeanour became insolently -defiant towards the smiling young officer.</p> - -<p>Webb stepped aside and conferred with the Portuguese captain. The -latter nodded his head emphatically.</p> - -<p>"Si, senhor; there were <i>six</i>," he declared.</p> - -<p>The smile vanished from Webb's face.</p> - -<p>"Which of you speak English?" he enquired of the five prisoners.</p> - -<p>"Me," replied the man who had tendered the surrender. "Before der war -I vos in der English merchantship——"</p> - -<p>"Never mind about what you were," said Webb. "The point is: six of -you boarded this vessel. There are only five on deck. How about it?"</p> - -<p>"We tell you all about it when in the boat we vos," declared the -spokesman, glancing over the side at the waiting cutter.</p> - -<p>"You'll tell me now," corrected the Sub with unmistakable firmness. -"Otherwise I'll have you put in irons."</p> - -<p>For a brief instant the Hun hesitated.</p> - -<p>"Der six man, Hans, below is," he explained. "He vos stop and light a -bomb. Ach! You vos do nodings. You promise make to all our lives -spare."</p> - -<p>The Sub realized that he had been done. It was up to him to do his -best, even at the risk of his life, to prevent the destruction of the -ship. It was obviously unfair to risk the lives of his men in a task -that, but for his precipitate pledge, need never have been -undertaken.</p> - -<p>"Keep those fellows on deck under close arrest. The boarding party -will remain here," he exclaimed, addressing the coxswain petty -officer of the cutter. "I'm going below."</p> - -<p>Without hesitation Webb descended the ladder into the gloomy depths -of the fore hold. Groping until his feet touched the iron floor, he -waited while his eyes grew accustomed to the dim light. The place was -crowded with cargo, for the most part tiers of barrels. Fore and aft -ran a narrow space, terminating at the transverse steel bulkheads.</p> - -<p>A faint hissing sound was borne to his ears. For'ard a splutter of -dim reddish sparks told him that already the time-fuse had been -lighted; but the Hun responsible for the firing of the bomb had not -yet bolted for the deck. Was it possible that he was going to throw -away his life in a useless act of revenge upon the <i>Douro</i>? Or was -the time-fuse of sufficient length for him to remain in the hold for -several minutes before making a dash for safety?</p> - -<p>In any case the Sub had no time to debate upon the situation. His -chief concern was to save the ship. Unhesitatingly he made his way -towards the hissing fuse.</p> - -<p>"Tamped" by means of a bale of cotton, the bomb had been placed -against the curved tapering side of the ship. Only a few inches of -the fuse was visible. It seemed a matter of a few seconds before the -powerful explosive would be detonated.</p> - -<p>Placing his boot upon the ignited tape, Webb severed the fuse. As he -knelt there, in order to make certain that the sparks were thoroughly -extinguished, a pair of powerful hands gripped him from behind. The -desperate Hun, hitherto hidden in the after part of the hold, had -thrown himself upon the young officer.</p> - -<p>Taken by surprise, although he had been prepared for a frontal -attack, Webb found himself stretched upon his back with a burly -Teuton kneeling on his chest. The Hun's left hand was pressed over -the Sub's mouth, thus effectually preventing him from making a sound, -while with his right the fellow groped for the severed portion of the -fuse, which, released from the pressure of Webb's boot, had again -burst into a splutter of angry sparks.</p> - -<center> -<a name="03_germans"></a> -<img src="images/03_germans.jpg" alt="image: 03_germans.jpg" style="width:100%; height:auto; max-width:600px;"> -</center> -<center>[Illustration: "ONE BY ONE <i>FIVE</i> GERMANS STUMBLED UP THE LADDER"]</center> - -<p>For a seemingly interminable time Webb struggled desperately yet -unavailingly. Slowly yet surely the relentless pressure on his chest -was telling. Multitudes of lights flashed before his eyes; vainly he -gasped for breath, writhing frantically to refill his lungs with air. -Dimly he wondered why his men had not come to his assistance. His -mind was too confused to remember that it was by his express order -that he had forbidden anyone to accompany him upon his hazardous -enterprise.</p> - -<p>Suddenly the Hun gave vent to a yell of terror. His grasp relaxed. -Again he yelled, this time the scream trailing off into a muffled, -choking sob. A savage and determined snarl gave the half-dazed Tom an -inkling of the identity of his rescuer. It was Laddie.</p> - -<p>Unseen and unheard by the Sub the sheep-dog had followed him down the -ladder. Eager to face the danger, yet fearing to pass his master's -chum, the dog had lurked in the darkness until the German had -launched his treacherous attack. In reality the seemingly long -interval during which Webb was at the mercy of his assailant was but -a few seconds, for with a bound Laddie flew at the Hun's neck.</p> - -<p>At the first contact of the animal's teeth in the back of his neck -the Hun had yelled. An instant later Laddie had shifted his grip, and -was savagely worrying the German's throat. Vainly the man strove to -throw off his four-footed enemy. Laddie was not to be denied.</p> - -<p>Hearing the sound of the encounter, and guessing rightly that their -young officer was in danger, several of the cutter's crew swarmed -down into the fore hold. They were barely in time to save the German -from death. Even then the dog was reluctant to relax his jaws.</p> - -<p>Once more the still fizzling portion of the severed fuse was -extinguished. The prisoner was hauled unceremoniously out of the -hold, while Webb was assisted to the deck, where in the open air he -soon recovered sufficiently to direct operations.</p> - -<p>"They're signalling, sir," reported the coxswain, indicating the -<i>Portchester Castle</i>, which now lay about a quarter of a mile on the -port beam of the <i>Douro</i>. "They want to know what the delay is for."</p> - -<p>"Tell them that the vessel's engines are disabled, that an attempt -has been made to destroy her by means of bombs, and that we have six -prisoners. Ask instructions how to proceed."</p> - -<p>A signalman perched upon the guard-rail of the <i>Douro's</i> shattered -bridge quickly sent the message. After a brief interval came the -order:</p> - -<p>"Cutter to be recalled. Bring off prisoners. Inform commanding -officer of <i>Douro</i> that we propose to take her in tow."</p> - -<p>Without resistance the six Huns were bundled into the boat. The Hun -who had attacked Webb in the hold was now quite incapable of so -doing, even had he been inclined. With a bandage applied to his -lacerated throat he crouched in the stern-sheets, anxiously watching -with ill-concealed terror Laddie's fierce-looking blue eyes.</p> - -<p>The Portuguese skipper was profuse in his expressions of thanks when -Sub-lieutenant Webb took his departure. For the time being all danger -was at an end. There was every reason to believe that the <i>Douro</i> -would in safety make her destination.</p> - -<p>"Very good, carry on," was Captain Staggles's stereotyped remark -after Tom had made his report. The Sub saluted and went aft, -wondering dimly what manner of man his new skipper could be, since -his spoken expression of the Sub's conduct was limited to four words.</p> - -<p>For the next twelve hours the <i>Portchester Castle</i> towed the crippled -<i>Douro</i>. Late in the afternoon the latter was taken over by a couple -of tugs that had been summoned from the Tagus by wireless. Free to -resume her interrupted voyage, the British armed merchantman -acknowledged the dip of the Portuguese ensign, and was soon reeling -off the miles that separated her from Gibraltar.</p> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<a name="chapter04"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER IV</h3> - -<h4 align="center">A Night on the Neutral Ground</h4> - -<p><span class="smallcaps">"Game</span> for a jaunt into Spanish territory, old man?" enquired Osborne, -indicating the hilly ground across the blue waters of the bay. -"There's a boat leaving for Algeciras in half an hour."</p> - -<p>The <i>Portchester Castle</i> lay off the New Mole at Gibraltar. She had -coaled and had taken in stores. A few minor defects were being made -good, and she was awaiting orders to proceed. Leave had been given to -the starboard watch that afternoon, and, having nothing in the way of -duty to perform, Osborne had made a tempting suggestion to his chum -Tom Webb.</p> - -<p>"Rather, I'm on," replied the Sub. "There's leave for officers till -eight bells, I believe."</p> - -<p>"Yes, but we'll have to be back well before that time," observed -Osborne. "The gates of the fortress close at sunset, remember."</p> - -<p>Tom Webb during the last few days had made good use of his time at -Gib., but, he argued, being ashore on that bold, rocky promontory was -not exactly being abroad. He was still on British territory. Hence -his eagerness to set foot upon foreign soil.</p> - -<p>Soon the two chums, in undress uniforms, were picking their way -through the narrow streets of Gibraltar, dodging among the motley -crowd that comprises the populace of the place—Spaniards, Greeks, -Moors, Arabs, and "Rock Scorps", with a liberal leavening of British -seamen, marines, and soldiers.</p> - -<p>"That fellow seems to take a lot of interest in us," remarked Webb as -the two officers found themselves on board the little steamer bound -for Algeciras.</p> - -<p>"Let him," declared Osborne inconsequently. He had had too long an -acquaintance with foreign ports to trouble about the curious looks -and attentions of the inhabitants. "Which one do you refer to? That -Spaniard with the piebald side-whiskers?"</p> - -<p>"No, the johnny leaning against the ventilator," replied the Sub. -"Looks as if he wants a permanent prop, and his hands seem sewn up in -his pockets."</p> - -<p>Osborne glanced over his shoulder. Instantly the individual in -question feigned interest in the smoke issuing from the steamer's -funnel, until the effort of craning his neck was too much of a -physical strain, and he again looked curiously at the two naval -officers.</p> - -<p>He was a man of about thirty, full-faced and of a sleek and oily -complexion. His dark chestnut hair was closely cropped. He sported a -tuft of side-whiskers on each cheek and a heavy moustache. His -costume consisted of a dirty white shirt, ill-cut trousers, and -straw-plaited shoes round his waist was a gaudily coloured scarf that -might or might not have hidden a knife. On the back of his head he -wore a broad-rimmed straw hat with a band of vivid yellow, into which -was stuck a bunch of peacock's feathers.</p> - -<p>"A picturesque-looking villain!" commented Webb.</p> - -<p>"A typical Spaniard, that's all," Osborne reassured him. "We'll have -a few dozen of 'em crowding round directly we land, you know. Every -man jack will offer his services as a guide, philosopher, and -friend."</p> - -<p>Apparently the fellow thought it worth while to take time by the -forelock, since his interest in the British officers was -reciprocated. Removing his hands from his pockets he came forward, -and giving an elaborate sweep with his hat he tendered a dirty piece -of pasteboard.</p> - -<p>"My card, señores!" he exclaimed. "At your service. Show you -everyzing in Algeciras. Blow me tight, I will."</p> - -<p>The last sentence, of which he seemed particularly proud, had been -picked up from a British Tommy. The Spaniard considered it to be the -hall-mark of correct English.</p> - -<p>Osborne took the proffered card. On it was printed: "Alfonzo y Guzman -Perez, Qualified Guide and Interpreter".</p> - -<p>"We don't require a guide," said Osborne.</p> - -<p>Señor Perez smiled benignly.</p> - -<p>"P'raps ze senores get into ze mischief wizout a Spanish caballero -who through misfortune is obliged to accept ze monies for his -services. You officers are from ze war-ship <i>Paragon</i>?"</p> - -<p>"No, from the——" began Webb. Then he brought himself up with a -round turn.</p> - -<p>"From ze——?" repeated the Spaniard. But Tom was not to be caught -napping a second time.</p> - -<p>"Sorry, Señor Perez," interrupted Osborne firmly. "We don't want -you. Nothing doing this trip."</p> - -<p>The steamer was now making fast to the little pier. Without paying -further attention to the over-attentive Spaniard the young officers -landed, and, as Osborne had foretold, were surrounded by a mob of -frantically gesticulating natives.</p> - -<p>"Not much of a place," declared Webb. "Horribly dirty, in fact. Can't -we get out into the country?"</p> - -<p>"We could," replied his chum. "In fact we could give the steamer a -miss on the return journey."</p> - -<p>"How?"</p> - -<p>"By walking round the Bay and getting back to Gib. by means of the -Neutral Ground. It's a tidy step, but we've heaps of time."</p> - -<p>"Good idea!" declared Webb enthusiastically. "Let's get along out of -this."</p> - -<p>By degrees the mob of undesirables diminished. The pace set by two -mad Englishmen was far too hot. A few, however, still hung on, their -appeals for alms giving place to abuse at the callousness of the -British officers.</p> - -<p>"Wish we had Laddie with us," remarked Webb. "He'd soon make the -crowd take to their heels."</p> - -<p>"Couldn't be done," said Osborne. "I thought of it, but there are the -local quarantine restrictions to be taken into consideration. Also, -there'd be a risk of the dog being shot by the Spanish Customs guards -on the Neutral Ground. They're dead nuts on dogs."</p> - -<p>"Why?" asked Tom.</p> - -<p>"Because dogs are largely used by smugglers to run contraband into -Gib. Of course, I'm sorry, but it can't be helped."</p> - -<p>At last the Spaniards dropped behind and the chums were free of any -embarrassing society. They, too, were glad to ease down, for the day -was extremely sultry. There were bunches of delicious grapes to be -had without let or hindrance, and altogether the two chums were -beginning to enjoy themselves.</p> - -<p>"How much farther?" enquired Tom at length.</p> - -<p>Osborne consulted his watch.</p> - -<p>"By Jove, we must look sharp!" he said. "We've a tidy step yet. In -fact, we haven't got as far as Mayorga."</p> - -<p>The road, hitherto by no means good, had deteriorated into a rough -track. Progress, too, was impeded by several inlets, which meant -considerable detours inland. Consequently it was late in the -afternoon when, hot and tired, the young officers limped into the -village of Mayorga, some five miles from the "Lines" of Gibraltar.</p> - -<p>"I vote we get a carriage of sorts," suggested Osborne. "We'll be -properly dished if we don't. My heel's galled, and it's still some -way to go."</p> - -<p>Making the best of his limited knowledge of Spanish, Osborne -contrived to hire, for the sum of five pesetas, a ramshackle -conveyance with solid wooden wheels and drawn by a couple of oxen. It -was the only vehicle available, but the villainous-looking driver -assured his hirers that it was a swift means of transport.</p> - -<p>The cart set off in excellent style—"Under forced draught," Osborne -explained—but before it was clear of the village the swaying, -jolting conveyance had settled down to a funeral pace. When Osborne -expostulated, the driver stopped to offer a lengthy explanation of -the dangerous character of the road, promising to make up for the -lost time directly the comparatively level Neutral Ground was -reached.</p> - -<p>Anxiously the Lieutenant consulted his watch, glanced at the setting -sun, and mentally measured the distance between him and the frowning -Rock, which appeared much nearer than it actually was.</p> - -<p>Suddenly the cart gave an extra heavy lurch. The oxen stumbled; -while, to the accompaniment of a rending crash and the angry oaths of -the driver, the off-side wheel was wrenched from its axle. The next -instant Osborne and Webb found themselves lying in the long rank -grass by the side of the cart-track.</p> - -<p>"Excelsior, old bird!" exclaimed the Lieutenant as the twain -recovered their feet. "Look alive, there's no time to be lost!"</p> - -<p>Paying the Spaniard his five pesetas, although he had not completed -his part of the contract, the two officers hastened towards their -goal, regardless of the forcible demands of the driver that his late -fares would contribute towards the damage done to the crazy vehicle.</p> - -<p>Nearer and nearer came the "Lines", until the Neutral Ground was less -than four hundred yards away. Then, to the chums' consternation, a -gun boomed forth in the still evening air. It was the signal that -until daybreak the gates of Gibraltar were closed so that none should -enter or depart.</p> - -<p>"A fine old business!" declared Osborne. "It's no use going on. We'd -stand a chance of being fired upon by the Spanish guards, and a still -greater one of being winged by the British sentries. They were alert -enough in pre-war days, and you can bet your bottom dollar that -they'll be doubly sharp now."</p> - -<p>"Suppose the best thing to do is to return to Mayorga and get a bed -at the inn," suggested Webb. "My word, there'll be a row for -overstaying our leave!"</p> - -<p>"No Spanish inn for me," said the Lieutenant with conviction. -"Verminous holes, that's what they are. No, we'll camp out, and -imagine it's the good old Scout days."</p> - -<p>"Might do worse," agreed Tom with his cheery smile. "So the sooner we -pitch upon a suitable spot the better. It will be dark in another ten -minutes."</p> - -<p>The site selected was a sandy hollow fringed with long coarse grass, -and open to the east. In that direction lay the Mediterranean, its -shores being separated from the officers' bivouac by a distance of -about twenty yards. To the south the summit of the towering heights -of the Rock could just be discerned, above the ridge of sand that -enclosed the hollow on three sides.</p> - -<p>Thoroughly tired with their exertions, the chums were soon fast -asleep. Then Webb awoke with a start and a stifled exclamation on his -lips. It seemed as if he had slept but a few minutes. In reality six -hours had elapsed.</p> - -<p>He could hear voices conferring in undertones—voices unfamiliar, and -speaking in a foreign language.</p> - -<p>For some moments Webb lay still. He remembered where he was, and that -it was not at all strange for men to be conversing in an unknown -tongue. What he remarked was the fact that they should choose an -isolated spot in the small hours of the morning to engage upon what -was evidently a secret confabulation.</p> - -<p>Cautiously the Sub raised himself on his elbows and peered through -the long grass. In the bright starlight he made a strange discovery. -There were three men: two in the uniform that bore a strong -resemblance to that of the British Navy; the third was none other -than the chums' would-be philosopher and guide, Señor Alfonzo y -Guzman Perez.</p> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<a name="chapter05"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER V</h3> - -<h4 align="center">The Encounter with a Spy</h4> - -<p><span class="smallcaps">With</span> hardly a sound Sub-lieutenant Webb made his way to the side of -his sleeping chum, and roused him effectually and silently by the -simple expedient of grasping him firmly by the hand.</p> - -<p>"'Ssh!" cautioned Tom.</p> - -<p>Side by side the two officers crawled to a place of vantage from -which the three men could be kept under observation.</p> - -<p>"By Jove!" thought Osborne. "Two German officers and our old pal -Alfonzo. Jabbering away in German, too; and I don't understand the -lingo. Now if they were to try Spanish——"</p> - -<p>"Ach, friend Georgeos Hymettus!" exclaimed the senior Hun officer in -execrable English. "Your German a disgrace is. You kultur have -neglected. We confused are in your explanations. Therefore, since we -talk not Spanish nor Greek it will be more easy to talk in der -accursed English. You say you no haf der list of ships?"</p> - -<p>"No," replied Perez, or, to give him his true name, Hymettus. "It no -safe. Me no trust ze writing. Carry all here," and he tapped his -forehead significantly. "S'pose me caught and nodings found in ze -writing. Zen, nodings doin' as ze Englise say."</p> - -<p>Thereupon, with great fidelity the Greek spy named the British -war-ships on the station and their probable destinations. One -exception was the <i>Portchester Castle</i>. Either the name had slipped -his memory, or else he was ignorant of her presence in the Bay of -Gibraltar. He then proceeded to detail the names of British and -foreign merchantmen at Gib. and their probable date of departure, -which information the Germans jotted down in a notebook.</p> - -<p>An off-shore wind, rustling across the sand-dunes, rendered a -considerable portion of the following conversation inaudible, but the -chums could see that a sum of paper money changed hands.</p> - -<p>"U-boat officers!" whispered Webb, taking advantage of the hush of -the grass. "Game to tackle them?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, I'm game," replied Osborne, "but it can't be done yet. I'll -explain later. Steady!"</p> - -<p>The spy and the Huns were on the point of separating.</p> - -<p>"Till Friday," cautioned the senior German officer. "Meanwhile tell -Gonales dat we be off Alminecar on Wednesday, an' dat we vos have -more petrol. Leben Sie wohl, Georgeos. Do not from dis place move -make until twenty minutes."</p> - -<p>The Huns moved off diagonally in the direction of the shore. Before -they had gone very far two greatcoated seamen jumped to their feet -and saluted. Osborne, then, was wise in not attempting to tackle the -officers, since there were members of the submarine's boat's crew -within easy hailing distance. Silently the Germans pushed off in a -collapsible canvas boat, and were rowed seaward until they were lost -to sight and hearing of the British officers.</p> - -<p>True to his instructions, Georgeos Hymettus remained at the spot -where he had parted with his uniformed confederates. He was -stealthily counting the notes he had received as the price of his -espionage, as if to make sure that he had not been cheated by his -Teutonic paymasters. Rapidly Osborne revolved the situation in his -mind. With the assistance of his chum the capture of the solitary spy -ought to present no special difficulties; but, having laid him by the -heels, the question arose, what could they do with him? The spy was -in Spanish territory, and, if the facts became known, his arrest -constituted a breach of neutrality. Again, between them and the -Neutral Ground were the Spanish Lines, through which it would be -almost a matter of impossibility to conduct the captive without -detection by the Civil Guards. On the other hand it would be a -thankless task to give the Greek over to the Spanish authorities. Not -only would it mean delay, when it was imperative that Osborne and his -chum should return to the ship as soon as practicable, but the -chances were that the Spanish officials would refuse to keep the -fellow under arrest, since he had been merely engaged in conversation -with two subjects of a friendly power. In Spain, especially in the -southern part, the officials are notoriously pro-German, having -succumbed to the wiles and pecuniary charms of the Hun agents.</p> - -<p>"I'll risk it," decided the Lieutenant. "Even if we don't succeed in -planting him down in Gib. it will give him a rare fright."</p> - -<p>He pointed towards the unsuspecting Greek. Webb nodded. Stealthily -the twain advanced, treading on the soft sand and avoiding contact -with the dry driftwood that abounded in the grass.</p> - -<p>Without warning Georgeos Hymettus turned and saw two forms -approaching through the gloom of the starlit night. He took to his -heels, doubtless imagining that he was about to be attacked by some -of the numerous robbers who, under the guise of beggars, infest the -countryside.</p> - -<p>Swift of foot though the Greek might be, the two Englishmen were -swifter. Before the fugitive had covered a hundred yards he realized -that escape by means of flight seemed hopeless.</p> - -<p>He was almost on the point of stopping and feigning surrender when -Osborne's foot tripped over a projecting stone, sending the -Lieutenant sprawling in the grass. Webb, springing aside to avoid the -prostrate form of his chum, shouted to the spy to give in.</p> - -<p>Promptly the Greek held both hands, with the fingers outspread, high -above his head.</p> - -<p>"That's sensible," declared Tom, and incautiously he turned to see -how his companion was progressing. Like a flash of lightning the -spy's right hand sought his voluminous sash, and grasping a long, -keen-bladed knife he slashed viciously at the Sub's chest.</p> - -<p>Springing backwards Webb avoided what would otherwise have been a -fatal blow. As it was, the sharp steel ripped his coat from lapel to -waist, while so much energy had Georgeos put into the blow that his -arm swung outwards behind him.</p> - -<p>The Sub was quick to counter. Throwing himself upon the ground, he -gripped his antagonist by the ankles. With a crash the fellow -measured his length on his back, while Webb, following up the attack, -seized him by the throat.</p> - -<p>Over and over the two rolled, Hymettus striking blindly with his -knife, while Tom, shifting one hand, strove to pin the spy's right -arm to his side and render him incapable of dealing further -dangerous, but fortunately ineffectual, blows.</p> - -<p>By this time Osborne had regained his feet, and was awaiting an -opportunity of coming to his chum's assistance. It was no easy -matter, for in the starlight it was hard to distinguish betwixt -friend and foe as they writhed and rolled in a close embrace.</p> - -<p>The glint of steel prompted Osborne to take the risk. At any chance -moment a thrust might bury the weapon in Webb's body. Both combatants -were obviously becoming exhausted. Their quick breaths sounded like -those of a pair of dogs spent after running a long distance, while, -in addition, the Greek was snarling like a wild beast.</p> - -<p>Grasping a favourable moment, Osborne took a flying kick at the knife -as for a brief instant it paused in mid-air. The weapon flew a dozen -yards, the bright blade twirling and scintillating in the dim light -ere it vanished from sight in the soft sand.</p> - -<p>With the loss of the weapon the Greek ceased to offer resistance. -Upon that knife he had relied to win clear; it was the mainstay of -his defence.</p> - -<p>"What you was do?" he whined in broken English, for he had already -recognized his assailants. "Me harmless Spanish caballero."</p> - -<p>"We'll see about that," retorted Osborne. "The question is: are you -coming quietly or are you not?"</p> - -<p>"Where?" asked the spy.</p> - -<p>"To Gibraltar."</p> - -<p>"What for ze reason?"</p> - -<p>The Lieutenant thought it best to ignore the question. With Webb's -assistance he set the spy upon his feet, securely bound his arms -behind his back by means of his shawl, and, cutting off a portion of -the latter, effectually gagged the prisoner.</p> - -<p>Osborne listened intently. There was nothing to show that the Spanish -Civil Guards had been alarmed by the noise of the struggle. -Everything seemed quiet. There was a fair chance of being able to -pass the captive through the Spanish Lines without detection, -especially as it was now close upon dawn and the sentries apt, in -consequence, to relax their vigilance.</p> - -<p>All went well until the two officers and their prisoner were within -fifty yards of one of the guard-houses that mark the termination of -Spanish territory and the commencement of the Neutral Ground. There -were no signs of any of the sentries; and Osborne was beginning to -congratulate himself upon the successful issue of his attempt, when a -cock-hatted, gaudily uniformed man sprung seemingly from the ground.</p> - -<p>Levelling his rifle he called upon the British officers to halt, -following up this order by a warning shout to others of his comrades -within the block-house.</p> - -<p>"It's all right," declared Osborne in his halting Spanish. "We're -bringing back a deserter."</p> - -<p>"Do not be in a hurry," was the exasperating reply. "Have you any -papers bearing the Alcalde's signature for the prisoner's removal?"</p> - -<p>The thought flashed across the Lieutenant's mind that it was more -than likely that none of the Spanish guards could read. Education in -Spain, he remembered, is in a very backward state, barely ten per -cent of the population being able to read or write. As president of -the mess on board the <i>Portchester Castle</i> he had in his possession -several receipted bills. The most imposing of these he produced for -the Civil Guard's inspection. At the same time he noticed that others -of the Spaniards were about to remove the gag from the spy's mouth.</p> - -<p>"Get them to hang on a minute, old man," he exclaimed, addressing -Webb. Then tendering the document to the inquisitive soldier, he -ostentatiously displayed a handful of coins.</p> - -<p>The natural cupidity of the man was unable to resist the bait. "Palm -oil" would have done the trick had not the spy contrived at that -moment to slip the bonds that secured his wrists. With a deft -movement he produced the bundle of English Treasury notes that had -been paid him by the German submarine officers, at the same time -fumbling with the knot that held his gag in position.</p> - -<p>Before Webb, whose attention had been centred upon restraining the -rest of the Civil Guards, could prevent it, the spy had freed himself -from the gag, and was protesting in voluble Spanish that he was an -Andalusian who had been kidnapped by English brigands.</p> - -<p>Hopelessly outbidden, for the Greek was doling out pound notes in a -most lavish fashion, Osborne realized that he had been beaten at his -own game. The climax came when Georgeos Hymettus scattered a handful -of paper money in the dim light, and while the Spanish troops were -scrambling for the spoil he took to his heels.</p> - -<p>Since it was useless to follow, Osborne and Webb watched him till he -vanished in the darkness. Then silently they waited until the morning -gun from the citadel announced that the fortress of Gibraltar was -open until the setting of the sun.</p> - -<p>"A pretty pickle!" remarked Osborne. "Nothing done, your undress -uniform ripped to ribbons, the spy gone, and we ourselves have to -face the music for having overstayed our leave. Rotten, I call it!"</p> - -<p>"Don't know so much about that'," remarked Webb, the cheery optimist. -"We've discovered something that will be of interest to the -authorities, and, after all, we've had quite an exciting adventure. -Some night, eh, what?"</p> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<a name="chapter06"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER VI</h3> - -<h4 align="center">The Dummy Periscope</h4> - -<p><span class="smallcaps">Captain Staggles</span> interviewed the two delinquents separately. The -skipper was one of those men who are apt to bluster and browbeat -whenever occasion offered. It was his idea of imparting discipline. -Popularity he scoffed at. He was, in short, one of a fortunately rare -type of officer of the old school, who at the outbreak of the war had -been once more employed on the active list. To his disappointment -Captain Staggles had not received a shore appointment, owing to a -lack of sufficient influence; and after filling various stopgap -billets he had been given the armed merchant-cruiser <i>Portchester -Castle</i>, whose complement consisted entirely of Royal Naval Reserve -and Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve officers and men.</p> - -<p>Unfortunately Captain Staggles did not possess sufficient sagacity to -realize that there must be a difference between a crew, trained for -years in proper Navy fashion, and a body of men drawn from the -merchant service. In both cases good material was present, but one -had been developed to meet certain requirements, the other had not.</p> - -<p>"The point is," thundered Captain Staggles to Jack Osborne; "the -point is, sir, you had to be on duty on board. You were not. You, -instead, try to bamboozle me with some cock-and-bull yarn about a -spy. Now, what have you got to say?"</p> - -<p>"I take it, sir, that you insinuate I'm not speaking the truth," said -Osborne quietly, controlling his indignation with a strong effort. -"And that without giving me an opportunity of proving my statement."</p> - -<p>"I take it, sir," mimicked the skipper, "that you don't realize that -you've overstayed your leave?"</p> - -<p>"Unfortunately, no, sir," replied Osborne. "It was my fault entirely -that Mr. Webb was in the same predicament."</p> - -<p>"Very well," exclaimed Captain Staggles, raising his voice to a -regular roar. "Now, don't do it again. Clear out, sir."</p> - -<p>"But concerning the spy, sir?" began the Lieutenant.</p> - -<p>"Don't want to hear any more about it," bellowed the skipper. "Thank -your lucky stars you've got off so lightly. Leave my cabin, sir."</p> - -<p>Osborne saluted and withdrew. On the half-deck he encountered Webb, -who was awaiting his turn "on the carpet".</p> - -<p>"Reprimanded," announced Osborne laconically. "The captain won't -listen to my explanation. Better luck, old man."</p> - -<p>But Sub-lieutenant Webb fared no better. His attempt to throw a light -upon the night's work met with an equally curt reception.</p> - -<p>"I believe the skipper's been drinking," said Webb to his chum after -his interview.</p> - -<p>"Since you mention it, I agree," said Osborne gravely. "I've known it -for some time, but I didn't like to give my chief away. We've struck -hard lines in the matter of a skipper, Tom. You see, our temporal -future lies entirely in his hands. If he sends in an unfavourable -report upon our conduct and abilities, we're done as far as the -Service is concerned. There is no appeal. However, we must carry on -and do our duty."</p> - -<p>Osborne had previously said that Captain Staggles was a keen officer. -He had been; but retirement had blunted his zest and rusted his -abilities. Still rankling under the mistaken idea of injustice at -having been refused a shore appointment, the skipper had lost -interest in his work. He was content to rely mainly upon the -stereotyped order "Carry on", and a non-committal "Very good" when -addressing his subordinate officers. His formerly active brain, -fuddled by intemperance, was no longer capable of controlling the -destinies of a ship's company. Had he been permitted to remain in -command the result might have been fatal to the efficiency of the -ship. Fortunately it was otherwise.</p> - -<p>By some means the story of the adventure of Osborne and his chum -reached the ears of the Senior Naval Officer on the Station. He -immediately applied for a report from Captain Staggles, and the -latter had to admit that he knew nothing of the details of the -occurrence. The result was that Osborne and Webb were sent for, and, -under severe cross-examination, had to reveal the facts of their -interview with their commanding officer, and how the latter had -refused to hear the report concerning the spy.</p> - -<p>Two hours later Captain Staggles was ordered to undergo a medical -examination and, found unfit for duty, was sent to hospital; the -Lieutenant-commander of the <i>Portchester Castle</i> was given temporary -command pending a fresh appointment from the Admiralty.</p> - -<p>Jimmy M'Bride, Captain Staggles's successor, was a man of totally -different character and disposition. There was a humorous side to his -nature that the former skipper lacked. He knew his job thoroughly, -regarding the men under him as something different from mere -machines. He expected a high standard—and got it; not by aggressive -methods, but by example. He was always ready to consider a grievance, -but woe betide the incautious man who attempted to impose upon him.</p> - -<p>Already precious time had been lost, but M'Bride delayed no longer in -acting upon the information that Osborne and Webb had gained from the -Greek spy. Since the <i>Portchester Castle</i> had not figured in the list -of ships supplied to the kapitan of the German submarine, the armed -merchant-cruiser was detailed to take the place of a large tramp, the -s.s. <i>Two-Step</i>, which was under orders for Marseilles.</p> - -<p>Just before sundown the <i>Portchester Castle</i> was, roughly, twenty -miles east of Gibraltar. It was a calm, glorious evening. Not a -ripple disturbed the placid surface of the Mediterranean, save the -long, ever-diverging swell in the wake of the slowly moving vessel, -for in the rôle of merchant-man the <i>Portchester Castle</i> was -steaming at a bare fifteen knots. Three miles away and broad on the -starboard beam was the tramp, flying the red ensign. Already by means -of the International Code she had "made her number". Her course was -approximately parallel to that of the <i>Portchester Castle</i>, although -her speed was less by a good five knots.</p> - -<p>"Spot anything?" enquired Osborne of his chum, as Webb kept his -binoculars focused at something almost midway and ahead of the two -vessels.</p> - -<p>"Yes," replied the Sub. "A periscope, or I'm a greenhorn. Here you -are, Osborne, right in line with the foremast shrouds."</p> - -<p>"By Jove, you're right!" assented the Lieutenant. "I can see it -distinctly. Now who is she going for—the <i>Two-Step</i> or us?"</p> - -<p>"The <i>Two-Step</i>, I fancy," replied Webb. "It looks to me as if the -U-boat's periscope is trained in that direction."</p> - -<p>Quickly the guns were manned. A warning signal, "'Ware submarine on -your port bow", was sent to the tramp. The suppressed excitement grew -as the <i>Portchester Castle</i> drew nearer to her as yet unsuspecting -foe.</p> - -<p>M'Bride was on the bridge at the time. Deliberately he delayed the -order to open fire. The gun-layer could, he knew, easily knock away -that pole-like object, but that was not enough. The U-boat, even when -deprived of her "eyes", could dive and seek shelter until the danger -had passed. Not until the submarine showed herself above the surface -could a "knock-out" blow be delivered, unless the <i>Portchester -Castle</i> could approach and ram her antagonist before the latter had -time to submerge to a sufficient depth.</p> - -<p>"Look!" exclaimed Osborne. "She's actually going to attempt to ram. -Well, of all the cool cheek!"</p> - -<p>The Lieutenant was correct in his assertion, for the plucky tramp, -starboarding helm, was bearing down upon the vertical spar that -denoted the presence of the otherwise hidden danger.</p> - -<p>This manoeuvre interested Webb hardly at all. His attention was -centred upon the periscope. For some time he had been keeping it -under observation through his marine glasses. There was something -fishy about it. He had seen partly submerged periscopes before, and -they had never behaved in that erratic fashion.</p> - -<p>This one was stationary as regards direction. No feather-like spray -denoted its passage through the water. It certainly was not forging -ahead. It was, however, rolling erratically, its centre of -semi-rotation being but a few inches beneath the surface. The -periscope of a submarine, if it were inclining in a vertical plane at -all, would have a very different movement, protruding as it was from -the comparatively huge hull of the vessel.</p> - -<p>"It's a dummy periscope," he announced.</p> - -<p>"Sure of it, Mr. Webb?" asked Captain M'Bride.</p> - -<p>"Positive, sir."</p> - -<p>The skipper of the <i>Portchester Castle</i> did not hesitate. A warning -blast from the armed merchant-cruiser's syren was followed by the -peremptory signal, "Go astern instantly", while the white ensign -hoisted aft imparted the necessary authority to the <i>Two-Step</i>.</p> - -<p>An exchange of signals followed, with the result that the tramp -forged ahead once more, and, altering her course slightly, passed -quite a couple of cables' lengths from the sinister spar that bobbed -lazily above the sea.</p> - -<p>"And there are half a dozen destroyers leaving Gib. to-day," remarked -Captain M'Bride. "If they had sighted this decoy one of them would -have gone at it like a bull at a gate. We must risk it, I suppose. -Away first cutter's and whaler's crews!"</p> - -<p>The <i>Portchester Castle</i> had to slow down to enable the boats to be -lowered. This in itself was a risky operation, since it was quite -possible that a real hostile submarine might be lurking in the -vicinity, awaiting the opportunity to discharge a torpedo at the -almost stationary target afforded by the armed merchantman. -Nevertheless the risk had to be undertaken. It fell within the scope -of the duties of the Royal Navy in its gigantic task of rendering the -maritime highways as safe as possible for the sea-borne commerce of -Britain, her Allies, and of neutral nations.</p> - -<p>Tom Webb was in charge of the cutter, his brother Sub-lieutenant, -Dicky Haynes, having command of the whaler. The moment the two boats -cast off, the <i>Portchester Castle</i> pelted off at full speed, -maintaining an erratic course to minimize possible danger until the -two Sub-lieutenants had carried out their hazardous investigations.</p> - -<p>Each boat had two hundred yards of grass rope trailing astern, the -other ends being made fast to the bight of a flexible steel wire, -which, by means of a couple of buoys, was permitted to sink to a -depth of one fathom beneath the surface. Steadily the boats -approached the dummy periscope, the cutter passing it to port and the -whaler to starboard at a distance of twenty yards.</p> - -<p>Presently Webb glanced astern. The towed buoys were now quite close -to the upright spar.</p> - -<p>"Give way for all you're worth, lads!" he ordered, while Haynes -shouted a similar encouragement to the whaler's crew.</p> - -<p>The strain on the grass rope increased. Then with a terrific roar a -column of water shot two hundred feet into the air from the spot -where the dummy periscope had been.</p> - -<p>"We're much too knowing birds to be caught by that sort of chaff," -remarked a member of the cutter's crew. The man was right. Had any -passing vessel rammed the tempting-looking periscope she would have -found herself bumping over a couple of mines that, with fiendish -ingenuity, the Huns had lashed to the decoy in the hope that an -inquisitive foe would be sent to the bottom. The trick was an old -one, but it added to the complication of perils which the British -seamen have to face hourly in the frequently underrated task of -preserving the millions of inhabitants of the United Kingdom from the -horrors of famine.</p> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<a name="chapter07"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER VII</h3> - -<h4 align="center">Rammed</h4> - -<p><span class="smallcaps">The</span> echoes of the explosion had scarce died away when the -<i>Portchester Castle</i> turned and steamed back to pick up her two -boats. She was still about two miles off, and nearly three times that -distance from the receding <i>Two-Step</i>.</p> - -<p>The crews of the cutter and the whaler were busily engaged in coiling -away the undamaged grass ropes. The connecting span had, of course, -been blown to bits by the detonation. Both boats had to be baled out, -for a quantity of water hurled skywards by the exploded mines had -fallen into the little craft. Webb's command was flooded to a depth -of a couple of inches over the bottom boards, while the whaler had -considerably more water in her.</p> - -<p>"Look astern, sir!" exclaimed the coxswain of the cutter.</p> - -<p>The Sub glanced across his shoulder. The sea in the vicinity had now -almost regained its mirror-like aspect, but in the direction -indicated by the petty officer its surface was rippled by a tell-tale -swell, as if some large object were moving slowly at a considerable -depth.</p> - -<p>"Stand by, lads!" ordered Webb. "Oars!"</p> - -<p>The blades had barely touched the water when, at a distance of less -than five yards from the cutter, appeared the twin periscopes of a -submarine—this time the genuine article.</p> - -<p>The U-boat, for such she was, had been lurking in the vicinity of the -decoy. Her kapitan had seen the approach of the <i>Portchester Castle</i> -and the tramp, and feeling confident that the booby periscope would -be noticed, had remained to watch the effect of the Englanders' -curiosity.</p> - -<p>On hearing the explosion he wrongly concluded that the experiment had -not been a successful one, as far as the inquisitive vessel was -concerned; and after a brief interval he ordered the U-boat to the -surface, with the intention of gloating over the sinking of yet -another strafed English ship.</p> - -<p>"Back port—pull starboard!" ordered Webb.</p> - -<p>Almost in her own length the cutter swung round until she lay -broadside on to the appearing periscopes, which were still forging -ahead and momentarily showing higher and higher above the surface.</p> - -<p>Drawing his revolver the Sub took steady aim at almost point-blank -range. It was practically impossible to miss. The mirrors on the top -of the periscope were shattered. The next instant, the foremost metal -pipe of the now blinded submarine was grinding against the cutter's -gunwale.</p> - -<p>"Cutter ahoy!" shouted Haynes.</p> - -<center> -<a name="04_awkward"></a> -<img src="images/04_awkward.jpg" alt="image: 04_awkward.jpg" style="width:100%; height:auto; max-width:600px;"> -</center> -<center>[Illustration: "THE SUBMARINE WAS NOW IN AN AWKWARD PLIGHT"]</center> - -<p>The whaler was now a hundred yards off, and the cutter lay between -her and the still submerged U-boat. Haynes had heard the double -report of the revolver shots, and was at a loss to account for -Webb's seemingly inexplicable act.</p> - -<p>"Come alongside as hard as you can!" shouted Webb; then addressing -the bowman of the cutter he ordered: "A couple of hitches with your -painter, man."</p> - -<p>The bowman acted promptly. In a few seconds the cutter had swung -round and was being urged at a steady rate through the water with her -painter made fast to the foremost of the damaged periscopes.</p> - -<p>Haynes, too, had now grasped the situation. The whaler, urged at the -greatest speed by the rowers, was quickly on the spot. Her painter -was then secured to the aftermost periscope.</p> - -<p>The two Subs were now keenly on the alert for further developments. -The point to consider was whether the U-boat would attempt to -continue to ascend, or make a frantic effort to submerge completely. -In the former case both boats would have to be trimmed by the head to -counteract the lifting power of the invisible submarine; in the -latter case all hands, with the exception of the bowman, would have -to crowd aft in order to impart the greatest buoyancy to the for'ard -portion of the boats.</p> - -<p>The submarine was now in an awkward plight. In spite of the fact that -her displacement was something in the neighbourhood of six hundred -tons she had little reserve of buoyancy, represented by the weight of -water in her ballast tanks. Against this she was hampered by the two -boats, the cutter weighing a little over a ton without her crew and -gear, and the whaler supplying a dead weight of nearly half that of -her consort.</p> - -<p>The U-boat dare not rise. To do so, even if she were capable of the -fact with the two "millstones" literally hanging round her neck, she -would be running an unknown risk, since she was unaware of the nature -of the obstruction. Nor could she dive with safety. Before she could -admit sufficient water ballast to make her heavy enough to swamp the -two boats, the strain would wrench the periscopes from the -submarine's hull. In spite of the intricate valves, the wrench -imparted to her mechanism would make it an impossibility to prevent -quantities of water entering the interior, and send the U-boat down -for good and all.</p> - -<p>"We've got her, old man!" explained Haynes joyously.</p> - -<p>"And she's got us, too," replied Webb. "Sort of marine game of beggar -my neighbour."</p> - -<p>Haynes was certainly right, and so was his brother officer. Until the -<i>Portchester Castle</i> arrived to render assistance the struggle looked -like being a dead heat, unless——</p> - -<p>Yes, Webb knew that there was an "unless"—a mighty unpleasant one. -There was a possibility that the U-boat's skipper would not -surrender. Rather he would explode the war-heads of the torpedoes -still within the hull, and send the submarine to instant destruction, -at the same time involving the annihilation of the two boats and -their crews.</p> - -<p>At all costs Webb determined to "stand fast", but it was with mingled -feelings of elation and apprehension that he regarded the shadowy -outlines of his "capture", as the enormous hull showed dimly at -twelve feet beneath the surface. Air bubbles broke upon the slightly -agitated waves as the U-boat strove either to "sound" or break away -and rise awash. At intervals her twin screws churned the water, -sometimes going ahead and sometimes astern, with the result that the -cutter and the whaler crashed gunwale to gunwale half a dozen times -in twice as many minutes. Only the skilful and strenuous endeavours -of their crews prevented the strongly-built sides from collapsing -like shattered egg-shells.</p> - -<p>All this while the <i>Portchester Castle</i> was bearing down upon the -boats. Captain M'Bride knew that something unusual was taking place. -The erratic movements of the two craft told him that, but he was at a -loss to understand the reason.</p> - -<p>"Cutter ahoy!" came a hail through a megaphone from the armed -merchantman's bridge.</p> - -<p>"What are you foul of?"</p> - -<p>One of the boat's crew, producing two handflags, dexterously balanced -himself upon one of the thwarts.</p> - -<p>"Hooked a submarine, sir," he reported.</p> - -<p>"How does she lie?" was the skipper's next question.</p> - -<p>"Bows away from you, sir; her stern's swinging on to your port bow."</p> - -<p>This knowledge was of importance, for, although the U-boat was blind, -it was just possible that her crew might discharge a torpedo on the -off chance of the missile getting home.</p> - -<p>"Stand by to cast off roundly," came the next order from the -<i>Portchester Castle</i>. "I'm going to ram her aft."</p> - -<p>"Now for it," thought Tom Webb. "If we're not in the ditch within the -next fifty seconds I'll be very much mistaken."</p> - -<p>The Sub had barely expressed himself thus, when with a quivering jerk -the U-boat shot above the surface, exposing the whole of the after -part of the conning-tower, although the fore part was still beneath -the surface. She was so down by the head that the blades of her stern -hydroplanes were visible. Realizing that it was touch-and-go, the -German skipper had released the emergency metal keel with which these -craft are equipped.</p> - -<p>Owing to their short painters, the cutter and the whaler were swung -in close alongside the rounded hull, their bows hoisted clear of the -water by the terrific strain upon their bow ropes.</p> - -<p>Several of their crews had been flung upon the bottom boards and -stern-sheets, while streams of water from the U-boat's deck -threatened to swamp the frail craft alongside.</p> - -<p>Instantly the after hatch of the submarine was flung open, and, -headed by a stout, fair-haired <i>leutnant</i>, the German crew armed with -revolvers began to pour through the narrow opening on to the U-boat's -decks.</p> - -<p>There was no indication on their part of a wish to surrender. It was -evidently going to be a hand-to-hand scrap 'twixt British and -Germans.</p> - -<p>The submarine's officer had taken in part of the situation at a -glance. Shouting to a couple of hands to cut the painters, he led the -rest of the men in a headlong rush towards the two boats, the Huns -opening a hot but erratic fire from their small-arms. Unfortunately -for him the <i>leutnant</i> had not noticed in his haste the <i>Portchester -Castle's</i> approach, until a warning shout from one of the Germans -revealed the immediate danger.</p> - -<p>The attack stopped immediately. Throwing down their revolvers the -Huns raised their hands above their heads, shouting "Mercy, kamerad!" -at the fullest pitch of their lungs, some directing their appeal -towards the British seamen in the boats, others towards the vengeful -merchant-cruiser.</p> - -<p>"Cast off!" shouted Webb. "Back, men, for all you're worth."</p> - -<p>Deftly the bowman of the cutter severed the painter. With a flop the -boat's bows slid down the bulging sides of the submarine, and, backed -by the vigorous efforts of half a dozen rowers, drew away from the -doomed pirate.</p> - -<p>No human effort on the part of Captain M'Bride could now avert the -work of destruction that the <i>Portchester Castle</i> had already -attempted. It was impossible to check the momentum of thousands of -tons of metal, moving at fifteen knots through the water; nor could a -change of helm be effected in time to allow the ship to glide -harmlessly astern. Hulling the U-boat's side at a distance of about -fifty feet from her stern, the <i>Portchester Castle's</i> sharp bows cut -completely through the doomed craft. The after part sank like a -stone; the major portion rolling over until the top of the -conning-tower dipped beneath the surface, floated for nearly thirty -seconds, emitting air, oil, and petrol, and disappeared from view.</p> - -<p>This much Tom Webb saw; then in front of his field of vision appeared -the towering hull of the armed merchantman as she tore past. Caught -between the vortex caused by the sunken U-boat and the sharp-crested -wave from her destroyer's bow, the cutter was completely overset, and -in the midst of a smother of foam the Sub found himself swimming for -dear life.</p> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<a name="chapter08"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER VIII</h3> - -<h4 align="center">"In the Ditch"</h4> - -<p><span class="smallcaps">It</span> was one of the rare occasions when Tom Webb could not carry out -the Scout's maxim, "Keep smiling"—at least outwardly. On being slung -out of the boat he had been temporarily winded by the edge of the -gunwale buffeting his ribs. He had sunk to a considerable depth, and -just before he regained the surface he had been compelled to swallow -a mouthful—not of honest sea water, but of some vile liquid of which -petrol and oil formed component parts. Fortunately the coating of oil -on the surface was not thick, otherwise his chance of reappearing -would have been very remote.</p> - -<p>"Here you are, sir; clap hold of this," exclaimed a deep voice close -to his ear, and a large grating was thrust into his grasp.</p> - -<p>Rubbing the water from his eyes with his disengaged hand, Webb saw -that his benefactor was the coxswain of the cutter. Half a dozen or -more men were swimming about, some supporting their less-gifted -comrades who were unable to swim.</p> - -<p>Owing to the presence of oil the turmoil of broken water had already -subsided. Ten yards away the cutter was floating lazily upon the long -swell, keel uppermost and with five or six men holding on, or else -somewhat foolishly attempting to clamber upon her upturned bilges. -Still farther away was the whaler, waterlogged and with only her bow -and stern-posts showing above the surface. Quite half a mile off, and -still carrying way in spite of having reversed her engines, was the -cause of the disaster to the boats.</p> - -<p>"Stick it, men," exclaimed Webb encouragingly. "They'll soon pick us -up."</p> - -<p>At which information, unnecessary since the <i>Portchester Castle's</i> -intention was obvious, the men gave a cheer. Most of them had been -"in the ditch" before, and in far more hazardous conditions. This -immersion in a warm sea and on a calm day was of the nature of an -aquatic picnic, while with the prospect of a speedy rescue none of -the men thought it worth while to sacrifice his boots.</p> - -<p>The Sub found himself counting the heads of the survivors. Thank God! -the number tallied with that of the complete boat's crew. In fact, he -was not sure but that there seemed to be more.</p> - -<p>"Any casualties?" he enquired of the coxswain, who was lazily -swimming close to his young officer.</p> - -<p>"Bill Evans, sir; stopped a bullet. Right shoulder, sir. They've got -him in tow alongside the cutter. Nothing more."</p> - -<p>The coxswain did not think it necessary to inform Webb that he -himself had a little memento of the brief scrap with the U-boat's -crew, in the shape of a wound just above the left knee. In the water -it was hardly noticeable.</p> - -<p>The whaler's people, too, seemed to be in the best of spirits. They -had closed in around the waterlogged craft, each man gripping the -partly submerged gunwale and lustily singing one of the latest -ditties, just to emphasize the fact that they were very far from -being down-hearted. With them were five or six survivors of the -U-boat. Enmity had disappeared, the whaler's men treating their -companions in misfortune with the utmost good humour.</p> - -<p>Presently Webb felt a hand clutch at his shoulder.</p> - -<p>"Here, come off it!" exclaimed the coxswain.</p> - -<p>"If you do want a leg-up, don't put your dirty paws on our officer."</p> - -<p>The Sub turned his head. Behind him was a German seaman, obviously -distressed and in difficulties. He had been holding on to an oar, but -the buoyancy of the wood was insufficient to keep his head above the -surface.</p> - -<p>"Can you swim?" asked Webb.</p> - -<p>"Nein," spluttered the Hun. "Me vos no swim——"</p> - -<p>"Then hang on to this," continued the Sub, pushing the broad end of -the grating within reach of the German. The fellow seized it without -a word of thanks.</p> - -<p>"Most amiable-looking blighter," commented Webb, regarding the heavy, -sullen features of the submariner. "Wonder if you were one of the -crowd that jeered at the crew of that torpedoed Italian liner the -other day? Shouldn't be at all surprised, but I suppose I must not -ask awkward questions. Hallo, what's wrong now?"</p> - -<p>A yell of rage attracted the young officer's attention. One of the -Germans, either rendered temporarily insane by the fate of the -U-boat, or else filled to overflowing with the gospel of "Gott strafe -England", had made a sudden and furious attack upon one of the -whaler's crew, who a minute or so previously had generously made room -for the half-drowned Hun.</p> - -<p>The latter, having regained his breath, had drawn a knife and had -made several ineffectual attempts to sheathe the blade in the British -seaman's body.</p> - -<p>Jack Tar was quite equal to the occasion, although interrupted in the -midst of "spinning a yarn" with his chum. Evading a sweep with the -knife he gripped the German's arm, and drawing up his legs threw them -over the shoulders of his assailant. Then, literally sitting on the -Hun, he held him under water until he had swallowed a quart of -petrol-tainted fluid and was reduced to a state of insensibility. -This done, he allowed his assailant's head to appear above the -surface, and supported him until the arrival of the <i>Portchester -Castle's</i> boats.</p> - -<p>"Why didn't you 'out' him while you were about it, mate?" enquired -the man's "raggie".</p> - -<p>"No bloomin' fear," was the reply of the magnanimous bluejacket. -Then, anxious to excuse himself, he added: "Drownin's too good for -that brute. Well, I was a-tellin' you about that there bloke wot -sneaked Bill's plug o' bacca. You see it wur like this——"</p> - -<p>And as if the incident of the murderous Hun had never occurred, the -sailor resumed his yarn.</p> - -<p>Five minutes later the saturated but undaunted crews of the capsized -boats were safe and sound on board. Nine members of the U-boat's -complement were sent below after having been provided with dry -clothing by their good-natured foes. The cutter and the whaler were -recovered and hoisted inboard, having sustained very little damage. -Then, having made their report and been complimented on their work, -Webb and Haynes went below to change their soaked uniforms. The -<i>Portchester Castle</i>, this part of her mission successfully -accomplished, put about and retraced her course to Gibraltar.</p> - -<p>Here the prisoners were to be sent ashore until an opportunity -occurred to put them on board a vessel bound for England, there to -swell the total of ever-increasing numbers of Hun pirates living in a -state of comparative ease in a hostile country, while thousands of -Britons, who had fought cleanly for King and Country, were -languishing, half-starved and in rags, in the hideous prison-camps of -Germany.</p> - -<p>"Hallo, there's a fellow who evidently wants to pow-wow with you, -Tom," said Osborne, as the two officers stood at the head of the -gangway, watching the U-boat's survivors being marched ashore.</p> - -<p>The German whom Osborne had indicated had stepped forward and was -signing vigorously to Webb. Then, to the Sub's surprise, the man -produced a small packet and held it out.</p> - -<p>"Tanks!" he exclaimed. "For you—many tanks."</p> - -<p>Then it was that Webb recognized the man whose life he had been -instrumental in saving. The Hun had some sense of gratitude after -all, he reflected, as he took the proffered packet.</p> - -<p>But before Webb could examine its contents a loud yell distracted his -attention from the Hun's gift. The last of the prisoners to leave the -ship was the fellow who had attempted to knife one of the whaler's -crew. With a show of bravado and out of sheer cruelty, he had -deliberately kicked Laddie in the ribs as he passed towards the -gangway.</p> - -<p>The Hun had one of the shocks of his life. He had underestimated the -spirit of an Old English sheep-dog.</p> - -<p>Although the kick was a heavy one, Laddie never uttered a sound. Like -an arrow from a bow the dog flew straight at the leg that was wearing -the offending boot.</p> - -<p>Laddie bit hard—so hard that Osborne afterwards declared that he -could hear the dog's teeth grinding upon the aggressor's shin-bone. -Yelling frantically with pain and terror the German strove to shake -off the animal, but, retaining a vice-like hold, Laddie hung on, and -finally threw the fellow on deck. As for his comrades, they ran -panic-stricken down the brow and across the Mole in spite of the -efforts of the guards to keep them under control. Nor did the British -bluejackets attempt to interfere. There was no knowing what the angry -animal might or might not do, and since the Hun brought the -punishment upon himself there was no great anxiety on the part of the -crew to intervene.</p> - -<p>"That's enough, I think, Mr. Osborne," said Captain M'Bride quietly.</p> - -<p>The Lieutenant had his doubts as to whether his pet would, in his -fury, listen to his master's voice.</p> - -<p>"Come here, Laddie," he ordered sternly.</p> - -<p>The dog obeyed instantly, and releasing his grip trotted over to -Osborne's feet. Not possessing the luxury of a tail, Laddie wagged -the whole of his hind quarters as much as to say: "Now, who says a -dog cannot do his bit for his country?"</p> - -<p>Limping painfully the brutal German was assisted down the gangway. He -had had his lesson.</p> - -<p>"What did that Hun give you?" asked Osborne some minutes later.</p> - -<p>"I'd forgotten all about it," said Webb, producing the packet from -his pocket. "Laddie's little dust-up put all thought of it out of my -head. It is from a fellow to whom I gave a hand when we were 'in the -ditch'. He didn't seem particularly grateful then, but I suppose he -was a bit done up. Hallo, what's this?"</p> - -<p>He held up an Iron Cross.</p> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<a name="chapter09"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER IX</h3> - -<h4 align="center">A Midnight Expedition</h4> - -<p><span class="smallcaps">"Heigh-ho!</span> So we are up against Johnny Turk at last," exclaimed Jack -Osborne. "And a jolly clean fighter too. A foeman one can admire."</p> - -<p>"And treat with all proper respect," added Sub-lieutenant Haynes. "I -remember how in the earlier part of the war people at home used to -sneer at the lying Turkish <i>communiqués</i>, but, by Jove, they were -mighty close on the bull's-eye."</p> - -<p>"Of course I haven't had any experience of Turkish ways," remarked -Webb, "but I know something of the dirty tricks of the Huns in the -North Sea and elsewhere. I used to be under the impression that the -Turks were an effete, lying nation, only permitted to retain a small -slice of Europe by the mutual consent of the Great Powers. See how -the Bulgarians and Serbs made them run only a few years ago. And now -they're putting up one of the toughest fights that ever figured in -history."</p> - -<p>A fortnight had elapsed since the <i>Portchester Castle</i> had left Gib. -for the second time. She was now cruising on outer patrol duty in the -AEgean Sea, her station being on the eastern or Asiatic shore of that -island-studded expanse of water.</p> - -<p>"I suppose the Germans stiffen the Turks a bit," said Osborne. "For -one thing, the presence of Hun U-boats in these waters has hampered -our movements. I wonder what sort of a job ours will be to-night?"</p> - -<p>The "job" to which the Lieutenant referred was the destruction of a -hitherto carefully concealed petrol depot on the shores of Asia -Minor, somewhere in the neighbourhood of Smyrna. It was from a Greek -member of a Turkish coasting vessel, captured a few hours previously, -that the information had been obtained of the precise position of the -depot; and, in spite of the fact that it is almost impossible to -trust a Greek, Captain M'Bride determined to put the information to -the test. For one thing he held the informer as a hostage, much to -the latter's undisguised alarm.</p> - -<p>The discovery and destruction of these secret lairs of German -<i>unterseebooten</i> in the Mediterranean was proceeding systematically, -yet there remained a lot of work in that direction. Once the hostile -submarines were deprived of the means of replenishing their stores of -fuel, the menace to the merchant shipping of the Allies in these -waters would cease to exist, and once more the Suez Canal could be -fully utilized as an artery of commerce. Hitherto the depredations of -modern pirates had succeeded in diverting a considerable portion of -Far East shipping round the Cape of Good Hope, thus increasing the -cost of freightage and the length of a voyage.</p> - -<p>A messenger pattered along the deck and, approaching the three -officers, smartly saluted.</p> - -<p>"Cap'n's compliments, sir," he said, addressing Lieutenant Osborne. -"He wants to see commanding officers of boats in his cabin."</p> - -<p>"Now to business," exclaimed Osborne gleefully as, accompanied by -Webb and Haynes, he made his way aft. They found Captain M'Bride -leaning over the table, his head supported by his hands, and his -elbows planted upon a large-scale map.</p> - -<p>"Good evening, gentlemen!" was his cheery greeting. "We may as well -go into final details of this little business. You, Mr. Osborne, will -be in charge of the boats. I am sending the steam cutter, the pulling -cutter, and the whaler. Now, here is your objective—Akhissareli. -According to this chart, there are four fathoms to within fifty yards -of the shore so long as you give that ledge of rocks a wide berth. -There is a sandy bottom, so you ought to have no difficulty in -getting ashore. My experience is that one usually finds soft mud in -the inlets in these parts, but this gives emphatic information to the -contrary. We'll take the ship in to within ten miles of the shore. -The steam cutter can then tow the other boats to save the men a long -and arduous pull. Use your discretion, Mr. Osborne, when to cast off -the tow, but for goodness' sake don't let the Turks have an inkling -of your approach. See that the leading stoker does not let even a -solitary spark escape through the funnels. By the Greek's account -there'll be a guard of fifteen men, so everything depends upon a -complete surprise. I'll leave you to make your own arrangements, but -at six bells I'll close with the shore and keep a bright look-out for -your signals, so as to pick you up without delay. The Admiral is -sending a couple of destroyers to keep an eye on the <i>Portchester -Castle</i>, so we ought to be fairly safe from submarine attack. Now, -Mr. Osborne, suppose you discuss your plans with your two -subordinates, and if I have any criticism to make I'll do so."</p> - -<p>As a matter of fact the skipper listened in silence while Osborne -discussed the operations with the two sub-lieutenants. He had a high -opinion of the young officer's sound judgment, and, listening, had no -cause to alter his opinion.</p> - -<p>"By the by," remarked Captain M'Bride when the council of war was -about to break up, "I suppose you'll see that that pet of yours is -left behind? Not that I have any complaint to make against him. He's -turned up trumps more than once; but I think it advisable to mention -the matter."</p> - -<p>"Of course, sir," replied Osborne. "Laddie was hanging round the -cook's galley, so he won't know that we're going."</p> - -<p>But Osborne was mistaken. The dog instinctively knew that something -was about to transpire. Possibly when the leading stoker of the steam -cutter, who was one of the animal's special pets, proceeded to raise -steam, Laddie spotted a chance of a run ashore.</p> - -<p>So while in the darkness—for night had fallen—the landing party -mustered for inspection, the dog slipped quietly up the ladder to the -cutter on the booms, and concealed himself under one of the seats in -the cabin.</p> - -<p>By the feeble glimmer of a hand lantern borne by one of the -quartermasters, Lieutenant Osborne made a critical inspection of the -men's arms and equipment. Then, the landing party having been -reported all correct, they were briefly addressed by the Captain, -who, having explained the nature of the operations, bade them good -luck and a safe return.</p> - -<p>The men having embarked, the steam cutter took the two boats in tow -and steered solely on a compass course shaped in the direction of the -invisible Akhissareli. An hour later, for progress was slow, the loom -of the land became visible, while shortly afterwards the rugged -outlines of the mountains could be discerned silhouetted against the -starlit sky.</p> - -<p>"Stop her," ordered Osborne.</p> - -<p>Still carrying way the two pulling boats ran close alongside, while -their crews silently dropped the heavy ash oars into the muffled -rowlocks. For the time being the steamboat was to "stand by", ready -to proceed to the assistance of her consorts, should aid be -necessary. It was upon the cutter and the whaler that the brunt of -the operations was to fall.</p> - -<p>Armed with a pair of powerful night-glasses Osborne took up his post -on the cabin top and swept the distant shore. Everything appeared to -be quiet. Not a sound was to be heard save the distant roar of the -surf on a ledge of rocks well to windward of the inlet. Not a light -was visible on shore. The place seemed as deserted as the polar -regions.</p> - -<p>"Sir," whispered a petty officer; "here's this dog of yours."</p> - -<p>"How came he on board?" asked Osborne sternly.</p> - -<p>"Dunno, sir; he's just come out of the cabin."</p> - -<p>Osborne realized that he was on the horns of a dilemma. Unwittingly -he had disobeyed an indirect order from his skipper, since he was -responsible for the dog. Should Laddie bark or make a sound the -success of the enterprise would be jeopardized. Briefly, the -situation was this: everything depended upon the animal's behaviour. -In one scale of the balance were the lives and liberties of, perhaps, -fifty men; in the other the life of a dog.</p> - -<p>Quickly the Lieutenant decided how to act.</p> - -<p>"Now, Laddie," he said earnestly, "lie down and don't make a sound -until I give you permission. Be a good dog."</p> - -<p>Then addressing one of the steamboat's crew he continued: "Get a -marline-spike from the tool-chest, Walters; that's right. Now listen. -I want you to stand by Laddie. Keep one hand in his collar. At the -first sign he makes of barking, hit him as hard as you can over the -head. You understand?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir," replied the man. He was a trustworthy and thoroughly -steady-nerved bluejacket, who would not be likely to become "jumpy". -Laddie's life, then, was safe in his charge, provided Osborne's pet -obeyed his master's instructions.</p> - -<p>The Lieutenant resumed his watch. By this time both pulling boats -were out of sight, swallowed up in the intense darkness. At intervals -he glanced at the luminous dial of his watch. The minutes seemed to -drag with a persistency hitherto unknown. Surely the two boats were -by this time close to their objective?</p> - -<p>Suddenly a flash of reddish light stabbed the darkness, then a galaxy -of others—a regular blaze of rifle fires. As the report of the first -shot reached the Lieutenant's ears, Osborne leant over the edge of -the cabin top.</p> - -<p>"You can put that marline-spike down, Walters," he said quietly. -Then, leaping into the stern-sheets and snatching up the voice-tube, -he gave the order "Full speed ahead".</p> - -<p>Even as the steamboat gathered way, half a dozen search-lights were -unmasked ashore. Two of the giant beams swung seawards, the rest -being directed upon the enclosed water of the creek. At the same time -the rattle of musketry was augmented by the deeper bark of -quick-firers and the ominous tap-tap-tap of machine-guns.</p> - -<p>Instinctively Osborne realized that, far from being a surprise, the -landing expedition had been properly ambushed. Treachery had been at -work. The Greek who, fortunately, was still detained on board the -<i>Portchester Castle</i> had deliberately misled the British. Instead of -the operations being directed against a secret petrol depot, the -boats found themselves up against a powerful and well-organized -system of shore batteries and a strong force of troops to oppose -their landing.</p> - -<p>Clearly Osborne knew his duty. At all costs the steamboat must dash -in and rescue her consorts or perish in the attempt.</p> - -<p>Suddenly one of the seaward-directed searchlights swung rapidly past -the steam cutter and, hesitating, played fairly upon the hull of a -large torpedo-boat that was making at full speed in the direction of -Akhissareli.</p> - -<p>For a brief instant Osborne hesitated. He knew that British -destroyers were in the vicinity, and possibly this was one tearing to -the assistance of the <i>Portchester Castle's</i> boats. He dare not make -a private signal lest the shore batteries should spot the steamboat's -presence. On the other hand, there were two factors that tended to -upset the friendly destroyer theory. The Turks ashore had made no -attempt to fire upon the approaching craft; her outlines, as shown up -by the search-lights, were unfamiliar. As she drew nearer, Osborne -knew conclusively that it was a Turkish torpedo-boat, no doubt -attempting to run the gauntlet of the Allied fleets.</p> - -<p>"Let her have it," shouted Osborne, at the same time ordering the -helm to be ported ten degrees, in order to bring the steamboat on a -slightly converging course with that of the Ottoman torpedo craft, -which, by reason of superior speed, was rapidly overtaking the -British boat.</p> - -<p>The gun-layer of the quick-firer obeyed instantly. With a lurid -flash, accompanied by an ear-splitting detonation, the first shell -sped on its errand of destruction. Well and truly laid was the gun, -for the projectile, striking the lightly armoured conning-tower of -the torpedo-boat, literally pulverized it. Five seconds later a -second shell, hitting the Turkish craft just abaft the second funnel, -played havoc in the engine-room. Columns of steam, gleaming like -tarnished silver in the glare of the search-light, poured through the -shattered deck, as, listing heavily, the torpedo-boat circled to -starboard. Feebly she replied to the steamboat's fire. Momentarily -she lost way, for the lucky shot had crippled her engines; while the -survivors of her crew on deck, imagining that she was about to -founder, or else panic-stricken by the destruction wrought by the -shell, threw themselves overboard and began to swim for the shore.</p> - -<p>That particular piece of work accomplished—the action had lasted -less than a minute—Osborne again steadied the steam cutter on her -course to the rescue of the trapped landing party.</p> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<a name="chapter10"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER X</h3> - -<h4 align="center">How the Landing Party Fared</h4> - -<p><span class="smallcaps">It</span> will now be necessary to set back the hands of the clock, and -follow the adventures of Sub-lieutenants Webb and Haynes from the -time when the cutter and the whaler parted company with the -steamboat.</p> - -<p>Tom Webb, being now the senior officer, led the way, steering a -compass course, and having to make due allowances for the southerly -current from the distant Dardanelles. Only the ripple of the water -from the boat's bows, the laboured breathing of the oarsmen, and the -creak of the stretchers broke the silence of the night. The muffled -oars were admirably handled, not a plash being audible as the blades -rose cleanly from the phosphorescent water. The superb pulling of -those Royal Naval Reserve men would have evoked praise from the most -critical naval officer.</p> - -<p>Gradually the shore loomed up nearer and nearer. Progress was slow -but sure, for Webb had taken the precaution to reserve the rowers' -strength for the final lap. On the port hand the land rose abruptly. -To starboard a ledge of jagged rocks stretched seaward; while dead -ahead lay a comparatively broad expanse of land-locked water, its -extent rendered baffling by the deep reflection cast by the high -ground upon the placid surface.</p> - -<p>Keeping midway between the entrance points Webb steered straight in. -The petrol depot was supposed to be on the port-hand side, on gently -shelving ground hidden from seaward by a line of low cliffs.</p> - -<p>Webb would not have been surprised if, on rounding the entrance, -there were signs of activity on shore. A couple of submarines, -perhaps, anchored in the seclusion of the creek, and in the act of -taking in quantities of fuel. But all was quiet. Not a sound came -from the shadowy land; not a light was visible.</p> - -<p>The cutter was in the act of turning to port, when from the high -ground at the entrance to the creek a rifle-shot rang out, and a -bullet whizzed within fifty feet of the boat's bows. There was no -mistaking the shot. It was not a chance bullet, but a purposely-made -signal.</p> - -<p>"Give way, lads!" exclaimed the Sub, all necessity for silence now at -an end. Haynes, too, gave the word for his men to pull their hardest, -and now, almost neck and neck, the two boats literally tore through -the water, greeted by a veritable fusillade from the heights on the -left and from the shelving ground ahead.</p> - -<p>A stifled cry of pain told Webb that one of the boat's crew had -stopped a piece of nickel; but, setting his teeth grimly, the wounded -man, despite a bullet wound completely through the left arm, stuck -gamely to his oar.</p> - -<p>"By Jove!" muttered the young officer as the blinding glare of the -first of the unmasked search-lights played fairly upon his eyes, -"we're trapped."</p> - -<p>Then other rays darted across the surface of the creek, transforming -the darkness of the night into a state of brilliance almost -approaching that of daylight. A seven-pounder shell, hurtling -overhead, exploded a hundred yards astern of the whaler, while, all -around the two boats, the water was churned into a series of -miniature waterspouts by a hail of bullets.</p> - -<p>The British craft did not come off unscathed. Splinters from the ash -oars and from the gunwales flew in all directions. Already writhing -figures were huddled upon the cutter's bottom-boards, while stifled -groans from the whaler told the unpleasant fact that some of her crew -had been hit.</p> - -<p>"Pull starboard, back port!" ordered Webb. With the opening fire of -the Turkish light guns he knew that it would be worse than useless to -attempt to carry out the operations. It would only be needlessly -sacrificing the lives of the men without the faintest chance of -success. All that could be done was to withdraw from the veritable -death-trap, if such a course were possible.</p> - -<p>The Turks were now using machine-guns, but luckily their aim was bad, -for the scythe-like hail of bullets passed harmlessly over the boats. -Had the weapons been depressed a mere fraction of an inch, the -British would have been wiped out to a man.</p> - -<p>Quickly the whaler followed the cutter's example, turning and making -for the open sea.</p> - -<p>By this time the roar of the hostile fire was deafening. Had the -search-lights not been running, the flashes of the guns and of the -continuous musketry were sufficient to turn the hitherto pitch -darkness into a lurid glare. Showing up clearly against the high -ground on the opposite side of the creek, the boats presented an easy -target. By all the laws and theories of modern warfare they should -have been blown clear out of the water; instead, they seemed to be -shielded by a special providence.</p> - -<p>As the boats withdrew and the range of the hostile fire increased, -the Turks began to aim with better results. The coxswain of Webb's -boat, shot through the head, was lying across the backboard of the -stern-sheets. The bowman, hit by a flying fragment of shell, had -dropped inertly over the thwart. Others of the crew had sustained -more or less serious wounds, until only six men were left to use the -oars.</p> - -<p>Nor did the whaler fare better. Four dead men lay upon the -bottom-boards, seven badly wounded were striving to make light of -their terrible injuries. Even when face to face with death the -gallant British seamen "stuck it", with grim smiles on their faces -and light-hearted jests on their lips. Several of the oars had been -splintered; there were half a dozen bullet holes through the planks -'twixt wind and water, to say nothing of numerous perforations in the -top-strakes of the gunwales. Yet the whaler still kept afloat, thanks -to the determination and resource of her crew, who stuffed strips -torn from their scarves into the shot holes and plied balers -vigorously, despite the galling fire to which they were unable to -reply.</p> - -<p>In vain Webb looked for the steam cutter; but while scanning the -entrance to the creek he saw something that called for instant -action—something that in a measure accounted for the fact that the -boats had not been destroyed. The Turkish quick-firers and most of -the small arms were directing a fairly concentrated storm of shot and -shell across the entrance, thus creating an almost impassable -barrage. Clearly the Sub saw the object of these tactics: the enemy -were trying to force the two boats into surrendering, rather than -blow them out of the water.</p> - -<p>Webb found himself asking the question "For why?" He could give no -satisfactory reply. He was in a very tight corner; but he had been in -similar predicaments before, and his resource and courage had brought -him through. Why not now?</p> - -<p>"By Jove!" he muttered; "if we can get in close to the shore those -cliffs will shelter us. They don't seem to have posted any troops -there, and certainly there are no quick-firers."</p> - -<p>Acting promptly he altered helm. The rowers, finding their boat -heading towards the shore, regarded their young officer with evident -concern, until they saw the cool resolute look upon the Sub's face. -Then they knew that he had something in view that might extricate -them from the deadly trap.</p> - -<p>The whaler, too, followed suit, and, before the Turks realized the -fact, both boats were sheltered from the hostile fire.</p> - -<p>The Sub now steered the cutter parallel with the line of low cliffs -and at a distance of about three boats' lengths from their base. At -intervals the two craft had to edge outwards in order to avoid the -jagged reefs that jutted out from the precipitous cliffs; yet -progressing slowly, for the men at the oars were either wounded or -well-nigh exhausted, the cutter, followed by the whaler, crept -towards the open sea. And still no sign of the steamboat that was -supposed to be standing by to cover their movements.</p> - -<p>Suddenly Webb spotted something ahead that filled him with vague -apprehension. He stood upright in order to verify his suspicions. -There was no mistake: stretched right across the narrowest part of -the entrance was a formidable barrier composed of wire hawsers -supported on floating iron-spiked balks of timber.</p> - -<p>The obstruction had not been there when the boats entered the -land-locked estuary. It was a device planned under the supervision of -German officers, and was simple in its design and operation. The -balks had been bunched together close on shore. From the outermost -one a flexible steel hawser crossed the entrance and was secured to a -powerful capstan on the opposite bank. With no strain upon it the -hawser lay on the bottom of the creek, and the navigable channel was -clear. Directly the cutter and the whaler had passed over the hawser -a strain was taken on it, with the result that the balks of timber -were hauled into position, forming a "boom" too strong to be severed -by the "way" of a rowing boat, too buoyant to be pushed under water -to allow a craft to pass above, and with too great a strain on the -connecting hawser to permit a boat to force her way underneath. It -was like being in a bottle with the neck tightly corked.</p> - -<p>"What do you make of it?" shouted Tom to the Sub in charge of the -whaler.</p> - -<p>"A tough job," replied Haynes. "D'you think that there's a live wire -attached to that contraption?"</p> - -<p>"I'll soon find out, old son," rejoined Webb. There was no time to be -lost, for the Turks, realizing that the boats were temporarily -sheltered, would almost certainly rush a couple of machine-guns to -the summit of the cliff. At close range, for the boats were now -within twenty yards of the shore, the British landing party would be -at the mercy of the enemy.</p> - -<p>Snatching up an india-rubber mat that lay in the stern-sheets Webb -made his way for'ard, over the thwarts and the pack of wounded men. -Then, clambering on the nearest balk of timber, he threw the -insulated material over one of the wires and forced it against the -next cable. Nothing resulted. That pair, at all events, did not -convey any powerful and death-dealing current of electricity.</p> - -<p>"A couple of hands for'ard," ordered the Sub. "Bring a hammer and -chisel from the boat's bag and start cutting through this wire gear."</p> - -<p>Volunteers were quickly forthcoming—two seamen who had been but -slightly wounded. While they were tackling the task, knee-deep in -water owing to the timber sinking under their weight, Webb tested the -remaining wire ropes. To his intense satisfaction they were -comparatively harmless; but the fact remained that there were six -2-inch flexible wires to be cut through before the boats could gain -the open sea.</p> - -<p>Desperately the two seamen attacked the stubborn wire with cold -chisel and hammer. It was a slow business, for the steel was -extremely tough, while the lack of anything in the nature of an anvil -caused much of the force of the hammer to be wasted.</p> - -<p>"One nearly through, sir," reported the seaman with the chisel. His -hands were streaming with blood, owing to lacerations made by the -severed strands, each of which was as tough and as sharp as a -sailmaker's needle. "Wish we had a hacksaw," he added.</p> - -<p>"No good wishing for something we haven't got," said Webb. "We'll do -it all in good time. Let me give you a spell."</p> - -<p>But before the Sub could make his way along the partly submerged -timber Haynes exclaimed:</p> - -<p>"Stand by; here they come!"</p> - -<p>Webb listened intently. He could distinguish the thud of many feet, -and the high-pitched sort of cheer that Turkish infantry frequently -give vent to when advancing at the double.</p> - -<p>"Back with you!" he ordered, addressing the two seamen on the balk. -"Stand to your arms, men!"</p> - -<p>The Sub had made up his mind. It must be a fight to the death. There -could be no surrender. Yet it was a forlorn hope. At the utmost, only -a dozen rifles would be able to reply to the renewed attack.</p> - -<p>Another and totally different sound wafted across the sea, at first -so faintly that Webb was afraid to trust the evidence of his own -senses. The sound increased in volume. Now it was unmistakable—the -chug-chug of the steam cutter's engines.</p> - -<p>Snatching up a Very's pistol and inserting a cartridge, Webb fired -into the air. The green light from the signal-cartridge threw a -sickly glare upon the scene, hitherto shrouded in intense darkness; -for, although the greater portion of the creek was one blaze of -search-lights, the darkness under the cliffs was almost impenetrable.</p> - -<p>Well it was that Webb had fired the signal, for the steamboat was -heading for the centre of the creek. Instantly the boat altered helm -and tore down upon the two trapped craft. She was charging at full -speed against the formidable boom. "Steamboat ahoy!" shouted Webb at -the full force of his lungs. "Slow down; there's an obstruction ahead -of you."</p> - -<p>The warning was unheeded. Either Osborne had failed to hear his -chum's voice, or else he had made up his mind to charge the boom, in -the hope that the steamboat's sharp bow would shear through the -danger.</p> - -<p>The outermost wire of the boom parted like packthread under the -terrific impact of ten tons of deadweight, travelling at fifteen -knots. By good luck the boat had struck the boom immediately between -two of the balks of timber, otherwise her planks would have been -ripped like paper by the formidable steel spikes.</p> - -<p>The second wire sagged but held. A whole section of the boom swayed, -the side nearest the cutter slipping under the water, while the other -side reared five or six feet in the air, narrowly missing the bows of -the whaler in its descent.</p> - -<p>For quite twenty yards the steamboat was forced astern by the rebound -of the hawser; then, just as she was forging ahead once more, Osborne -ordered the engines to be stopped. Very docilely the boat ran -alongside the insurmountable barrier.</p> - -<p>"All aboard here—all hands!" ordered Osborne, addressing the -survivors of the cutter and the whaler.</p> - -<p>The bow gun of the steamboat was spitting venomously at parties of -Turks who had now appeared upon the top of the cliffs. Distinctly -silhouetted against the glow of the search-lights they made an -excellent target, while the boats, lying close alongside the steeply -rising ground, were practically invisible, save for the flashes of -the steamboat's gun.</p> - -<p>Assisted by their slightly wounded comrades, the disabled seamen were -helped along the swaying timber and received on board the steam -cutter. Webb and Haynes were the last to leave. The latter had come -off lightly, having sustained nothing more than a graze across the -forehead.</p> - -<p>"Bear a hand, old man!" exclaimed Webb, after a vain attempt to -scramble upon the boat's side.</p> - -<p>"Hit?" enquired Haynes laconically.</p> - -<p>"Don't know. Fancy I must be," replied the Sub dully.</p> - -<p>Had not Haynes grasped his comrade by the shoulders Webb would have -dropped inertly from the balk of timber into the sea. Everything was -turning a dazzling white before his eyes. His nerveless hands were -holding on to the top-strake of the cutter, yet he was unconscious of -the fact.</p> - -<p>"Buck up!" exclaimed Haynes encouragingly. "Now, up she comes!"</p> - -<p>With a determined effort the Sub of the whaler heaved his chum upon -the cutter's waterways.</p> - -<p>"Where are you hit, old man?" he asked, but the question was -unanswered. Sub-lieutenant Tom Webb was unconscious.</p> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<a name="chapter11"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XI</h3> - -<h4 align="center">Osborne's Capture</h4> - -<p><span class="smallcaps">With</span> assistance Dicky Haynes contrived to carry his brother Sub to -the diminutive cabin, where three badly wounded men had already been -placed in comparative shelter. More for his chum, Dicky Haynes was -unable to do for the present. His duty required him to be on deck to -assist the already hard-worked Osborne.</p> - -<p>The bow gun was still firing. Not that any of the enemy were visible, -but merely to let them know that sections of the cliffs in the -vicinity of the steamboat were decidedly "unhealthy". The Turkish -infantry had suffered fairly heavily when they appeared above the -crest, and the renewed fire from the steam cutter was sufficient to -keep them at a discreet distance.</p> - -<p>"Easy astern!" ordered the Lieutenant. "One of you nip below and see -if she's strained."</p> - -<p>A seaman disappeared down the hatchway of the fore-cabin, quickly -reappearing with the disconcerting news that there was water on the -floorboards.</p> - -<p>"A couple of hands to try and locate the leak," continued Osborne. -Then grasping the flexible voice-tube he gave the leading stoker -instructions to couple up the steam bilge-pump.</p> - -<p>Having drawn clear of the boom, and left the pulling cutter and the -whaler to their fate, the steamboat forged ahead, and put a safe -distance betwixt her and the trap that had all but proved fatal to -the unfortunate landing party.</p> - -<p>The result of running ahead was to increase the rush of water through -the holed plank, which, located close to the bulkhead at the fore-end -of the stokehold, was awkward to get at. Moreover, a hole in a -diagonal-planked craft is specially difficult to repair, even in a -temporary fashion. In spite of the action of the powerful pumps the -water was gaining, although the transverse bulkhead kept the -engine-room from being flooded. Yet the danger of the boat foundering -had to be faced.</p> - -<p>With fire-tinged smoke pouring from her funnels the cutter continued -her retreat. As long as she kept on a certain bearing, she was masked -by the cliffs from the search-light and the direct fire of the -Turkish quick-firers yet Osborne knew that by so doing he was running -a risk of piling the little craft upon one of the numerous ledges of -rock that jutted out from the shore.</p> - -<p>"Vessel dead ahead, sir," reported the look-out man.</p> - -<p>A couple of hundred yards away and right athwart the steamboat's -course was a long, low-lying craft, apparently hove-to. She showed no -lights, nor had she attempted to hail the approaching British boat. -To pass her to starboard meant almost certain disaster upon the -rocks; to alter helm to pass her to port would result in the -steamboat entering the field of the search-lights, and consequently -make her an easy target for the hostile guns.</p> - -<p>"Stand by, there!" exclaimed Osborne. "Let her have it directly I -give the word. Steady on your helm, coxswain. Keep her at that."</p> - -<p>For a few seconds Lieutenant Osborne kept his glasses focused on the -mysterious craft. Was she a Turkish patrol-boat intent upon cutting -off the steam cutter's retreat, or one of the British motor craft -sent to assist the landing party?</p> - -<p>Suddenly the Lieutenant gave a chuckle of delight.</p> - -<p>"It's our old friend the Turkish torpedo-boat," he remarked to -Haynes. "We gave her what-ho! on our way to pick you up. Her crew -jumped overboard and swam for it."</p> - -<p>One thing still puzzled him. The torpedo-boat, when abandoned by her -panic-stricken crew, was a couple of miles farther to the south-west. -Now, although apparently without way, she had almost grounded on the -north-eastern shore of the extensive bay.</p> - -<p>"Can't be the current," mused Osborne. "That sets southerly from the -Dardanelles. Perhaps it's a counter-current, though."</p> - -<p>The latter theory was correct. A strong run of water, deflected from -the opposite side of the bay, had set the derelict in a totally -different direction from the one Osborne had imagined.</p> - -<p>"We'll have her, old man," he exclaimed to Haynes. "It will be -something to make up for the rotten business. Stand by, bowmen. Out -fenders!"</p> - -<p>With hardly the faintest bump, for there was no sea on, the steam -cutter was brought alongside the abandoned Turkish craft. Although -badly damaged about the upper works and hulled several times above -the water-line, the latter was still "as tight as a bottle". A couple -of hands were placed on board to take the helm, and the cutter, -lashed alongside fore and aft, began to gather way. Gradually speed -worked up to five knots, as the little captor and her comparatively -large prize drew away from the dangerous shore.</p> - -<p>Osborne realized that he was not yet "out of the wood". Ahead was a -stretch of brilliantly illuminated water, where the search-lights, -playing above and over the cliffs, were able to throw direct rays -upon the sea. Yet, as the steamboat and her prize entered the light, -the Turks refrained from reopening fire. They had spotted the -captured torpedo-boat; the steam cutter lashed alongside was hidden -from their view by the greater bulk of her capture. They recognized -the former as a unit of the Ottoman Navy. She was known to be -attempting a run from the Dardanelles to Smyrna; and yet there could -only be one reason why she should be proceeding in a westerly -direction.</p> - -<p>When at length the Turks realized that the torpedo-boat was a prize, -they brought every available gun to bear upon her. For several -minutes the water all around was churned into columns of foam. -Several fragments of shell struck the prize. The steamboat, snugly -sheltered under her lee, escaped without further damage. Foiled in -their endeavour, the enemy reluctantly ceased fire.</p> - -<p>As soon as they were out of range the boat's crew were able to devote -themselves to their wounded comrades. For the first time that night a -lamp was lighted in the after-cabin.</p> - -<p>Tom Webb had recovered consciousness when, having left Haynes in -charge, Lieutenant Osborne went below to see how his brother officer -and close companion fared.</p> - -<p>The Sub's injuries consisted of a painful, though not dangerous, -flesh wound in the muscles of the right leg—a nasty laceration -caused by one of the sharp spikes of the boom. Webb, in his desperate -work, had not noticed the wound until he had attempted to climb over -the side of the steamboat. In addition he had a contused wound on the -top of his head, although he had no idea of how or when the injury -was received.</p> - -<p>"I always was noted for my thick skull, Osborne," he remarked, with a -rather sorry endeavour to follow out the Scout's maxim of "Keep -smiling". "But I'm sorry for what has happened."</p> - -<p>"It wasn't your fault, or anyone's, as far as I can make out," said -the Lieutenant. "We were had properly. These things are bound to -occur in war-time. It's lucky it's no worse."</p> - -<p>"Rather humiliating, though," continued Webb. "Getting in a proper -rat-trap without the chance of firing a shot."</p> - -<p>"We fired many a round, only you know nothing about it," announced -Osborne. "We were quite hotly engaged——"</p> - -<p>"What's that noise I hear?" interrupted the injured officer, as a -grinding, rasping sound penetrated into the cabin.</p> - -<p>"Oh, that? Nothing much," replied Osborne modestly. "We've a prize -lashed alongside—a Turkish torpedo-boat. She got in our way after -the boats had cast off, and we winged her. Later on we fell in with -her again, and finding her abandoned but seaworthy, we took -possession of her. So you see, Tom, it hasn't been altogether a -fruitless expedition. We've lost the pulling cutter and the whaler, -and collared a torpedo-boat in exchange."</p> - -<p>"Good business!" exclaimed Webb. "I'd like to cheer, Osborne, only my -throat's burning; and I can't grin my appreciation; the bump on my -head has stretched my cheeks so tightly that if I did I really -believe I'd crack the skin. You know——"</p> - -<p>"Destroyer bearing down on the starboard bow, sir," reported Haynes -in his best professional manner.</p> - -<p>Osborne hurried from the cabin. Feeble though the lamplight was, it -was sufficient to dazzle his eyes and render him incapable of seeing -anything distinctly.</p> - -<p>"Bring a signalling lamp with you," he ordered, at the same time -making a leap for the torpedo-boat's deck.</p> - -<p>Out of the darkness flashed the destroyer's search-light full upon -the prize. It was a nerve-racking ordeal, for the oncoming craft, -recognizing the torpedo-boat as a Turkish vessel, would perhaps start -blazing away without further ado.</p> - -<p>Promptly the steamboat's signalman made her private number. The -destroyer acknowledged, and the danger was at an end. Circling and -easing down, the British war-ship approached within hailing distance.</p> - -<p>"<i>Portchester Castle's</i> steamboat and prize, eh?" shouted her -Lieutenant-commander. "You're lucky to have collared their -torpedo-boat. We've been on the look-out for her the last week. Can -we render any assistance?"</p> - -<p>Osborne considered. It was still a long way back to the <i>Portchester -Castle</i>. Already the wind was rising, and the sea, hitherto calm, -promised to become at least choppy before very long.</p> - -<p>"Will you relieve us of our prize?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"Certainly," was the reply. "We'll tow her into Lemnos."</p> - -<p>Admirably manoeuvred, the destroyer came close enough to enable a -line to be thrown to the prize's fore-deck. To the line was attached -a stout wire hawser, the end of which was made fast to the -torpedo-boat's for'ard bollard. Half a dozen sailors from the -destroyer boarded and took possession of the capture, while Osborne -and his men returned to the steamboat. The lashings securing the -latter alongside the prize were then cast off, and in less than ten -minutes the destroyer and her tow were swallowed up in the darkness.</p> - -<p>"That's a load off my mind," soliloquized Osborne, as speed was -increased to fifteen knots. By this time the leak had been -temporarily plugged, the water that had made its way into the -fore-cabin had been ejected, and there was every chance of the -steamboat making a quick run back to her parent ship.</p> - -<p>"Where be the dawg, sir?" enquired one of the steamboat's crew. "I -can't see 'im nowheres aboard."</p> - -<p>"Laddie!" exclaimed the Lieutenant. "Where are you? Come here, old -boy."</p> - -<p>There was no response. In ordinary circumstances Laddie would be -within a paw's length of his master. Even though the animal might be -sulking after the Lieutenant's admonition (and the dog was not given -to sulking), the mere utterance of his name would bring him bounding -to his master in an ecstasy of delight.</p> - -<p>"Anyone seen Laddie recently?" sang out the Lieutenant, addressing -the men up for'ard.</p> - -<p>"I saw him a-followin' you when you got aboard that tawpeda-boat, -sir," declared a young able-seaman. "He were close on your heels when -you jumped, sir."</p> - -<p>"Have a look down below," continued Osborne anxiously.</p> - -<p>A search of the fore-cabin produced no desired result. In the -diminutive engine-room, the leading stoker examined every nook and -cranny of the compartment housing that box of tricks of intricate -machinery. Reluctantly Osborne came to the conclusion that his pet -was missing. The able-seaman, questioned further, was firm in his -belief that he had seen Laddie following his master, but he could not -say whether the animal actually boarded the prize. Nor could any of -the other men express a definite opinion on that point.</p> - -<p>It was just possible that the dog might have missed his footing, and -have fallen between the steamboat and her capture. Failing being -crushed between the two craft he might have fallen into the sea, and, -unnoticed in the bustle, had been lost in the darkness.</p> - -<p>Two hours later the steamboat—the sole survivor of the three boats -that had left the ship—ran alongside the <i>Portchester Castle</i>.</p> - -<p>"By Jove, Osborne!" exclaimed Captain M'Bride, who in his anxiety had -remained all night on deck. "What has happened?"</p> - -<p>"They were properly on the alert, sir," replied the Lieutenant. "We -were trapped, and were unable to accomplish our mission. However, we -fell in with a Turkish torpedo-boat, engaged her, and compelled the -crew to abandon ship. On the return run we again fell in with the -torpedo-boat, took possession, and towed her until relieved by one of -our destroyers."</p> - -<p>"That evens things up a bit," remarked the skipper. "And the cutter -and the whaler?"</p> - -<p>"Had to be abandoned, sir. They found themselves on the wrong side of -a boom."</p> - -<p>"And our casualties?"</p> - -<p>"Mr. Webb wounded, Mr. Haynes wounded slightly. Five men killed and -nine wounded, and——"</p> - -<p>"And——?" repeated Captain M'Bride.</p> - -<p>"Laddie missing, sir," continued Osborne.</p> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<a name="chapter12"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XII</h3> - -<h4 align="center">The Turkish Biplane</h4> - -<p><span class="smallcaps">A week</span> passed. Although the <i>Portchester Castle</i> was far from being -inactive, the result of almost continuous patrol work amongst the -islands of the AEgean Sea produced nothing in the nature of the -capture or destruction of a hostile craft. There had been numerous -false alarms; suspicious vessels had been chased, overhauled and -boarded, only to find that their papers were in thorough order and -their cargoes of a non-contraband nature; wild-goose expeditions had -been carried out in search of imaginary petrol depots—all of which -were most disappointing. The only redeeming feature of the business -was that the presence of a strong fleet of patrolling craft tended to -curtail the enemy's activities. The mere knowledge that the -approaches to the Dardanelles were closely watched, acted as a -deterrent both to the Turkish torpedo craft and the German submarines -that had been sent hither, in a vain attempt to drive the Allied -fleets from the open water of the Mediterranean and to stifle the -merchant shipping of that inland sea.</p> - -<p>Before the expiration of those seven days Sub-lieutenant Tom Webb was -reported fit for duty. Thanks to clean living and a robust -constitution, he made rapid progress under the skilful care of the -ship's doctor. His regret for Osborne's loss was almost equal to that -of Laddie's master.</p> - -<p>The latter was badly hit by the catastrophe. Although he gave little -outward sign of his grief, he felt the loss of his pet acutely.</p> - -<p>"He may turn up again, old man," said Webb consolingly. "Just as -likely as not he was left on board the torpedo-boat. If so, the -destroyer's people will look after him until we get in touch with -her."</p> - -<p>"I wish I could share your opinion, Tom," replied Osborne. "But I -can't see how that could possibly happen. Laddie wouldn't remain on -board when I left. No, I'm afraid he's gone for good; and it's the -horrible uncertainty of his fate that makes matters worse."</p> - -<p>Captain M'Bride, too, was profuse in his sympathy.</p> - -<p>"Of course, Osborne," he remarked, "I can't very well send out a -general wireless asking if one of our destroyers has picked up a dog. -I'd possibly get rapped over the knuckles by the Admiral for my -pains. But I'll tell you what I'll do. I'll write a private letter to -a chum of mine at Lemnos—he's the skipper of the <i>Tarbox</i>—and ask -him to institute enquiries. I'm rather inclined to favour Mr. Webb's -theory, you know."</p> - -<p>"Thanks, sir," replied Osborne. "It would be——"</p> - -<p>"Aeroplane on our port quarter, sir," shouted one of the look-out -men.</p> - -<p>The three officers hastened to the bridge, where the officer of the -watch had already brought his telescope to bear upon the approaching -air-craft.</p> - -<p>"A Johnny Turk, sir," reported the watchkeeper. "There are crescents -on her planes."</p> - -<p>A bugle blared "Action Stations". The two anti-aircraft guns were -manned, while the quick-firers were trained to their extreme -elevation in the hope that the oncoming aerial foe would still be a -sufficient distance from the ship to enable the weapons to be brought -to bear upon the swiftly-moving target.</p> - -<p>Already it was too late for the ordinary quick-firers to be of -service. The "anti's" alone had to be employed to fire at the Turkish -aeroplane. Should the latter elect to rise to a great altitude the -comparatively feeble weapons would be of little use. On the other -hand, the higher the aeroplane rose the greater difficulty there -would be of hitting a moving target like the <i>Portchester Castle</i>.</p> - -<p>The two guns spoke almost simultaneously. By the aid of the -"tracers", thin wisps of smoke from the soaring projectiles, it was -quite easy to follow the flight of the shrapnel shells. Both burst -seemingly close to the enemy air-craft. The observers in the armed -merchant-cruiser could see the delicate smoke-wreaths from the -detonating projectile being riven by the rush of air from the -swiftly-moving machine. For a few seconds the aeroplane appeared to -falter; then steadying herself, continued her flight undamaged.</p> - -<p>Ten seconds later a bomb crashed into the sea, exploding with a -terrific detonation within fifty yards of the <i>Portchester Castle's</i> -starboard quarter. It was near enough to send a shower of spray -completely over the ship's poop, while fragments of metal rattled -against her steel sides.</p> - -<p>Again a shrapnel shell burst overhead, but so far from the target -that Osborne involuntarily exclaimed, "Rotten shot"; but, the instant -after, "anti No. 2" succeeded in making the aeroplane side-slip for -nearly a hundred feet before it recovered and circled in order to -regain a favourable position for dropping more explosives.</p> - -<p>Instinctively Tom Webb edged nearer the chart-house, but only for a -moment. Captain M'Bride and Lieutenant Osborne were standing rigid -and apparently unconscious of the danger. Their example, coupled with -the fact that if the bomb did hit the bridge there would not be -sufficient fragments of the chart-house to fill a pint measure, -steadied the Sub's nerves. Many a time he had been in danger of being -blown sky-high by mine or torpedo. He had grown used to such perils; -but the unprecedented possibility of being pulverized by an enemy -that could be seen had been responsible for his unpremeditated effort -to gain a useless shelter.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile the <i>Portchester Castle</i>, having been given the fullest use -of the helm, was swinging to port. As she did so, the second bomb -fell where her bows would have been had she held on her course.</p> - -<p>"That was a near one, Osborne," remarked Captain M'Bride calmly, as -he wiped the spray from his eyes, for the cascade of foam had fallen -inboard, some of it flying over the elevated bridge. "This chap is a -sticker for business. See, he's making another circle."</p> - -<p>At that moment a man rushed up from below, and, leaping over the -stanchion-rails, disappeared beneath the waves. Osborne and Webb -hastened to the end of the bridge, but the suicide never appeared -again.</p> - -<p>It was the Greek, who had been detained on board pending his trial -for treachery in connection with the thwarted attempt upon the -non-existent petrol depot of Akhissareli. According to custom, all -prisoners are released from cells when the vessel goes into action; -and, profiting by this circumstance, the Greek, terrified by the -crash of the guns and the explosion of the bombs, had escaped -execution by order of a court-martial by choosing a voluntary death.</p> - -<p>"He's cheated the hangman," remarked Osborne. "But what's the next -move?"</p> - -<p>The officers' attention was again directed towards the hostile -air-craft. The biplane had swung round, in order to make yet another -attempt to bomb the war-ship.</p> - -<p>The Turkish airman was not lacking in daring. Reckless of the -<i>Portchester Castle's</i> anti-aircraft guns, he volplaned from a height -of three thousand feet until he had descended to less than two -hundred and fifty feet from his target.</p> - -<p>In so doing he unconsciously swung to leeward, and got within the -maximum elevation of the 4.7-inchers. One of the gun-layers saw his -chance and took it. With a shrill screech the projectile sped from -the inclined muzzle of the powerful weapon. It was a splendid shot, -but hardly good enough, for, without exploding, the shell passed -completely through the right-hand planes.</p> - -<p>Again the biplane lurched heavily, and side-slipped to within a -hundred feet of the sea. Then, with superb skill, the airman righted -the damaged machine. He had had enough. It was now his endeavour to -save himself by flight if possible.</p> - -<p>"Cease fire!" ordered Captain M'Bride in stentorian tones. "She's -done for."</p> - -<p>Lower and lower sank the crippled aeroplane, despite the efforts of -the pilot to keep her clear of the surface of the water. With a -strange spiral-like motion the biplane carried on for nearly a mile, -then with a tremendous splash struck the water, reared her tail -twenty feet in the air, and promptly disappeared from sight.</p> - -<p>"There he is, sir; there's the pilot!" shouted a score of voices, as -the head and shoulders of the airman were to be discerned bobbing up -and down on the waves.</p> - -<p>"And he's still alive," added Webb, still keeping his telescope -bearing upon the scene of the biplane's dive.</p> - -<p>"Away sea-boat!" ordered the skipper, at the same time telegraphing -for "Half-speed astern".</p> - -<p>There was a rush to man the boat. The jack-tars, who a few moments -previously were in danger of being blown to atoms, were now eager to -show their appreciation of a brave foe by doing their level best to -save his life. Although Johnny Turk had, on several occasions, made -things pretty hot for the Allies, the British seamen and soldiers, -unanimously regarding him as a clean fighter and far superior in -chivalry to the Hun, were quick to recognize his good qualities.</p> - -<p>Before way was off the ship the sea-boat, commanded by Dicky Haynes, -had been disengaged from the falls, and was pulling strongly in the -direction of the airman, who, although unable to swim, was being -supported by an inflated air life-belt.</p> - -<p>Speedily the Turk was lifted into the boat. For a few moments he felt -a trifle uncertain of the manner of his reception, but he was quickly -put at his ease by the young Sub, who, finding that the airman spoke -French, was able to maintain a simple conversation.</p> - -<p>"You are a prisoner of war, sir," said Captain M'Bride, through -Haynes's interpretation, when the airman was brought on board the -<i>Portchester Castle</i>. "We are quite agreeable to letting you have -plenty of liberty, providing you give us your parole. You will be -well treated, and, subject to certain restrictions, allowed freedom -of movement. If, on the other hand, you are discovered engaging upon -any action likely to prejudice the safety of the ship, then the -penalty will be death."</p> - -<p>The airman, who announced himself as Afir-al-Bahr, Flight-lieutenant -of the Ottoman Navy, showed unmistakable signs of sincere gratitude -for his rescue and generous treatment. He swore by Mohammed and his -father's beard—the most binding oath that a Mussulman can take—to -abide faithfully by the terms under which his parole was granted.</p> - -<p>Later on in the day he became quite communicative. He admitted that -his heart was not in his work. He was one of the educated class of -Turks who realized, perhaps too late, that Germany had selfish -ulterior motives in her profuse expressions of friendship for her -near Eastern ally. He was sensible of the friendliness of Great -Britain towards the Ottoman Empire in times past, and regretted the -turn of events that had compelled the Porte to throw in its lot with -the Hun.</p> - -<p>"But since we are enemies," he added, "we must fight bravely until -Allah wills that Ottoman and Englishman shall again sheathe the -sword."</p> - -<p>"Quite a decent sort," declared Webb to his chum Osborne later in the -afternoon. "Did you notice how tactfully he evaded a chance question -on the part of the skipper? He couldn't have given a direct answer -without betraying some of the Turkish war plans. By Jove! what a -contrast to those Hun officers we had on board the old <i>Zealous</i>. -Comparisons may be odious, but a German is a jolly sight more -odious."</p> - -<p>"Seen this, you fellows?" asked the junior watch-keeper, holding out -a slip of paper. "Something doing this trip, I fancy."</p> - -<p>It was a decoded wireless message, brief and to the point.</p> - -<p>"Mail-boat <i>Sunderbund</i> reported torpedoed, latitude 34° 15' 20" N., -long. 22° 4' 16" E. Passengers and crew taken to boats, supposed -making for Alexandria. <i>Portchester Castle</i> to proceed and -investigate to eastward of position; <i>Restormel</i> to westward. -Immediate."</p> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<a name="chapter13"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XIII</h3> - -<h4 align="center">The "Sunderbund's" Life-boat</h4> - -<p><span class="smallcaps">The</span> latitude and longitude given showed that the attack upon the -mail-boat had occurred close to the Tripolitan coast off the province -of Barca, a desolate country on the western frontier of Egypt. At the -time of receiving the message the <i>Portchester Castle</i> was twenty -miles S.E. of Cape Sidero, in the island of Crete, and roughly 250 -miles from the scene of the disaster.</p> - -<p>Immediately upon receipt of the wireless the armed merchant-cruiser -set off at full speed to carry out instructions. A message from the -<i>Restormel</i> announced the fact that that vessel was eighty miles to -the westward.</p> - -<p>"Glass tumbling down as if someone had knocked a hole in the bulb," -remarked Osborne. "We're in for a spell of very dirty weather before -very long. The <i>Sunderbund's</i> boats won't stand much chance in the -heavy seas one meets with in the Eastern Mediterranean, and heaven -help them if they are cast ashore. They've an even chance of death by -starvation—that is, if they survive the landing through the -breakers—or captivity in the hands of the Senussi."</p> - -<p>"I thought that those fellows had been knocked out long ago," -remarked Haynes.</p> - -<p>"Yes, as far as the Sollum district is concerned," replied the -Lieutenant. "But, unfortunately, numbers of these undesirables have -made their way westward into the fringe of the Tripolitan desert. -They have, apparently, lost their Turkish officers, and are acting as -banditti. From all accounts they are well armed with modern rifles, -although their field-guns and machine-guns were captured several -months ago."</p> - -<p>The barometer had given a certain warning of bad weather, and before -many hours had elapsed it was blowing hard from the east'ard. The sun -set in a ragged bank of indigo-coloured clouds. The wind whistled -shrilly through the armed merchant-cruiser's rigging, and the -spindrift began to fly in heavy masses over the weather bow.</p> - -<p>Morning brought no improvement in the weather. In fact it looked -worse, for the waves were so heavy that the <i>Portchester Castle</i> had -lost a quantity of deck gear, while two of the boats had been "stove -in" at the davits, owing to the gripes being carried away under the -hammer-like blows of the green seas.</p> - -<p>"Not much chance for the <i>Sunderbund's</i> boats," said Haynes. "They -couldn't possibly make headway against this tumble. They'd be swamped -to a dead cert."</p> - -<p>"Unless they rigged up sea-anchors and rode to them," added Webb. -"These waves are not so steep as those we get in the North Sea, and -luckily the wind is not blowing dead on shore. It's my belief that -the <i>Restormel</i>, being farther to lee'ard, will stand a better chance -than we shall of picking up the boats."</p> - -<p>By this time the <i>Portchester Castle</i> had altered helm and was -steering eastward, right into the eye of the wind. Broad on the -starboard beam could be faintly discerned the low, sandy cliffs of -the African shore, fringed by a wide belt of milk-white foam. North, -west, and east the horizon was unbroken. Sea and sky met in an -ill-defined blurr. Not another sail was in sight, nor had the -<i>Portchester Castle</i> passed any wreckage, although her course had -taken her over the spot where the ill-fated liner had been reported -to have sunk.</p> - -<p>Wireless messages constantly passed between the <i>Portchester Castle</i> -and the <i>Restormel</i>, each vessel keeping her consort posted as to her -position; but neither was able to announce the gratifying news that -the object of their quest had been achieved. About eight bells (8 -a.m.) the officer of the watch reported what appeared to be a boat, -well on the starboard bow. A course was immediately shaped to -approach the supposed craft, while the <i>Portchester Castle's</i> -officers kept it well under observation with their glasses.</p> - -<p>"I don't think it is a boat," suggested Haynes. "Looks to me like -surf breaking over a rock."</p> - -<p>He wiped the moisture from the lens of his telescope and looked -again.</p> - -<p>"It's only broken water," he said with conviction.</p> - -<p>"I believe it is a boat—a white-painted one," said Webb.</p> - -<p>"Sure?" enquired Haynes, unwilling to own that his surmise was at -fault.</p> - -<p>"Yes; she's lifting to the waves. I can see people in her."</p> - -<p>"By Jove, yes," agreed Osborne. "And they are unpleasantly close to -the broken water. They don't seem to be making headway."</p> - -<p>"We're in as close as we dare go, I fancy, Mr. Osborne," remarked -Captain M'Bride. "We cannot hazard the ship by going inside the -ten-fathom line. Fire a couple of rockets, and see if they will be -able to pull out to us."</p> - -<p>Quickly the order was carried out. The two detonating rockets -exploded with loud reports, and, in spite of the fury of the wind, -the people in the boat heard the signal. Hitherto their attention -seemed to have been directed towards the inhospitable shore, and they -had not noticed the <i>Portchester Castle's</i> approach. The latter -slowed down, steaming at half-speed into the wind at a distance of a -couple of miles from one of the <i>Sunderbund's</i> life-boats, for such -she was.</p> - -<p>"They'll never do it," declared Captain M'Bride. "They're only -pulling four oars and look quite done up. We'll have to call for -volunteers, Mr. Osborne, to take the steamboat in and give them a tow -back to the ship."</p> - -<p>"Very good, sir," replied the Lieutenant. "I'll go."</p> - -<p>"No, not you, Mr. Osborne," said the skipper. "You'll be more useful -on board. It will be a ticklish job lowering the steamboat."</p> - -<p>"May I, sir?" asked Webb eagerly.</p> - -<p>Captain M'Bride assented. He had great confidence in the -Sub-lieutenant's capability, coolness, and sound judgment, and -already Webb had acquired a considerable amount of practice in -handling the steam cutter.</p> - -<p>There was no lack of volunteers to man the boat, and the Sub had no -difficulty in picking out those men who were accustomed to the -cutter. Steam was quickly raised, and in a very short time the heavy -craft was ready to be hoisted out.</p> - -<p>The <i>Portchester Castle's</i> helm was then starboarded, bringing the -vessel broadside on to wind and sea, and thus affording a floating -breakwater for the rescuing boat. Even then the vessel rolled so -heavily, and the waves even to leeward were so vicious, that the -operation of casting off from the ship's side would be fraught with -danger.</p> - -<p>"We'll try the effect of a little oil," declared the skipper. "Pass -the word for a cask of heavy stuff to be started. Look lively there."</p> - -<p>The effect of the oil was little short of marvellous. Far to leeward -the tumultuous seas subsided as if by magic, leaving a calm, -fan-shaped belt of iridescent water bounded by a terrific turmoil of -broken water.</p> - -<p>Clad in oilskins, sou'wester, and rubber boots, Webb took his place -by the side of the coxswain. For'ard everything had been battened -down, while in the stern-sheets were a couple of coils of rope and a -strongly-stropped empty water breaker.</p> - -<p>"Easy ahead," ordered the Sub. Although every moment was precious, he -was too good a seaman to attempt to drive his boat at full speed -through the turmoil of foaming seas immediately beyond the belt of -oil-quelled water. To have done so would have resulted in a severe -strain upon the engines owing to the racing of the propeller as the -boat's stern lifted clear of the waves, and quite possibly the cutter -would have found herself in a far more dangerous predicament than the -life-boat to whose assistance she was proceeding.</p> - -<p>Soon the steamboat was in the thick of it. Solid waves swept her as -far aft as the cabin top; clouds of vapour, caused by the cold water -coming in sudden contact with the hot funnel-casing, enveloped the -Sub and the coxswain in a blinding, scurrying pall of moisture. Only -by holding on like grim death were the two able to save themselves -from being thrown overboard by the erratic, almost vertical jerk of -the boat's stern. At rapid intervals the helm had to be smartly -ported in order to enable the steamboat to meet the hissing crested -waves, which, had they hit the craft on her broadside, might easily -have capsized her, or at least flooded her cockpit flush with the -coamings.</p> - -<p>Nobly the cutter struggled onwards. Every foot gained was the result -of sheer hard work—a contest of the product of a mechanical age with -the forces of nature. Gradually the distance between her and the -<i>Portchester Castle</i> increased; she was making slow but sure headway -against wind and waves.</p> - -<p>"See anything of the boat?" asked Webb, bellowing into the coxswain's -ear in order to make himself understood in the racket of pounding -machinery and the roar of the elements.</p> - -<p>"Not a sign, sir," replied the man. "Maybe she's in the trough of the -sea when we're on top of a wave, and t'other way about. Anyways, -we'll pick her up if she's still afloat."</p> - -<p>For full half an hour the strenuous struggle continued, then the -steamboat entered a comparatively calm belt of water. The respite was -but temporary, for two hundred yards ahead began the broken water as -the waves began to thunder on the flat shore.</p> - -<p>"There she is, sir," shouted the coxswain, as the glistening white -bows of the <i>Sunderbund's</i> life-boat were for a brief instant visible -on the summit of a wave. "And lumme," he added under his breath, -"they're about done in, I fancy. At all events it'll take some -getting out of that jumble of surf."</p> - -<p>The man was quite right in his surmise. The liner's boat was -gradually and steadily losing ground. Despite the desperate and -heroic efforts of her rowers—they had double- and treble-banked the -oars that still remained serviceable—the physical strain was -beginning to tell.</p> - -<p>"Where she can keep afloat we can go," decided the Sub. "So here -goes."</p> - -<p>The steamboat approached cautiously, easing down as each successive -comber swept towards her. Already there was a foot of water in the -engine-room, while, in spite of the most skilful handling, the -propeller was racing madly as the boat dipped her nose and threw her -stern clear of the waves.</p> - -<p>It was, indeed, almost miraculous that the <i>Sunderbund's</i> life-boat -had so far weathered the storm. As it was, green seas were breaking -over her, necessitating prompt, vigorous, and constant baling on the -part of her passengers and crew. Many of the former, too, were down -with sea-sickness of the worst form, and only lay inertly on the -bottom-boards, too ill to take further interest in the proceedings.</p> - -<p>At length the steamboat approached sufficiently near to enable the -breaker and grass rope to be veered to the sorely pressed life-boat. -Directly the towing-hawser was made fast the former forged ahead; but -hardly had she taken the strain when the means of communication -parted like packthread, one portion narrowly missing being caught by -the propeller. Had it done so the steamboat would have been helpless -in the trough of the sea.</p> - -<p>It was now an even more difficult matter to take the boat in tow -again, for the breaker and grass rope had been taken on the -<i>Sunderbund's</i> boat. Meanwhile both craft had drifted farther to -leeward, and closer to the worst of the broken water. Clearly Webb -had to act now or the opportunity would be gone for ever.</p> - -<p>Frequently buried in green seas, from which she shook herself clear -like an enormous dog, the steam cutter staggered to windward of the -boat and, turning, approached within casting distance.</p> - -<p>Dexterously communication was re-established, and once more the -steamboat began to take the strain of the towing-hawser. At one -instant stretched as taut as a steel bar, at another dipping limply -in the sea, the stout rope stood the strain, and gradually the -life-boat began to gather way. If progress was slow on the outward -run, the journey back to the ship was even more so. Yet the -<i>Portchester Castle</i> was unable to approach another cable's length -without an almost certain risk of grounding.</p> - -<p>"The old ship's chucking overboard some more oil, sir," reported the -coxswain. "Maybe we'll get some benefit, although I'll allow it'll -drift too far to wind'ard."</p> - -<p>"It's spreading," shouted Webb in reply. "That will do the trick."</p> - -<p>Twenty minutes later the steamboat ran alongside her parent. The -hawser was transferred to the latter's steam-capstan, and the cutter -was deftly hoisted inboard.</p> - -<p>Now came the more difficult task of transhipping the rescued men from -the life-boat to the <i>Portchester Castle</i>. Without means of hoisting -the heavy boat bodily out of the water, the armed merchant-cruiser's -crew had to haul each survivor separately by means of bowlines and -bos'n's chairs, for most of the passengers had collapsed from -exposure.</p> - -<p>There were two exceptions, however: one a tall, fair-haired man in -the khaki uniform of a Major of artillery. In spite of the fact that -his left arm was in a sling, he experienced no difficulty in making -the ascent, and came over the side with a decided smile on his face.</p> - -<p>Sub-lieutenant Webb looked at him intently; then, to confirm his -surmise, he glanced at the officer's companion—a slightly shorter -and broad-shouldered man of about forty. His face was bronzed, his -hair, crisp in spite of the drenching spray, was tinged with grey at -the temples. His attire consisted of a pair of navy-blue trousers and -a shirt. It afterwards transpired that he had given his monkey-jacket -to one of the lady passengers, or Webb would have recognized him as a -Lieutenant-commander of the Royal Naval Reserve.</p> - -<p>"By Jove, Billy!" drawled the naval man. "Thought you and I, old -bird, would have had to swim for it—eh what? How's that groggy wrist -of yours now?"</p> - -<p>Tom Webb hesitated no longer. He stepped up to the pair of rescued -officers and held out his hand.</p> - -<p>"Thanks, many thanks," exclaimed the coatless one. "You're the Sub in -charge of the steamboat? Smart bit of work, 'pon my word."</p> - -<p>"Glad to have the opportunity of repaying a good turn, Mr. Dacres," -said Webb.</p> - -<p>"Good turn?" repeated Dacres, knitting his brows. "Good turn. I don't -follow you. I haven't met you before, have I?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, and so has Mr. Fane."</p> - -<p>Mr. Fane was equally at a loss.</p> - -<p>"Give it up," he declared. "All the same——"</p> - -<p>"Dash it all, I've tumbled to it," interrupted Dacres. "You were that -curly-headed Sea Scout I met at Haslar Creek three or four years ago. -I believe you were the means of enabling me to get a yacht off my -hands."</p> - -<p>"And incidentally the means of getting me my commission," added the -ex-Tenderfoot. "And Osborne is on board too. There he is: officer of -the watch. If it hadn't been for the experience we gained on board -the old <i>Petrel</i>, I don't suppose we would have been here."</p> - -<p>"Then the little yacht did some practical good work after all. I told -you so, Billy," said Dacres, addressing his companion. "Yes, thanks -very much," he added, in response to the Sub's invitation. "The loan -of a dry kit and a good meal would be very acceptable. It's -nearly——"</p> - -<p>"Submarine on the starboard bow, sir!" roared the mast-head man, his -words unmistakably clear in spite of the howling of the wind.</p> - -<p>The <i>Portchester Castle</i> began to turn in obedience to a quick -movement of the helm. Hoarse orders were shouted from the bridge and -taken up by the bos'n's mates in other parts of the ship. But the -warning came too late. The armed merchant-cruiser reeled as with a -terrific explosion a torpedo "got home" just abaft her engine-room.</p> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<a name="chapter14"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XIV</h3> - -<h4 align="center">Submarined</h4> - -<p><span class="smallcaps">Of</span> what happened during the next few minutes Sub-lieutenant Tom Webb -had but a hazy confused idea. The reverberations of the tremendous -detonation were straining his ear-drums almost to bursting-point. -Wreaths of pungent smoke, caught by the vicious blasts that eddied -over the deck, obliterated everything from his vision and made him -gasp for breath like a drowning man. His brain seemed benumbed by the -concussion, his legs were on the point of giving way until he almost -unconsciously grasped a guard-rail within arm's length.</p> - -<p>Gradually he began to realize that disaster had overtaken the ship. -He was aware of men rushing hither and thither, some shouting, others -almost as dazed as himself. The <i>Portchester Castle</i> was listing -heavily to starboard. Mingled with the tumult on deck, the howling of -the wind, the hiss of escaping steam, and the slap of the vicious -seas, came the unmistakable sound of volumes of water rushing in -through the enormous rent in the ship's bottom, caused by the -explosion of the torpedo.</p> - -<p>"By Jove, Billy!" exclaimed Dacres in his customary drawl; "we've -pulled off a double event. Torpedoed twice within twenty-four hours, -eh, what?"</p> - -<p>Before Fane could reply a bugle-call rang out sharply. It was the -"Still". Instantly the turmoil of humanity ceased. As steady as if at -a ceremonial inspection the men stood at attention until "Collision -Quarters" brought the ship's company into a state of disciplined -activity.</p> - -<p>The <i>Portchester Castle</i> was doomed. All on board realized the fact. -In spite of the terrific seas a German submarine had "stood by" the -<i>Sunderbund's</i> life-boat, keeping submerged at a distance sufficient -to prevent any of the liner's survivors "spotting" the pole-like -periscopes as they appeared at intervals above the waves.</p> - -<p>The Hun skipper of the U-boat had caught the wireless appeal from the -stricken <i>Sunderbund</i>. He knew that aid would be speedily -forthcoming, and setting aside all dictates of humanity, he had lain -<i>perdu</i> for the opportunity of yet a further display of -"frightfulness".</p> - -<p>He was not mistaken in his conjecture. He had witnessed from afar the -rescue of the <i>Sunderbund's</i> life-boat, and awaiting his chance had -approached within torpedo range while the attention of the -<i>Portchester Castle's</i> crew was directed towards the hoisting in of -the steamboat and the reception of the survivors of his previous -victim. And now the armed merchant-cruiser, with a rent twenty feet -in length, was settling down. Her strained water-tight bulkheads were -unable to withstand the enormous pressure. It was merely a matter of -minutes before the <i>Portchester Castle</i> would make her final plunge.</p> - -<p>Captain M'Bride, though cool and collected, realized the gravity of -the situation. Apart from the danger of lowering boats in that angry -sea, the great list of the ship rendered practically impossible the -use of the boats on the port side.</p> - -<p>There was one chance: that of making for the inhospitable African -shore in the hope that the ship would ground. In that case her crew -could remain on board until rescue was forthcoming; or, in the event -of the vessel breaking up, there would be a chance of taking to the -boats and effecting a landing under the lee of the stranded hull.</p> - -<p>By this time Webb had recovered his normal state of mind, and was -directing the provisioning and arming of some of the boats. Osborne -was on the fo'c'sle, superintending the clearing away of the anchors, -so that on approaching the shore the stricken vessel could be thrown -broadside on to the waves. Haynes and other officers were engaged in -assisting the men to make rafts and getting provisions and water from -the store-rooms.</p> - -<p>Every member of the ship's company had donned a life-belt; the -survivors of the <i>Sunderbund</i>, who had only just discarded their -life-saving gear, had to put their belts on once more. Theirs was a -hard case, since they were almost exhausted with the privations they -had previously undergone; yet they made a brave show of spirit that -is typical of the Briton in a tight corner.</p> - -<p>Presently the starboard engine gave out. The stokehold was flooded -and the fires damped. Within a few minutes the port engines followed -suit, and although still carrying way the <i>Portchester Castle</i> -gradually slowed down. Her head fell off, and she wallowed in the -trough of the breakers.</p> - -<p>By this time her rail on the starboard side was only a few feet above -water. She was deep down by the stern, her bows being correspondingly -high. The very lifelessness of the ship, in spite of the enormous -waves, showed that the end was not far off.</p> - -<p>"Lower away!" shouted the skipper through a megaphone.</p> - -<p>Smartly, but without undue haste or confusion, the boats in the -davits on the starboard side were lowered. The first to disengage -from the falls was the second cutter. Barely had she cast off when a -terrific sea caught and completely capsized her. Half a dozen of her -crew succeeded in catching hold of life-lines thrown by their -comrades on board the ship, and were hauled on board again. Some were -trapped underneath the upturned boat, others, supported by the -life-belts, were swept shorewards through the chaos of surf and foam.</p> - -<p>The remaining boats on the starboard side got away without accident; -then, owing possibly to the amount of water that had poured into the -ship's engine-rooms and holds, the <i>Portchester Castle</i> swung back on -an even keel.</p> - -<p>Captain M'Bride saw his chance—and took it.</p> - -<p>"Let go both anchors!" he shouted.</p> - -<p>With a rattle and a roar the steel cables rushed through the -hawse-pipes, and presently, the vessel's drive to leeward being -checked, she swung round, with her bows pointing diagonally for the -shore.</p> - -<p>Now was the opportunity to man and lower the boats on the port side. -Osborne, his work on deck accomplished, took charge of one, Webb of -another; and with only the loss of a couple of oars which were -smashed against the ship's side the frail craft took the water.</p> - -<p>"Look out, she's going!" exclaimed a score of voices.</p> - -<p>Which was a fact. The end had come suddenly. With a decided movement -the ship's bows slid under water; her stern reared perhaps twenty -feet clear of the waves. Webb could see those of the crew who had not -time to take to the boats struggling waist-deep in the surging water -ere they were swept clear of the foundering vessel. On the bridge -stood the gallant skipper, true to the long-established and glorious -custom of the sea. Until the last man had left the ship his place was -on the bridge.</p> - -<p>He made no effort to save himself. Gripping the guard-rail he stood -erect, his attention directed towards those of his ship's company who -had hesitated to trust themselves to swim ashore.</p> - -<p>"Pull to leeward, men," ordered Webb. "We may even yet pick up our -skipper."</p> - -<p>Even as he spoke the <i>Portchester Castle</i> ceased to sink. She had -grounded in about eight or nine fathoms of water, leaving her bridge -and a portion of the spar-deck still showing above the waves.</p> - -<p>Those still on board were quick to recognize the change of fortune. -Some made their way to the bridge, others clambered into the -lee-rigging, until the shrouds were black with humanity.</p> - -<p>All the boats were turning back. Those from the starboard side were -sufficiently loaded to endanger their safety should more men crowd -into them; but those lowered from the port side had not been able to -take their full complement before the vessel sank. On the latter, -then, fell the task of rescuing the skipper and the remaining men, -while the other boats contented themselves with picking up a few -survivors who had been carried clear when the <i>Portchester Castle's</i> -decks had been swept by the breakers.</p> - -<p>By dint of hard pulling, in spite of the shelter afforded by the lee -of the stranded ship, Osborne contrived to get his boat within a few -yards of the bridge. At one moment the projecting platform was -towering twenty feet or more above the boat, at the next the latter's -gunwales were almost level with it. All the while there was the -pressing danger of the boat's bows being jammed against the underside -of the bridge, or of her bottom subsiding, with disastrous results, -upon the iron-work projecting from the submerged sides of the ship.</p> - -<p>In Webb's case the task was simpler, though by no means free from -danger. Watching his opportunity he ran close alongside the resilient -main-shrouds, and succeeded in taking on board every man who had -found a temporary refuge in that part of the rigging. He was now able -to ride to leeward of the wreck by means of a long scope of cable, -thus conserving the energies of the rowers until the hazardous dash -through the surf to the shore.</p> - -<p>The Sub could not help admiring the skill with which his chum Osborne -went about his work, keeping the boat within a few feet of the bridge -as the former rose on the waves. One by one the men leapt into the -rescuing craft until only the skipper remained.</p> - -<p>Then raising his hand in a last salute to the ship's white ensign, -which was still visible between the crests of the waves, Captain -M'Bride jumped agilely into the stern-sheets of the boat.</p> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<a name="chapter15"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XV</h3> - -<h4 align="center">Castaways on a Hostile Shore</h4> - -<p><span class="smallcaps">A rousing</span> cheer from the other boats greeted Captain M'Bride when it -was seen that he was for the time being safe. It was a spontaneous -tribute to the skipper's popularity. Even when faced with the -possibility of being hurled lifeless upon the surf-swept shore, the -ship's company "let themselves go".</p> - -<p>There was a smile of confidence on Captain M'Bride's weather-beaten -face as he acknowledged the compliment. He, too, had good cause to be -pleased with the people under his command. He realized that, with men -of that dogged pluck and cheerfulness in the face of danger, the -traditions of the White Ensign would be maintained come what might.</p> - -<p>And now began the nerve-racking ordeal of attempting a landing -through the surf. Rowing steadily the boats approached the fringe of -broken water, then each turned her bows from shore and backed. -Whenever a breaker more dangerous than the rest bore down, the rowers -pulled ahead until the foaming mass of water had swept past.</p> - -<p>"We're getting on," thought Webb. "Only a couple of cables' lengths -more, and all right up to now."</p> - -<p>He dare not give more than a rapid glance shorewards, but it was -enough to give him an inkling of what the reception would be; for on -the crest of the low sandy cliffs were a dozen Arabs mounted on -camels. The riders were crouching on the animals' backs, and holding -their white burnouses close to their faces to shield them from the -spray-laden wind. All were armed with rifles.</p> - -<p>When the Sub turned his head and looked again the Arabs had vanished. -Instead of remaining to aid the castaways, they had apparently ridden -off to bring others of their tribe to plunder, murder, or carry into -captivity any survivors who had the misfortune to fall into their -hands.</p> - -<p>Others in the boat saw the new danger. Had the presence of the -Senussi been noticed earlier, the flotilla could have returned to the -wreck and brought up under her lee, in the hope of rescue by the -<i>Restormel</i> or other patrolling craft. It was now too late, for it -was impossible to row against the wind and waves. The only hope was -to effect a landing, hold the fierce Arabs at bay, and trust to the -<i>Restormel</i> putting in an appearance when the weather moderated. -Unfortunately, when the <i>Portchester Castle</i> was torpedoed the shock -had thrown the wireless completely out of gear, and communication -with her consort was out of the question. A wireless had been sent -out an hour previous to the disaster; whether the <i>Restormel</i> had -come to the conclusion that the <i>Portchester Castle</i> was on her way -to Port Said, or whether she would guess by the absence of signals -that the latter had met with a grave mishap, was merely a matter for -conjecture.</p> - -<p>But Tom Webb had other things at present to occupy his attention, for -with an irresistible rush a mass of green sea poured completely over -the boat, capsizing her and throwing her crew into the water.</p> - -<p>The Sub was one of the few who were thrown clear. Some, trapped -underneath the upturned craft, were unable to dive under the -gunwales, owing to the buoyancy of their life-saving gear, until they -had wrenched off their belts. Two were stunned by their heads coming -into violent contact with the woodwork.</p> - -<p>Caught by a crested breaker, Webb found himself being urged -shorewards at a terrific speed. Presently his feet touched the sand. -In vain he started to make his way to land. Gripped by the undertow -he was dragged back until the succeeding breaker overtook him, -hurling him forwards like a stone from a catapult. Again the wave -receded. Prone upon the soft, yielding sand, the Sub endeavoured to -obtain a hold by digging his hands into the treacherous shore till -the receding mass of water drew him backwards to be again pounded by -the next mountain of water. Boats' gear, hurled shorewards by the -waves, was thrown all around him. Several times he was struck by -heavy objects. Not only was he in danger of being drowned; there was -also a likelihood that he might be battered into a state of -insensibility by the flotsam.</p> - -<p>For how long this state of affairs continued Webb had not the -faintest idea. Nor did he know how his companions were faring, except -that farther along the shore some saturated figures were staggering -up the beach. He was fast losing count of time and place. Torpor was -beginning to seize him in its remorseless, oblivion-giving grasp.</p> - -<p>Suddenly his hands came in contact with the broken blade of an oar. -The instinct of self-preservation was yet strong enough to enable him -to take the remote chance that remained. Waiting until the next wave -was beginning to run back, the Sub planted the slightly cambered -piece of wood deeply in the sand. The broad surface held, despite the -terrific backward drag of the undertow.</p> - -<p>Directly the suction ceased, Webb staggered to his feet and began to -make his way to safety; but before he had gone five yards he was -flung headlong by the succeeding breaker, and the blade of the oar -was wrenched from his grasp.</p> - -<p>Before the backwash gripped him the Sub felt a hand grasp his wrist. -He was just conscious of seeing Dacres with a line round his waist -standing thigh-deep in the water, and hearing his cheering words of -encouragement. Then everything became a blank.</p> - -<p>When Sub-lieutenant Webb came to himself he found that he was lying -under the lee of the sand-hills. A broad-leaved prickly bush afforded -shelter from the sun, the rays of which were beating fiercely down -upon the almost barren ground. His head had been roughly bandaged, -and was supported by a rolled coat.</p> - -<p>He was not alone. A dozen men, all in varying stages of recovery from -a state of insensibility, were lying on the ground. At some distance, -others were busily engaged in emptying boxes of stores that had been -washed ashore and—ominous sight—were filling them with sand. -Others were hacking at the prickly scrub and erecting a form of -fortification known as a zariba. Apparently an attack by the Senussi -was expected.</p> - -<p>There was Osborne in coat and shirt, and with a strip of calico -wrapped round his head to protect it from the sun, toiling as -arduously as the seamen; Dacres and Fane, the latter with his arm -still in a sling, were dragging heavy gear up from the shore. A short -distance away was Captain M'Bride, inspecting the few rifles which -had come ashore in the boats; with him was Dicky Haynes. Most of the -remaining officers were safe, but there were some whom Webb would -never again meet on this earth.</p> - -<p>Taking into consideration the violence of the storm, the <i>Portchester -Castle's</i> people had come off lightly. Of her complement of 215, four -officers and thirty-two men were missing. With three exceptions, the -passengers and crew rescued from the <i>Sunderbund's</i> life-boat were -safe, while the Turkish airman, Afir-al-Bahr, had come ashore without -injury.</p> - -<p>Of the boats, only one was in a serviceable condition. The others had -been smashed up on the beach by the surf before sufficient hands were -available to haul them above the reach of the waves. Most of the gear -had been saved, including twenty-four rifles, a couple of cases of -ammunition, seven barrels of biscuits, some salt beef, and half a -dozen barricoes of water.</p> - -<p>Although the waves were still running high, the storm had nearly -blown itself out. The shore was littered with debris. Several seamen -were busily engaged in collecting everything that might prove to be -of value from the wreckage.</p> - -<p>At some distance from the shore was the wreck of the <i>Portchester -Castle</i>, with waves breaking against those portions that showed above -water. One of her funnels had vanished; the other was still manfully -resisting the onslaught of the heavy breakers. Both her masts -remained, while from the ensign staff that showed four or five feet -above the waves the white ensign still fluttered in the strong -breeze.</p> - -<p>Osborne waved a cheery greeting to his chum as Webb regained his -feet. The Lieutenant was too busy to "knock off" and yarn with him. -Every moment was precious if the place were to be put into a state of -defence before the threatened attack.</p> - -<p>A short, round-faced man, whose headgear consisted of a white -cap-cover, came bustling along the top of the dunes. It was Donovon, -the ship's surgeon.</p> - -<p>"Faith," he exclaimed, catching sight of Webb, "and what might you be -doing out in the sun? Get back to bed this minute." And he indicated -the scanty shade of the thorn bush.</p> - -<p>"I'm all right, Doctor," protested the Sub; "I am really."</p> - -<p>"So you think," rejoined Dr. Donovon. "If you're knocking yourself -up, that is your affair; only I'd let you know that I've my hands -pretty full without asking for more patients."</p> - -<p>He hurried off to attend to other cases, leaving the Sub to speculate -on the surgeon's warning. "All right" hardly described Webb's present -state. He felt considerably battered about, and had a dull headache; -but, he reflected, it wasn't playing the game to lie down when he -felt capable of doing something to assist the general work.</p> - -<p>"Mr. Webb!" called out Captain M'Bride, seeing the Sub approach.</p> - -<p>Webb hurried up to the captain and saluted.</p> - -<p>"Better? That's good," said the skipper. "Look here, muster a party -and start digging a trench on the left of that wall of thorn bushes. -Bring it at a sharp angle to the shore. Three feet deep will be -enough, if you pile the displaced sand on the outside edge of the -trench."</p> - -<p>The young officer soon found half a dozen men who had figured on his -watch bill. These, provided with the broken blades of oars, which -formed excellent spades for throwing out soft sand, set strenuously -to work despite the heat of the day.</p> - -<p>"Strikes me there's somethink precious hard, sir," remarked an -able-seaman after the party had been at work for twenty minutes. -"Rock or somethink."</p> - -<p>"Sandstone, possibly," replied the Sub. "No matter, you're nearly -down to the required depth." The man plied his wooden spade -vigorously in order to lay bare the supposed rock. Suddenly he gave -an exclamation of astonishment.</p> - -<p>"Blow me!" he exclaimed, "a bloomin' petrol tin."</p> - -<p>With a strenuous heave he wrenched the can from its hiding-place. As -he did so the sides of two adjacent tins were revealed.</p> - -<p>"We've found what I believe to be a secret petrol store, sir," -reported Webb to his skipper.</p> - -<p>"Eh, what?" exclaimed Captain M'Bride, hurrying towards the partly -excavated trench. "By Jove, Mr. Webb, it looks like it! Start one of -those metal caps and see if the can really contains petrol."</p> - -<p>The cap was removed. Webb poured a small quantity of the liquid into -the palm of his hand. The spirit evaporated with remarkable -quickness.</p> - -<p>"Petrol right enough, sir," he announced.</p> - -<p>"And there are dozens of cans here, sir," declared one of the men. -"Sort of garidge for the Sahara General Omnibus Company, I'll allow."</p> - -<p>"Wot's a garidge, Bill?" enquired his pal. "You means a gayrage, -don't ye?"</p> - -<p>The skipper, who had overheard the conversation between the two -seamen, smiled grimly.</p> - -<p>"Carry on, Mr. Webb," he said, "and dig up the lot. We've stumbled -upon a German petrol depot—that's my belief—and before long we'll -have an <i>unterseeboot</i> putting in an appearance."</p> - -<p>"What shall I do with them, sir?" enquired Tom.</p> - -<p>"Oh! reserve a couple," was the reply. "They'll come in handy for -flares. Empty the others on the sand."</p> - -<p>"One moment, Captain M'Bride," interposed Major Pane, who, noticing -the excitement, had strolled up to satisfy his curiosity. "It's a -pity to waste good stuff."</p> - -<p>"Better to do that than allow it to fall into the hands of the -enemy," remarked Captain M'Bride. "But what suggestion have you to -make, Major?"</p> - -<p>"Put a row of them about a hundred yards in front of the zariba," -continued Fane. "In the event of the Senussi attempting to rush our -defences we can set fire to the stuff."</p> - -<p>"I fail to see how, Major," objected Captain M'Bride, "unless someone -applies a light to it; and the effect is, to a certain extent, lost -if we have to do that before the Arabs are actually over the line of -tins. Remember we have no time-fuses."</p> - -<p>"You have some good marksmen, I presume?" asked Major Fane.</p> - -<p>"Some first-class shots."</p> - -<p>"Then we could lash up this metal matchbox to one of the tins, and -ignite the contents by means of a rifle-bullet."</p> - -<p>"It might be feasible," remarked the skipper.</p> - -<p>"I think I know of a better plan, sir," said Webb. "We have the -Very's pistol and signal-cartridges. I saw them lying over yonder. At -the critical time a few bullets could be shot at one of the tins, -and, when the petrol runs out, it could be fired by a signal-bullet -from the pistol."</p> - -<p>"Ah, that's more like it, Mr. Webb!" said the skipper warmly. "Now -set to work and get your men to place the tins in position. Heap sand -on the outward face so that they are rendered as inconspicuous as -possible. Meanwhile, Major, I think I will get you to pass an opinion -upon our defences on the right flank."</p> - -<p>The Sub had barely completed his task of constructing what was -expected to form an efficient "fire barrage" when one of the seamen -patrolling the shore gave the warning cry of "Submarine coming in, -sir."</p> - -<p>Almost simultaneously a rifle cracked from somewhere about five -hundred yards inland. A Senussi sniper had approached between the -sand-dunes, while, at a distance of a mile or so, was a large armed -party of mounted nomads from the desert.</p> - -<p>Sub-lieutenant Webb gave vent to a low whistle.</p> - -<p>"A hot corner this time," he said to himself. "We're properly between -two fires."</p> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<a name="chapter16"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XVI</h3> - -<h4 align="center">'Twixt U-Boat and Arabs</h4> - -<p><span class="smallcaps">Had</span> the discovery of the petrol store been made a few hours earlier, -steps would have been taken to cope with the peril from the sea that -menaced the castaways. The defences that had been hurriedly thrown up -had been constructed against attack from the landward side; the -possibility of being shelled from a German submarine had not -previously been taken into account.</p> - -<p>Hastily the British seamen set to work to strengthen the parados of -the trenches, in order to convert it into an earthwork sufficiently -strong to resist the comparatively light shells fired from the -hostile submarine.</p> - -<p>Bullets from the Senussi now began to sing over the heads of the -defenders. Well it was that the Arabs were very indifferent shots at -long range, otherwise they would have taken a heavy toll of the -seamen who were obliged to present a fair target as they toiled in -the open.</p> - -<p>The German submarine, which had been approaching rapidly, had now -eased down. She was running on the surface, showing her conning-tower -and the whole length of her deck. She displayed no colours, but her -two quick-firing guns had been hoisted from below, and were manned -ready for opening fire.</p> - -<p>"I feel pretty certain," said Captain M'Bride to Osborne as the -officers kept the hostile craft under observation, "that that -submarine is the one which bagged us—and the <i>Sunderbund</i> as well. -She's been lying off-shore waiting for the weather to moderate in -order to replenish her fuel, and now she finds her depot in our -possession. It was a rotten blunder on her part, sinking the old -<i>Portchester Castle</i> so close to her temporary base."</p> - -<p>"If it hadn't been for the firing, perhaps she would have come right -in, sir," remarked Osborne. "Now she has her suspicions."</p> - -<p>"The wreck of the ship would in itself give her warning," said the -skipper. "Besides, if she did approach we could do little or nothing. -It's just as likely that there's an understanding between the Arabs -and the Huns. However, we must take things as we find them, and not -look for trouble before it comes."</p> - -<p>Accompanied by Lieutenant Osborne, the Captain made a tour of the -trench, where every man who possessed a rifle was kneeling in front -of a loophole, ready at the word of command to pour a destructive -volley into the approaching Arabs. At the left flank stood Webb, with -the Very's pistol in his hand, awaiting the time to fire the petrol.</p> - -<p>"Picturesque sight, Mr. Webb," remarked the Captain composedly, but -at the same time his keen eye was trying to detect any sign of -"jumpiness" in the young Sub. But there was none; beyond a slightly -heightened colour, Webb was as cool as if he had been on the -quarter-deck of the <i>Portchester Castle</i>.</p> - -<p>Captain M'Bride had aptly described the scene that lay before them. -The Senussi were approaching in all the barbaric splendour of their -race. Some were on camels, others astride small wiry horses. With -loose rein they would dash forward perhaps a hundred yards, wheel, -and, firing their rifles somewhere in the direction of the foe, would -tear back for fifty yards, repeating the manoeuvre and uttering -shrill yells of defiance. On their flanks in the rear were crowds of -men on foot, for the most part armed with long broad-bladed spears, -two-edged straight swords, and circular hide shields.</p> - -<p>Outnumbering the British by ten to one, the Senussi looked, and were, -formidable. Had every man of the <i>Portchester Castle</i> possessed a -rifle the odds would have been considerably lowered. With a Maxim the -defenders could have regarded the onset as a foregone conclusion in -their favour.</p> - -<p>It was to be a tough and desperate struggle. Every man realized -that—a fight to the death, for a worse fate awaited them should they -fall alive into the hands of the savage foe. At all costs the Senussi -must be kept on the far side of the sorry breastwork of sand and the -hedge of thorns, otherwise sheer weight of numbers would decide the -day.</p> - -<p>And as if the situation were not serious enough, a U-boat was -threatening to shell their puny defences.</p> - -<p>"Don't throw away a single shot, men," cautioned the Captain. -"Reserve your fire till I give the word."</p> - -<p>"She's opening the ball, sir," exclaimed Osborne, as a shell from the -U-boat hurtled through the air and exploded away on the right flank, -sending up a huge cloud of smoke and sand.</p> - -<p>"Wonder what damage that's done?" remarked Captain M'Bride.</p> - -<p>"I'll see, sir, if you wish," said the Lieutenant.</p> - -<p>"Do, by all means, Mr. Osborne," was the rejoinder. "I'll make my way -to the centre and await you there."</p> - -<p>Before Osborne returned, two more shells had been fired by the -submarine. Whatever damage they might have caused, they also did -good, for the bursting projectiles had the effect of cooling the -ardour of the approaching Arabs. Absolutely fearless as far as -bullets are concerned, they have a wholesome respect for -high-explosive shells which would, in their opinion, render a True -Believer a sorry spectacle when he came to present himself at the -gates of the Mohammedan paradise.</p> - -<p>"No casualties, sir," reported Osborne. "The first shell fell short; -the others pitched thirty yards over. One has blown a big gap in our -zariba, unfortunately."</p> - -<p>"Strafe her!" exclaimed Captain M'Bride. "She'll be improving on that -before long, I'm afraid."</p> - -<p>Even as he spoke there came a loud rumble from seawards—a long -drawn-out report, totally unlike the crisp bark of the German -submarine's quick-firers. Where the modern pirate had been was merely -a dense cloud of greyish smoke.</p> - -<p>"She's properly strafed, sir," declared the Lieutenant delightedly, -grasping what he absent-mindedly took to be his uniform cap, with the -result that on removing his calico headgear he brought a handful of -his own hair with it.</p> - -<p>"Internal explosion," suggested the skipper. "Well, we've something -to be thankful for. Half our difficulties wiped out in one fell -swoop."</p> - -<p>Slowly the smoke dispersed, for there was now practically no wind. -The sea, momentarily agitated by the explosion, had resumed its -oil-like aspect. Not a vestige of wreckage was visible to mark the -grave of yet another of the inglorious pirates. It was indeed a just -retribution. The U-boat, in common with other German war-ships, had -been in the habit of discharging her torpedoes without previously -setting the sinking mechanism according to the recognized rules of -war. Therefore, in the event of a torpedo missing its mark, it would, -at the end of its run, float, and thus become a sort of derelict -mine, instead of sinking to the bottom as these weapons are supposed -to do.</p> - -<p>When the submarine attacked the <i>Portchester Castle</i> she had let -loose two torpedoes, one of which hit the mark. The other, passing -under the vessel's stern, came to a standstill a couple of miles off. -By sheer chance the U-boat, while in the act of shelling the shore, -had bumped upon the warhead of the missile she had discharged several -hours previously, with the result that she was practically blown to -pieces with all her officers and crew.</p> - -<p>Three hearty cheers from the sun-baked British seamen greeted the -strafing of the craft that was directly responsible for their present -precarious position. Then, having given relief to their pent-up -feelings, the sturdy sailors directed their attention once more to -the danger that threatened them from the landward side.</p> - -<p>The Senussi, not knowing what had occurred, and still showing -considerable reluctance to enter the region where the German shells -had fallen, were "marking time". The camel-men had withdrawn behind a -range of sand-hills, but the glint of spear-heads denoted pretty -conclusively that the foe had not decided upon a discreet retirement.</p> - -<p>Several times an intrepid sailor stood upon the breastwork, with the -intention of drawing the enemy's fire; but even this tempting bait -did not succeed. The Senussi were evidently going to tire the -defenders by a period of nerve-racking inactivity.</p> - -<p>"It's this rotten waiting for something to turn up that makes you -jumpy," declared Webb to Osborne, as during the prolonged lull the -Lieutenant made his way along the trench to see how his chum fared. -"I don't mind so much when these beggars start a rush, but it's the -suspense of expecting them."</p> - -<p>"Like our troops on the Somme," rejoined Osborne. "It's the five -minutes' wait before the whistle goes for the men to go over the top -of the parapet, that is such a strain. Once they're off they don't -seem to notice their surroundings. But I've rather bad news, old man. -I've just reported to the skipper that one of those shells has played -Old Harry with the water barricoes. Only three left—and you can -guess what thirst is in this sun-baked spot."</p> - -<p>"How long will that last?" asked the Sub.</p> - -<p>"Ten days with the utmost economy," said the Lieutenant gravely.</p> - -<p>"I say, Osborne——" began Webb.</p> - -<p>"Well?"</p> - -<p>"Isn't it a good thing, after all, that poor old Laddie isn't with -us? What a horrible time he would have without anything to drink!"</p> - -<p>"He would have had half my share whatever happened," declared Osborne -resolutely. "But, unfortunately, there is no necessity for that. I -wish there were."</p> - -<p>Webb made no further remark upon the subject. He knew that Osborne -was still awfully cut up about the loss of his pet, and now, rather -clumsily, he had touched upon the matter of the dog's death.</p> - -<p>"We do look a pretty pair," he remarked, setting out on a fresh tack. -"Our fond parents wouldn't recognize us if they could see us now."</p> - -<p>"They would be very pleased to," was his chum's rejoinder; "or rather, -we should both be most delighted to see them at home. I've had enough -of African sands to last a lifetime. And these flies!"</p> - -<p>A petty officer, mopping the perspiration from his face, wriggled -past his comrades in the narrow trench, and approached the Lieutenant -and his chum.</p> - -<p>"Cap'n's compliments, sir," he said as he saluted. "He'd like to have -a word with Mr. Webb."</p> - -<p>Webb found Captain M'Bride consulting with the gunner and the bos'n. -Seeing Webb hesitate, he signed to him to approach.</p> - -<p>"I've a little job on hand, Mr. Webb," he said. "After due -consideration I've decided that you are the best officer I can spare -for the business. We're short of water. Up to the present there is no -sign of the <i>Restormel</i> putting in an appearance to search for us. -The niggers are evidently going to protract their assault and subject -us to a state of siege. So since help is not forthcoming, we must -fetch it. In short, I want you to take the whaler and make a dash for -Crete. Mr. Cox" (indicating the bos'n) "has examined the boat, and -finds that she's seaworthy. A few slight repairs will have to be -made, but they won't take long. The distance is roughly 180 miles, -but perhaps you'll fall in with a vessel before that."</p> - -<p>"Hope it won't be a U-boat, sir," remarked the Sub.</p> - -<p>"You're game? I need not remind you that it is a risky voyage for an -open boat."</p> - -<p>"I'm quite willing, sir," said Webb resolutely.</p> - -<p>"As I thought," added the skipper. "Well, good luck! The weather -looks promising, and ten to one you'll get a fair slant of wind -directly you're a few miles from shore."</p> - -<p>Delighted at the prospect of being afloat once more, yet reluctant to -have to leave his comrades in dire peril, Webb hastened to make -preparations for his hazardous voyage in the open whaler. He realized -the risk—he also realized the tremendous responsibility, for if he -failed in the enterprise the rest of the survivors of the -<i>Portchester Castle</i> were doomed.</p> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<a name="chapter17"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XVII</h3> - -<h4 align="center">The Whaler's Voyage</h4> - -<p><span class="smallcaps">Having</span> selected his crew—a matter of personal difficulty—since no -man cared to volunteer to exchange a post of peril for a duty only -slightly less hazardous—Sub-lieutenant Webb proceeded to prepare the -boat for her voyage.</p> - -<p>The whaler was one of the Service type, twenty-seven feet in length. -She had two masts, slightly raking aft, and carried "dipping lug" -fore and mainsails—a powerful rig, but one that requires smart and -careful handling when going about in a strong breeze.</p> - -<p>The bos'n—the carpenter warrant officer having been lost in the -struggle for the shore—had instructed the carpenter's crew to nail -several pieces of planking across the bows, covering the rough deck -with canvas from some spare sails. Empty barricoes, of which a number -had been cast upon the beach, were lashed to the thwarts, thus -affording considerable buoyancy in the event of the boat being -capsized. These were the only alterations made in preparing the -whaler for her run across to the distant island of Crete.</p> - -<p>The number of hands selected for the voyage was the very minimum -required to work the boat. More would unduly weaken the little -garrison ashore; the victualling problem had also to be taken into -account.</p> - -<p>"I can only let you have a gallon of water, sir," decided the bos'n, -"and dry biscuit and salt beef enough for two days. Sure 'tis short -rations, but you know, sir, how things go. There are half a dozen -lemons, too, sir; some were washed up before they had been in the -water very long, so I don't suppose they're brackish. A fine thing to -quench the thirst, Mr. Webb."</p> - -<p>Having bade his comrades a hearty adieu, the Sub ordered the whaler -to be pushed off. Three cheers were given for the voyagers, the -compliment being returned in right good earnest by the boat's crew.</p> - -<p>"Give way, lads," ordered Webb. "Long easy strokes. We'll soon pick -up a breeze."</p> - -<p>Steadily the shore receded. Ahead the placid water was ruffled by a -dark-blue line that betokened a smart breeze. Sitting bolt upright -and holding the yoke-lines, the Sub could not help at frequent -intervals turning his head and looking back at the inhospitable sandy -shore. So fierce was the sun that the radiating heat made the barren -dunes appear to quiver, distorting objects ashore. Everything there -seemed quiet. No rifle-shots pulsated on the still air. Beyond a few -seamen, patrolling the beach to look out for further jetsam, there -were no signs of life. The torrid heat had thrown its languorous -spell upon Britons and Senussi alike.</p> - -<p>"It's hot enough here, in all conscience," thought Tom. "It must be -like a slow oven ashore." For an hour the men toiled at the oars, the -sweat pouring from their brick-red faces; yet uncomplainingly they -maintained their long swinging strokes, as if they were pulling -across a harbour rather than setting out for a 180-mile voyage.</p> - -<p>"Here's the breeze, lads," exclaimed Webb as a faint zephyr fanned -his face. "Well on the starboard quarter, too. Stand by to make -sail."</p> - -<p>Thankfully the jaded men boated oars. Willing hands stepped the two -masts, and quickly the powerful dipping lugs were bellying to the -quartering breeze. The water gurgled pleasantly under the whaler's -forefoot, while a long white wake was a silent testimony to the -boat's speed through the blue water.</p> - -<p>"Five to six knots now, sir, I'll allow," replied the coxswain in -reply to his officer's query. "She's footing it fine."</p> - -<p>"That's what I estimate," agreed the Sub. "If it holds, another -thirty hours ought to bring us within sight of land."</p> - -<p>"Not much doubt about it holding, sir," declared the man, glancing to -windward. "Unless I'm much mistaken there'll be a power o' wind afore -nightfall—more'n we'll want," he added under his breath.</p> - -<p>"Cover up that hard tack there," ordered the Sub, as the first spray -flew over the gunwale and threatened to soak the scanty supply of -biscuits. "A pull on your fore-sheet there. That's better; now she -feels it."</p> - -<p>The whaler was moving now, cutting through the rising waves like a -race-horse. Every stitch of canvas was drawing, while feathers of -spray dashed over the weather bow. But, in spite of these encouraging -conditions, the wind was backing slowly yet steadily. By sunset it -was broad on the starboard beam.</p> - -<p>As darkness set in Webb relieved the coxswain at the tiller. Few -words were spoken between them, for the Sub's attention was mainly -directed to windward, ready to cope with any sudden increase of wind. -Either seated or lying on the bottom-boards, the men were engaged in -the time-honoured custom of "chewing the rag" before "turning in" on -their hard couch. Scraps of conversation caught the Sub's ears. He -smiled grimly, for the boat's crew were not discussing the chances of -the hazardous voyage, or the plight of their comrades they had left -behind: an animated discussion was in progress as to which team won -the English Cup in a certain year of that remote period previous to -the outbreak of the greatest war the world has yet seen.</p> - -<p>At eight bells the "watch below" turned in, their outlines just -discernible in the starlight as, in unpicturesque attitudes, each -sleeper adapted himself as comfortably to his individual tastes as -hard and unyielding bottom-boards permitted. Their comrades, told off -for the night watches, crouched under the lee of the gunwale, -sheltering from the keen wind, for with the setting of the sun the -temperature had fallen considerably. Clad only in sub-tropical -uniforms and being unprovided with greatcoats, the men felt acutely -the contrast between the heat of the day and the chilliness of the -night. When at length the order came to reef sails, they obeyed -smartly and cheerfully. The very act of doing something was as balm -to their cold and cramped limbs.</p> - -<p>Webb had been wise to reef in time. The wind was now for'ard of the -beam and increasing in violence. Directly water showed a tendency to -come over the lee gunwale he had given the order to shorten sail.</p> - -<p>He was very anxious—not on account of the rising wind and sea, but -because it was now only just possible to keep the whaler on her -course.</p> - -<p>"If the wind backs another point it will head us," he remarked to the -coxswain.</p> - -<p>"'Fraid it will, sir," was the imperturbable reply. "I'd as lief up -helm and run for Malta as make board after board and not gain more'n -a few yards to wind'ard."</p> - -<p>The Sub had to admit the force of the petty officer's remarks. The -whaler, being unprovided with a drop keel, would make a very -indifferent performance to windward. There were no tidal currents to -help her—the Mediterranean being tideless—and what "drift" there -was would be against her, since the currents in this part of the vast -inland sea are set up solely by the force of the prevailing wind. In -these circumstances it might take a week or more to reach Crete, and -by that time the comrades they had left behind would be conquered by -famine, even if they succeeded in holding in check the savage foes -who menaced them.</p> - -<p>Yet there was another chance. The whaler would soon be in the regular -steamer track between Port Said and the Western Mediterranean -seaports. In normal times the probability of aid from passing vessels -would be great; but now, owing to the U-boat menace, things were very -different.</p> - -<p>A moaning sound pierced the darkness of the night. In an instant Webb -grasped the situation. A squall was sweeping down.</p> - -<p>"Check sheets!" he shouted, at the same time putting the helm down -ever so slightly, so as not to get the boat "in irons".</p> - -<p>The squall hit the boat hard. Green seas poured over her bows, -effectually awaking the sleepers. So fierce was the strength of the -wind that the Sub was compelled to order the canvas to be -close-reefed.</p> - -<p>By dint of strenuous baling the whaler was kept afloat; yet she was -sagging to leeward like an empty cask. Worse, the wind was now -absolutely dead ahead, and more than enough for the meagre amount of -sail that was still set.</p> - -<p>"Think she'll stick it?" shouted Webb to the coxswain.</p> - -<p>"No, I don't, sir," replied that worthy bluntly. "Better ride to our -gear while there's time."</p> - -<p>The petty officer's advice was sound. To attempt to carry on was a -suicidal policy. As quickly as possible the oars and yard were lashed -together, the foresail being still bent to its spar. To these a scope -of grass rope was attached, and the whole of the gear thrown -overboard, the kedge having been previously bent to the lower part of -the canvas to ensure it floating "up and down".</p> - -<p>To this rough-and-ready sea-anchor the whaler rode in comparative -safety, for, although the seas were breaking all around, there was a -complete absence of crested, dangerous waves in the wake of the -floating gear, fifty yards ahead of the boat.</p> - -<p>"So well, so good," thought Webb. "But, unfortunately, though we may -have saved our own skins, the fact remains that we are not helping -Captain M'Bride and our comrades ashore."</p> - -<p>"She's riding handsomely, sir," remarked the coxswain. "And we've -plenty of sea-room. Short and sharp this has been in coming up, and -maybe 'twill be short and sharp when it does pipe down."</p> - -<p>Slowly the minutes sped. The inactivity, combined with a prolonged -lack of sleep, was beginning to tell upon the young officer. Once or -twice he found his head involuntarily dropping on his chest.</p> - -<p>"All right, sir," said the coxswain, who had "spotted" his superior -officer's movements. "Just you have forty winks. Nothin' doin'; and -I'll pass the word if there is."</p> - -<p>It seemed less than a few minutes when Webb was roused by the petty -officer touching him on the shoulder.</p> - -<p>"Vessel o' sorts bearin' down, sir."</p> - -<p>There was no time to be lost if help was to be forthcoming in that -direction. Already the black outlines of a large ship were looming -through the night mirk.</p> - -<p>The whaler was without means of signalling. Webb found himself -wishing that he had brought the Very's pistol with him, until he -reflected that it might perform an even greater service in the -defence of the zariba. There were no rockets in the boat; neither -flashing lamp nor flare. Not even matches, for the very scanty stock -had been used up in a fruitless attempt to light the binnacle lamp, -which had been found lying in the bottom of the boat when she had -come ashore half-filled with water. Nor was there a rifle on board. -Every available weapon was required by the men facing the Senussi.</p> - -<p>"Stand by to give a hail, men," cautioned the Sub. "When I give the -word, then all together. Luckily she'll pass to leeward of us."</p> - -<p>At Webb's order the night echoed to the stentorian tones of the -whaler's crew. It must have been impossible for the officer of the -watch not to have heard the combined efforts of the strong-lunged -men.</p> - -<p>"She's not slowing down, sir," said one of the men, after a pause.</p> - -<p>"Give her time," replied the Sub, hoping against hope that the vessel -would respond to the appeal for aid.</p> - -<p>But no; instead of reversing engines she ported helm, and at full -speed was soon lost to sight in the darkness.</p> - -<p>"Rale haythens, sure they be!" muttered an Irishman indignantly.</p> - -<p>Webb took the acute disappointment philosophically. These were times -when unprecedented horrors encompassed the mariner—cold-blooded -murder in the darkness of the night by cowardly lurking U-boats. -Cases had been known of German vessels of war luring their victims to -destruction by false signals of distress, and it was more than likely -that the officer of the watch of the unknown ship, hearing the hail, -had come to the conclusion that it was a decoy cry from a hostile -submarine, and had altered her course in order to avoid a torpedo.</p> - -<p>With the first streaks of dawn the wind moderated, although dead -ahead. The seas, still high, no longer maintained their vicious, -crested aspect. It was now safe to rehoist sail, and, accordingly, -the sea-anchor was brought on board and the masts restepped.</p> - -<p>The Sub had already made up his mind to steer westward. With luck he -might reach Malta, or at least fall in with some of the numerous -war-ships that make Valetta their base.</p> - -<p>As luck would have it, the "traveller", or iron ring that runs up and -down the mast and to which is attached the yard, was jerked upwards -during the operation of making sail. Slackening the halyard made no -difference. The elusive ring remained at a tantalizing distance of -two or three inches above the tallest man's outstretched hand, and -there was no boat-hook to bring it down.</p> - -<p>Webb was about to order the mast to be unstepped, when one of the men -swarmed up the swaying pole and recovered the "traveller". As he did -so he happened to glance to windward.</p> - -<p>"A sail!" he shouted. "Coming bows on."</p> - -<p>For a few minutes all on board the whaler were in a state of -suspense. The vessel was approaching rapidly, but to a great extent -was obscured by the cloud of black smoke that was carried ahead by -the following wind.</p> - -<p>"Hurrah, lads!" exclaimed the coxswain. "She's a destroyer."</p> - -<p>Soon there was no doubt on the matter. She was a large four-funnelled -torpedo-boat destroyer with a red, white, and green ensign at each -masthead, indicating her to be a unit of the Italian Navy. The one -fly in the ointment was the disconcerting sight of the bow -twelve-pounder gun manned and trained upon the whaler.</p> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<a name="chapter18"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XVIII</h3> - -<h4 align="center">In the Nick of Time</h4> - -<p><span class="smallcaps">"Steady,</span> lads! Aim low. Don't throw a single shot away."</p> - -<p>Calmly and resolutely Captain M'Bride's voice travelled along the -whole length of the trench. Every man possessing a rifle gripped the -weapon resolutely, while the rest of the defenders, armed with -whatever means of defence came to hand, braced themselves for the -coming desperate struggle.</p> - -<p>It was close on sunset. Not a breath of wind tempered the still -stifling heat. The gale of wind that had beset the whaler had not yet -reached the sun-baked sand-dunes where the <i>Portchester Castle's</i> -survivors still held grimly to their scanty defences.</p> - -<p>After a series of feints extending over the greater part of the day, -the Senussi were at last about to make a determined onslaught. The -camel-men had dismounted and sent their docile animals out of harm's -way, but the horsemen had massed in a long curved line of foot. There -was some semblance of military order in the array, taught no doubt by -their former Turkish instructors, for on each flank, and on rising -ground, riflemen were posted so as to pour a converging force upon -the British, while the horsemen, supported by hundreds of dismounted -Arabs armed with sword and spear, charged the extreme left of the -defences.</p> - -<p>This was a masterly stroke that Captain M'Bride had not anticipated, -for here the trench ran in a diagonal direction to the sea, and if -carried would expose the rear of the centre to a flanking and -enfilading fire. But what the attackers did not know was the -existence of a novel form of <i>fougasse</i>—the row of petrol tins.</p> - -<p>Clearly the foremost of the assailants were visible in the slanting -rays of the setting sun. Behind them followed a cloud of sand, thrown -up by the horses' hoofs, through which could be discerned the -indistinct forms of a howling mob of fanatical warriors armed with -cold steel. In the forefront rode a tall bearded fellow with green -jibbah and turban. With his right hand he brandished a long, straight -two-edged sword, while in his left he bore a green banner with a -scarlet crescent.</p> - -<p>"They are not fighting under Turkish colours," remarked Captain -M'Bride to Dacres, who stood by his side. "A sort of Holy War banner, -I take it."</p> - -<p>Evidently Afir-al-Bahr was of the same opinion, and, finding that he -had not to fight against a force under the Turkish Crescent, he -picked up a huge axe that had come ashore in one of the ship's boats.</p> - -<p>"What's that fellow doing?" enquired the skipper hurriedly.</p> - -<p>Dacres, whose service in Egypt had made him fairly proficient with -the language of the Eastern Mediterranean States, spoke a few words -to the Turkish airman.</p> - -<p>"I think it's all right, Captain M'Bride," explained Dacres. "The man -has no intention of breaking his parole. He knows quite well that if -he should fall alive into the hands of the Senussi their treatment -would be much worse than ours. He told me that some time ago a party -of these meek and mild gentlemen mutinied, and murdered their Ottoman -officers."</p> - -<p>"Then let him carry on," decided the skipper. He gave a quick glance -in the direction of the oncoming foe. The foremost were now within -two hundred yards.</p> - -<p>"Volley firing by sections—ready!"</p> - -<p>A well-timed volley burst from the British trench. The high-velocity -bullets, fired at point-blank range, wrought havoc in the crowded -ranks of the Senussi. Saddles were emptied by the dozen, and before -the stricken riders had time to fall to the ground the second section -poured in a murderous fire.</p> - -<p>Yet undaunted the Senussi pressed on, the standard-bearer, apparently -unhurt, still brandishing his gleaming weapon. Then, slowly yet -surely, he began to lean forward until he lay across the horse's -neck. The banner dropped from his nerveless grasp just as a bullet, -striking the animal on its white blaze, brought man and steed to the -ground.</p> - -<p>In an instant another Arab had snatched up the green flag, and, with -redoubled shouts, the dense and now disorganized mob came thundering -across the level stretch of ground in front of the zariba.</p> - -<p>It was now Osborne's time to take up the work with which the absent -Webb had charged him. Already one of the bright-red petrol cans had -been holed by a couple of accurately placed shots, and the highly -volatile fluid was escaping and soaking into the hot sand. The -Lieutenant could even detect the pungent fumes of the evaporating -spirit. Raising the short, smooth-bored pistol, Osborne pressed the -trigger. The missile—a red rocket—burst against the perforated tin, -just as the foremost of the assailants were leaping over the mound -that partly concealed the line of tins.</p> - -<p>The next instant flames shot twenty feet or more into the air—a fire -so intense that the heat could be distinctly felt by the defenders of -the trench, while the zariba quivered in the current of air set up by -the sudden rise of temperature.</p> - -<p>Five seconds later the adjacent tin exploded, and then another and -another, until the tongues of fire darted a good fifty feet skywards.</p> - -<p>That part of the attack was checked and beaten back. The fire barrage -was impassable; but on the enemy's left their impetuous rush brought -them right up to the zariba.</p> - -<p>Dauntlessly the Arabs sought to tear away the prickly barrier. Rifles -cracked, but the number of small arms at the disposal of the British -was insufficient to annihilate—it could only diminish—the great -superiority of the enemy's forces.</p> - -<p>Several of the seamen, armed with knives and marline-spikes lashed to -the end of oars and poles, rendered yeoman service by the use of -these improvised pikes. Others, having provided themselves with a -supply of large stones, hurled them across the intervening barrier at -the nearmost of their assailants.</p> - -<p>Nor was Afir-al-Bahr to be denied. With his axe he fought -desperately, dealing smashing blows whenever a fanatical Arab -succeeded in getting within reach.</p> - -<p>For some moments the situation was extremely critical. The improvised -pikes were no match for the long broad-bladed, razor-edged spears, -and the advantage of fighting behind the zariba was fast disappearing -as the fearless and desperate Senussi persevered in the work of -tearing away the wall of thorns.</p> - -<p>Against these tremendous odds the handful of the <i>Portchester -Castle's</i> crew fought magnificently, making the best use of their -ungainly weapons. British courage and dogged pluck were there. The -men meant to hold their position at all costs, but already the -numbers were being thinned by the relentless pressure of the Arab -assault.</p> - -<p>At this critical juncture Captain M'Bride, realizing that the British -left was in no immediate danger—for the contents of the whole line -of exploded petrol cans were blazing furiously—rushed up every -available rifleman. In a few moments the attack, that had had every -appearance of being successful, broke down. The Arabs melted away, -the survivors retreating in disorder, leaving fifty or more of their -number huddled in front of the partly demolished zariba, and others -at varying distances from the defences.</p> - -<p>"We've been and gone and done it now," commented Major Fane.</p> - -<p>"How's that?" queried Dacres, as he held out his left wrist for his -chum to apply a bandage to a deep but clean gash caused by the -partly-parried thrust of a spear.</p> - -<p>"We've fired all the petrol except the two tins we held in reserve. -We have none available to repeat the dose."</p> - -<p>"I fancy they've had quite enough, eh, what?" rejoined Dacres. -"Thanks, old man, it feels absolutely all right. A trifle on the -tight side, perhaps, but for an amateur, Billy, you know how to -doctor a fellow. Hallo, Osborne; how goes it? My word, that petrol -flare shook 'em up a bit; but we needn't have used the lot. I was -just saying——"</p> - -<p>"It is indeed unfortunate," interposed Captain M'Bride. "We certainly -ought not to have used the whole quantity. I had no idea that it -would make such a furnace. Nearly lifted my eyebrows off, by Jove!"</p> - -<p>"It's my opinion that the Arabs won't come up for a second dose," -remarked Dacres.</p> - -<p>"If they do they'll exercise more caution," said the skipper. "We -must be prepared for a night attack. I've told off a party to pick up -the rifles, ammunition, and spears of the Senussi left on the field. -Mr. Osborne, will you see that the zariba is repaired?"</p> - -<p>The Lieutenant saluted, and hurried away to carry out the Captain's -order. Already twenty additional Mauser rifles had been brought in, -and about four hundred rounds of ammunition. These were served out to -the seamen, the recipients being specially cautioned to keep the -captured ammunition apart from the British Service cartridges, so -that no confusion would arise in the event of a possible attack -during the hours of darkness.</p> - -<p>Osborne had not allowed the lessons of the grim conflict to pass -without gaining useful hints. At his suggestion the zariba was -increased in thickness, the height remaining the same, while the -ground for a width of twenty yards in front was liberally "salted" -with sharp-pointed thorns that were buried "business end uppermost" -in the sand, leaving a couple of inches projecting as a trap for -unwary and unshod feet.</p> - -<p>Since there was not another <i>fougasse</i> to fire, the Lieutenant loaded -the Very's pistol and lashed it to the stump of a bush about a -hundred yards from the trenches. To the trigger he tied a thin piece -of cord, obtained by unreeving the strands of a length of rope, and -secured the other end to a picket driven deeply into the sand. In the -event of any of the Senussi creeping up to the defences at night, -contact with the cord would instantly give the alarm.</p> - -<p>By dint of hard work, these preparations were completed before the -short twilight gave place to intense darkness. It was now blowing -hard from the nor'east, and, in spite of the fact that only a narrow -strip of ground lay between the rear of the trenches and the sea, the -defences were exposed to irritating clouds of fine sand that -penetrated almost everything—even the intricate breech-mechanism of -the magazine rifles.</p> - -<p>"I wonder how the whaler is faring?" was the question that rose to -the lips of almost every member of the shipwrecked crew, not once but -many times. With the rising breeze the men realized that the boat had -a dead beat to wind'ard, and that, even if she could still carry -canvas, her progress towards the distant goal would be very, very -slow.</p> - -<p>The night was cold, for the sand radiated its heat with remarkable -rapidity, while the on-shore wind was bitterly keen. Without adequate -clothing the men suffered acutely, their condition accentuated by the -quick contrast with the scorching rays of the sun during the day. -Those not detailed for sentry work huddled together in the trenches, -the wounded being provided with awnings fashioned from the boats' -sails stretched between pairs of oars. Slowly the hours passed, for, -although not a single watch belonging to the castaways had survived -the prolonged immersion in salt water, a fairly accurate count of -time could be kept by means of the position of certain well-known -stars.</p> - -<p>At about midnight the sky was overcast, and even this means of -calculating time was at an end. In utter silence the sentries -maintained a vigilant look-out, while their comrades either dozed -fitfully or lay awake, shivering with cold, and on thorns of -expectancy for the night attack.</p> - -<p>Suddenly the tense stillness of the night was broken by a sharp -report, followed by the appearance of a vivid light two hundred feet -or more in the air. The Very pistol had been discharged.</p> - -<p>Instantly the defenders sprang to their feet. Those having rifles -manned the loopholes, opened the "cut-offs" of the magazines, and -prepared to pour a withering fire into the expected mass of Senussi.</p> - -<p>But nothing in the nature of a wild chorus of war-cries pierced the -darkness. In the distance could be heard sounds of commotion amongst -the Arabs, who had encamped at about two or three miles from the -scene of the previous encounter. In front of the zariba all was -quiet.</p> - -<p>"Did you see anything, Wilson?" asked Osborne of one of the sentries.</p> - -<p>"Nothing, sir," was the reply. "And when that rocket went off it was -as clear as day, in fact my eyes are still dazzled by the light."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps it was a sniper or a scout," suggested Dacres, who at the -first alarm had hurried to his post.</p> - -<p>"If so, I fancy he's made himself scarce," added Osborne.</p> - -<p>"By the by, Osborne," remarked Major Fane, "did you set that cord up -fairly tight when you fixed it to the trigger?"</p> - -<p>"As taut as I dared," replied the Lieutenant. "It wanted only a -four-pound pull to set off the cartridge."</p> - -<p>"Then I fancy I can explain," continued the Major. "You didn't make -any allowance for the contraction of the cord with the dew."</p> - -<p>Osborne bit his lip. He was too straightforward to offer excuses. He -knew perfectly well the effect of damp upon rope, and at this -critical time he had omitted to make practical use of his knowledge. -The false alarm had turned out every man when they badly needed sleep -and rest.</p> - -<p>The Very's pistol was reloaded and the trigger-line slacked off. Once -more the men not on sentry sought to gain some hours of slumber in -their uncomfortable surroundings.</p> - -<p>The rest of the night passed without further incident, the enemy -making no further attempt to molest the camp. With the dawn the -defenders were roused. A small quantity of water, half a biscuit, and -a morsel of salt beef were served out, and on this scanty ration each -man had to exist for the next six hours.</p> - -<p>"Where's that Turkish fellow?" enquired Osborne. "He hasn't put in an -appearance for his food."</p> - -<p>No one had seen him, for owing to his religious scruples the Ottoman -aviator had constructed his shelter at a little distance to the rear -of the trench.</p> - -<p>"I seed 'im makin' for his caboodle just after that there set-to last -night, sir," volunteered one of the seamen. "Shall I rout 'im out?"</p> - -<p>"No, I'll go," said Dacres. "I can speak his lingo." And crossing the -intervening stretch of sand he reached the artificial hollow that the -Turk had dug out.</p> - -<p>Afir-al-Bahr was lying on his side; his "prayer-carpet", which devout -Mohammedans carry with them in all circumstances, was spread at his -feet. To all appearance the Turk was sleeping peacefully—but it was -the sleep of death. During the attack on the zariba he had received a -mortal wound; yet, with a remarkable reticence, he had crawled away -to die in solitude.</p> - -<p>They buried him hastily in the hollow he had constructed. No volleys -were fired over his grave—cartridges were too precious for that; no -"Last Post" rent the air, since no bugle was available. Yet the -homage of the <i>Portchester Castle's</i> ship's company to a brave and -gallant enemy—a man who had done his level best to blow the ship to -pieces, and had afterwards fought side by side with his country's -foes—was none the less sincere.</p> - -<p>Hardly had the last rites been accomplished when signs of renewed -activity were visible amongst the Senussi. During the night their -numbers had been augmented by other bands of desert nomads, until the -present strength more than exceeded the force that had delivered the -previous attack with such disastrous results.</p> - -<p>Yet the Arabs appeared to be in no immediate hurry. Evidently they -guessed that the defenders were scantily supplied with food and -water. They could afford to wait until the British, faint with -hunger, and weakening under the effect of the enervating, torrid -atmosphere, would be unable to offer any strenuous resistance.</p> - -<p>"I almost wish they'd make a move, by Jove, I do!" remarked Dacres. -"Suppose I oughtn't to say it though, since the longer they wait the -more chance we have of rescue; but it's slow work hanging on to a -mound of sand and expecting those fellows to make a rush."</p> - -<p>"Looks as though your half-expressed wish will be gratified, old -man," replied Major Fane, as a swarm of white-robed men edged along -to the right of the defenders' position, taking considerable care to -keep good cover. "See their move? They're making for the beach. If -they get behind us, there'll be the deuce to pay!"</p> - -<p>The tactics of the Senussi necessitated a rearrangement of the -defenders. At Captain M'Bride's order, those of the riflemen who had -been armed with rifles taken from the dead Arabs were detached from -the centre and moved to a flanking position, so as to command the -approach along the shore. Those seamen who had brought their own -rifles were still retained in front of the zariba, so as to check any -frontal attack.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile Osborne, assisted by two volunteers, boldly left the -shelter of the trenches and began to dig up the scorched and -blistered petrol tins. These they set up in a conspicuous place a few -yards in front of the original line, coolly completing the task in -spite of an erratic fire from the Arab sharpshooters.</p> - -<p>"What's the move?" enquired Dacres when the Lieutenant returned -safely to shelter.</p> - -<p>"It may work; it's a little ruse," replied Osborne. "They'll see -the tins easily enough. I've put the best side of them facing -outwards. If they think that we'll be able to repeat the -curtain-of-fire business, they'll think twice before making a frontal -attack. It's quite bad enough to be taken in the rear of both flanks, -without a direct rush."</p> - -<p>"There's the green banner again," exclaimed Fane. "That looks like -business."</p> - -<p>"Steady, my lads," shouted the heroic skipper. "Let 'em have it."</p> - -<p>The rattle of musketry sounded along the shore. The result surpassed -all expectation, for, to the defenders' surprise, scores of Senussi -toppled over on the sand, some writhing, although for the most part -those who fell lay still. The rush ended abruptly, the rest of the -Arabs turning and running at full speed for the shelter of the dunes.</p> - -<p>"That's knocked the stuffing out of them," declared Captain M'Bride. -"Now, lads, there's another haul of equipment."</p> - -<p>A dozen or more of the seamen who did not possess rifles made their -way through the zariba, and approached the fallen foe with the -intention of despoiling them of their arms. While engaged in this -task, quite fifty of the fallen Senussi sprang to their feet, and -fell upon the tricked men. The ruse was disastrous as far as the -defenders were concerned, for those remaining in the trenches dare -not fire for fear of hitting their comrades. Before a rescue-party -could approach, the over-eager despoilers, hopelessly outnumbered, -were cut down to a man, while the cunning Arabs, pursued by a fierce -fire from the vengeful defenders, succeeded in regaining the main -body with severe losses.</p> - -<p>The handful of the <i>Portchester Castle's</i> crew who had fallen in this -daring ruse could ill be spared. Although they had fought and died -gamely, and had accounted for more of the enemy than their own -numbers, the relative loss went against the beleaguered force. They -had gained experience at a high price.</p> - -<p>Another grave discovery was brought home to the sorely pressed men. -Their ammunition was running short. Magazine rifle-fire is apt to -make heavy inroads upon the stock of cartridges, and, although the -men had exercised considerable restraint and had hardly thrown away a -single shot; the fact remained that the supply had dwindled down to -less than a couple of hundred.</p> - -<p>"And the worst of it is," confided Major Fane, "we have those four -women—passengers from the <i>Sunderbund</i>—in our hands. They are as -plucky as one could wish; by Jove, they are! If the worst comes to -the worst——"</p> - -<p>"Yes, Major," added Captain M'Bride quietly. "I understand. We must -never let them fall alive into the hands of these brutes."</p> - -<p>Throughout the rest of the morning and well into the afternoon the -Senussi continued their wearing-down tactics, making numerous feints, -either singly or simultaneously at different points; yet no definite -attack matured. All the while a long-range fire was directed upon the -defences, and although the enemy wasted prodigious quantities of -ammunition the net result was two men severely, and four slightly -wounded.</p> - -<p>"Now they mean business, I fancy," said Major Fane, as a tremendous -hubbub, in which the beating of drums figured largely, came from the -enemy position. "These fellows seem to fancy the hours before -sunset."</p> - -<p>A vast semicircle of dark-featured Arabs, their strength now -exceeding three thousand, told pretty plainly that the defences were -to be rushed from all available directions. This time, save for a few -exceptions, all the attackers were on foot, although in the centre -rode another green-turbaned Amir, bearing the emerald-hued banner -that was to bring victory to the Faithful.</p> - -<p>Even as the survivors of the <i>Portchester Castle</i> stood ready for the -order to open fire, the air was torn by the shrill screech of a heavy -projectile, quickly followed by another and another. With a -succession of terrific crashes, twelve-pounder shells burst fairly -amidst the dense serried ranks of the Senussi. It was more than -fanatical courage could stand. They broke and fled, leaving the green -banner torn to shreds in the grasp of the lifeless Amir.</p> - -<p>Too utterly done up even to cheer, the rescued garrison gazed -seawards. Less than two miles from shore, and pelting onwards at a -good twenty-five knots, was a British destroyer. It was rescue in the -very nick of time.</p> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<a name="chapter19"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XIX</h3> - -<h4 align="center">Misunderstandings</h4> - -<p><span class="smallcaps">We</span> left Sub-lieutenant Tom Webb and the whaler's crew in the act of -being rescued by a destroyer flying the Italian ensign. The vessel -was the <i>Bersagliere</i>, a 28-knot boat armed with four -twelve-pounders.</p> - -<p>It was not sheer luck that brought it to the rescue of the Sub and -his companions. The liner that had passed them in the night was not -so callous as they had supposed. Although she dared not stop to -investigate the cause of the shouting, fearing the presence of a -hostile submarine, she had sent out a wireless message in the -International Code, reporting on the circumstance, giving the -approximate position, and suggesting the possibility of a U-boat.</p> - -<p>The call was picked up by several patrolling war-ships, amongst them -the <i>Bersagliere</i>. The latter being nearest to the position -indicated, set off at full speed, and cleared for action in the event -of meeting with a U-boat which had resorted to the device of using a -decoy.</p> - -<p>The Italian destroyer's people were unremitting in their attentions -to what they supposed to be the sole survivors of a British naval -craft. Not one of either officers or crew could understand English, -nor could Webb and his men speak a word of Italian, and the Sub's -endeavour to indicate by means of signs that the rest of the -survivors were cast ashore on the Tripolitan coast, and were in dire -peril from the Senussi, was fruitless.</p> - -<p>The commanding officer of the <i>Bersagliere</i> did his best, but, -unfortunately, with somewhat disconcerting results. He wirelessed in -International Code the news that he had on board the sole survivors -of the British war-ship <i>Portchester Castle</i>. The message was picked -up and decoded by several vessels, and also the naval receiving -station at Malta, and within a very short time of the rescue of the -whaler's crew the inaccurate news was transmitted to the Admiralty.</p> - -<p>Webb and his comrades were, of course, ignorant of this stage of the -proceedings. They knew, however, that they were being taken in a -nor'westerly direction by the destroyer—farther and farther away -from the scene of the unequal conflict ashore. Instead of bringing -aid to the hard-pressed Captain M'Bride and his handful of undaunted -men, they were being spirited away to an unknown -destination—possibly Castellamare or some other distant Italian -naval port.</p> - -<p>"'Spose these Eytalians thinks as 'ow they are doin' their level -best," remarked one man to his "raggie". "Strikes me we're being -bloomin' well kidnapped. Look 'ere, Ginger; you can 'andle a pencil. -Just you draw a sort o' sketch of our chaps ashore, an' put a few -niggers in. That might do the trick."</p> - -<p>Ginger pondered. The trouble was to get pencil and paper. The rest -was simple, for he had a strong reputation amongst his lower-deck -mates as an artist.</p> - -<p>The difficulty was overcome by boldly commandeering a pad and pencil -from the <i>Bersagliere's</i> signalman, somewhat to the surprise of the -good-natured Italian; then, surrounded by interested spectators of -both the Allied navies, Ginger proceeded with his task.</p> - -<p>"'Ere we are," he explained. "Them's the sand-dunes; 'ere's the -skipper, Number One, an' Lootenant Osborne. This is the zayreber; -them's the enemy. That orter do the trick, didn't it, mates?"</p> - -<p>"'Spose so," admitted one of the whaler's men rather dubiously. "A -little smoke chucked in would improve the picture, I'll allow."</p> - -<p>The artist reluctantly admitted the force of the criticism, and -proceeded to depict far more vapour than modern engagements with -smokeless powder justified. Then, stepping up to one of the -<i>Bersagliere's</i> officers, he tendered his handiwork.</p> - -<p>The Italian took the drawing and examined it intently and -sympathetically. He was obviously puzzled for some minutes. Then a -smile lit up his olivine features, and he spoke a few words to one of -his men.</p> - -<p>"Guess he's off to explain to the skipper of this packet," declared -Ginger's pal. "I knowed that 'ud do the trick."</p> - -<p>But instead of making his way to the bridge the Italian seaman went -below. The British tars regarded each other with feelings akin to -consternation, nor was their surprise any the less when the man -reappeared with a dish containing a "plum duff" liberally provided -with currants.</p> - -<p>The artistic idol of the <i>Portchester Castle's</i> ship's company was -shattered.</p> - -<p>"Arter all," decided the coxswain, "'tain't to be wondered at, -Ginger. Those sand-dunes of yourn do look like the outlines of a -'spotted Dick', smoke an' all; but I guess the owner wouldn't be -pleased to find he'd been mistaken for a bloomin' currant."</p> - -<p>Almost immediately afterwards attention was directed in another -direction, for a vessel was sighted on the starboard bow. In a few -moments, for both craft were moving rapidly, the stranger was found -to be the British destroyer <i>Paradox</i>.</p> - -<p>An exchange of signals followed. The <i>Paradox</i> had been one of the -vessels that had received the <i>Bersagliere's</i> wireless message, and -it was with the intention of taking over the survivors of the -<i>Portchester Castle</i> that she had made towards the Italian destroyer.</p> - -<p>Once more Sub-lieutenant Webb trod the decks of a craft flying the -white ensign; while the two destroyers, dipping their flags by way of -a courteous international salute, proceeded on different courses the -<i>Bersagliere</i> "holding on", while to her commander's astonishment he -saw the British craft circle to port, and steam off at full speed in -a south-easterly direction, instead of returning to her base at Suda -Bay.</p> - -<p>Webb had lost no time in explaining to the Lieutenant of the -<i>Paradox</i> that Captain M'Bride and a considerable number of men were -at bay on the Tripolitan coast; while to his surprise the Sub learnt -of the inaccurate wireless message from the <i>Bersagliere</i> reporting -the whaler's crew as sole survivors of the ill-fated <i>Portchester -Castle</i>.</p> - -<p>"We'll be in time yet, I think," remarked the commanding officer of -the <i>Paradox</i>. "You reckoned to fetch Crete in an open boat and yet -be able to summon assistance. We've saved you at least twenty-four -hours. Yes, I'll see that a wireless correcting the previous -inaccurate report is sent off; but I think I'll wait till we've seen -this business through."</p> - -<p>Upon approaching the coast Webb could distinctly hear the rattle of -musketry. That was a good sign. It told him that Captain M'Bride and -his men were still holding out.</p> - -<p>At twenty-five knots the <i>Paradox</i> was soon within range of her -twelve-pounders. In the slanting rays of the setting sun the dense -masses of the Senussi could be distinctly made out. It was a target -that could not well be missed.</p> - -<p>Six rounds were sufficient. The Lieutenant-commander, standing on the -destroyer's bridge, thrust his binoculars into their case with an -emphatic snap.</p> - -<p>"Good enough!" he exclaimed. "Cease fire—out boats!"</p> - -<p>Bringing the <i>Paradox</i> to a standstill close to the almost submerged -wreck of the <i>Portchester Castle</i>, and keeping between the latter and -the shore—a precaution necessary should hostile submarines be in the -vicinity—her skipper lost no time in taking off the survivors of the -torpedoed armed merchant-cruiser. Yet before the evacuation of the -zariba was accomplished night had fallen.</p> - -<p>"I thought you would not fail us, Mr. Webb," was Captain M'Bride's -greeting as he came over the side. "You've been very quick over the -business. How did you fare when the wind piped up?"</p> - -<p>"Sheer good luck, sir," replied the Sub modestly. "We were picked up -by an Italian destroyer and afterwards transferred to the <i>Paradox</i>."</p> - -<p>The skipper of the <i>Portchester Castle</i> kept his young officer -engaged in conversation for some time, during which Webb's eyes were -periodically turned in the direction of the returning boats. Yes, -thank God! there was Osborne, apparently safe and sound; Dacres too, -and Major Fane; most of the ship's officers whom Webb had left behind -when he made his dash in the whaler.</p> - -<p>At length his Captain dismissed him, and went below to enjoy the -hospitality of the diminutive ward-room. Webb made his way across to -where Osborne was standing.</p> - -<p>"Hallo, old bird—back again, you see!" was the Lieutenant's -greeting, informal, but none the less hearty.</p> - -<p>"Where's Haynes?" enquired Webb, after returning his chum's -salutation. "I've been looking out for him, but all the boats have -returned."</p> - -<p>"You're a bright lad not to spot your chums," rejoined Osborne. "He -was one of the first to be brought off. He got it badly almost at the -last lap—a gunshot wound in the side. Donovon's got him in hand now. -'Fraid Haynes' career in the Service is a closed book."</p> - -<p>"Sorry to hear that," said the Sub. "I only hope you're wrong, -Osborne."</p> - -<p>"Wouldn't be the first time," admitted the Lieutenant. "I made a fine -mess of things ashore just now." And he told his chum the episode of -the Very pistol.</p> - -<p>"Do you know where we are bound for?" he continued.</p> - -<p>"Port Said—so I heard the Navigating Lieutenant of the <i>Paradox</i> -say," replied Webb. "I was hoping that it was Malta; still, one -mustn't complain after what we've been through. Not that we'll find -Egypt particularly exciting just for the present. From all accounts -there's precious little doing."</p> - -<p>But Sub-lieutenant Webb was mistaken in his surmise. Before very long -he was to find that the Land of the Pharaohs was anything but a place -for an uneventful existence.</p> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<a name="chapter20"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XX</h3> - -<h4 align="center">The Desert Wireless Station</h4> - -<p><span class="smallcaps">"Donkey,</span> sah? Good donkey, sah? Me good dragoman. Talk Englis' like -Englisman, sah. Me good——"</p> - -<p>"Oh, chuck it, do!" exclaimed Osborne. "No can do; savee?"</p> - -<p>It was on the outskirts of Alexandria. Osborne and Webb, already -"bored stiff" with the doubtful charms of the sun-baked Egyptian -seaport, were longing to be afloat once more. Up to the present their -wishes in that direction had not been gratified. In common with the -rest of the surviving officers and crew of the lost <i>Portchester -Castle</i>, they were resting, first at Port Said and then at -Alexandria, pending Admiralty instructions and appointment to another -ship.</p> - -<p>Early on this particular afternoon the two chums had gone for a walk -beyond the limits of the town. It was a glorious chance to tramp on a -broiling hot day, in a place where almost everyone rides, and then -only when it is necessary to be out and about. It was the time of -siesta, or midday rest, but the superabundant energies of the two -young officers were not to be denied. Both carried revolvers—a -precaution rendered necessary by the existing conditions of the -Egyptian frontiers.</p> - -<p>Barely had they drawn clear of the squalid native quarter when they -were assailed by the demonstrative attention of a swarm of 'Gippy -donkey-boys, whose natural cupidity overcame their curiosity at the -sight of two Englishmen braving the scorching heat of the sun.</p> - -<p>By dint of very forcible language, backed by a pretence of forcible -methods, Osborne had succeeded in freeing himself and his companion -from the undesired attentions of the mob, with one exception. The -latter, a tall, sparely built fellah, hung on like a leech.</p> - -<p>"Tomb of Ctesos, sah," he vociferated. "Not far. Far to walk, but not -far for donkey, sah. Twen'-fivee piastres" (up went the fingers of -his right hand five times to emphasize the point) "all de way. Dirty -cheap, sah."</p> - -<p>Osborne hesitated and was lost.</p> - -<p>"Tomb of Ctesos?" he repeated. "H'm, I've heard of it. Sort of ruined -pyramid, I believe, Tom. Well, it's something definite to do. How -about it?"</p> - -<p>"I'm on," replied Webb. "Figuratively, of course. When it comes to -the back of a donkey it may be a different matter."</p> - -<p>"The brutes look quiet enough," resumed Osborne, eyeing the three -sorry-looking donkeys, who were continually flicking their ears in a -vain attempt to rid themselves of the tormenting attentions of a -swarm of flies. "All right," he added, addressing the donkey-boy. -"Twenty-five piastres, mind!"</p> - -<p>The 'Gippy extended a grimy, sunburned hand. "On de nail," he -exclaimed, making use of one of many English idioms that he had -picked up in the course of his dealings with tourists in pre-war -days, and with British and Australian troops since the outbreak of -hostilities.</p> - -<p>The officers smiled. The words, coming from the lips of a -dark-skinned Egyptian, tickled them. The fellow's eyes looked so -pathetic and trustful that Osborne obligingly paid for the hire of -the animals.</p> - -<p>Evidently the guide was not going to exert himself by walking. -Throwing himself upon the back of the third donkey he urged the -brutes into a steady trot, yelling the while in a jargon of English -and Arabic, and belabouring the animals with a stick.</p> - -<p>"Avast there!" said Osborne authoritatively. "Stop it! Not so much of -the stick business. They'll go just as well without."</p> - -<p>The "boy"—he was a man of between twenty-five and thirty—obeyed, -but only for a time. Ere long he began to thrash the animals again.</p> - -<p>"For the second time, stop it!" thundered the Lieutenant.</p> - -<p>The donkey-driver muttered something under his breath. A momentary -scowl flashed across his olivine features. If looks could kill, -Osborne would have been stretched lifeless in the desert.</p> - -<p>On and on the donkeys went, sometimes trotting, at others plodding -stolidly through the sand; for already the cotton-fields had been -left behind, and nothing but the desert could now be seen, bounded on -the right hand by the intricate swamps of Lake Mareotis. Before they -had gone five miles, both the officers discovered, to their great -discomfort, that their mounts possessed very aggressive backbones, -the pain from the sharp edges of which the meagre native saddle did -little to mitigate.</p> - -<p>"How much farther?" enquired Webb.</p> - -<p>"Not far," was the 'Gippy's non-committal reply.</p> - -<p>"Hanged if I don't think the rascal is taking us past the place," -declared Osborne, indicating a solidly constructed building on the -left, at a distance of about three-quarters of a mile.</p> - -<p>The donkey-boy saw the gesture.</p> - -<p>"No, sah, no," he expostulated earnestly. "Him no good. Nothing dere; -empty. Tomb of Ctesos, sah, him be right dere."</p> - -<p>"Dash the tomb of Ctesos!" declared Osborne. "It's not good enough. -Look here, Ali Babi; we've chucked the idea. We'll have a look at -this place instead. We may find shelter from the sun, and get back in -the cool of the evening."</p> - -<p>The suggestion did not at all meet with the native's approval. -Obviously he had strong reasons against falling in with the proposal.</p> - -<p>"Evidently our dusky dragoman considers this to be a breach of -contract," observed Webb.</p> - -<p>"Can't imagine why," rejoined Osborne. "If what he says is correct -with reference to the direction of this precious tomb, we're saving -his animals a considerable distance. He who pays the piper calls the -tune, you know; so let's be firm."</p> - -<p>Accordingly, the two officers turned the donkeys in the direction of -the ruined building that Osborne had indicated. With ill-concealed -sullenness the Egyptian slowed down, riding at twenty paces in the -rear of the chums.</p> - -<p>Suddenly he gave vent to a shrill cry. Instantly the animals that -Osborne and Webb were bestriding came to a dead standstill; then, -keeping their forefeet planted firmly in the ground, they lashed out -furiously with their hind legs.</p> - -<p>In vain Webb attempted to keep his saddle. Describing an inelegant -curve he alighted on his head in the sand. Fortunately the softness -of the ground deadened the impact; but, feeling considerably shaken, -he regained his feet to find Osborne sitting regarding him ruefully. -As for the donkeys, they were skeltering off more quickly than they -had done before in the course of that afternoon, while the 'Gippy, -still astride his mount, jeered at his employers until he was out of -ear-shot.</p> - -<p>"The fellow's got his own back," admitted Osborne, laughing at his -own discomfiture. "And we paid him beforehand, worse luck! No matter! -we'll carry on now we're about it, and inspect this ruined show. If -we start at four o'clock we ought to be back before sunset, and it -won't be so oppressively hot to pad the hoof."</p> - -<p>"We're taking a long time to cover this half-mile," remarked Webb, -when after a steady tramp the ruins seemed no nearer. "Suppose it -isn't a mirage, what?"</p> - -<p>"Hope not," replied Osborne. Then he had to admit that the real -distance had been diminished by the vagaries of the atmosphere. -Although the tomb, or whatever it might be, was a real object, it had -seemed to be less than three-quarters of a mile away when Osborne -first noticed it. Actually it was four times that distance.</p> - -<p>At last they approached the elusive building. It consisted of a -rectangular central edifice with a few smaller buildings attached. -The roof was originally a dome, but the greater portion had fallen -in. Fronting the main portion was a row of weather-worn pillars of -red sandstone, ground smooth by the action of the sand-storms of -centuries. In places the portico still remained, but was evidently in -a very insecure state.</p> - -<p>"Hallo!" exclaimed Webb, who with true scouting instinct had been -examining the ground. "Look here; someone has been here recently. -We're just converging upon the track of a couple of men and a led -camel."</p> - -<p>"Yes," agreed Osborne, "and Europeans, too; or at any rate not -barefooted felaheen or sandalled Arabs. Well, I suppose they have a -perfect right to come here, as much as we have—perhaps more if they -have fixed up their abode in this desirable suburban residence."</p> - -<p>"There's the camel," said the Sub, indicating the humped animal -which, hobbled in characteristic Arab fashion, was standing in the -shade of a partly shattered wall. "No signs of the owners. We'll have -to be careful, old man. We don't want to intrude upon these fellows -if they are engaged in their devotions. If they are Mohammedans they -are bound to be pretty sensitive as far as the presence of -unbelievers is concerned."</p> - -<p>For the last hundred yards the two chums maintained silence. Their -footfalls made no sound on the soft sand. At the lofty entrance they -paused. The dense shadows, in contrast to the powerful slanting rays -of the sun, made it impossible to see what was within the place until -their eyes grew accustomed to the violent transition from the glare -to a deep gloom.</p> - -<p>Suddenly Webb grasped his companion's arm.</p> - -<p>"Hist!" he whispered.</p> - -<p>His trained ear had caught the faint cackle of a wireless apparatus.</p> - -<p>For some moments the chums stood motionless. The sounds came from an -apartment either built in the thick walls or else in a raised -outbuilding. Presently the message ended, and the two men began to -engage in conversation, speaking in Arabic—a language of which both -Webb and Osborne knew but a few words, acquired during their brief -stay in Port Said and Alexandria.</p> - -<p>Both officers drew their revolvers. Clearly this was a time for -action. The ruins were not a Government telegraphic post. Since the -Western Egyptian Frontier campaign that ended in the defeat of the -somewhat formidable Senussi rising, a quantity of wireless gear, -known to have been smuggled ashore with other warlike stores for the -use of the enemy, had been unaccounted for. So thorough had been the -methods adopted by the Turks and their German taskmasters, that even -the nomad Arabs of the Tripolitan hinterland had been instructed in -the use of the most modern form of telegraphy.</p> - -<p>When sufficiently accustomed to the gloom, Osborne advanced -cautiously, Webb following at his heels. Guided by the sounds of -conversation they crossed the floor, where the dust of years lay -ankle-deep, until they came to a flight of stone steps, flanked on -either side by gigantic stone images representing two grotesque -Egyptian divinities, seated with their hands resting on their knees -and their orbless eyes staring blankly. So smooth were the carvings -that they might have been chiselled yesterday, instead of several -centuries before the Christian era.</p> - -<p>Up the flight of stairs the two officers crept. The illicit -operators, still engaged in an animated conversation, were unaware of -their presence until with a bound Osborne entered a small room on a -level with the roof of the portico, and covered them with his -revolver.</p> - -<p>Even as he did so he recognized one of the men as Georgeos Hymettus, -the Greek spy, who in the disguise of Alfonzo y Guzman Perez had -furnished the U-boat officers with information concerning the -movements of shipping at Gibraltar, and who had so nearly been laid -by the heels by Osborne and Webb during their adventurous trip to -Algeciras.</p> - -<p>"The world is small, my festive Hymettus," observed Osborne suavely. -"Now, kindly put your hands up and give no trouble."</p> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<a name="chapter21"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XXI</h3> - -<h4 align="center">"A Proper Lash Up"</h4> - -<p><span class="smallcaps">Finding</span> himself covered by Webb's pistol, the Greek's companion -promptly extended both arms above his head as a token of surrender.</p> - -<p>The fellow was attired in characteristic Bedouin dress. His face was -of a deep olivine, his features being partly concealed by a heavy -black beard and by the front of his burnous. In the folds of his -voluminous sash were thrust an automatic pistol, and a couple of -knives of Arab manufacture protected by sheaths of undressed leather.</p> - -<p>"Take charge of that gentleman's armoury, old man," said Osborne. "It -seems most discourteous to deprive such a meek and mild old buffer of -his playthings, but needs must!"</p> - -<p>Webb complied, dexterously removing the knives; but, just as he was -taking possession of the pistol, the latter slipped from his grasp -and clattered on the stone floor. With a deafening report one of the -cartridges exploded.</p> - -<p>In a trice the wily Hymettus saw his chance and took it. With a swift -sideward movement he interposed the body of the Arab between himself -and the muzzle of Osborne's revolver; then turning, he dashed for a -narrow doorway with the Lieutenant in pursuit.</p> - -<p>"About turn; off you go!" ordered Webb, unconsciously addressing his -prisoner in English. "No hanky-panky tricks, mind, or I'll shoot!"</p> - -<p>He pointed to the opening through which the Greek and Osborne had -vanished. The Arab obeyed, still keeping his hands above his head.</p> - -<p>The doorway opened upon the flat roof of the portico. Without was an -expanse of stone slabs, roughly fifty feet by ten. In front and on -one side a parapet of about thirty inches in height afforded -protection from a sheer drop of thirty feet to the ground. On the -remaining side no such wall existed, owing to the partial collapse of -the masonry. Where the portico had fallen, the face of the building -was pitted with holes, caused by the wrenching away of the dovetailed -stones. Each aperture formed a convenient foothold, and from this -hazardous path to safety Hymettus ran. Could he but make his -precarious way along the sheer face of the wall, comparative safety -awaited him, for beyond was a place where one man could defy a -hundred unless his assailants were provided with ladders.</p> - -<p>But at the brink of the riven masonry the Greek paused irresolute. -The sheer drop had more terrors than the weapon of his pursuer. -Before he could finally make up his mind, Osborne, laying aside his -revolver, gripped him by the neck and laid him on his back.</p> - -<p>Hymettus made no attempt at resistance, but the Lieutenant, mindful -of the previous encounter on Spanish territory, was taking no further -chances. With a sailor's deftness he bound the spy's arms behind his -back, and secured his ankles with a length of leather belt that -enabled the prisoner to make a stride of a bare eighteen inches.</p> - -<p>"That's all serene," remarked Osborne with a tone of relief, as he -regained his feet and took possession of his revolver once more. -"Now, old man, we've a good ten miles to tramp, with two villainous -rascals for company."</p> - -<p>"How about the camel?" enquired Webb.</p> - -<p>"I haven't overlooked the fact," rejoined the Lieutenant. "It's not -much use to us as a mode of conveyance. After our meteor-like flight -from the backs of those donkeys, I don't fancy an aerial perch on a -ship of the desert. Humanitarian reasons won't permit us to leave the -beast to die of starvation in this sand-blown spot. We'll make the -Greek ride, and that white-livered Arab will conduct the brute. If -they attempt to sheer off—well, that's where our revolvers will come -in handy."</p> - -<p>"And the wireless gear?" asked the Sub.</p> - -<p>"Let it stop as evidence. The Royal Engineers will see to that -to-morrow. Now, best foot for'ard: it's a long, long way to -Alexandria."</p> - -<p>To his unbounded relief Osborne convoyed the prisoners into the open. -He was unfeignedly glad to get clear of the frowning walls of the -ruined building, with its labyrinth of side passages and weird nooks -and crannies.</p> - -<p>"Now then, don't lag," said Webb sharply, addressing the Arab, who -seemed loath to keep up with his fellow-prisoner.</p> - -<p>The man shot a curious glance at his captor and stood stock-still.</p> - -<p>"No, you don't," continued Webb, giving the prisoner a sturdy shove. -"We mean business, my bearded friend. Thank goodness I have a pistol -in my hand and you haven't. I wouldn't trust you with a halfpenny."</p> - -<p>Thus urged, the Arab resumed his pace, until they came to the spot -where the camel was hobbled.</p> - -<p>"I suppose the Greek hasn't any weapons concealed about him?" -enquired Webb.</p> - -<p>"Trust me for that," was the Lieutenant's reply. "I passed my hands -over his carcass right enough. Now then, Ben Hazi Notion, or whatever -your tally happens to be, bear a hand and hoist this rascal up."</p> - -<p>The Arab spoke a few words to the camel. The animal immediately -crouched on the ground.</p> - -<p>"I say, this condemned nigger understands English," declared Osborne. -"He knew exactly what I said. Now, how far is it to Alexandria?" he -asked, addressing the Bedouin.</p> - -<p>But the latter's face wore a mask of imperturbability. When the -question was repeated, he rolled his eyes and raised his hands with a -gesture of utter incomprehensibility.</p> - -<p>"He must have guessed what I meant," commented Osborne as he signed -to the Arab to make the camel regain its feet.</p> - -<p>Progress was tediously slow. The camel would not be hurried, while -the two Englishmen found that the sand was growing more and more -fatiguing to their feet as mile after mile was covered in the still -hot sunshine.</p> - -<p>The Arab trudged stolidly, holding the gaily coloured head-rope of -the ship of the desert. At intervals the Greek would give furtive -glances around the horizon, as if he expected help to be forthcoming -from some quarter of the trackless desert.</p> - -<p>By the time the weary officers reached the outskirts of the -cotton-fields the sun was low in the west, and the lengthening -shadows betokened the fact that soon it would be night. A few of the -felaheen peasants, still toiling, paused in their work to contemplate -the unusual spectacle of a couple of Englishmen trudging at the tail -end of a camel, while a Greek—there were many such in Alexandria -—rode, seemingly in indolent ease, upon the animal's back.</p> - -<p>Ahead, silhouetted against the sky, could be discerned the lofty -lighthouse of Ras - el - Tin, dominating the slender minarets, and -the masts of the shipping in the harbour. Just then the still air was -rent by the shrill blast of a bugle. The sound was taken up in other -parts of the town, while, as if to emphasize the contrast,'twixt East -and West, the voices of the muezzins calling the Faithful to prayer -could be faintly distinguished amidst the warlike notes of the -bugles.</p> - -<center> -<a name="05_progress"></a> -<img src="images/05_progress.jpg" alt="image: 05_progress.jpg" style="width:100%; height:auto; max-width:600px;"> -</center> -<center>[Illustration: "PROGRESS WAS TEDIOUSLY SLOW"]</center> - -<p>"I won't be sorry to have a jolly good meal and a rest," remarked -Osborne. "We'll have to be sharp if we are to get in before sunset. -With two slippery customers like these, our work will be cut out to -prevent them giving us the slip."</p> - -<p>"It's only that Greek rascal that worries me," said Webb. "The other -fellow doesn't seem to have the courage of a worm, the sagacity of a -bat, or the energy of a snail. Hallo, here's a squad of 'Gippy -troops!"</p> - -<p>Marching at the quick step affected by the native African troops, the -white-clad soldiers drew near, all but the leading files enveloped in -clouds of dust. At their head were two British officers in white -tropical uniforms, and wearing the scarlet tarboosh of the Egyptian -Government service.</p> - -<p>Seeing the two naval men approach with their bound prisoners, the -officer in command ordered the troops to halt.</p> - -<p>"Hallo, what game has he been up to?" enquired the Major, indicating -the secured Hymettus. "Trying to rob you, and caught a Tartar, eh?"</p> - -<p>Briefly Osborne explained the situation, adding that he would be -greatly obliged if the prisoners could be handed over to the custody -of the military until the Lieutenant could report the facts to the -Senior Naval Officer.</p> - -<p>"Certainly," was the reply. "I'll furnish a subaltern's guard. Mr. -Fordyce!"</p> - -<p>"Sir!" replied an alert, bronzed Second-lieutenant.</p> - -<p>"These two men are to be marched back under escort. See that they are -placed in the guard-room. You will be responsible for their safe -custody."</p> - -<p>At an order from a tall, smiling-faced, native sergeant, who appeared -to take a delight in having a rascally Greek in his charge, Georgeos -Hymettus descended from his lofty perch. Surrounded by men with fixed -bayonets he was hurried off to a distance of fifty yards, while other -soldiers took up their position around the Arab prisoner.</p> - -<p>The latter, now that his companion in misfortune was out of ear-shot, -addressed a few rapid sentences in Arabic to the British Major. Then, -to Osborne's and Webb's astonishment, the officer drew them aside, at -the same time halting the escort and signing to the Arab to follow.</p> - -<p>"The courage of a worm, the sagacity of a bat, the energy of a snail, -by Jove! Gentlemen, I begin to feel particularly cheap."</p> - -<p>Osborne stood stock-still, dumb with amazement. Webb, hardly able to -realize the situation, looked at the speaker with ill-disguised -astonishment. The utter surprise of being reminded of his own words, -by a man who appeared to be a genuine Bedouin, literally took the -wind out of his sails.</p> - -<p>"Thanks for a very pleasant afternoon!" continued the disguised -prisoner. "It is indeed most unfortunate that your misplaced zeal -prompted you to raid friend Georgeos's secret wireless station. I've -been on his track for weeks. I may as well introduce myself as Major -Ferriter, of the Intelligence Staff. If necessary, my friend Major -Scott here will guarantee my <i>bona fides</i>."</p> - -<p>"For weeks?" echoed Osborne. "Then why didn't you nab the spy before? -He must have been doing tons of mischief."</p> - -<p>"Not so much as you have done by chipping in," replied Major -Ferriter. "Unwittingly, of course, but none the less unfortunate. I -assume that what I tell you will be treated in strict confidence. For -nearly two months the authorities have been aware of the Greek spy's -activities. He was shadowed from Barcelona to Athens, and thence to -Port Said. I was instructed to keep in touch with him, and as luck -would have it I succeeded. In this disguise I completely hoodwinked -him; lived with him; assisted him at his work of espionage—only I -took care to transmit the messages sent by wireless from the German -U-boats to the Eastern Mediterranean myself. It paid the Government -handsomely to let the fellow pursue his activities. It enabled us to -account for nearly a dozen hostile submarines, and now you've put the -hat on it all."</p> - -<p>"Couldn't you arrange to escape with the spy?" enquired Osborne, -almost panic-stricken at the result of his unintentional blunder.</p> - -<p>"Might," replied Major Ferriter. "Only Hymettus might smell a rat and -slip away to some more congenial atmosphere. I must think it over. -Now, Scott, I think you had better hand me over to the tender mercies -of your men. I must keep up the disguise a little longer, but for -goodness' sake, old man, see that I am smuggled out as soon as it is -safe to do so. After weeks of existence upon dates, pilau, and goats' -milk, I pine for the flesh-pots of civilization."</p> - -<p>Osborne and his chum waited until the supposed Bedouin prisoner was -marched off under escort; then, bidding the infantry Major farewell, -they set off in the gathering darkness, to their quarters.</p> - -<p>For some minutes they spoke not a word; but when at length the -Lieutenant broke the silence, his remark was brief, forcible, and to -the point:</p> - -<p>"My word, old bird; what a proper lash up!"</p> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<a name="chapter22"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XXII</h3> - -<h4 align="center">The Fouled Propellers</h4> - -<p><span class="smallcaps">For</span> the next few days the chums heard nothing more of the spy and his -disguised tracker, nor did they deem it wise to make enquiries. It -was not until the end of the week that news circulated rapidly -through the native quarter to the effect that a Greek and an Arab, -arrested by order of the Kafir authorities, had broken out of their -place of detention. Europeans "not in the know" heard the same story. -Vaguely they wondered how such an escape could be effected, in the -face of the strict measures taken for the safe custody of malefactors -and criminals. And when Osborne and Webb were told of the incident -they glanced at each other in a way that denoted that they were not -at all surprised.</p> - -<p>"We'll hear more about Georgeos Hymettus," declared Webb.</p> - -<p>One morning orders were received for the surviving members of the -ill-fated <i>Portchester Castle's</i> ship's company to hold themselves in -readiness for embarkation on the transport <i>Sinai</i>, which was about -to sail for Malta.</p> - -<p>Dacres and Major Fane had already bidden farewell to their former -companions in peril. They had left a few days after the <i>Paradox</i> -arrived at Port Said—the former for England, the Major, with his -leave cancelled at his own request, to resume duty with a Soudanese -battalion somewhere in the vicinity of Khartoum.</p> - -<p>"Looks like getting into harness again," remarked the Sub on hearing -the news. "Well, I, for one, am not sorry. Things are a bit slow out -here, in spite of our little encounter with the spy. And I'm afraid -we didn't shine over that."</p> - -<p>"A common failing with fellows who take on the amateur-detective -business," commented Osborne, who was never reticent in owning up to -the errors for which he was responsible. "However, that's over and -done with," he added cheerfully. "A little bird whispered to me that -we're to be sent to the Grecian Archipelago. From all accounts -there's going to be trouble with the so-called Royalist section of -the Greek nation. The rotten way in which these fellows are carrying -on is enough to make any self-respecting Greek of ancient history -literally squirm in his grave. There's only one thing, in my opinion, -that prevents Tino's army from marching northwards from Athens, and -taking the Allied forces at Salonika in the rear."</p> - -<p>"And what's that?" enquired Webb.</p> - -<p>"The Navy—the British and French fleets," replied the Lieutenant. -"With Athens and Corinth under the guns of the fleet, and a stern -reminder that 'He who is not for us is against us', the -double-dealing Tino will have to tread warily."</p> - -<p>Early on the following day the depleted ship's company of the -<i>Portchester Castle</i> boarded the vessel that was to take them to -Malta. Under her quarter-deck awnings Osborne and Webb were pacing up -and down, looking, without any qualms of regret, at the sun-baked -town and port of Alexandria.</p> - -<p>At that moment a small coasting steamer, flying the Greek mercantile -ensign, fussily slipped from the quay-side and steamed seawards.</p> - -<p>"She's bound for Crete with stores for the Venezelists," remarked -Osborne. "I saw her departure mentioned in yesterday's orders."</p> - -<p>The Lieutenant was right, up to a certain point. Had he known exactly -the nature of the vessel's cargo, he might have evinced far greater -interest in her; for, stowed away in the dark and ill-ventilated -fore-hold, was the spy Hymettus.</p> - -<p>On his escape from prison—a feat rendered comparatively easy by the -connivance of the authorities—he decided that the wireless business -was far too risky—at least for the present. He had also developed a -sense of distrust against his supposed Arab accomplice, -notwithstanding the active aid given him by the latter in shaking off -the bonds of captivity. He had, therefore, succeeded in giving Major -Ferriter the slip, and, by his intimate knowledge of the native -quarter of Alexandria, had been able to secrete himself until -arrangements were made for him to stow himself away on board the -Greek tramp.</p> - -<p>The <i>Sinai's</i> run from Alexandria to Valetta was brief and -uneventful. There was not even a false alarm of the appearance of a -U-boat's periscopes. For the present, at least, German submarines had -been effectually "warned off" the Egyptian coast; yet, as there was -likely to be a fresh outburst on the part of these modern pirates, -the authorities were strenuous in their efforts to anticipate the -next display of maritime frightfulness.</p> - -<p>"By Jove, what luck!" ejaculated Osborne soon after the <i>Sinai</i> had -moored to a buoy in the Grand Harbour. "I've got a command, Webb, my -boy. They've given me 0916."</p> - -<p>"Good luck, old man!" replied Webb heartily; then with a tinge of -regret: "I suppose it means that we won't see much of each other in -future."</p> - -<p>"Wrong again, my festive," said Osborne. "You've been appointed to -the same packet."</p> - -<p>"That's good," declared the Sub. "Any idea what she's like?"</p> - -<p>"Yes; a Yankee-built, sixty-footer motor-patrol boat. You know the -type well enough: V-sectioned with flush deck, and a small -chart-house and steering platform for'ard. She's a flier, from all -accounts. Goes twenty-six knots with her three eight-cylindered -160-horse-power motors. She carries two officers and a crew of six."</p> - -<p>"Sounds promising," remarked Webb. "Wonder where our cruising ground -will be?"</p> - -<p>"In and around the Archipelago," replied the Lieutenant. "Part of our -duties is, I believe, to dance attendance upon the sea-plane carrier, -<i>Fleetwing</i>. She's a stranger to me, but I dare say we'll both make -her acquaintance before very long. Well, buck up, and get ashore. -Here's a tender coming alongside. We've quite enough to do before -Monday."</p> - -<p>With the commissioning of 0916, Osborne for the first time assumed -full responsibility as the skipper of a command. Used, since his -entry into the Merchant Service, to the huge bulk of a steamer, he -might have found the quick, lively motion of the sixty-footer -decidedly awkward, had it not been for his previous experiences on -board an eight-ton yacht. Nevertheless the handling of a twenty-six -knotter, especially in a crowded harbour, required considerable skill -combined with a steady nerve.</p> - -<p>"It's the first few hours that count," confided the Lieutenant to his -subordinate and chum Webb, as the patrol-boat prepared to cast off -for a preliminary run into the open water of the Mediterranean. "I -remember a chief officer in the Royal British and Pacific—a fellow -with forty years' experience. His Company gave him command of one of -their tugs—a sort of comfortable home billet to fill in the rest of -his time. Hang it if he didn't run full tilt into a caisson the very -first trip, battered the face of the caisson like an old tin can, and -buckled the bows of the tug till they resembled a concertina! That -little bust-up cost the Company a cool ten thousand pounds."</p> - -<p>Fully equipped with stores, provisions, and munitions, and carrying -six hundred gallons of petrol, No. 0916 stole cautiously towards the -mouth of the harbour. Not until St. Elmo Point was broad on the port -quarter did Osborne give the order for full speed ahead.</p> - -<p>With a jerk the powerfully engined craft leapt forward. It gave Webb -the sensation of being on a lift that had been started too suddenly. -With the spray flying in silvery cascades on either side of her -knife-like bow, the patrol-boat cut through the water at a dizzy -speed, yet docile to the touch of the helmsman's hand.</p> - -<p>Suddenly a nerve-racking jar shook the frail craft. Her starboard -propeller was still running normally, tending to thrust her head to -port, while the port propeller, having struck some wreckage, had been -"brought up", stopping the motor almost dead.</p> - -<p>"Fouled something, by Jove!" ejaculated Osborne. "Be sharp there, -Wilkins. See if there's anything round the blades. Hope to goodness -they're not 'stripped'."</p> - -<p>"No fear of that, sir," replied the man addressed. "The blades have -held, or the motor would have started to race. I see it, sir," he -added, as he leant over the broad transome and peered into the limpid -water. "It's a length of rotten grass rope round the boss as tight as -a chunk of metal."</p> - -<p>The Lieutenant also surveyed the cause of the mishap. Round and round -the port propeller, and "laid" as evenly as rope round a drum, was a -length of two-inch grass line. About twenty feet of this still -trailed astern, terminating in a piece of painted wood.</p> - -<p>"Some boat's old mooring broken adrift," commented Osborne. "Horrible -nuisance, to say the least of it."</p> - -<p>"We can run back with the starboard engine, and get the dockyard -divers to clear it," observed Webb. "Fortunately we're not so very -far off."</p> - -<p>"Beastly ignominious," objected the Lieutenant. "Crawling home like a -lame duck on one's trial trip. It seems to me that if we go easy -astern, both engines, the reverse action will unwind the rope."</p> - -<p>"But——" began Webb.</p> - -<p>"I'll try it, at all events," decided Osborne, without waiting to -hear his chum's objection. "Easy astern!"</p> - -<p>With the motors well throttled down and the two clutches slipped in -as easily as possible, No. 0916 gathered sternway; but, before the -propeller had made fifty revolutions, the starboard engine was -stopped by a steady yet irresistible strain. Ten seconds later the -port propeller, momentarily freed from the rope, fouled the -obstruction and wound it round the shaft in the opposite direction.</p> - -<p>Osborne had omitted to take into account the trailing length of rope, -and now the patrol-boat was helpless, drifting at the mercy of the -winds.</p> - -<p>Attempts to turn the heavy fly-wheels round by hand proved -unavailing, so firmly were the propeller shafts held in the vice-like -grip.</p> - -<p>"I'll strip and dive in, sir," volunteered the intrepid Wilkins. -"Maybe I'll be able to tease the ends clear."</p> - -<p>"No, I think not, Wilkins," replied the youthful skipper, giving a -glance at the fairly lifting waves. "You'll get your head stove in if -you attempt to try conclusions with her quarter. It's humiliating, -but we'll have to send out a wireless for assistance."</p> - -<p>The patrol-boat was now drifting broadside on towards the shore, the -nearest points of which were distant about a mile and a half. Between -these, a deep bay that contracted with comparative regularity could -be discerned. To the nor'west the greater part of the island of Gozo -opened clear of the smaller island of Comino.</p> - -<p>A cast with the lead gave fifteen fathoms. For the present there was -no need to anchor. With safety the disabled craft could approach -until the depth shoaled to five fathoms.</p> - -<p>"No immediate danger so long as the ground tackle holds," declared -Osborne. "There's a fair amount of wind, and a decent sea, but -they'll send out a vessel to tow us back in less than an hour, I -fancy."</p> - -<p>Webb, too, thanked his lucky stars that the weather conditions were -moderate. He found himself picturing a huge unwieldy vessel, with her -gaping seams held together with ropes, drifting helplessly towards -that self-same shore, notwithstanding the ineffectual drag of four -anchors cast from the stern. For No. 0916 was off the mouth of St. -Paul's Bay, the reputed scene of the Apostle's shipwreck upon the -"island which is called Melita".</p> - -<p>Webb's reveries were interrupted by the sight of a huge grey shape -coming into view round a projecting cliff. The shape gradually -resolved itself into a large transport, outward bound for the Near -East, and making for Valetta <i>en route</i>.</p> - -<p>"Pretty rotten pickle!" ejaculated Osborne savagely. "Here we are as -helpless as a log, and in full view of those fellows."</p> - -<p>"I don't suppose they'll notice us," said Webb. "We're lying close -in. I say," he added, laying down his position-finder, "we're -drifting pretty rapidly; isn't it about time we dropped the hook?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," assented the Lieutenant. "We'll anchor at once. All clear -for'ard?"</p> - -<p>"All clear, sir."</p> - -<p>With a plash the mass of metal disappeared beneath the waves, taking -with it nearly forty fathoms of chain before Osborne gave the order -to check the cable. No. 0916, no longer drifting broadside to wind -and waves, rode jerkily at the end of the length of chain.</p> - -<p>By this time the transport was in full view at a distance of -one-and-a-half sea miles, and was slowing down in order to prevent -damage to the shore by her bow wave.</p> - -<p>"Periscopes on the port bow, sir!" shouted one of the patrol-boat's -crew, indicating with his outstretched arm a couple of objects that -looked like a pair of short sticks, at a distance of less than a -hundred yards.</p> - -<p>Osborne realized the situation in the twinkling of an eye. The -U-boat, for such she undoubtedly was, had been lying in wait for -passing vessels worthy of her attention. It was a piece of the -greatest audacity on her part to attempt to operate within a mile of -the island of Malta; but, hearing nothing of the nature of a -propeller churning the water in her immediate vicinity, she had come -to the conclusion that it was safe to display the tips of her -periscopes. And now, within easy torpedo range, was a large vessel -packed with troops and munitions.</p> - -<p>Osborne gave the word to open fire. In spite of the "lively" -platform, the gun-layer of the for'ard quick-firer was equal to the -occasion. In a trice a gleaming cylinder disappeared into the open -breech-block of the gun. The metallic clang, denoting that the -breech-block had been closed, had hardly sounded when the weapon -barked.</p> - -<p>The eyes of all on the patrol-boat were fixed on the target—the two -pole-like periscopes that were now almost in line as the submerged -boat swung round so as to bring her torpedo-tubes to bear upon her -intended victim.</p> - -<p>A column of water thrown fifty feet in the air hid the gun-layer's -objective from them. A cloud of smoke denoted, however, that the -shell had struck something offering more resistance than water, -while, in addition, there was no ricochet.</p> - -<p>What happened to the U-boat was never known. Whether she sank like a -stone, or was able to crawl blindly for some sheltering lair, -remained a secret; but the transport passed on her way unmolested.</p> - -<p>Three hours later, No. 0916 was safely berthed in Valetta harbour. -Here the fouled rope was removed and slight defects made good.</p> - -<p>"After all," remarked 'Webb, "perhaps it was a jolly good thing that -we did get into that little jamboree. It was a fairly exciting trial -trip, eh, what?"</p> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<a name="chapter23"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XXIII</h3> - -<h4 align="center">Driven to Destruction</h4> - -<p><span class="smallcaps">Three</span> days later, No. 0916, in company with three other patrol-boats -of similar type, left Malta for Grecian waters. They were not alone, -for acting as a parent ship was the sea-plane carrier <i>Fleetwing</i>.</p> - -<p>Osborne would not have recognized in the <i>Fleetwing</i> one of his old -vessels of the Royal British and Pacific Company. In pre-war days she -had been employed as an intermediate steamer between Vancouver and -Yokohama, calling at Honolulu each way. In those days she was known -as the <i>Flightaway</i>, and was painted black, with white deck-houses; -she sported two funnels and two masts, the former being colour-washed -in a vivid yellow hue.</p> - -<p>In her new rôle the renamed vessel was completely disguised. A -uniform garb of "battleship grey" covered her from truck to -water-line. Her foremast had disappeared, while, from her bows to -well abaft the position of her funnels, a long, gradually sloping -platform had been built for the purpose of enabling the sea-planes to -ascend while the vessel was under way. Then, since the foremost -funnel interfered with the "clear run" of the launching platform, it -had been removed, and a pair of smaller ones erected in its place, so -that the <i>Fleetwing</i> now had three funnels set on a triangular -base—two well abreast, the third and original one being on the -centre line.</p> - -<p>As if these drastic conversions were not enough, the ship had been -(to use a nautical expression) "gutted" aft, and a huge tank built -in. The top of this was flush with the upper deck, while its base was -far below the water-line. In this receptacle were stowed four large -"kite" balloons, while adjacent was the necessary gear for inflating -and repairing their unwieldy yet necessary fabrics.</p> - -<p>Practically the whole of the remaining portions of the main deck was -a vast repairing workshop. High-class machines of all sorts and -descriptions filled every available space, while a veritable forest -of belting gave a stranger the impression that he was in some large -factory ashore, rather than on board a converted liner. There were -also carpenters', plumbers', shipwrights' and painters' shops—in -short, every necessary for the care and maintenance of those delicate -yet supremely important adjuncts to a modern navy—the sea-planes.</p> - -<p>Had it been considered desirable, the patrol-boats could have been -slung on board the parent ship; but, as the weather was fine and the -sea comparatively smooth, No. 0916 and her consorts were to proceed -under their own power in order to give their crews an opportunity of -manoeuvring in company.</p> - -<p>Somewhere to the south'ard of Cape Matapan, the <i>Fleetwing</i> received -wireless information that a large German submarine had been -particularly active in these waters, and, while expressing the -advisability of extreme vigilance, the authorities ordered that steps -should be taken to capture or destroy the enemy.</p> - -<p>Towards the position in which the U-boat was last reported seen, the -patrol-boats sped, keeping a far-flung formation extending over a -front of three miles. A mile astern came the <i>Fleetwing</i>, while -overhead flew a couple of sea-planes of the most recent type.</p> - -<p>They were tri-planes with a huge wing-spread of over two hundred -feet, the planes being in adjustable sections to ensure compact -storage and rapid assemblage. Power was supplemented by means of six -200-horse-power motors, coupled in twin units and driving three -15-feet propellers. While taxi-ing on the surface a water-propeller -was provided, giving the sea-plane a speed of fifteen knots; while -when in flight her speed could be altered at will, ranging from a -minimum of 40 to the terrific rate of 180 miles per hour.</p> - -<p>Each of the sea-planes carried a crew of ten men, and was armed with -a 3-inch non-recoil quick-firer; while as a specialized means of -offence against submarines she carried a torpedo-tube discharging a -3-inch projectile.</p> - -<p>The torpedo was fired by the ignition of a small charge of petrol -gas, and could be aimed with considerable accuracy. At the head of -the weapon was a small fan, the use of which was to prevent premature -explosion of the charge on impact with the surface of the water. The -depth at which the torpedo exploded could be regulated by adjusting -the fan to a certain position on its threaded axis.</p> - -<p>The sea-planes had been up for less than ten minutes when a wireless -was received reporting the position of the quarry. The U-boat was -"sounding" at a depth of twelve fathoms—too deep for the aerial -torpedoes to reach with accuracy. Her grey hull could be discerned by -the airmen with tolerable ease as she lay upon the sandy bottom.</p> - -<p>It was now the <i>Fleetwing's</i> task to get the submarine to bestir -herself. The German captain would be too wily to attempt to rise to -the surface with the churning of four high-speed propellers sounding -over his head. So the patrol-boats eased down while the sea-plane -carrier forged ahead, thrashing the water with her twin screws, the -sea-planes describing vast circles over the spot where the U-boat -lay.</p> - -<p>Presently another message was received that the submarine was moving. -She was about to take stock of the apparently solitary vessel. If she -did rise to the surface the patrol-boats could almost with certainty -destroy her, either by gun-fire or by ram. On the other hand, if she -exposed the tips of her periscopes only, such tactics would not be -likely to result in definite destruction.</p> - -<p>Breathlessly Osborne and Webb awaited developments, ready at the -first warning to urge No. 0916 at full speed towards the enemy.</p> - -<p>Still the sea-planes circled. It was the only means of keeping in -touch with their prey, for the former were travelling through the air -at fifty miles an hour, compared with the latter's maximum submerged -speed of fifteen knots. Trained downwards, and only a few degrees -from the perpendicular, were the grey-painted torpedo-tubes of each -tri-plane.</p> - -<p>Presently the upward movement of the U-boat ceased. Her periscopes -rippled the surface. Something glistening shot from the sea-plane -nearest overhead. Like a silvery dart the object plunged seawards, -struck the water with hardly a splash, and disappeared.</p> - -<p>Almost simultaneously a column of foam was hurled skywards, to the -accompaniment of a muffled detonation.</p> - -<p>"Missed!" was the laconic wireless message from the air-craft that -had discharged the missile. "She's heading nor'east."</p> - -<p>Two more aerial torpedoes were fired, with no better result than to -send the U-boat scurrying off at a depth of ten fathoms. It was now -the patrol-boats' turn to take up the pursuit.</p> - -<p>Directed by the aerial pilots the four swift craft converged. Then -began a sort of marine waltz, the lively vessels dodging to and fro, -circling and crossing each other's bows in a most daring fashion -—all with the idea of confusing the fugitive U-boat.</p> - -<p>In this they succeeded. With their nerves shaken by the narrow escape -from the explosions of the torpedoes, and in the knowledge that they -were hunted by an unknown number of the dreaded patrol-boats, the -Huns were literally in a panic. Their sole idea was to keep at a safe -depth and steal away from their pursuers, trusting that the latter -would be unable to discern their presence by the "surface wake" and -the trail of air-bubbles.</p> - -<p>But the U-boat had reckoned without the sea-planes. Remorselessly, -the wireless reports from the observers kept the patrol-boats in -close touch with their prey. Ceaselessly, the churning of the small -yet powerful propellers betokened the grim fact that for once the -modern pirate could not shake off pursuit.</p> - -<p>Suddenly a huge air-bubble rose to the surface, agitating the water -in ever-widening circles. No. 0916, fairly in the thick of the -maelstrom, was swept from fo'c'sle to taffrail. Then, almost as -quickly as it had risen, the sea calmed down under the influence of a -rapidly-spreading patch of iridescent oil.</p> - -<p>"How about it?" wirelessed No. 0916.</p> - -<p>"Get out of the light and we'll see," was the sea-plane's laconic -reply. Then a minute later: "She's properly strafed."</p> - -<p>In her blind dash for safety the U-boat had crashed, bows on, against -a rock that rose abruptly for ninety feet to within nine fathoms of -the surface. In spite of her strong construction the steel bows -collapsed like an egg-shell. An inrush of water under terrific -pressure followed, and yet another of the Kaiser's boasted submarines -had ceased to exist, save as a waterlogged wreck upon the bed of the -Mediterranean.</p> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<a name="chapter24"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XXIV</h3> - -<h4 align="center">The Chase of the Felucca</h4> - -<p><span class="smallcaps">"Strange</span> sail bearing N.N.E. seven miles: No. 0916 will proceed and -investigate." This was the reading of a signal hoisted on the -<i>Fleetwing</i> within four hours of the destruction of the submarine.</p> - -<p>The sea-plane carrier and her convoy had now entered the southern -limits of the AEgean Sea. Broad on the port quarter could be -discerned the rugged outlines of the Grecian peninsula, while ahead -were the distant Cyclades, a veritable jumble of small islands, most -of which are well-known names in ancient history, when Greece was -Greece—a resolute and hardy nation compared with which the modern -Greek nation is as clay in relation to steel.</p> - -<p>It was now towards Milos, the nearmost of these islands, that a small -felucca-rigged craft was making. Had she held on her former course, -which was N.N.W., she might not have aroused the suspicions of the -<i>Fleetwing's</i> officer of the watch; but on sighting the lofty hull of -the sea-plane carrier the felucca had promptly hauled to the wind. -That in itself was a strange manoeuvre, since the wind was in a -quarter that enabled her to have a leading breeze on her former -course.</p> - -<p>"Let her rip!" ordered Osborne, addressing the motor -engineer-artificer. "We want to get this job over before dark, if -possible. I suppose," he added in an aside to his chum, "it's only -another wild-goose chase."</p> - -<p>"We're generally lucky," rejoined Webb the optimist. "However, I -shouldn't think that yonder craft is likely to cause trouble. My -word, isn't she footing it!"</p> - -<p>The last sentence referred to the patrol-boat, which was now cleaving -the tranquil waters at a knot above the contract speed. Her powerful -motors had been running sufficiently to enable them to be "tuned up" -to perfection. She was overhauling the felucca hand over fist.</p> - -<p>Upon seeing the unwanted motor craft approach, the sailing vessel, -knowing that escape by flight was out of the question, fell off on -her former course, at the same time hoisting her colours. By the aid -of their binoculars Osborne and Webb made the simultaneous discovery -that the felucca was a Greek—or at any rate that was the nationality -she wished to assume for the present.</p> - -<p>"By Jove, they're heaving something overboard!" declared the Sub. "I -distinctly saw splashes under her counter. Wonder if they are mines?"</p> - -<p>"I'm sorry for those fellows if that is the case," said Osborne -grimly. "At any rate, if we don't follow in her wake we're safe -enough. Other questions dealing with the matter will be tackled -later."</p> - -<p>Apparently the crew of the felucca were particularly anxious for the -objects they had thrown overboard to sink; for, finding that a couple -of almost waterlogged bales were floating astern, one of the men -leapt overboard and slashed furiously at them with a knife. Then, his -task accomplished, finding that he could not overtake the sailing -craft, he struck out for the distant shore.</p> - -<p>"Think he'll do it?" enquired Webb. "It's a fearful long way."</p> - -<p>"Yes, I do," replied Osborne. "These Levanters are splendid swimmers, -and the sea is particularly warm. He's good for ten miles, I should -say. However, on second thoughts, I think we'll pick him up, and then -devote our attentions to the felucca."</p> - -<p>The swimmer, finding that the patrol-boat had altered helm and was -heading in his direction, took in the situation most philosophically. -Treading water he awaited the approach of his captors, and, grasping -a rope thrown to him, swarmed on board with the greatest agility.</p> - -<p>"Me think you German ship," he explained nonchalantly.</p> - -<p>As he stood dripping on the deck his face was towards the setting -sun. On the other hand, the two officers who were confronting him -were standing back to the dazzling light.</p> - -<p>"Oh, indeed!" rejoined Osborne, signing to two of the crew to stand -by. "German ship? No, you won't get me to swallow that yarn, Georgeos -Hymettus."</p> - -<p>At the sound of his name the Greek started violently, and made an -attempt to throw himself overboard. In this he nearly succeeded. For, -as he had divested himself of his clothing as far as the waist in -order to swim the better, his wet skin afforded little hold. After a -brief yet furious struggle he was secured and taken below.</p> - -<p>By this time the felucca was less than two cables' lengths ahead. Her -crew must have observed the struggle on the patrol-boat's deck. -Without waiting to be hailed, they promptly lowered the huge lateen -sails and awaited their captor's approach.</p> - -<p>"Now what's all this running-away business about?" enquired the -Lieutenant, addressing a gaudily dressed Greek who was evidently the -skipper. "Where are your papers? Where's your passenger list? I find -you had a passenger," he added significantly.</p> - -<p>The master disappeared into a small deck-house abaft the mainmast. -Webb, revolver in hand, followed.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile the two dozen ruffianly-looking fellows who formed the -felucca's crew—she carried an unusually large complement—had gone -for'ard, and were standing in a group around the primitive windlass. -Amidships were Osborne and two of the patrol-boat's crew. Two more -were standing on No. 0916's deck, fending her off with boat-hooks. -The remaining members of the crew were down below in the motor-room.</p> - -<p>Suddenly the muffled report of a revolver shot rang out, and a moment -later Webb reappeared, holding the still smoking revolver, and with -his left hand clasped firmly against his mouth. He was gasping -heavily, while his eyes were twitching with pain. By his movements -his chum saw that he was incapable of seeing.</p> - -<p>"This way, Tom!" shouted Osborne. He could not go to the aid of his -chum, for, with the report of the pistol shot, the rest of the crew -of the felucca made a concerted rush upon the handful of British. -Flourishing their knives and uttering wild yells, in the hope of -striking terror into the breasts of their numerically inferior -antagonists, they came tearing aft, headed by a tall, -broad-shouldered man brandishing an automatic pistol.</p> - -<p>Osborne and his men stood their ground. But for the fact that Webb -had been temporarily rendered incapable, they would have retired to -the deck of the patrol-boat, sheered off, and made good use of their -quick-firers. Until the Sub's rescue was assured, his comrades had to -make good their front.</p> - -<p>An excellent shot from Osborne's revolver brought the mate of the -felucca sprawling on his face. Three others of the crew were stopped -by the British fire, but even then the rush was maintained, two of -the Greeks making in the direction of the hapless Sub, who was -groping towards his comrades.</p> - -<p>With a bound Osborne gained Webb's side, grasping his shoulder with -his left hand. At the same time he dropped one of the Sub's two -assailants, while the other, making no further attempt to close, -hurled his knife with deadly precision at the Lieutenant.</p> - -<p>Stepping adroitly aside, Osborne missed the glittering blade by a -hair's-breadth. The missile, sinking a couple of inches into the -hardwood tiller, quivered like a twanged harp-string. Simultaneously -Webb's revolver dropped from his grasp.</p> - -<p>To retreat, leaving the weapon for the use of the enemy, was to court -disaster. Since Osborne could not stoop to recover it without running -grave risks of being taken unawares, he kicked the revolver -overboard, and, still holding Webb's shoulder, dragged the -unresisting Sub to the side.</p> - -<p>Here the two seamen were still holding their own, though hardly -pressed. One, bleeding from a clean cut in the left shoulder, had -already accounted for three of his assailants. His revolver being -empty, he had snatched at a knife that was sticking in the bulwarks. -His companion, using his weapon with deadly skill and precision, had -disabled four before the hammer clicked ineffectually upon the empty -chamber.</p> - -<p>Grasped by the coxswain of the patrol-boat, Webb was hauled -unceremoniously on board his own craft. Now remained the task of the -rest of the boarding-party, to regain the deck of No. 0916 without -giving the felucca's men a chance of rushing them during the -retrograde movement.</p> - -<p>At this critical juncture the bowman of the patrol-boat created a -diversion. Taking a turn with the bight of a rope in order to hold -the two vessels, the seaman sprang to the felucca's deck, brandishing -the gun-metal-tipped boat-hook. Under the formidable blows dealt by -the hefty bluejacket, the Greeks went down like ninepins. Knives were -as nought when opposed to the powerfully wielded pole of ash. Heads -were cracked like egg-shells, arms snapped like match-sticks, and -shin-bones broken like glass under the shower of blows. Even in his -work of self-defence Osborne could not help admiring the -business-like work of his stalwart coxswain.</p> - -<p>The struggle was over. Osborne, well-nigh breathless with his -exertions, was compelled to lean against the wall of the deck-house. -Those of the seamen who had come out of the ordeal practically -unscathed, busied themselves by collecting the knives of the -vanquished crew of the felucca, and securing the treacherous Greeks -who had not been reduced to a state of unconsciousness or -helplessness. One by one the prisoners were passed below into the -recesses of the felucca's hold, the hatches were clapped on, and the -British white ensign hoisted in place of the mercantile flag of a -treacherous and effete nation.</p> - -<p>By this time darkness was on the point of setting in. The short -period of twilight was giving place to intense darkness, for there -was no moon and the stars were obscured by opaque clouds. The -<i>Fleetwing</i> and the rest of the patrol-boats were already lost to -sight.</p> - -<p>Having recovered his breath, the Lieutenant went on board No. 0916. -He found Webb lying on deck, his head supported by a bundle of -sailcloth, and one of the bluejackets bathing his face with -sea-water.</p> - -<p>"How goes it, old man?" enquired Osborne.</p> - -<p>"Better now," replied 'Webb, striving somewhat ineffectually to force -a smile. "That brute suddenly threw something in my face—ammonia, I -fancy. Just had time to fire my revolver, and then I found myself -gasping for breath. Felt as if my throat was gripped by pincers, and -my eyes were completely bunged up. Yes, thanks, I can see, but it's -still mighty painful. How's the Greek skipper?"</p> - -<p>"Dead as a bloomin' door-nail, sir," volunteered the seaman who was -assiduously attending to the injured Sub. "You plugged him properly, -sir. Served the swine right, I'll allow."</p> - -<p>"S'pose so," admitted Webb. "I wonder what it was that those fellows -hove overboard?"</p> - -<p>"I wonder," rejoined Osborne. "We may find out yet, especially as we -have our old pal Georgeos Hymettus laid by the heels. Well, old man, -excuse me; I've a lot to attend to."</p> - -<p>And Osborne spoke without exaggeration. Here he was, with some of his -scanty crew disabled, with a prize on his hands, and out of touch -with his parent ship, while in addition it was black night with a -dangerous and badly charted shore under his lee. It was "up to him" -to extricate his command from the difficulties that beset her, and -with characteristic grit and determination Osborne set about his -task.</p> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<a name="chapter25"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XXV</h3> - -<h4 align="center">An Unknown Antagonist</h4> - -<p><span class="smallcaps">Lieutenant Osborne's</span> first step was to take the captured felucca in -tow. Leaving one man on board to attend to the helm, he steered the -patrol-boat ahead, with a hawser made fast to the bitts of the prize. -A wireless message was then sent to the <i>Fleetwing</i> announcing the -successful issue of the enterprise, and requesting further -instructions. After a brief interval the sea-plane carrier replied:</p> - -<p>"Under urgent orders for Salonika. Take prize into Mudros and report -to Senior Naval Officer."</p> - -<p>"Hallo, something in the wind," soliloquized Osborne. "Urgent orders -for Salonika. That looks like business. Meanwhile we're entirely on -our own, and confronted with the task of navigating the felucca into -Mudros. Well, I suppose there are worse jobs knocking around."</p> - -<p>Yet the order involved work of no mean skill. Osborne was a stranger -to the waters in the vicinity of the Cyclades. Once clear of that -dangerous locality he was in well-known "ground", but there was the -always present danger of a hostile submarine. In ordinary conditions -the swift patrol-boat was more than a match for the U-boat, but, -hampered by her tow, No. 0916's superiority in speed and manoeuvring -was eliminated.</p> - -<center> -<a name="06_ninepins"></a> -<img src="images/06_ninepins.jpg" alt="image: 06_ninepins.jpg" style="width:100%; height:auto; max-width:600px;"> -</center> -<center>[Illustration: "THE GREEKS WENT DOWN LIKE NINEPINS"]</center> - -<p>A glance at a chart, or even at a map of the AEgean Sea, will give -some idea of the intricate navigation that called for Osborne's skill -and courage. Dozens of islands lay athwart the direct course, reefs -abounded, while intricate currents traversed this part of the -tideless sea in directions that were hardly ever constant. A change -of wind might divert the current eight or ten degrees without having -any appreciable effect upon its velocity, while, in addition, the -islands were badly lighted, especially during this critical epoch in -the history of modern Greece.</p> - -<p>Throughout the night Osborne remained on deck, standing in the low -wheel-house beside the helmsman. Fortunately the sea was calm and the -glass high, while there was little or no shipping about, which was as -well, since No. 0916 and her tow were without navigation lights.</p> - -<p>When day broke, the Lieutenant snatched a few minutes' well-earned -rest, awaking to find Sub-lieutenant Webb touching him gently on the -shoulder.</p> - -<p>"Yes, fit as ninepence," replied the Sub in answer to Osborne's -enquiry. "But that's not the reason why I roused you. There's a -strange-looking packet coming up astern. She's overhauling us pretty -rapidly."</p> - -<p>Osborne leapt from his bunk, buckled on his belt, and rammed his cap -on his head the rite of "dressing" when on active service.</p> - -<p>"Is she showing her colours?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"Nothing," replied Webb. "We signalled her, but she took no notice."</p> - -<p>Upon gaining the deck the Lieutenant found that the overtaking vessel -was a steamer of about five hundred tons. She looked like a yacht -with her schooner bows, raking masts, and white topsides. He -estimated her speed at about fourteen knots, and since she was -following almost in the wake of No. 0916 and her tow, it seemed -fairly evident that she was desirous of making a closer acquaintance -with the patrol-boat.</p> - -<p>The unanswered signal, "What ship is that?" still fluttered from the -yard-arm of the patrol-boat's diminutive mast, and since the wind was -blowing steadily abeam there could be no doubt of the ability of the -stranger to read the flags.</p> - -<p>That in itself was suspicious; yet what hostile nation was there that -would dare to send a vessel, other than a submarine, into waters -firmly held by the Allied fleet? And of the countries bordering the -Mediterranean Sea the only one strictly neutral was Spain. It was -very unlikely that a Spanish yacht would be cruising in these waters, -and especially so for her to stand in pursuit of a British armed -craft.</p> - -<p>Osborne glanced at the felucca. The helmsman had just been relieved, -No. 0916 slowing down to enable the change of crew to be effected.</p> - -<p>"All right there, Smith?" he hailed.</p> - -<p>"All correct, sir," was the reply. "The lubbers under hatches are as -quiet as mice."</p> - -<p>"Very good," continued the Lieutenant. "I may have to cast you -adrift. If so, can you manage to set sail on the foremast and steer -to the west'ard? We'll wireless for assistance and pick you up."</p> - -<p>"Ay, ay, sir," was the imperturbable response.</p> - -<p>The possibility of being adrift, single-handed, with a crew of -cut-throats in the hold, never troubled the bluejacket in the -slightest. He was a firm believer in the creed, "Duty is duty".</p> - -<p>The patrol-boat was already cleared for action, but until Osborne was -certain of the intentions of the approaching vessel he refrained from -casting off the hawser. It was as well to mislead the stranger -concerning the speed of No. 0916.</p> - -<p>Without warning, the pursuing craft opened fire with a couple of -light guns that were hitherto concealed behind hinged plating in the -bows. Yet, contrary to all the international rules of war, she still -made no attempt to display her colours.</p> - -<p>The projectiles flew wide, one ricochetting a hundred yards on the -patrol-boat's starboard quarter, the other churning up a column of -spray a cable's length ahead; but there was now no doubt as to the -unknown vessel's intentions.</p> - -<p>With the report of the guns a succession of shrieks emanated from the -patrol-boat's forepeak. The spy, Hymettus, almost frantic with -terror, was clamouring to be released.</p> - -<p>"You're all right, my festive bird," chuckled Osborne as he gave the -signal for the hawser to be cast off. "A little of that won't hurt -you. I'll warrant you didn't study other people's feelings when you -helped the Huns to torpedo our merchant craft."</p> - -<p>With her wireless sending out messages for aid, No. 0916, relieved of -her tow, shot ahead at full speed. Had Osborne wished, he could have -sought safety in flight; but such was not his intention. He meant to -keep in touch with the mysterious armed vessel, and, should her -shooting prove inferior, engage her at maximum range.</p> - -<p>"She's using seven-pounders," declared Webb. "And jolly rotten -shooting! Sort of can't-hit-a-haystack-at-ten-yards, eh, what?"</p> - -<p>Osborne nodded. All the same, he kept the patrol-boat on a zigzag -course in order to avoid running unnecessary risks. A chance shot, -scoring a direct hit, would simply pulverize the lightly built hull -of the patrol-boat.</p> - -<p>"By Jove!" ejaculated Webb. "What are those fellows doing? They've -abandoned the pursuit."</p> - -<p>The stranger was starboarding her helm. Still firing erratically, she -was standing in pursuit of the felucca. The latter, with her enormous -fore-yard hoisted half-way (in spite of the assistance of tackles, -Smith was unable to raise it another inch), was driving before the -steady breeze on a course almost at right angles to that of the -patrol-boat. Obviously the armed yacht, or whatever she was, had some -important reason for bearing down upon the insignificant felucca.</p> - -<p>"Wireless from <i>Scragger</i> and <i>Grunter</i>, sir," reported the operator. -"Both destroyers coming up at full speed."</p> - -<p>"That's good," remarked Osborne, addressing his chum. "We'll nab her -right enough. But," he added, after a brief survey of the situation, -"why shouldn't we have a cut in? We'll risk it, by Jove we will!"</p> - -<p>Round swung No. 0916, listing to an alarming angle under the abrupt -change of helm. Then, steadying, she tore off at full speed straight -for her unknown assailant.</p> - -<p>Osborne had scored a decided advantage, for, approaching the -mysterious craft well on her quarter, his boat was immune from -hostile fire. The enemy vessel had quick-firers mounted for'ard only, -and could not be brought to bear abaft the beam. Unless she altered -helm she was powerless to reply to the hail of small yet highly -powerful shells from the patrol-boat.</p> - -<p>It was turning the tables with a vengeance. A well-aimed projectile -demolished the enemy's bridge and chart-house. Another started a fire -for'ard—probably where the ammunition for the fo'c'sle guns was -placed on deck, for a series of explosions followed in quick -succession. Two shells, getting home 'twixt wind and water, gave the -stranger her <i>coup de grâce</i>, for listing heavily to port she at -length turned completely over. For a few minutes the whole of her -keel was exposed; then, with a muffled roar as the boilers exploded, -the hull slid beneath the waves.</p> - -<p>In vain No. 0916 searched for survivors. There were none, so swift -had been the destruction of the unknown craft. A few lifebuoys were -recovered, but these gave no clue as to her identity.</p> - -<p>"Destroyers bearing down, sir," reported one of the bluejackets, -while Osborne was directing the operation of taking the felucca in -tow once more. Pelting along at thirty-three knots, the <i>Scragger</i> -and <i>Grunter</i> were quickly upon the scene.</p> - -<p>"'What the dickens do you mean by wirelessing us?" enquired the -genial Lieutenant-commander of the <i>Scragger</i> with feigned -indignation. "You've done the job yourself, and pretty neatly, I -should imagine."</p> - -<p>"You might have been jolly useful," replied Osborne modestly. "It was -just luck, you see."</p> - -<p>"Well, what was the vessel? Do you know her name and nationality?"</p> - -<p>"There was nothing to show what she was," replied the skipper of No. -0916.</p> - -<p>"Then I suppose it will remain a mystery," added the -Lieutenant-commander of the <i>Scragger</i>. "There are some queer cusses -of craft knocking around in these waters. Well, we'll take your prize -in tow, and you'll be able to keep in company, hands down. 'The -Phantom Buccaneer; or, Blown to Bits by a Pigmy!' Some sort of a -title for a novel, eh?"</p> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<a name="chapter26"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XXVI</h3> - -<h4 align="center">Reunited</h4> - -<p><span class="smallcaps">"That's</span> all very well," confided Webb, when the destroyer had taken -charge of the captured felucca; "but I fancy we'll find out all about -our mystery craft. She seemed mighty keen on recapturing our prize. -Having, as she thought, driven us off, she paid us no further -attention until we pitched into her. It is just possible that her -object was to rescue our friend Georgeos Hymettus."</p> - -<p>Upon No. 0916's arrival at Mudros, the skilful and dangerous spy was -conveyed ashore under a strong guard. Placed upon his trial he made a -full and abject confession of his misdeeds. Totally lacking in honour -and <i>esprit de corps</i>, he unhesitatingly denounced his accomplices. -As an intermediary between the German Government and the Greek king -he had caused immense harm to the Allies, apart from the damage done -with his assistance by the U-boats in Mediterranean waters. On his -escape from Alexandria, Hymettus had undertaken a secret mission on -behalf of the so-called Royalist faction of Greece. This was with the -idea of dealing a counter-stroke against the Venezelists, who held -most of the islands in the Archipelago. Should he fail to accomplish -the principal object, he was to furnish a list of names of Greeks -favourably inclined to the Allies. This document was found on him -when he was rescued from the sea. For safety's sake he had hidden it -in a fold of his skirt, for he was in the old national Greek dress -when on board the felucca, and unaccountably he had forgotten to -destroy the paper during the period of captivity in the patrol-boat's -forepeak.</p> - -<p>During the court martial it also transpired that the vessel which had -attacked Osborne's command and had attempted the recapture of the -felucca was the <i>Pyrgos</i>, a steam yacht belonging to a strong -adherent to the Germanized royal family of Greece. It was not with -the sole desire of rescuing Hymettus that the daring attempt was -made. The spy would have been ruthlessly abandoned by his employers -but for the fact that he bore incriminating documents. Hence the -mysterious tactics of the <i>Pyrgos</i> that had led to her destruction, -and to the failure to regain the written evidence of Tino's -treachery.</p> - -<p>The confession of Georgeos Hymettus did not save his miserable life. -Condemned to be shot, the sentence was confirmed and duly carried -out—not with the idea of vengeance, but as a deterrent to other -cosmopolitan rogues who infest the shores of the Levant.</p> - -<p>Two days later, Osborne and Webb were making their way from their -temporary shore quarters to the harbour, where they suddenly ran up -against Captain M'Bride.</p> - -<p>"Well met, Osborne!" exclaimed the genial skipper. "We only arrived -last night, and I was on my way to look you up. About that dog of -yours. No, don't get excited. What a fellow you are! I have a letter -from my chum on the <i>Tarbox</i>, but nothin' doin'. I hear you've been -given a command. Well, hearty congratulations!"</p> - -<p>"Yes, a patrol-boat," replied the Lieutenant. "She's quite a decent -little craft." He was too bashful to refer to his achievement. "We're -laid up for repairs. Strained the connecting-rods while we were -towing some old hooker. But about Laddie, sir?"</p> - -<p>M'Bride gripped Osborne's arm and turned him in the direction of the -harbour.</p> - -<p>"Come along," he said. "Let's see what we can do by making enquiries -of the destroyer flotilla. They've only just arrived from Salonika. -And you too, Mr. Webb. I believe you are almost as keen about the -animal as Osborne."</p> - -<p>Under the lee of the stranded hull of an immense dummy battleship, -that was finishing a life of strenuous activity in the utilitarian -yet humble capacity of a breakwater, lay seven long, lean destroyers. -They had just completed a stretch of duty off the Grecian coast, and, -relieved by their "opposite numbers", were about to re-bunker, -replenish stores and provisions, and give their crews a well-earned -spell of rest.</p> - -<p>Alongside the little stone jetty lay Captain M'Bride's gig. Into this -the three officers stepped. The men "gave way", and the boat sped -towards the nearmost destroyer.</p> - -<p>"If that's not your dog it's his double, Osborne," remarked Captain -M'Bride, pointing to a large animal that was sedately pacing the -diminutive quarter-deck of the destroyer, at the heels of a couple of -officers.</p> - -<p>"Laddie!" shouted Osborne, oblivious of the fact that he was a -subordinate officer in the presence of his former skipper.</p> - -<p>"Hold on!" protested Captain M'Bride laughingly. "Do wait till we get -alongside. He'll be overboard if we don't."</p> - -<p>The warning came too late. Osborne had made no mistake in recognizing -his long-lost pet, although he had erred in calling to him.</p> - -<p>In a trice Laddie cleared the rail, plunged into the water, and swam -vigorously towards the gig.</p> - -<p>Steering wide of the swimming animal, Captain M'Bride brought the -boat alongside the destroyer, and, literally racing up her short -accommodation-ladder, gained the shelter of the quarter-deck.</p> - -<p>"Now haul the brute into the boat," he exclaimed. "If he soaks you to -the skin, that's your funeral, Osborne, not mine."</p> - -<p>The possibility of being drenched never deterred Osborne. Grasping -the dog by the scruff of the neck, he hove him over the side into the -gig; and the next moment the interested onlookers could hardly -distinguish the Lieutenant from the dog, so violently excited were -both.</p> - -<p>"Your dog, I presume?" explained the destroyer's -Lieutenant-commander. "Well, take the brute; he's been a regular -nuisance to us for the last two months. Of course, I only say this -because I don't mean it, Mr. Osborne. If it were of any use I'd offer -you a tenner on the spot."</p> - -<p>It was quite evident from Laddie's appearance that he had been well -cared for. His coat, in spite of the wetting, was in excellent -condition. He had, in fact, been "adopted" by the ship's company, -and, although their regret at his departure was undoubted, officers -and men realized that Osborne had the higher claim.</p> - -<p>"He was discovered trapped in a coal bunker of the captured -torpedo-boat," explained the Lieutenant-commander. "Goodness only -knows what he was doing there! We thought he was a Turkish dog, so we -didn't trouble to report the circumstance. We just adopted him. It -was only this morning that Captain M'Bride happened to mention the -matter; and, when we told him, he was off on shore like a young -hurricane."</p> - -<p>"I'm awfully grateful," began Osborne.</p> - -<p>"Yes, yes, and we are very, very modest. We don't like being -overwhelmed with thanks, my dear fellow. Well, s'long! If you have a -chance, bring Laddie on board while we're here. By the by, we called -him Mustapha, and we rather wondered why he didn't cotton to it."</p> - -<p>"Shows your rotten ignorance, Sefton," said Captain M'Bride in mock -reproof. "A fellow who tries to give a Turkish name to a respectable, -thoroughbred English sheep-dog deserves to be cashiered. Come along, -Osborne; you hardly look dignified in those saturated togs."</p> - -<p>"Come and have lunch with us, sir," said Osborne as the gig returned -to the quay. "We've fairly snug shore quarters, and I think there's -something going."</p> - -<p>Captain M'Bride consented, and the three officers set off towards the -low, rambling stone building in which Osborne and Webb had taken up -their temporary abode.</p> - -<p>Their way lay along a narrow and somewhat crowded street of the -native quarter. In places the three officers had to make their way in -single file, Captain M'Bride leading, Webb coming next, and Osborne -bringing up the rear, with Laddie sticking closely to his heels.</p> - -<p>Suddenly Webb was jostled violently, his head coming in contact with -his former skipper's back. Turning, he found Osborne still staggering -from the effect of a blow, while Laddie was at the throat of a -ruffianly Greek whose outstretched hand was grasping a glittering -knife.</p> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<a name="chapter27"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XXVII</h3> - -<h4 align="center">A Daring Operation</h4> - -<p><span class="smallcaps">It</span> all happened in such a brief space, and so unexpectedly, that -Captain M'Bride and Webb had but a hazy notion of what had taken -place.</p> - -<p>A crowd had gathered quickly, but by the time Laddie was pulled off -the prostrate Greek the would-be assassin was dead.</p> - -<p>"Narrow squeak, by Jove!" remarked Captain M'Bride. "The beggar tried -to knife you, Osborne. Hallo, what's happened to the dog?"</p> - -<p>"What's happened to the dog?" repeated Osborne in a voice that hardly -sounded like his own. "Laddie, boy, what has the brute done to you?"</p> - -<p>"He's broken his jaw," declared Webb.</p> - -<p>"Yes, a double fracture," added a young officer in the uniform of the -Veterinary Corps. "You ought to have him shot, sir, and put him out -of his misery."</p> - -<p>Poor Laddie seemed the least concerned of any of the group. His jaw -had dropped, and he presented a rather pathetic figure, with his -wide-open eyes fixed upon his master.</p> - -<p>Osborne leant heavily upon his chum's shoulder. "Tom," he whispered. -"Don't have him shot if it can be possibly avoided. I—I——"</p> - -<p>Then, with a stifled groan, he collapsed insensible at the feet of -the astonished and horrified Sub-lieutenant.</p> - -<p>A stretcher was quickly upon the scene, and, attended by a couple of -surgeons, Osborne was removed to the Naval Sick Quarters. Examination -revealed the presence of a deep knife-thrust that had narrowly missed -the left lung.</p> - -<p>"It's a case of revenge, without doubt," declared the senior medical -officer to Captain M'Bride. "Mr. Osborne was the principal witness -against the spy Hymettus, and one of the Greek's relatives or -associates has tried the vendetta touch. Dangerous? Yes; it's no use -mincing matters. Even if complications do not ensue—and these Greeks -are not at all particular as to the antiseptic condition of their -knives—Osborne will have a hard struggle for his life. One thing his -appearance tells me: that he is a clean-living fellow, and that's -greatly in his favour. By all means look in this evening, and I'll -tell you how he is progressing."</p> - -<p>Throughout the rest of the day Osborne lay unconscious. Towards night -he began to speak, wildly and disjointedly. The nurse on duty noticed -that in the midst of his incoherence he seemed to be imploring -someone to save Laddie from being shot.</p> - -<p>"That's his pet dog," said the principal medical officer when the -sister reported the circumstance. "I've heard all about it from -Captain M'Bride. He seemed devotedly attached to the animal, and, I -believe, if the dog has to be destroyed, it seems likely that Mr. -Osborne's chances will be greatly diminished. It's certainly -remarkable, but the fact remains. If, when he recovers consciousness, -he can be convinced that the dog is alive, half the battle will be -won."</p> - -<p>That night the Lieutenant was in the throes of fever, battling, -although unconscious, with the grim Angel of Death.</p> - -<br> -<center>* * * * * *</center> -<br> - -<p>Sub-lieutenant Webb sat in the verandah of his quarters, nervously -handling his heavy Service revolver. Not once, but many times, he had -borne himself manfully in tight corners. He had been cheek by jowl -with death without flinching. But now he was confronted with a -problem that taxed his resolution almost to the uttermost.</p> - -<p>With Osborne's words ringing in his ears he sat and fumbled -irresolutely with the loaded weapon. Such a lot depended upon the -next few moments, when a veterinary officer would arrive and give his -verdict upon Laddie. If the dog's case were considered hopeless, Webb -would be the executioner of his chum's pet. Osborne, he knew, would -wish it. And yet, if anything could be done——</p> - -<p>A shadow fell athwart the verandah.</p> - -<p>Webb looked up enquiringly. A young fellow in military uniform stood -without.</p> - -<p>"Hallo!" remarked the stranger with a slight drawl. "I say, put that -pistol away, you won't need it. You don't seem to remember me?"</p> - -<p>"I can't," replied Webb.</p> - -<p>"I was in that little affair when your chum was stabbed," continued -the army officer. "It was I who suggested the dog should be shot—but -I've changed my opinion. You and I, Mr. Webb, are going to save that -animal—and we start at once."</p> - -<p>"You think he's a chance?" enquired Tom hopefully.</p> - -<p>"It's a pure experiment on my part," continued the veterinary -officer. "I have hopes that it will succeed. It depends largely upon -the dog. Compound fracture of an animal's jaw is considered 'na poo'. -You see it takes eighteen days for the bones to set, and in that time -the brute's starved to death. How long are you here?"</p> - -<p>"About a month, I expect, Mr.——?"</p> - -<p>"Dixon, my name. A month? Plenty of time on your hands? Good. Same -here. We're having quite a slack after a most unholy rush. Hope it'll -last. If not, you'll have to continue the treatment single-handed."</p> - -<p>"I say, it's awfully good of you," began Webb.</p> - -<p>"Not at all," expostulated Dixon. "I saw how concerned Osborne was. A -fellow who can conceal his own injuries in his anxiety for his pet is -a pal worth having. He's some grit, has Osborne. Where's the dog?"</p> - -<p>"In there," replied the Sub, indicating his private room.</p> - -<p>The two men entered. Laddie was lying on a folded blanket, with his -injured jaw supported by his paw.</p> - -<p>"He does not seem in much pain," remarked Webb.</p> - -<p>"No, it's too early. The nervous system of a dumb animal is somewhat -different to ours. When mortification sets in—but we mustn't give -that a chance," said Dixon. "I've had a dental training, you know, -and that's why I think I'll be able to fix it up all right. The first -job is to take an impression. Steady his head, will you?"</p> - -<p>Gently but firmly Dixon pressed a lump of soft wax against the inside -of Laddie's jaw. The dog submitted without protest. Instinctively he -realized that what was being done was for his good.</p> - -<p>"Ripping fine impression!" declared the operator, regarding the wax -model with professional satisfaction. "That'll do for the present. -I'll nip off to the work-room and make a plate."</p> - -<p>Before long, Dixon returned with a vulcanite plate that exactly -fitted the inside of the patient's jaw. Then the under side of the -dog's mouth was encased in plaster of Paris, the whole being secured -with india-rubber straps.</p> - -<p>"That'll do," remarked the veterinary officer. "Feed him with -beef-tea and arrowroot. I'll be round early to-morrow."</p> - -<p>The grave report concerning Osborne which reached Webb that night -urged the Sub to even greater efforts. He would willingly give up his -rest in order to save Laddie, knowing that Osborne's life depended -largely upon the success of the daring experiment.</p> - -<p>Next morning Dixon looked grave. "H'm!" he remarked. "That plate's -cracked. Part of the dog's jaw has dropped an eighth of an inch."</p> - -<p>"Is it a failure?" asked Webb anxiously.</p> - -<p>"Never say die till you're dead," said the other. "Failure? Not if I -know it. I'll make something that won't crack."</p> - -<p>He was as good as his word, for within an hour he was back with a -second plate, made, this time, out of hard dental alloy.</p> - -<p>Once more Laddie's jaw was set, and from that time things went well. -Other vets., hearing of the weird operation, came to visit the canine -patient, and all expressed their opinion that Dixon would win through -with his case.</p> - -<p>Unremittingly Webb attended to his part of the contract, keeping -Laddie well supplied with nourishing liquids. One morning—it was the -seventh day of Osborne's illness—Captain M'Bride came to Webb's -quarters.</p> - -<p>"I've just seen the principal medical officer," he announced, hardly -able to conceal the state of his mind. "Osborne recovered -consciousness at four this morning. His first enquiry was whether -Laddie were alive; and, of course, he could be truthfully informed -that he was, and that the animal was well on the road to recovery. -Osborne is, I believe, now out of danger. We'll be able to see him in -another ten days, I hope, and bring Laddie restored to health as -tangible evidence. And, by the by, here's something of a personal -nature that will interest you—a copy of a part of to-day's Orders."</p> - -<p>"Oh, I say!" exclaimed Webb, the wind completely shaken out of his -sails. "What's that for?"</p> - -<p>"Bravery and discretion under circumstances of great peril," replied -Captain M'Bride. "You've won it fairly, Webb. I congratulate you."</p> - -<p>For Webb, Sub-lieutenant no longer, had been specially promoted to -Lieutenant and awarded the D.S.O. for services in connection with the -rescue of the crew of the mined <i>Portchester Castle</i>.</p> - -<p>"And Osborne—and Haynes?" asked Webb. "They did quite as much as I."</p> - -<p>Captain M'Bride shrugged his shoulders.</p> - -<p>"I cannot offer any opinion," he replied. "All I know is that they -were mentioned in my dispatch. Perhaps recognition in their case will -come later."</p> - -<p>On the seventeenth day following Laddie's operation, the plate and -the plaster of Paris were removed. To everyone's satisfaction the -operation was perfectly successful.</p> - -<p>"Good old boy!" exclaimed Webb. "Now we'll take you to your master."</p> - -<p>Osborne was reported to be fit to receive visitors that afternoon. A -regular crowd of officers expressed their intention of paying -congratulatory calls, but at the suggestion of the surgeon the number -was limited to three—Captain M'Bride, and the two men who had been -chiefly instrumental in Laddie's recovery, Webb and Dixon.</p> - -<p>"I think, in view of previous experience, it would be as well to walk -in the centre of the street," said Captain M'Bride, as the trio made -their way along the lane where Osborne had been treacherously struck -down.</p> - -<p>"Rather, sir!" agreed Webb; then—"Oh, dash it all! Now what's going -to happen?"</p> - -<p>For a large native cur, emerging from a squalid hovel, had suddenly -hurled himself upon the unsuspecting Laddie, and in an instant both -dogs were engaged in a terrific combat.</p> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<a name="chapter28"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XXVIII</h3> - -<h4 align="center">Osborne's Reward</h4> - -<p><span class="smallcaps">The</span> three officers stood aghast. They could do little or nothing to -separate the struggling, heaving forms of the canine combatants. In -ordinary circumstances Laddie would have been more than a match for -the mongrel, but with a recently healed injury the sheep-dog was -considerably handicapped.</p> - -<p>"He'll break that jaw again!" exclaimed Dixon, alarmed at the -prospect of three weeks' work being thrown away.</p> - -<p>Webb said not a word. Anxiously he watched the struggle, his thoughts -dwelling upon the effect the impending calamity would have on his -wounded chum. Captain M'Bride at length made an effort to separate -the antagonists, but wisely desisted.</p> - -<p>In less than a minute the fight was over and Laddie was the victor. -The mongrel, making for the most vulnerable part of his opponent—for -the thick under-coat of the sheep-dog forms an almost complete -protection—had seized him by the ear. With a quick wrench Laddie -shook himself clear, and gripped the cur by the neck. Then, like a -terrier shaking a rat, the sheep-dog banged his foe's head thrice -upon the hard ground. The aggressor had had more than enough.</p> - -<p>Anxiously Dixon knelt down, and examined the jaw of the -dust-smothered and foam-flecked Laddie. Then he gave a whoop of -satisfaction.</p> - -<p>"Sound as a bell!" he exclaimed. "My word! Some successful operation -that—eh, what?"</p> - -<p>"We must give the brute a drink of water and a good brush down," said -Captain M'Bride. "By Jove! he's a tough customer. We can't take him -in that horrible state to see his master."</p> - -<p>Adjournment for Laddie's refreshment and toilet followed. This done, -the "deputation", as Captain M'Bride insisted upon calling it, -proceeded on its delayed visit.</p> - -<p>It had been the captain's intention to keep Laddie in the background -until Osborne had been given an opportunity of greeting his chum, and -had been introduced to the army officer who had been instrumental in -saving the dog's life. It was M'Bride's idea of "breaking news -gently". But Laddie, not having been consulted in the matter, thought -fit to do otherwise.</p> - -<p>His instinct told him that his master was in the buildings. With a -run he bounded into Osborne's room, and in an ecstasy of delight -rubbed his head against the Lieutenant's hand.</p> - -<p>"I don't know how to thank you enough," said Osborne, when Dixon had -been introduced and his part in the saving of Laddie's life related.</p> - -<p>"No need," replied Dixon protestingly. "Quite an interesting -operation. Mere professional motives. Difficult case—rather out of -the ordinary, don't you know—so I tackled it, and it came off all -right."</p> - -<p>"He's too modest, Osborne," declared Webb. "Some day, when he's not -here, I'll tell you what he did and the trouble he took."</p> - -<p>"If you do," said Dixon with mock severity, "I'll let Osborne know -what <i>you</i> were doing when first I called at your quarters."</p> - -<p>"Hallo, what's this?" enquired the wounded Lieutenant, noticing the -additional gold ring on the sleeve of Webb's uniform. "Congrats., -Tom; the heartiest!"</p> - -<p>"And he has the D.S.O.," added Captain M'Bride.</p> - -<p>"Goodness only knows what for!" said Webb. "I did no more than the -rest of us, and yet—— You ought to have had the distinction, old -man."</p> - -<p>Osborne smiled.</p> - -<p>"It's reward for having done your duty, old chap," he said. "I, too, -have mine—I have Laddie back again."</p> - -<p>"Can you stand the receipt of serious news, Osborne?" asked Captain -M'Bride gravely.</p> - -<p>Webb and Dixon looked at the skipper with ill-disguised astonishment. -The idea of breaking bad news to a sick man seemed, to say the least -of it, rather out of place.</p> - -<p>"I'm afraid that, when this war's over," continued Captain M'Bride, -"you'll never go back to the old British and Pacific Company."</p> - -<p>"Has the company smashed?" asked Osborne with evident concern.</p> - -<p>"Smashed? Not it," replied the skipper. "Who ever heard of a shipping -concern going smash in these days of high freightage? No, Osborne, -it's not that. In recognition of your services the Admiralty have -transferred you from the R.N.R. to the Royal Navy—a signal honour."</p> - -<p>"And that means," added Osborne, "that not for the period of the war -only, but after, I'll still be under the White Ensign."</p> - -<p>"Ay," exclaimed Webb. "Under the White Ensign—you lucky bounder!"</p> - -<br> -<br> -<br> - -<center class="fontsize80">PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN -<br><i>At the Villafield Press, Glasgow, Scotland</i> -</center> - - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's Under the White Ensign, by Percy F. Westerman - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK UNDER THE WHITE ENSIGN *** - -***** This file should be named 52141-h.htm or 52141-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/2/1/4/52141/ - -Produced by R.G.P.M. van Giesen - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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