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-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 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 _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 rôle 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 _communiqués_, 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 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 _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 grâce_, 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_

-

-

-

-

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-

+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 52141 ***
+
+[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 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 _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 rôle 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 _communiqués_, 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 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 _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 grâce_, 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 THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 52141 ***
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-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: 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."&mdash;<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." &mdash;<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." &mdash;<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." &mdash;<b>British Weekly</b>.

-        <br>"The reader sits absolutely spellbound to the end of the story." &mdash;<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." &mdash;<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." &mdash;<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." &mdash;<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 &amp; 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>&amp;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">&nbsp;</td>

-</tr>

-

-<tr>

-<td align="right" valign="top">I.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>

-<td align="left" valign="top">

-<a href="#chapter07"><span class="smallcaps">Rammed</span></a></td>

-</tr>

-

-<tr>

-<td align="right" valign="top">VIII.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>

-<td align="left" valign="top">

-<a href="#chapter14"><span class="smallcaps">Submarined</span></a></td>

-</tr>

-

-<tr>

-<td align="right" valign="top">XV.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>

-<td align="left" valign="top">

-<a href="#chapter19"><span class="smallcaps">Misunderstandings</span></a></td>

-</tr>

-

-<tr>

-<td align="right" valign="top">XX.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>

-<td align="left" valign="top">

-<a href="#chapter26"><span class="smallcaps">Reunited</span></a></td>

-</tr>

-

-<tr>

-<td align="right" valign="top">XXVII.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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&mdash;the German submarines,

-who never hesitated to torpedo at sight anything afloat regardless of

-her nationality&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;&mdash; 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&mdash;or rather, deck&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;a flexible wire arrangement with wooden rungs&mdash;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&mdash;nay, dangerous&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;&mdash;"</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&mdash;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&mdash;&mdash;" began Webb. Then he brought himself up with a

-round turn.</p>

-

-<p>"From ze&mdash;&mdash;?" 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&mdash;"Under forced draught," Osborne

-explained&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;&mdash;"</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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;&mdash;</p>

-

-<p>Yes, Webb knew that there was an "unless"&mdash;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"&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;&mdash;"</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&mdash;&mdash;"</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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;for night had fallen&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;the action had lasted

-less than a minute&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;&mdash;"</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&mdash;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&mdash;&mdash;"</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&mdash;the sole survivor of the three boats

-that had left the ship&mdash;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&mdash;&mdash;"</p>

-

-<p>"And&mdash;&mdash;?" 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&mdash;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&mdash;he's the skipper of the <i>Tarbox</i>&mdash;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&mdash;&mdash;"</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&mdash;the most binding oath that a Mussulman can take&mdash;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&mdash;that is, if they survive the landing through the

-breakers&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;they had double- and treble-banked the

-oars that still remained serviceable&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;&mdash;"</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&mdash;&mdash;"</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&mdash;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&mdash;ominous sight&mdash;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&mdash;that's my belief&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;&mdash;" 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&mdash;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&mdash;a matter of personal difficulty&mdash;since no

-man cared to volunteer to exchange a post of peril for a duty only

-slightly less hazardous&mdash;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&mdash;a powerful rig, but one that requires smart and

-careful handling when going about in a strong breeze.</p>

-

-<p>The bos'n&mdash;the carpenter warrant officer having been lost in the

-struggle for the shore&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;the Mediterranean being tideless&mdash;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&mdash;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>&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;a red rocket&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;it could only diminish&mdash;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&mdash;for the contents of the whole line

-of exploded petrol cans were blazing furiously&mdash;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&mdash;&mdash;"</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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;passengers from the <i>Sunderbund</i>&mdash;in our hands. They are as

-plucky as one could wish; by Jove, they are! If the worst comes to

-the worst&mdash;&mdash;"</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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;a precaution necessary should hostile submarines be in the

-vicinity&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;&mdash;"</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&mdash;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"&mdash;he was a man of between twenty-five and thirty&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;there were many such in Alexandria

-&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;a feat rendered comparatively easy by the

-connivance of the authorities&mdash;he decided that the wireless business

-was far too risky&mdash;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&mdash;a fellow

-with forty years' experience. His Company gave him command of one of

-their tugs&mdash;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&mdash;&mdash;" 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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;in

-short, every necessary for the care and maintenance of those delicate

-yet supremely important adjuncts to a modern navy&mdash;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&mdash;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

-&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;she carried an unusually large complement&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;I&mdash;&mdash;"</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&mdash;and these Greeks

-are not at all particular as to the antiseptic condition of their

-knives&mdash;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&mdash;&mdash;</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&mdash;but

-I've changed my opinion. You and I, Mr. Webb, are going to save that

-animal&mdash;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.&mdash;&mdash;?"</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&mdash;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&mdash;it was the

-seventh day of Osborne's illness&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;"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&mdash;for

-the thick under-coat of the sheep-dog forms an almost complete

-protection&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;rather out of

-the ordinary, don't you know&mdash;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&mdash;&mdash; 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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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>

-

-

-

-

-

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-

-

-</pre>

-

-</body>

-</html>

+<!doctype html public "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN">
+<html>
+<head>
+    <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8">
+    <title>Under the White Ensign</title>
+
+    <style type="text/css">
+
+    body {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;}
+
+	/* normal indent */
+	p {text-indent: 2%}
+	/* hanging indent */
+    .p2 {text-indent: -6%;
+	     padding-left: 6%;}
+	/* no indent */
+    .p_no_indent {display: block;
+                  margin-top: 0.5em;
+                  margin-bottom: 0.5em;
+                  margin-left: 0;
+                  margin-right: 0;}
+
+    sup {
+    vertical-align: super;
+    font-size: 50%;
+    }
+
+    sub {
+    vertical-align: sub;
+    font-size: 50%;
+    }
+
+    .standard {font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal;}
+
+    .indent02 {margin-left: 2%; margin-right: 10%;}
+    .indent10 {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;}
+    .indent20 {margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 10%;}
+    .indent30 {margin-left: 30%; margin-right: 10%;}
+    .indent50 {margin-left: 50%; margin-right: 10%;}
+    .indent60 {margin-left: 60%; margin-right: 10%;}
+
+    .fontsize80 {font-size: 80%;}
+    .fontsize60 {font-size: 60%;}
+    .fontsize133 {font-size: 133%;}
+
+    /* for big and small caps on one line. Usable as class in a 'span' tag around text or in the 'p'/tag */
+    .smallcaps {font-variant: small-caps;}
+
+    /* use for Transcribers Notes and such */
+    .notebox {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; margin-top: 5%; margin-bottom: 5%; padding: 1em; border: solid black 1px;}
+
+    /* For showing the original pagenumbers in the text, enter the following example directly after the last word on a page:
+       You have to generate your own, unique, 'id' for each page. For example: #page0001.
+       Also replace ???? with the correct pagenumber or a section-name like [Content]
+       Example (replace pipe-symbol with forwardslash if you are going to use it):
+
+       <p>The last word on a page <a id="#page0001"><|a><span class="pagenum">[<a href="page0001">????<|a>]<|span> and then the first word on the next page<|p>
+    */
+    .pagenum {display:inline;
+              font-size:70%;
+              font-style:normal;
+              margin:0;
+              padding:0;
+              position:absolute;
+              right:3%;
+              text-align:right;}
+    .pagenum a {text-decoration:none;} /* This removes the underlinement which makes it less obvious that the pagenumber is a hyperlink*/
+
+    /* To mark a correction in the text, use this class. It will put a dotted red line underneath the corrected word and
+       you can even display the original text in a hint when the cursor hovers above the word.
+       Example (replace pipe-symbol with forwardslash if you are going to use it):
+
+            <p>This sentence <span id="cor0001" class="corrected" title="[Original text: cantaind]">contained<|span> an error.<|p>
+
+       You can hyperlink the word from the Transcriber's notes:
+       Example (replace pipe-symbol with forwardslash if you are going to use it):
+
+            <a href="#cor0001">[XXX] &mdash;> [YYY]<|a>
+    */
+    span.corrected {border-bottom:1px dotted red;}
+    </style>
+
+
+</head>
+<body>
+<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 52141 ***</div>
+
+<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."&mdash;<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." &mdash;<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." &mdash;<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." &mdash;<b>British Weekly</b>.
+        <br>"The reader sits absolutely spellbound to the end of the story." &mdash;<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." &mdash;<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." &mdash;<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." &mdash;<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 &amp; 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>&amp;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">&nbsp;</td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td align="right" valign="top">I.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+<td align="left" valign="top">
+<a href="#chapter07"><span class="smallcaps">Rammed</span></a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td align="right" valign="top">VIII.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+<td align="left" valign="top">
+<a href="#chapter14"><span class="smallcaps">Submarined</span></a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td align="right" valign="top">XV.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+<td align="left" valign="top">
+<a href="#chapter19"><span class="smallcaps">Misunderstandings</span></a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td align="right" valign="top">XX.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+<td align="left" valign="top">
+<a href="#chapter26"><span class="smallcaps">Reunited</span></a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td align="right" valign="top">XXVII.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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&mdash;the German submarines,
+who never hesitated to torpedo at sight anything afloat regardless of
+her nationality&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;&mdash; 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&mdash;or rather, deck&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;a flexible wire arrangement with wooden rungs&mdash;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&mdash;nay, dangerous&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;&mdash;"</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&mdash;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&mdash;&mdash;" began Webb. Then he brought himself up with a
+round turn.</p>
+
+<p>"From ze&mdash;&mdash;?" 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&mdash;"Under forced draught," Osborne
+explained&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;&mdash;"</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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>Yes, Webb knew that there was an "unless"&mdash;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"&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;&mdash;"</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&mdash;&mdash;"</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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;for night had fallen&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;the action had lasted
+less than a minute&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;&mdash;"</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&mdash;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&mdash;&mdash;"</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&mdash;the sole survivor of the three boats
+that had left the ship&mdash;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&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"And&mdash;&mdash;?" 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&mdash;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&mdash;he's the skipper of the <i>Tarbox</i>&mdash;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&mdash;&mdash;"</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&mdash;the most binding oath that a Mussulman can take&mdash;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&mdash;that is, if they survive the landing through the
+breakers&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;they had double- and treble-banked the
+oars that still remained serviceable&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;&mdash;"</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&mdash;&mdash;"</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&mdash;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&mdash;ominous sight&mdash;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&mdash;that's my belief&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;&mdash;" 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&mdash;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&mdash;a matter of personal difficulty&mdash;since no
+man cared to volunteer to exchange a post of peril for a duty only
+slightly less hazardous&mdash;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&mdash;a powerful rig, but one that requires smart and
+careful handling when going about in a strong breeze.</p>
+
+<p>The bos'n&mdash;the carpenter warrant officer having been lost in the
+struggle for the shore&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;the Mediterranean being tideless&mdash;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&mdash;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>&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;a red rocket&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;it could only diminish&mdash;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&mdash;for the contents of the whole line
+of exploded petrol cans were blazing furiously&mdash;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&mdash;&mdash;"</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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;passengers from the <i>Sunderbund</i>&mdash;in our hands. They are as
+plucky as one could wish; by Jove, they are! If the worst comes to
+the worst&mdash;&mdash;"</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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;a precaution necessary should hostile submarines be in the
+vicinity&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;&mdash;"</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&mdash;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"&mdash;he was a man of between twenty-five and thirty&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;there were many such in Alexandria
+&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;a feat rendered comparatively easy by the
+connivance of the authorities&mdash;he decided that the wireless business
+was far too risky&mdash;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&mdash;a fellow
+with forty years' experience. His Company gave him command of one of
+their tugs&mdash;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&mdash;&mdash;" 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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;in
+short, every necessary for the care and maintenance of those delicate
+yet supremely important adjuncts to a modern navy&mdash;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&mdash;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
+&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;she carried an unusually large complement&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;I&mdash;&mdash;"</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&mdash;and these Greeks
+are not at all particular as to the antiseptic condition of their
+knives&mdash;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&mdash;&mdash;</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&mdash;but
+I've changed my opinion. You and I, Mr. Webb, are going to save that
+animal&mdash;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.&mdash;&mdash;?"</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&mdash;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&mdash;it was the
+seventh day of Osborne's illness&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;"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&mdash;for
+the thick under-coat of the sheep-dog forms an almost complete
+protection&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;rather out of
+the ordinary, don't you know&mdash;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&mdash;&mdash; 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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;you lucky bounder!"</p>
+
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+
+<center class="fontsize80">PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN
+<br><i>At the Villafield Press, Glasgow, Scotland</i>
+</center>
+
+<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 52141 ***</div>
+</body>
+</html>
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+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 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 _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 rôle 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 _communiqués_, 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 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 _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 grâce_, 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
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diff --git a/52141-0.zip b/old/52141-0.zip
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+<head>
+    <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1">
+    <title>Under the White Ensign</title>
+
+    <style type="text/css">
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+    body {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;}
+
+	/* normal indent */
+	p {text-indent: 2%}
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+                  margin-right: 0;}
+
+    sup {
+    vertical-align: super;
+    font-size: 50%;
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+
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+    vertical-align: sub;
+    font-size: 50%;
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+
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+    .indent60 {margin-left: 60%; margin-right: 10%;}
+
+    .fontsize80 {font-size: 80%;}
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+    .fontsize133 {font-size: 133%;}
+
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+    /* For showing the original pagenumbers in the text, enter the following example directly after the last word on a page:
+       You have to generate your own, unique, 'id' for each page. For example: #page0001.
+       Also replace ???? with the correct pagenumber or a section-name like [Content]
+       Example (replace pipe-symbol with forwardslash if you are going to use it):
+
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+
+            <p>This sentence <span id="cor0001" class="corrected" title="[Original text: cantaind]">contained<|span> an error.<|p>
+
+       You can hyperlink the word from the Transcriber's notes:
+       Example (replace pipe-symbol with forwardslash if you are going to use it):
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+<body>
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+
+<pre>
+
+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: 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."&mdash;<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." &mdash;<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." &mdash;<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." &mdash;<b>British Weekly</b>.
+        <br>"The reader sits absolutely spellbound to the end of the story." &mdash;<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." &mdash;<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." &mdash;<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." &mdash;<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 &amp; 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>&amp;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">&nbsp;</td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td align="right" valign="top">I.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+<td align="left" valign="top">
+<a href="#chapter07"><span class="smallcaps">Rammed</span></a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td align="right" valign="top">VIII.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+<td align="left" valign="top">
+<a href="#chapter14"><span class="smallcaps">Submarined</span></a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td align="right" valign="top">XV.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+<td align="left" valign="top">
+<a href="#chapter19"><span class="smallcaps">Misunderstandings</span></a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td align="right" valign="top">XX.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+<td align="left" valign="top">
+<a href="#chapter26"><span class="smallcaps">Reunited</span></a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td align="right" valign="top">XXVII.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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&mdash;the German submarines,
+who never hesitated to torpedo at sight anything afloat regardless of
+her nationality&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;&mdash; 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&mdash;or rather, deck&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;a flexible wire arrangement with wooden rungs&mdash;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&mdash;nay, dangerous&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;&mdash;"</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&mdash;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&mdash;&mdash;" began Webb. Then he brought himself up with a
+round turn.</p>
+
+<p>"From ze&mdash;&mdash;?" 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&mdash;"Under forced draught," Osborne
+explained&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;&mdash;"</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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>Yes, Webb knew that there was an "unless"&mdash;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"&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;&mdash;"</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&mdash;&mdash;"</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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;for night had fallen&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;the action had lasted
+less than a minute&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;&mdash;"</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&mdash;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&mdash;&mdash;"</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&mdash;the sole survivor of the three boats
+that had left the ship&mdash;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&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"And&mdash;&mdash;?" 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&mdash;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&mdash;he's the skipper of the <i>Tarbox</i>&mdash;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&mdash;&mdash;"</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&mdash;the most binding oath that a Mussulman can take&mdash;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&mdash;that is, if they survive the landing through the
+breakers&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;they had double- and treble-banked the
+oars that still remained serviceable&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;&mdash;"</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&mdash;&mdash;"</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&mdash;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&mdash;ominous sight&mdash;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&mdash;that's my belief&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;&mdash;" 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&mdash;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&mdash;a matter of personal difficulty&mdash;since no
+man cared to volunteer to exchange a post of peril for a duty only
+slightly less hazardous&mdash;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&mdash;a powerful rig, but one that requires smart and
+careful handling when going about in a strong breeze.</p>
+
+<p>The bos'n&mdash;the carpenter warrant officer having been lost in the
+struggle for the shore&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;the Mediterranean being tideless&mdash;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&mdash;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>&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;a red rocket&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;it could only diminish&mdash;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&mdash;for the contents of the whole line
+of exploded petrol cans were blazing furiously&mdash;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&mdash;&mdash;"</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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;passengers from the <i>Sunderbund</i>&mdash;in our hands. They are as
+plucky as one could wish; by Jove, they are! If the worst comes to
+the worst&mdash;&mdash;"</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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;a precaution necessary should hostile submarines be in the
+vicinity&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;&mdash;"</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&mdash;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"&mdash;he was a man of between twenty-five and thirty&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;there were many such in Alexandria
+&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;a feat rendered comparatively easy by the
+connivance of the authorities&mdash;he decided that the wireless business
+was far too risky&mdash;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&mdash;a fellow
+with forty years' experience. His Company gave him command of one of
+their tugs&mdash;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&mdash;&mdash;" 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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;in
+short, every necessary for the care and maintenance of those delicate
+yet supremely important adjuncts to a modern navy&mdash;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&mdash;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
+&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;she carried an unusually large complement&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;I&mdash;&mdash;"</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&mdash;and these Greeks
+are not at all particular as to the antiseptic condition of their
+knives&mdash;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&mdash;&mdash;</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&mdash;but
+I've changed my opinion. You and I, Mr. Webb, are going to save that
+animal&mdash;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.&mdash;&mdash;?"</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&mdash;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&mdash;it was the
+seventh day of Osborne's illness&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;"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&mdash;for
+the thick under-coat of the sheep-dog forms an almost complete
+protection&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;rather out of
+the ordinary, don't you know&mdash;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&mdash;&mdash; 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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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
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+</body>
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