CHAPTER XVII.THE RESCUED ITALIANS.As soon as the fore-hatch cover had been unshipped Captain Restronguet, accompanied by Devoran and Kenwyn, hastened on deck. Hythe, hearing the captain's exclamation, hurried after him.The sky was now perfectly clear, the motion of the sea had almost subsided. But instead of the stinging, ozone-laden breeze a faint odour resembling that of rotten eggs seemed to pervade the air."H'm," ejaculated Captain Restronguet. "In spite of my faith in the high qualities of restronium the metal has played me false!""How so, sir?" asked the chief officer."It is not proof against the action of sulphur. Even now the air reeks of sulphur, and it was a sea highly charged with sulphur that the 'Aphrodite' passed through when she was in the immediate vicinity of the submarine volcano. Thus the silver in the alloy has been affected, and in place of a light-absorbing metal we have a dead-black surface.""It is a serious look-out, sir," observed the sub."Serious. Serious isn't the word for it. We have lost a great factor in our means of offence and defence. We are no longer practically invisible.""Can the defect be remedied?""Only by subjecting the plating to a fresh treatment, and that can only be done at our base in Sumatra. But be that as it may I mean to continue my search for the 'Vorwartz'. Possibly the margin of superiority lies with her, but, without boasting, I venture to assert that John Restronguet will prove a match for Karl von Harburg. I hope the wireless is intact, Kenwyn?""It is, sir," replied the second officer. "We have just tapped a message from the P. & O. liner, 'Coghlania,' seventy miles south of Brindisi.""Anything of importance?""No, sir; merely on a matter of ordinary routine.""Very good, Mr. Kenwyn. By the by, you might let me know the state of your accumulators. Have we sufficient power to take us to the Ægean?""I'll ascertain, sir," replied the second officer.Before noon the man and boy rescued from the fishing-boat had recovered sufficiently to sit up. Their story was a thrilling one. Hythe's knowledge of Italian enabled him to follow the patois without much difficulty. They had, in company with seven other craft, put out of Porto Empedocle, on the south coast of Sicily. It was a fine night with a light off-shore breeze, the weather being fair. Thus tempted they ventured farther from land than they were accustomed to. Shortly after midnight a strange phenomenon was observed. The stars were shining through a blood-red haze, while a strong sulphurous odour was noticed. The superstitious fishermen, frightened more by omens than by bad weather, prepared to return homewards, but the wind died completely away. At two in the morning a strong nor'easterly breeze sprang up, which soon developed into a cyclonic gale. Hastily reducing their canvas the fishing fleet drove at the mercy of wind and wave, till after ten minutes of great peril they found themselves once more becalmed in an agitated sea. Once more sail was hoisted, in anticipation of a favouring breeze.Suddenly the water seemed to be rent in twain. A deep trough appeared less than a hundred yards from the sternmost boat, and horror-stricken the terrified Italians found that their frail vessels were being sucked into the abyss. Then the cavity in the sea closed and instead a column of water, stones, mud, steam, and smoke was thrown up with tremendous force. The starlight gave place to inky blackness, and the next thing thepadroneof the "Favarganna"--that being the name of the craft belonging to the rescued man--realized that the doomed vessel was on her beam ends. She righted, though half filled with water. The old man had barely time to lash his grandson and himself to the rudder head, ere a huge wave swept the boat from stem to stern and down in the depths she plunged.Nor was old Beppo's awe any the less when he heard from Hythe of the manner of his almost miraculous escape. Devoutly crossing himself the Italian burst into a torrent of thanks to his preservers, and finished up by asking where they thought of landing him?"I had thought of that," said Captain Restronguet when the sub interpreted thepadrone'srequest. "Since there is now no real necessity for concealment, I think we might hail the first vessel we come across that is proceeding to Messina--if Messina still stands after the eruption."An opportunity presented itself late in the afternoon. The "Aphrodite" was about two hundred miles S.S.E. of Cape Passaro, and running on the surface, when a tramp steamer hove in sight steering N.W. "We'll stop that fellow, Devoran," exclaimed the captain. "What does she look like?""I cannot make out, sir, she flies no ensign," replied the chief officer, after a lengthy survey through his telescope.Still unperceived by the oncoming vessel the "Aphrodite" stood out in order to intercept her. At a request from Captain Restronguet two of the seamen shipped a light mast abaft the fore-conning-tower, and on this was hoisted the International Code signal--flags indicating "I wish to communicate--heave to."As soon as the signal was observed the tramp's helm was ported as if she meditated flight, but ordering full speed ahead Captain Restronguet soon made it evident that the "Aphrodite" could go two knots to the steamer's one. The tramp's engines were set at half-speed astern and simultaneously the affirmative pendant fluttered from her stumpy foremast, while the Greek mercantile flag was hoisted on her ensign-staff.[image]"CAPTAIN RESTRONGUET SOON MADE IT EVIDENT THAT THE APHRODITE. COULD GO TWO KNOTS TO THE STEAMER'S ONE.""The 'Eleusis' of the Piraeus," announced Captain Restronguet, who was able to decipher with ease the modern Greek characters on her stern.Gracefully the "Aphrodite" was brought to a stand-still within fifty yards of the Greek tramp, over whose red-leaded bulwarks appeared the heads of about twenty nondescripts who formed her crew."'Eleusis' ahoy!" hailed Captain Restronguet in stentorian tones."What ship's dat?" asked the Grecian master, who spoke English by reason of several years' service in the British Mercantile Marine."Submarine 'Aphrodite,'" replied her captain.Evidently the fame of Captain Restronguet had already reached the ears of the master of the "Eleusis," for he gave a dramatic gesture of surprise."What want, eh? Me peaceful.""So are we," rejoined Captain Restronguet. "We have just picked up a man and a boy from an Italian fishing-boat. Where are you bound?""Messina, Napoli an' Civita Vecchia, sar.""Will you take these two men as far as Messina?"The Greek hesitated. His natural cupidity, now that the submarine had shown no hostile intentions, returned."Can dey pay passage-monnaire?""Passage-money, you white-livered swab!" roared Captain Restronguet. "Is that the way you would treat poor shipwrecked mariners? Send a boat instantly, and take these people to Messina. If I fail to hear of their safe arrival from the Consul of that port I will take good care to obtain satisfaction from you on your homeward voyage. Do you understand?""Yas, captain," replied the fellow, thoroughly cowed. "Me send boat.""If that Greek scoundrel had not been so jolly mean I would have paid him well for his assistance," remarked Captain Restronguet to the sub. "As it is, not a penny will he get from me. Excuse me a few minutes, Mr. Hythe?"So saying the captain went below; but hardly had his head and shoulders disappeared down the hatchway when he reappeared."Would you mind coming with me, Mr. Hythe?" he asked. "I am about to give that poor fisherman a small present to set him up after his severe loss. I prefer to perform little acts of this nature in private, but since I am unable to speak a word of their lingo I realize I must enlist your services. But, please, no mention of this to anyone on board."Upon entering the cabin in which old Beppo and his grandson were, Captain Restronguet produced a leather pouch and took from it thirty English sovereigns. These he gave to thepadroneand bestowed another gold coin upon the lad, whereupon the rescued Italians' thanks were so profuse and pantomimic that their benefactor asked the sub to tell them peremptorily to "shut up.""And let them know that the British Consul at Messina will arrange for them to have the gold changed into the national currency," he added. "Here is a note explaining that this man came by the money honestly. I think His Britannic Majesty's Consul will recognize that the signature is genuine. Also tell Beppo that he is on no account to pay the Greek skipper anything for his passage beyond a fair price for all meals supplied."So saying Captain Restronguet strode out of the cabin leaving the sub to explain matters to the bewilderedpadrone, to whom the gold was a sum greater than he could hope to amass in ten years' hard toil."Boat alongside, sir," announced Polglaze.Followed by Beppo and his grandson, who, radiant with pleasure, had now almost forgotten the perils they had undergone, Hythe went on deck. Here were gathered almost every one of the officers and crew of the submarine, while in a gig made fast on the "Aphrodite's" starboard quarter were four disreputable-looking Greek seamen.The "Aphrodite's" men gave the departing Italians a rousing cheer, then as soon as the boat returned to the "Eleusis," Captain Restronguet gave orders for general quarters.Ere the Greek vessel's propeller began to revolve the submarine disappeared beneath the surface, only to reappear on the port side of the tramp. Then, hoisting and dipping Captain Restronguet's green and white ensign, a compliment that the skipper of the "Eleusis" grudgingly returned, the "Aphrodite" resumed her voyage on her quest of the desperado, Karl von Harburg.CHAPTER XVIII.THE RIVALS PASS THROUGH THE SUEZ CANAL.Four days later, with her accumulators charged to their fullest capacity, the "Aphrodite" arose from her anchorage in the Dardanelles.During that period, although wireless messages were being received with almost monotonous regularity, no definite news had come to hand with reference to the movements of the "Vorwartz."True, the captain of the Russian battleship, "Imperator Pavel," sent a wireless message to Sevastopol, which was in turn transmitted to St. Petersburg and thence to the world in general, to the effect that at eight a.m. on the morning of the 6th he had sighted a submarine eighty miles S.S.W. of that Crimean port. Having orders to sink the "Vorwartz" without warning, the Russian officer caused a heavy fire to be opened upon the submarine with the "Imperator Pavel's" twelve and three-pounder quick-firers. Every one of these guns that could be brought to bear--eighteen out of forty--joined in the racket, and confident of having destroyed the modern buccaneer, the Russian battleship returned to Sevastopol.Captain Restronguet received this intelligence with mixed feelings. He had his doubts. He knew that the rapid firing of the Russian fleet was notoriously ill-aimed and inaccurate; he knew also that with a battleship in the vicinity Karl von Harburg would hesitate to bring his craft to the surface. If, however, the news was correct he was saved a lot of trouble, and was now at liberty to return to his base in the Dutch East Indies. Nevertheless he regretted, in no small measure, the fact that he had not been able to achieve the distinction of sinking the "Vorwartz" under conditions favourable to the lives of her crew.An hour or so later the stalwart Cornishman executed a dance in his cabin, much to the astonishment of Hythe and Kenwyn who happened to be present.The report of the captain of the "Imperator Pavel" was replied to by a demand from the Bulgarian Government to know why the Russians had fired upon one of their vessels. It appeared that a submarine had been ordered and built at Ansaldo's Works at Sestri, Italy, for the new Bulgarian Navy, and having finished her acceptance trials was returning to Varna. She was running on the surface and made no attempt to alter her course, or to act in any way that might be regarded as suspicious; but when passing the "Imperator Pavel" at a distance of two miles, the Russians greeted her with a sudden and totally unexpected volley of quick-firing shells.The Bulgarian submarine quickly dived. According to the estimate of the Italian contractors' representative who was on board, not less than one hundred and twenty shells were fired, of which not one did the slightest damage beyond cutting away the ensign-staff."Those Bulgarians will make a fine business of this, Hythe!" exclaimed Captain Restronguet. "With Russia on bad terms with Austria and Germany the Balkan States can pull the Bear's tail as much as they like. And trust any of the Balkan States for that; they would draw blood out of a stone if they could. But some day the Powers will settle down harmoniously, and the successors to the Turkish Empire in Europe will have to knuckle under somewhat.""You don't seem very partial to the Balkan States, sir," remarked the sub."Partial? By Jove, I wish I could be! We had a very good specimen the other day in the person of that rascally skipper of the Greek tramp. The stalwarts of ancient Greece would turn in their graves could they but realize to what depths their so-called descendants have fallen. Well, Kenwyn, what is it now? Another purposeless message?""I think not, sir," replied the second officer, handing his chief the latest "wireless" received on board.This time, instead of executing a dance, Captain Restronguet very nearly lost his temper."That rogue von Harburg has done me very neatly this time, Hythe!" he exclaimed. "He never was in the Black Sea, that's my belief. Here's a message announcing that the 'Vorwartz' has passed through the Suez Canal.""Surely that's impossible!""Well, then, there's the message. It is from an exceptionally trustworthy agent. I say, Mr. Kenwyn, just reply, will you? And ask to be kept in touch with events.""Very good, sir," replied the second officer, withdrawing."I am anxious to know how a submarine could pass through the Canal without being detected and stopped," remarked the sub, who entertained grave doubts as to the authenticity of the wireless message, especially after the "Imperator Pavel" affair."So am I, Mr. Hythe," rejoined Captain Restronguet, who had now recovered his customary coolness of mind. "So am I, since where the 'Vorwartz' can go the 'Aphrodite can go also.""You mean to traverse the Suez Canal?""By fair means, or failing that by foul. Otherwise it would mean that we have to circumnavigate the African Continent, and in the time we were so occupied what would Karl von Harburg be doing?"Within twenty minutes of the receipt of the momentous news the "Aphrodite" was abreast of the classic Isle of Tenedos, bound for Port Said. All the while she had remained in the Dardanelles, although within a few miles of the seaport of Gallipoli, she had refrained from giving any signs of her presence. But at the moment of departure Captain Restronguet could not resist leaving his card in the shape of one of his green and white buoys on which were painted his customary compliments.During the run across from Gallipoli to Port Said a complete text of Karl von Harburg's feat, as reported in theEgyptian Monitor, was transmitted by Captain Restronguet's agent for the information of his employer.It was indeed a daring coup on the part of the German renegade.Early one morning the "Vorwartz," running light, brought up between the breakwaters that, extending nearly two miles from shore, mark the Mediterranean entrance to the Canal. Here, landing a party of armed men, he took possession of the two lighthouses, and terrified the lightkeepers into submission. He compelled them to ascertain by telegraph what vessels had entered the canal during the previous twenty-four hours and what were expected. Finding that there were no armed ships between Port Said and Suez, and none within easy steaming distance of the latter port, he resolved upon the desperate enterprise of passing through at full speed. To keep submerged would mean loss of time and possibilities of running aground in the Bitter Lakes.Thus, almost before the Canal authorities at Port Said recovered from their astonishment that a strangely-constructed vessel should have passed into the Canal at several knots above the regulation speed and without paying the customary dues, the "Vorwartz" was well on her way to Ismalia.In the Little Bitter Lake her luck deserted her, for in attempting to pass a lumbering Dutch tramp steamer, the "Vorwartz" struck upon the sand on the west side of the Canal.Meanwhile the telegraph had not been idle. It was rightly conjectured that the mysterious craft was that of the modern buccaneer, and a battery of Egyptian artillery had been ordered from Cairo. The artillerymen were sent by train, the route being so roundabout that several hours elapsed before the men and guns detrained at the nearest station, where they were separated by a fresh water canal and a stretch of desert from the spot where the "Vorwartz" had grounded.It was fortunate for the 'Gippy artillery that Karl von Harburg did not possess the same potential means of offence as did the captain of the "Aphrodite," otherwise the charged shells in the limbers might have exploded with disastrous results. Eventually, after great exertion, the blacks got their guns into position and prepared to hull the helpless submarine. Just then a heavy sandstorm swept down. The breech-blocks of the quick-firers had to be promptly covered up to prevent the ill-effects of the sand upon the delicate mechanism. When the storm ceased the "Vorwartz" was once more afloat and hidden by the sand hills.Only one course remained for the British officer in charge of the Artillery to take. That was to regain the railway and entrain for Suez, where another chance of cutting off the submarine's retreat was left. But once again the troops were foiled, for before they reached Suez, the "Vorwartz" had passed Port Ibrahim, the Red Sea entrance to the Canal.Now was Karl von Harburg's opportunity to enrich himself with the plunder from helpless liners and merchantmen. The Red Sea was practically denuded of men-of-war. A pair of obsolete gunboats lay off Suakin. They were not capable of doing more than twelve knots, and could be regarded with contempt. A British third-class cruiser, one of the units of the East Indies squadron, was stationed at Aden, while the remainder of the squadron was at Bombay, with the exception of a second-class cruiser that could not well be withdrawn from the Persian Gulf, without the risk of allowing dangerous cargoes of rifles to be "run" by the Arab dhows that were ever awaiting their opportunity for the hazardous yet profitable business.Upon the arrival of the "Aphrodite" at Port Said, Captain Restronguet was literally received with open arms by the harassed and distracted Canal officials. The presence of the "Vorwartz" in the Red Sea meant a far greater loss to them in due and tolls than while she was in the Levant, and even then there had been an appreciable falling off in the receipts. Without the faintest delay Captain Restronguet received permission to take his wonderful submarine through the hundred miles of artificial waterway, special facilities being granted so that no undue delay would be experienced. It was generally recognized that if anyone had the honour and distinction of ridding the seas of a danger and a pest that man was Captain Restronguet.The "Aphrodite" made the journey on the surface and by night. She was twelve hours behind her rival. Fortunately it was bright moonlight, and aided by the powerful search-light on board and the electric arc lamps that had recently been placed on the banks of the canal, the passage was performed most expeditiously. At every town and village crowds assembled to cheer the modern magician. At Ismalia the Khedive's band, sent specially from the palace at Cairo, serenaded the "Aphrodite"; the shipping at Port Ibrahim hailed her approach with a deafening salute upon their syrens; and just as dawn was breaking the submarine, having accomplished the trip in less than seven hours, slipped gracefully under the waters of the Gulf of Suez.Captain Restronguet's spirits rose. He was flattered with the reception accorded him by the Canal authorities. He realized that, instead of being regarded with suspicion, the world was beginning to appreciate his services to mankind."We'll have him right enough," he remarked confidentially to Devoran. "There's a faint tremor noticeable on the detector that cannot mean anything but the presence of the 'Vorwartz.' I have been officially informed that no Government submarine is within a thousand miles of us.""How far do you think the vessel is, sir?" asked Hythe."The detector is sensitive to anything of that nature within a hundred and twenty miles, but, of course, the actual position of the chase cannot be fixed with any degree of accuracy at that distance. But as soon as we approach within twenty miles of von Harburg's counterfeit presentment of my submarine, the position of the 'Vorwartz' will be accurately recorded on the chart controlled by the electric detector."During lunch the wireless room reported that a vessel was sending out calls for urgent aid, and in response to a request for further details came the startling news that the Dutch liner, "Noord Brabant," had been forcibly boarded by the crew of the "Vorwartz" fifteen miles due east of Wadi Jemel. Several of the Dutchmen had been wounded when attempting to resist; the strong-room had been forced, and nearly ten thousand pounds worth of gold had been removed. Not satisfied with this, Karl von Harburg discharged a torpedo at the ill-fated "Noord Brabant," which, exploding under her starboard quarter, completely flooded the after compartments. Leaking badly, for the shock had strained the water-tight bulkheads, the liner headed slowly for Sherm Sheikh, an inlet in the mainland, where her captain hoped to run her aground on the mud and sand that form the bottom of the cove."Here we are," exclaimed Captain Restronguet, running his finger over the chart of the Red Sea. "Ninety miles from Wadi Jemel; three hours run at our maximum speed. Keep her going for all she's worth, Kenwyn. I'll be with you in the conning-tower in less than ten minutes. Let the 'Noord Brabant' know we're on our way, and keep me informed of how she's progressing."While the "Aphrodite" tore on her errand of mercy, Carclew was keeping vigilant watch upon the electric detector; but, to the disgust of all on board, instead of the "Vorwartz" making her presence felt more strongly the sensitive current grew more and more feeble. Was it possible, then, that the "Vorwartz" was able to attain a much greater speed than her rival, and in consequence slipping farther and farther from the doggedly-pursuing avenger?Just as Captain Restronguet, accompanied by his guest, was about to proceed to the conning-tower, a final message came from the ill-fated "Noord Brabant"--"Sinking; are taking to the boats."But the "Aphrodite" was not the only vessel hurrying to the rescue. The P. & O. Liner, "Persia," a magnificent internal-combustion propelled ship of 40,000 tons, that had been built to "knock spots off" the largest North German Lloyd boat on the Australian route, was returning on her maiden voyage. Warnings of the presence of the "Vorwartz" had been given her. Her cargo was a precious one; moreover she carried His Majesty's mails; but at the urgent call of distress all other considerations were set aside.The officers of the "Persia" knew the risks they were running. It was recognized that Karl von Harburg would not attempt to attack or intercept the liner unless the "Vorwartz" were submerged, consequently the speed of the submarine would then be considerably lower than that of the liner. The "Persia" being a subsidized vessel under the recent Admiralty regulations, had a large percentage of Royal Naval Reserve officers and men in her crew; she was armed with light, quick-firing guns, and, in fact, was a powerful "protected" cruiser.Owing to the danger the captain and the first officer were both on the "Persia's" bridge. Elaborate precautions had been taken to keep the news from the passengers, but, as is frequently the case, the intelligence was soon common property. That night no one went to bed; since it was within the bounds of possibility that in the event of being torpedoed by the ruthless "Vorwartz" it would be necessary to take to the boats. All lights were carefully screened; yet in spite of these preparations the "Persia" had the narrowest escape in her career.Unseen and unheard by the officers of the watch, a torpedo discharged from the lurking "Vorwartz" glided within ten feet of her rudder. Just at daybreak the "Aphrodite" sighted the boats of the ill-fated "Noord Brabant." Towed by two motor pinnaces the life-boats, crowded with passengers, were slowly making their way northward. The "Aphrodite" had arrived in the very nick of time, for the sudden change from intense darkness to daybreak revealed the fact that three suspicious-looking Arab dhows were making ready to pounce down upon the unarmed boats."Red Sea pirates, by Jove!" exclaimed Captain Restronguet."Certainly looks like it, sir," replied the sub. "It's a curious fact, but our cruisers systematically search every little harbour on the Arabian coast and find nothing beyond a few dhows owned by Arab traders whose papers are quite in order. But once let a vessel go ashore or get into difficulties, armed dhows, manned by cut-throat Arabs, gather round like flies about a honey-pot. Goodness only knows where they come from.""I'll tell you where they'll go to if they don't pretty soon sheer off," rejoined Captain Restronguet grimly."Are you standing in pursuit, sir?" asked Devoran."Impossible under present circumstances, Mr. Devoran. Look, those motor-boats cannot make headway against wind and sea. They have too much to tow. Another hour will see the whole swarm of boats smashed to firewood unless we do something."The "Noord Brabant's" boats were indeed in a perilous position. Those provided with oars were two overcrowded to allow the rowers to materially assist; waves were repeatedly breaking over the deeply laden boats, and every available article that could be used as a baler was pressed into use. All the while the flotilla was slowly drifting shorewards, the rearmost boats being almost inside the broad expanse of broken water.Bringing the "Aphrodite" head to wind Captain Restronguet ordered a heavy grass warp to be veered out by means of a barrel. This one of the motor launches secured and made fast, while the second slipped half of the boats and transferred them to the care of the first towing craft. With a reduced number of boats in tow the second pinnace was then able to make headway."Easy ahead!" ordered the "Aphrodite's" captain, and with a long string of boats straining at the hawser the submarine, still on the surface, forged ahead."Steady, sir," ejaculated Kenwyn. "We're pulling them under."Such was the case. The speed of the "Aphrodite" was sufficient to cause sheets of solid water to fly over the bows of the Dutch boats. To reduce speed was impossible, since that would have meant a backward movement on to a lee shore."Have we any oil to spare on board?" asked the sub."We might manage a barrel of lubricating oil," answered Captain Restronguet. "A good idea of yours, Mr. Hythe."To attempt to hoist a heavy barrel of oil with the "Aphrodite" rolling like a barge would be hazardous both to the barrel and the men engaged in sending it up the hatchway. Accordingly the barrel was tapped and the centrifugal pump, worked by one of the auxiliary motors, threw the heavy oil over the side. Soon, instead of a turmoil of white crested wind-swept waves a broad belt of sluggishly heaving water trailed in the wake of the "Aphrodite," and through this patch of comparatively calm sea the boats of the "Noord Brabant" were towed in safety.Long before the barrel of oil was exhausted the flotilla was clear of the broken water close to the land, and the risk of being swamped was reduced to a minimum."Now what's to be done," asked Kenwyn of Hythe, as the two stood on the wake of the after conning-tower watching the procession of boats. "We must return to Port Ibrahim with this little mob, I suppose?""If we do we'll have our work cut out," replied the sub. "As soon as we make for that port the wind will be broadside on, and the boats will again be in danger of swamping. All the oil we have on board would not save them, since it would drift to lee'ard. No, the only way I can suggest--and Captain Restronguet is apparently of the same opinion--is that we plug head to wind until some vessel comes along and picks up the survivors."Just then the "Aphrodite's" wireless picked up a general message sent out by the "Persia" to the effect that she was going at full speed to the scene of the disaster.Captain Restronguet's face lighted up when he heard the good news."We shall now have a free hand," he remarked. "But at the same time it is a mystery to me how our detector has failed to record the presence of the 'Vorwartz.'""Perhaps she has cleared off due south, while we are heading due west," suggested the chief officer."That is the only explanation, Mr. Devoran. It is five hours since the apparatus, sensitive enough in all purpose, has recorded any movement. Well, Carnon?""'Persia' in sight, sir," replied the quartermaster, who had taken up his position, telescope in hand, on top of the fore conning-tower."Capital!" exclaimed Captain Restronguet. "She'll be close alongside within half an hour. Pass the word to the leading boat, Mr. Devoran, and tell them to stand by ready to cast off."Rapidly the "Persia" approached, then, laying-to to windward of the string of boats, waited for them to be towed under her lee. Boat after boat discharged its band of passengers, the empty craft being turned adrift, and within half an hour of the liner's arrival five hundred Dutchmen had found shelter under the Blue Ensign.Great though the attention was towards the rescued men the chief object of interest to the British passengers and crew of the "Persia" was the strangely unfamiliar outline of the "Aphrodite." Much had been heard of the mysterious submarine, the avowed rival of the piratical "Vorwartz," and now the liner's people had a unique opportunity of viewing her at close quarters.When the work of transferring the rescued Dutchmen was completed Captain Restronguet took off his cap and saluted the captain of the huge liner. Simultaneously a tremendous burst of cheering came from throats of hundreds; and with the echoes of the prolonged chorus of welcome and approbation ringing in their ears, the crew of the "Aphrodite" quietly yet majestically disappeared beneath the waves.CHAPTER XIX.STRUCK BY LIGHTNING."It's a jolly fortunate thing that we fell in with the 'Persia,'" remarked Kenwyn, within two hours of parting company with the liner. "Otherwise it would have been a serious matter with those Dutchmen in the boats.""You are right," assented Devoran. "It is going to be dirty weather. The glass is falling rapidly.""It will soon be over," observed Hythe. "'Long foretold, long last; short notice, soon past.' That's how the rhyme goes, doesn't it?""And a brute of a business while it lasts," added the second officer.The three officers were standing on the after deck of the "Aphrodite." The submarine had again risen to the surface and was plugging away in a southerly direction on her vague quest for the unbeatable "Vorwartz." Captain Restronguet remained below, absorbed in some abstruse problem.The sea was smooth, but dark clouds, edged with bright, copper-tinted hues, were rapidly banking up against the westerly breeze, while the rumble of distant thunder was heard at frequent intervals. Even though it was close on midday the sun's light was greatly obscured; while, on the other hand, the far away Sudan coast stood up clearly under the effect of atmospheric refraction.There was every indication of a sharp yet severe storm."Are you going to submerge her, Devoran?" asked the sub."Not on my own responsibility," replied the chief officer. "Until the captain gives the order--ah, here he is.""I cannot understand how the detector is acting," said Captain Restronguet, as he gained the group of officers. "I have most carefully tested the currents and examined the platinum contact breakers. The instrument seems in order, yet it records nothing of the presence of the 'Vorwartz.' It is inexplicable.""The 'Vorwartz' is doubtless beyond the field of electrical action, sir," remarked Kenwyn."So I have been told before," replied Captain Restronguet with asperity. "All the same that theory will not hold good. We ought to have had an intimation of that craft's presence when she torpedoed the 'Noord Brabant.' How can you explain that?""Don't you think, sir, we ought to submerge the ship?" asked Devoran, anxious to change the subject. "The glass is falling----""There is plenty of time," declared the captain, who was evidently not in his usual easy-going humour. "It certainly looks threatening, but at this moment the sea is as calm as glass. Look at those sharks, Devoran. Vicious looking brutes, aren't they? Suppose we give the men an opportunity at rifle practice."The captain strolled off to watch the antics of the tigers of the deep, for four ferocious-looking sharks had been persistently following the "Aphrodite" as if anticipating a catastrophe.The chief officer, although he would much rather have preferred to make all snug and dive to a depth of seven or eight fathoms, was not a man to quibble. He made his way to the hatch-way, to call up the small-arms party. Kenwyn stood a few paces from his superior, while Hythe, unwilling to say anything that might lead to his being snubbed, remained by the after conning-tower.Suddenly the semi-gloom was rent by a vivid flash of lightning, that played upon the metal deck and upon the placid surface of the ominous sea. A deafening peal of thunder succeeded the flash. For a moment the sub was dazzled by the glare. When he looked aft, Kenwyn was lying on the deck, a portion of the stanchions and rails were shattered, and Captain Restronguet nowhere to be seen.Raising a shout of "Man Overboard!" Hythe took a running dive and plunged into the sea. He struck the water heavily, for the "Aphrodite" was moving at a good speed. He might very well have broken his back but for the velocity with which he executed his dive. Not till he rose to the surface did he give one thought to the dreaded sharks: it was then too late to count the risk.Fortunately the monsters, frightened by the flash of lightning, had for the time being disappeared. Hythe struck out to the spot where the bubbles indicated the captain's position, for, winded by the shock, the unfortunate man was sinking never to rise again.Guided by the bubbles the sub dived. Eight powerful strokes he made ere he perceived Captain Restronguet's form slowly settling towards the bottom of the sea. Four more and his left hand grasped the unconscious man by his collar.Striking out with his right, and his unimpeded legs, Hythe rose towards the surface. He had been almost winded by his plunge overboard, and had had no opportunity to recover his breath. His lungs felt as if they were on the point of bursting; his temples throbbed. It seemed ages before his head appeared above the surface, and he was able to take a deep draught of the sultry air. Turning on his back he kept himself afloat, at the same time supporting the unconscious captain.The "Aphrodite" had already lost way and was going astern; in a few minutes a dark, triangular object cleaving the leaden-coloured water attracted the sub's attention. His whole senses momentarily deserted him. He realized that a shark was approaching.His first instinct was to abandon the unconscious man and strike out madly towards the submarine; but in a moment the temptation passed. Lashing out with his legs Hythe churned up a column of water. The shark stopped, wheeled and retreated a few yards.Another of these dreaded fish came up, and the pair, regaining confidence, began to approach, swarming towards the two men in ever-narrowing circles.Hythe could hear the monsters snapping their triple lines of teeth in anticipation of a meal. He kicked the more, shouting at the top of his voice in the hope that the sharks would delay close investigation until it was too late for them to consummate their intentions.The sub had heard tales of how native divers in the Pacific, knife in hand, boldly attacked the tigers of the deep. The recollection gave him but cold comfort. True he had a knife, but he lacked the marvellous aquatic agility of the Japanese and South Sea Islanders. Moreover, directly he released his hold his unfortunate captain would sink. He vaguely argued that it was but another instance of where theory does not always go hand in hand with practice.With a sudden rush one of the sharks dashed straight towards the horrified man. The brute turned on its back in order to deliver a terrific bite. Then, apparently seized with a sudden panic, it brought its huge jaws together with a sickening snap and darted off. It was a narrow shave; so narrow that on turning the shark had rasped Hythe's hand with his rough skin.Finding that nothing happened to hurt it, the shark returned to the charge; as it turned on its back the sub could see right into his capacious mouth. He gazed horror-stricken, too terrified even to kick out or utter a sound. Even as he looked the brute's head was literally shattered, dyeing the water with blood, while the sharp report of a rifle rang in Hythe's ears.The coils of a rope hurtling through the air fell within his reach. He grasped the means of safety, yet was too exhausted to do more. Another shot, and yet another, rang out; then O'Shaunessey, leaping overboard with a bowline, passed the loop over his officer's shoulders."All right, sorr," exclaimed the Irishman cheerily. "Do you let go. I'll see to the cap'n, sure I will."Pale and breathless Hythe was hauled upon the deck of the "Aphrodite." Captain Restronguet was also drawn into safety, and O'Shaunessey, without any attempt at haste, swarmed up the rope hand over hand.Devoran and Kenwyn, handing their still smoking rifles to a seaman, hastened to where Captain Restronguet was lying."Is he dead?" asked the second officer."I am afraid so," replied Devoran gravely, then as the first blast of the approaching storm thrashed the hitherto placid water into sheets of foam he added:--"Take them below. Secure the hatches. All ready, Mr. Kenwyn."Gliding serenely deep beneath the surface the "Aphrodite" pursued her way, regardless of the storm that was now raging fiercely overhead. Flash after flash of vivid lightning played upon the angry water, the glare being plainly visible through the glass scuttles of the conning-towers, while the deep roar of the thunder literally shook the heavy metal structure of the submarine.Gathered around the still unconscious form of the captain were Hythe, Devoran, Polglaze, and Mylor the second quartermaster, while without the cabin, anxiously awaiting the latest news of their leader, were all the crew who were not actually on duty.Kenwyn was at his post in the after conning-tower, Lancarrow in the fore conning-tower was entrusted with keeping the "Aphrodite" on her course, while Carclew was stationed at the electric detector in order to catch the first intimation of the return of the "Vorwartz" to within the range of that instrument's action.As soon as Captain Restronguet had been undressed the effect of the lightning stroke was apparent. From the nape of his neck to the lower rib was tattooed the image of part of the chain rails and the head of the stanchion. Whether the damage was merely superficial or whether the spine had been affected was still a matter of conjecture. His face was pale and pinched, his wide-open eyes dull, his pulse almost imperceptible. Only by holding a glass close to his mouth was Devoran able to pronounce that his chief was still alive, for there was absolutely no signs of respiration and circulation.By careful treatment, and by giving the patient small doses of stimulants, the anxious men succeeded in bringing back the colour to Captain Restronguet's wan cheeks. The pupils of his eyes began to dilate, but although he looked at those who stood around him he gave no signs of recognition."You did not rescue a dead man, Hythe," remarked Devoran in a low tone. "But I'm afraid his brain is affected.""It is too early to form a definite opinion," replied the sub, anxious to put a bold face upon the matter, although in his mind he had his doubts. "I remember on the old 'Velox,' we had a signal-man struck by lightning. He was unconscious for nearly three days; yet he recovered, and was passed for duty after a week in the sick bay.""Yes, that's all very well," rejoined the chief officer, "but----"A violent ringing of the bell of the "steering sentry" interrupted Devoran's remark. Both men crossed the cabin and consulted the tell-tale compass. The "Aphrodite" was fifteen degrees off her course, and the "steering sentry," an automatic instrument that gives a warning in the captain's cabin when the vessel deviates from the course set, was ringing incessantly, showing that the error in direction was a grave one."What are you up to, Lancarrow?" asked Devoran through the telephone communicating with the fore conning-tower. "Anything in the way?"There was no reply.The chief officer hailed again. Still an ominous silence."What's up now, I wonder," he muttered as he hastened towards the conning-tower. To his surprise he found Lancarrow huddled up on the floor, with his hands tightly clenched. Left to herself the "Aphrodite" was gradually describing a wide circle to starboard, and only the action of the automatic alarm had called attention to the fact.Steadying the submarine on her course, Devoran shouted for a couple of hands to carry the unfortunate helmsman below. This done he told Carnon to take charge of the helm, while he made a tour of the vessel to make sure that all was in order. Devoran realized that he was now in command and that the responsibility was great. The mysterious striking down of the former steersman, whether by violence or by natural causes, could not be at present explained; but since a similar thing might happen to others who were on duty he felt it necessary that he should visit all the men at their stations and make sure that everything was in order.Carclew was still at the detector. He had nothing to report. The instrument was as silent as the Sphinx. Kenwyn in charge of the horizontal rudders and the trimming tanks was attending strictly to his duty. He had been unaware of the affair in the other conning-tower, and since it was not his business to consult the compass and not knowing what course had been given to the helmsman, he had not remarked the erratic steering of the vessel."Do you think the lightning struck Lancarrow down?" asked Kenwyn."Bless my soul, I hope not!" ejaculated the first officer. "One affair of this sort is quite enough. Why did you ask?""The flashes have been terrific. They seemed to play upon the deck, even though we are nine fathoms down.""Had Lancarrow been touched by the electric fluid it is reasonable to suppose that the electrical steering gear would be affected. As a matter of fact it isn't.""Give it up, then," rejoined the second officer. "But how is Captain Restronguet?""Coming round, thank Heaven. But it's the after effects I am anxious about. By Jove! That's a flash."It was indeed a vivid fork of dazzling blue light that seemed to corkscrew along the deck of the vessel and dart up over the for'ard conning-tower, till the submerged craft looked as if she were surrounded by a supernatural light. The phenomenon lasted only an instant, but that instant was enough for the chief officer to realize the "Aphrodite's" peril.
CHAPTER XVII.
THE RESCUED ITALIANS.
As soon as the fore-hatch cover had been unshipped Captain Restronguet, accompanied by Devoran and Kenwyn, hastened on deck. Hythe, hearing the captain's exclamation, hurried after him.
The sky was now perfectly clear, the motion of the sea had almost subsided. But instead of the stinging, ozone-laden breeze a faint odour resembling that of rotten eggs seemed to pervade the air.
"H'm," ejaculated Captain Restronguet. "In spite of my faith in the high qualities of restronium the metal has played me false!"
"How so, sir?" asked the chief officer.
"It is not proof against the action of sulphur. Even now the air reeks of sulphur, and it was a sea highly charged with sulphur that the 'Aphrodite' passed through when she was in the immediate vicinity of the submarine volcano. Thus the silver in the alloy has been affected, and in place of a light-absorbing metal we have a dead-black surface."
"It is a serious look-out, sir," observed the sub.
"Serious. Serious isn't the word for it. We have lost a great factor in our means of offence and defence. We are no longer practically invisible."
"Can the defect be remedied?"
"Only by subjecting the plating to a fresh treatment, and that can only be done at our base in Sumatra. But be that as it may I mean to continue my search for the 'Vorwartz'. Possibly the margin of superiority lies with her, but, without boasting, I venture to assert that John Restronguet will prove a match for Karl von Harburg. I hope the wireless is intact, Kenwyn?"
"It is, sir," replied the second officer. "We have just tapped a message from the P. & O. liner, 'Coghlania,' seventy miles south of Brindisi."
"Anything of importance?"
"No, sir; merely on a matter of ordinary routine."
"Very good, Mr. Kenwyn. By the by, you might let me know the state of your accumulators. Have we sufficient power to take us to the Ægean?"
"I'll ascertain, sir," replied the second officer.
Before noon the man and boy rescued from the fishing-boat had recovered sufficiently to sit up. Their story was a thrilling one. Hythe's knowledge of Italian enabled him to follow the patois without much difficulty. They had, in company with seven other craft, put out of Porto Empedocle, on the south coast of Sicily. It was a fine night with a light off-shore breeze, the weather being fair. Thus tempted they ventured farther from land than they were accustomed to. Shortly after midnight a strange phenomenon was observed. The stars were shining through a blood-red haze, while a strong sulphurous odour was noticed. The superstitious fishermen, frightened more by omens than by bad weather, prepared to return homewards, but the wind died completely away. At two in the morning a strong nor'easterly breeze sprang up, which soon developed into a cyclonic gale. Hastily reducing their canvas the fishing fleet drove at the mercy of wind and wave, till after ten minutes of great peril they found themselves once more becalmed in an agitated sea. Once more sail was hoisted, in anticipation of a favouring breeze.
Suddenly the water seemed to be rent in twain. A deep trough appeared less than a hundred yards from the sternmost boat, and horror-stricken the terrified Italians found that their frail vessels were being sucked into the abyss. Then the cavity in the sea closed and instead a column of water, stones, mud, steam, and smoke was thrown up with tremendous force. The starlight gave place to inky blackness, and the next thing thepadroneof the "Favarganna"--that being the name of the craft belonging to the rescued man--realized that the doomed vessel was on her beam ends. She righted, though half filled with water. The old man had barely time to lash his grandson and himself to the rudder head, ere a huge wave swept the boat from stem to stern and down in the depths she plunged.
Nor was old Beppo's awe any the less when he heard from Hythe of the manner of his almost miraculous escape. Devoutly crossing himself the Italian burst into a torrent of thanks to his preservers, and finished up by asking where they thought of landing him?
"I had thought of that," said Captain Restronguet when the sub interpreted thepadrone'srequest. "Since there is now no real necessity for concealment, I think we might hail the first vessel we come across that is proceeding to Messina--if Messina still stands after the eruption."
An opportunity presented itself late in the afternoon. The "Aphrodite" was about two hundred miles S.S.E. of Cape Passaro, and running on the surface, when a tramp steamer hove in sight steering N.W. "We'll stop that fellow, Devoran," exclaimed the captain. "What does she look like?"
"I cannot make out, sir, she flies no ensign," replied the chief officer, after a lengthy survey through his telescope.
Still unperceived by the oncoming vessel the "Aphrodite" stood out in order to intercept her. At a request from Captain Restronguet two of the seamen shipped a light mast abaft the fore-conning-tower, and on this was hoisted the International Code signal--flags indicating "I wish to communicate--heave to."
As soon as the signal was observed the tramp's helm was ported as if she meditated flight, but ordering full speed ahead Captain Restronguet soon made it evident that the "Aphrodite" could go two knots to the steamer's one. The tramp's engines were set at half-speed astern and simultaneously the affirmative pendant fluttered from her stumpy foremast, while the Greek mercantile flag was hoisted on her ensign-staff.
[image]"CAPTAIN RESTRONGUET SOON MADE IT EVIDENT THAT THE APHRODITE. COULD GO TWO KNOTS TO THE STEAMER'S ONE."
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"CAPTAIN RESTRONGUET SOON MADE IT EVIDENT THAT THE APHRODITE. COULD GO TWO KNOTS TO THE STEAMER'S ONE."
"The 'Eleusis' of the Piraeus," announced Captain Restronguet, who was able to decipher with ease the modern Greek characters on her stern.
Gracefully the "Aphrodite" was brought to a stand-still within fifty yards of the Greek tramp, over whose red-leaded bulwarks appeared the heads of about twenty nondescripts who formed her crew.
"'Eleusis' ahoy!" hailed Captain Restronguet in stentorian tones.
"What ship's dat?" asked the Grecian master, who spoke English by reason of several years' service in the British Mercantile Marine.
"Submarine 'Aphrodite,'" replied her captain.
Evidently the fame of Captain Restronguet had already reached the ears of the master of the "Eleusis," for he gave a dramatic gesture of surprise.
"What want, eh? Me peaceful."
"So are we," rejoined Captain Restronguet. "We have just picked up a man and a boy from an Italian fishing-boat. Where are you bound?"
"Messina, Napoli an' Civita Vecchia, sar."
"Will you take these two men as far as Messina?"
The Greek hesitated. His natural cupidity, now that the submarine had shown no hostile intentions, returned.
"Can dey pay passage-monnaire?"
"Passage-money, you white-livered swab!" roared Captain Restronguet. "Is that the way you would treat poor shipwrecked mariners? Send a boat instantly, and take these people to Messina. If I fail to hear of their safe arrival from the Consul of that port I will take good care to obtain satisfaction from you on your homeward voyage. Do you understand?"
"Yas, captain," replied the fellow, thoroughly cowed. "Me send boat."
"If that Greek scoundrel had not been so jolly mean I would have paid him well for his assistance," remarked Captain Restronguet to the sub. "As it is, not a penny will he get from me. Excuse me a few minutes, Mr. Hythe?"
So saying the captain went below; but hardly had his head and shoulders disappeared down the hatchway when he reappeared.
"Would you mind coming with me, Mr. Hythe?" he asked. "I am about to give that poor fisherman a small present to set him up after his severe loss. I prefer to perform little acts of this nature in private, but since I am unable to speak a word of their lingo I realize I must enlist your services. But, please, no mention of this to anyone on board."
Upon entering the cabin in which old Beppo and his grandson were, Captain Restronguet produced a leather pouch and took from it thirty English sovereigns. These he gave to thepadroneand bestowed another gold coin upon the lad, whereupon the rescued Italians' thanks were so profuse and pantomimic that their benefactor asked the sub to tell them peremptorily to "shut up."
"And let them know that the British Consul at Messina will arrange for them to have the gold changed into the national currency," he added. "Here is a note explaining that this man came by the money honestly. I think His Britannic Majesty's Consul will recognize that the signature is genuine. Also tell Beppo that he is on no account to pay the Greek skipper anything for his passage beyond a fair price for all meals supplied."
So saying Captain Restronguet strode out of the cabin leaving the sub to explain matters to the bewilderedpadrone, to whom the gold was a sum greater than he could hope to amass in ten years' hard toil.
"Boat alongside, sir," announced Polglaze.
Followed by Beppo and his grandson, who, radiant with pleasure, had now almost forgotten the perils they had undergone, Hythe went on deck. Here were gathered almost every one of the officers and crew of the submarine, while in a gig made fast on the "Aphrodite's" starboard quarter were four disreputable-looking Greek seamen.
The "Aphrodite's" men gave the departing Italians a rousing cheer, then as soon as the boat returned to the "Eleusis," Captain Restronguet gave orders for general quarters.
Ere the Greek vessel's propeller began to revolve the submarine disappeared beneath the surface, only to reappear on the port side of the tramp. Then, hoisting and dipping Captain Restronguet's green and white ensign, a compliment that the skipper of the "Eleusis" grudgingly returned, the "Aphrodite" resumed her voyage on her quest of the desperado, Karl von Harburg.
CHAPTER XVIII.
THE RIVALS PASS THROUGH THE SUEZ CANAL.
Four days later, with her accumulators charged to their fullest capacity, the "Aphrodite" arose from her anchorage in the Dardanelles.
During that period, although wireless messages were being received with almost monotonous regularity, no definite news had come to hand with reference to the movements of the "Vorwartz."
True, the captain of the Russian battleship, "Imperator Pavel," sent a wireless message to Sevastopol, which was in turn transmitted to St. Petersburg and thence to the world in general, to the effect that at eight a.m. on the morning of the 6th he had sighted a submarine eighty miles S.S.W. of that Crimean port. Having orders to sink the "Vorwartz" without warning, the Russian officer caused a heavy fire to be opened upon the submarine with the "Imperator Pavel's" twelve and three-pounder quick-firers. Every one of these guns that could be brought to bear--eighteen out of forty--joined in the racket, and confident of having destroyed the modern buccaneer, the Russian battleship returned to Sevastopol.
Captain Restronguet received this intelligence with mixed feelings. He had his doubts. He knew that the rapid firing of the Russian fleet was notoriously ill-aimed and inaccurate; he knew also that with a battleship in the vicinity Karl von Harburg would hesitate to bring his craft to the surface. If, however, the news was correct he was saved a lot of trouble, and was now at liberty to return to his base in the Dutch East Indies. Nevertheless he regretted, in no small measure, the fact that he had not been able to achieve the distinction of sinking the "Vorwartz" under conditions favourable to the lives of her crew.
An hour or so later the stalwart Cornishman executed a dance in his cabin, much to the astonishment of Hythe and Kenwyn who happened to be present.
The report of the captain of the "Imperator Pavel" was replied to by a demand from the Bulgarian Government to know why the Russians had fired upon one of their vessels. It appeared that a submarine had been ordered and built at Ansaldo's Works at Sestri, Italy, for the new Bulgarian Navy, and having finished her acceptance trials was returning to Varna. She was running on the surface and made no attempt to alter her course, or to act in any way that might be regarded as suspicious; but when passing the "Imperator Pavel" at a distance of two miles, the Russians greeted her with a sudden and totally unexpected volley of quick-firing shells.
The Bulgarian submarine quickly dived. According to the estimate of the Italian contractors' representative who was on board, not less than one hundred and twenty shells were fired, of which not one did the slightest damage beyond cutting away the ensign-staff.
"Those Bulgarians will make a fine business of this, Hythe!" exclaimed Captain Restronguet. "With Russia on bad terms with Austria and Germany the Balkan States can pull the Bear's tail as much as they like. And trust any of the Balkan States for that; they would draw blood out of a stone if they could. But some day the Powers will settle down harmoniously, and the successors to the Turkish Empire in Europe will have to knuckle under somewhat."
"You don't seem very partial to the Balkan States, sir," remarked the sub.
"Partial? By Jove, I wish I could be! We had a very good specimen the other day in the person of that rascally skipper of the Greek tramp. The stalwarts of ancient Greece would turn in their graves could they but realize to what depths their so-called descendants have fallen. Well, Kenwyn, what is it now? Another purposeless message?"
"I think not, sir," replied the second officer, handing his chief the latest "wireless" received on board.
This time, instead of executing a dance, Captain Restronguet very nearly lost his temper.
"That rogue von Harburg has done me very neatly this time, Hythe!" he exclaimed. "He never was in the Black Sea, that's my belief. Here's a message announcing that the 'Vorwartz' has passed through the Suez Canal."
"Surely that's impossible!"
"Well, then, there's the message. It is from an exceptionally trustworthy agent. I say, Mr. Kenwyn, just reply, will you? And ask to be kept in touch with events."
"Very good, sir," replied the second officer, withdrawing.
"I am anxious to know how a submarine could pass through the Canal without being detected and stopped," remarked the sub, who entertained grave doubts as to the authenticity of the wireless message, especially after the "Imperator Pavel" affair.
"So am I, Mr. Hythe," rejoined Captain Restronguet, who had now recovered his customary coolness of mind. "So am I, since where the 'Vorwartz' can go the 'Aphrodite can go also."
"You mean to traverse the Suez Canal?"
"By fair means, or failing that by foul. Otherwise it would mean that we have to circumnavigate the African Continent, and in the time we were so occupied what would Karl von Harburg be doing?"
Within twenty minutes of the receipt of the momentous news the "Aphrodite" was abreast of the classic Isle of Tenedos, bound for Port Said. All the while she had remained in the Dardanelles, although within a few miles of the seaport of Gallipoli, she had refrained from giving any signs of her presence. But at the moment of departure Captain Restronguet could not resist leaving his card in the shape of one of his green and white buoys on which were painted his customary compliments.
During the run across from Gallipoli to Port Said a complete text of Karl von Harburg's feat, as reported in theEgyptian Monitor, was transmitted by Captain Restronguet's agent for the information of his employer.
It was indeed a daring coup on the part of the German renegade.
Early one morning the "Vorwartz," running light, brought up between the breakwaters that, extending nearly two miles from shore, mark the Mediterranean entrance to the Canal. Here, landing a party of armed men, he took possession of the two lighthouses, and terrified the lightkeepers into submission. He compelled them to ascertain by telegraph what vessels had entered the canal during the previous twenty-four hours and what were expected. Finding that there were no armed ships between Port Said and Suez, and none within easy steaming distance of the latter port, he resolved upon the desperate enterprise of passing through at full speed. To keep submerged would mean loss of time and possibilities of running aground in the Bitter Lakes.
Thus, almost before the Canal authorities at Port Said recovered from their astonishment that a strangely-constructed vessel should have passed into the Canal at several knots above the regulation speed and without paying the customary dues, the "Vorwartz" was well on her way to Ismalia.
In the Little Bitter Lake her luck deserted her, for in attempting to pass a lumbering Dutch tramp steamer, the "Vorwartz" struck upon the sand on the west side of the Canal.
Meanwhile the telegraph had not been idle. It was rightly conjectured that the mysterious craft was that of the modern buccaneer, and a battery of Egyptian artillery had been ordered from Cairo. The artillerymen were sent by train, the route being so roundabout that several hours elapsed before the men and guns detrained at the nearest station, where they were separated by a fresh water canal and a stretch of desert from the spot where the "Vorwartz" had grounded.
It was fortunate for the 'Gippy artillery that Karl von Harburg did not possess the same potential means of offence as did the captain of the "Aphrodite," otherwise the charged shells in the limbers might have exploded with disastrous results. Eventually, after great exertion, the blacks got their guns into position and prepared to hull the helpless submarine. Just then a heavy sandstorm swept down. The breech-blocks of the quick-firers had to be promptly covered up to prevent the ill-effects of the sand upon the delicate mechanism. When the storm ceased the "Vorwartz" was once more afloat and hidden by the sand hills.
Only one course remained for the British officer in charge of the Artillery to take. That was to regain the railway and entrain for Suez, where another chance of cutting off the submarine's retreat was left. But once again the troops were foiled, for before they reached Suez, the "Vorwartz" had passed Port Ibrahim, the Red Sea entrance to the Canal.
Now was Karl von Harburg's opportunity to enrich himself with the plunder from helpless liners and merchantmen. The Red Sea was practically denuded of men-of-war. A pair of obsolete gunboats lay off Suakin. They were not capable of doing more than twelve knots, and could be regarded with contempt. A British third-class cruiser, one of the units of the East Indies squadron, was stationed at Aden, while the remainder of the squadron was at Bombay, with the exception of a second-class cruiser that could not well be withdrawn from the Persian Gulf, without the risk of allowing dangerous cargoes of rifles to be "run" by the Arab dhows that were ever awaiting their opportunity for the hazardous yet profitable business.
Upon the arrival of the "Aphrodite" at Port Said, Captain Restronguet was literally received with open arms by the harassed and distracted Canal officials. The presence of the "Vorwartz" in the Red Sea meant a far greater loss to them in due and tolls than while she was in the Levant, and even then there had been an appreciable falling off in the receipts. Without the faintest delay Captain Restronguet received permission to take his wonderful submarine through the hundred miles of artificial waterway, special facilities being granted so that no undue delay would be experienced. It was generally recognized that if anyone had the honour and distinction of ridding the seas of a danger and a pest that man was Captain Restronguet.
The "Aphrodite" made the journey on the surface and by night. She was twelve hours behind her rival. Fortunately it was bright moonlight, and aided by the powerful search-light on board and the electric arc lamps that had recently been placed on the banks of the canal, the passage was performed most expeditiously. At every town and village crowds assembled to cheer the modern magician. At Ismalia the Khedive's band, sent specially from the palace at Cairo, serenaded the "Aphrodite"; the shipping at Port Ibrahim hailed her approach with a deafening salute upon their syrens; and just as dawn was breaking the submarine, having accomplished the trip in less than seven hours, slipped gracefully under the waters of the Gulf of Suez.
Captain Restronguet's spirits rose. He was flattered with the reception accorded him by the Canal authorities. He realized that, instead of being regarded with suspicion, the world was beginning to appreciate his services to mankind.
"We'll have him right enough," he remarked confidentially to Devoran. "There's a faint tremor noticeable on the detector that cannot mean anything but the presence of the 'Vorwartz.' I have been officially informed that no Government submarine is within a thousand miles of us."
"How far do you think the vessel is, sir?" asked Hythe.
"The detector is sensitive to anything of that nature within a hundred and twenty miles, but, of course, the actual position of the chase cannot be fixed with any degree of accuracy at that distance. But as soon as we approach within twenty miles of von Harburg's counterfeit presentment of my submarine, the position of the 'Vorwartz' will be accurately recorded on the chart controlled by the electric detector."
During lunch the wireless room reported that a vessel was sending out calls for urgent aid, and in response to a request for further details came the startling news that the Dutch liner, "Noord Brabant," had been forcibly boarded by the crew of the "Vorwartz" fifteen miles due east of Wadi Jemel. Several of the Dutchmen had been wounded when attempting to resist; the strong-room had been forced, and nearly ten thousand pounds worth of gold had been removed. Not satisfied with this, Karl von Harburg discharged a torpedo at the ill-fated "Noord Brabant," which, exploding under her starboard quarter, completely flooded the after compartments. Leaking badly, for the shock had strained the water-tight bulkheads, the liner headed slowly for Sherm Sheikh, an inlet in the mainland, where her captain hoped to run her aground on the mud and sand that form the bottom of the cove.
"Here we are," exclaimed Captain Restronguet, running his finger over the chart of the Red Sea. "Ninety miles from Wadi Jemel; three hours run at our maximum speed. Keep her going for all she's worth, Kenwyn. I'll be with you in the conning-tower in less than ten minutes. Let the 'Noord Brabant' know we're on our way, and keep me informed of how she's progressing."
While the "Aphrodite" tore on her errand of mercy, Carclew was keeping vigilant watch upon the electric detector; but, to the disgust of all on board, instead of the "Vorwartz" making her presence felt more strongly the sensitive current grew more and more feeble. Was it possible, then, that the "Vorwartz" was able to attain a much greater speed than her rival, and in consequence slipping farther and farther from the doggedly-pursuing avenger?
Just as Captain Restronguet, accompanied by his guest, was about to proceed to the conning-tower, a final message came from the ill-fated "Noord Brabant"--"Sinking; are taking to the boats."
But the "Aphrodite" was not the only vessel hurrying to the rescue. The P. & O. Liner, "Persia," a magnificent internal-combustion propelled ship of 40,000 tons, that had been built to "knock spots off" the largest North German Lloyd boat on the Australian route, was returning on her maiden voyage. Warnings of the presence of the "Vorwartz" had been given her. Her cargo was a precious one; moreover she carried His Majesty's mails; but at the urgent call of distress all other considerations were set aside.
The officers of the "Persia" knew the risks they were running. It was recognized that Karl von Harburg would not attempt to attack or intercept the liner unless the "Vorwartz" were submerged, consequently the speed of the submarine would then be considerably lower than that of the liner. The "Persia" being a subsidized vessel under the recent Admiralty regulations, had a large percentage of Royal Naval Reserve officers and men in her crew; she was armed with light, quick-firing guns, and, in fact, was a powerful "protected" cruiser.
Owing to the danger the captain and the first officer were both on the "Persia's" bridge. Elaborate precautions had been taken to keep the news from the passengers, but, as is frequently the case, the intelligence was soon common property. That night no one went to bed; since it was within the bounds of possibility that in the event of being torpedoed by the ruthless "Vorwartz" it would be necessary to take to the boats. All lights were carefully screened; yet in spite of these preparations the "Persia" had the narrowest escape in her career.
Unseen and unheard by the officers of the watch, a torpedo discharged from the lurking "Vorwartz" glided within ten feet of her rudder. Just at daybreak the "Aphrodite" sighted the boats of the ill-fated "Noord Brabant." Towed by two motor pinnaces the life-boats, crowded with passengers, were slowly making their way northward. The "Aphrodite" had arrived in the very nick of time, for the sudden change from intense darkness to daybreak revealed the fact that three suspicious-looking Arab dhows were making ready to pounce down upon the unarmed boats.
"Red Sea pirates, by Jove!" exclaimed Captain Restronguet.
"Certainly looks like it, sir," replied the sub. "It's a curious fact, but our cruisers systematically search every little harbour on the Arabian coast and find nothing beyond a few dhows owned by Arab traders whose papers are quite in order. But once let a vessel go ashore or get into difficulties, armed dhows, manned by cut-throat Arabs, gather round like flies about a honey-pot. Goodness only knows where they come from."
"I'll tell you where they'll go to if they don't pretty soon sheer off," rejoined Captain Restronguet grimly.
"Are you standing in pursuit, sir?" asked Devoran.
"Impossible under present circumstances, Mr. Devoran. Look, those motor-boats cannot make headway against wind and sea. They have too much to tow. Another hour will see the whole swarm of boats smashed to firewood unless we do something."
The "Noord Brabant's" boats were indeed in a perilous position. Those provided with oars were two overcrowded to allow the rowers to materially assist; waves were repeatedly breaking over the deeply laden boats, and every available article that could be used as a baler was pressed into use. All the while the flotilla was slowly drifting shorewards, the rearmost boats being almost inside the broad expanse of broken water.
Bringing the "Aphrodite" head to wind Captain Restronguet ordered a heavy grass warp to be veered out by means of a barrel. This one of the motor launches secured and made fast, while the second slipped half of the boats and transferred them to the care of the first towing craft. With a reduced number of boats in tow the second pinnace was then able to make headway.
"Easy ahead!" ordered the "Aphrodite's" captain, and with a long string of boats straining at the hawser the submarine, still on the surface, forged ahead.
"Steady, sir," ejaculated Kenwyn. "We're pulling them under."
Such was the case. The speed of the "Aphrodite" was sufficient to cause sheets of solid water to fly over the bows of the Dutch boats. To reduce speed was impossible, since that would have meant a backward movement on to a lee shore.
"Have we any oil to spare on board?" asked the sub.
"We might manage a barrel of lubricating oil," answered Captain Restronguet. "A good idea of yours, Mr. Hythe."
To attempt to hoist a heavy barrel of oil with the "Aphrodite" rolling like a barge would be hazardous both to the barrel and the men engaged in sending it up the hatchway. Accordingly the barrel was tapped and the centrifugal pump, worked by one of the auxiliary motors, threw the heavy oil over the side. Soon, instead of a turmoil of white crested wind-swept waves a broad belt of sluggishly heaving water trailed in the wake of the "Aphrodite," and through this patch of comparatively calm sea the boats of the "Noord Brabant" were towed in safety.
Long before the barrel of oil was exhausted the flotilla was clear of the broken water close to the land, and the risk of being swamped was reduced to a minimum.
"Now what's to be done," asked Kenwyn of Hythe, as the two stood on the wake of the after conning-tower watching the procession of boats. "We must return to Port Ibrahim with this little mob, I suppose?"
"If we do we'll have our work cut out," replied the sub. "As soon as we make for that port the wind will be broadside on, and the boats will again be in danger of swamping. All the oil we have on board would not save them, since it would drift to lee'ard. No, the only way I can suggest--and Captain Restronguet is apparently of the same opinion--is that we plug head to wind until some vessel comes along and picks up the survivors."
Just then the "Aphrodite's" wireless picked up a general message sent out by the "Persia" to the effect that she was going at full speed to the scene of the disaster.
Captain Restronguet's face lighted up when he heard the good news.
"We shall now have a free hand," he remarked. "But at the same time it is a mystery to me how our detector has failed to record the presence of the 'Vorwartz.'"
"Perhaps she has cleared off due south, while we are heading due west," suggested the chief officer.
"That is the only explanation, Mr. Devoran. It is five hours since the apparatus, sensitive enough in all purpose, has recorded any movement. Well, Carnon?"
"'Persia' in sight, sir," replied the quartermaster, who had taken up his position, telescope in hand, on top of the fore conning-tower.
"Capital!" exclaimed Captain Restronguet. "She'll be close alongside within half an hour. Pass the word to the leading boat, Mr. Devoran, and tell them to stand by ready to cast off."
Rapidly the "Persia" approached, then, laying-to to windward of the string of boats, waited for them to be towed under her lee. Boat after boat discharged its band of passengers, the empty craft being turned adrift, and within half an hour of the liner's arrival five hundred Dutchmen had found shelter under the Blue Ensign.
Great though the attention was towards the rescued men the chief object of interest to the British passengers and crew of the "Persia" was the strangely unfamiliar outline of the "Aphrodite." Much had been heard of the mysterious submarine, the avowed rival of the piratical "Vorwartz," and now the liner's people had a unique opportunity of viewing her at close quarters.
When the work of transferring the rescued Dutchmen was completed Captain Restronguet took off his cap and saluted the captain of the huge liner. Simultaneously a tremendous burst of cheering came from throats of hundreds; and with the echoes of the prolonged chorus of welcome and approbation ringing in their ears, the crew of the "Aphrodite" quietly yet majestically disappeared beneath the waves.
CHAPTER XIX.
STRUCK BY LIGHTNING.
"It's a jolly fortunate thing that we fell in with the 'Persia,'" remarked Kenwyn, within two hours of parting company with the liner. "Otherwise it would have been a serious matter with those Dutchmen in the boats."
"You are right," assented Devoran. "It is going to be dirty weather. The glass is falling rapidly."
"It will soon be over," observed Hythe. "'Long foretold, long last; short notice, soon past.' That's how the rhyme goes, doesn't it?"
"And a brute of a business while it lasts," added the second officer.
The three officers were standing on the after deck of the "Aphrodite." The submarine had again risen to the surface and was plugging away in a southerly direction on her vague quest for the unbeatable "Vorwartz." Captain Restronguet remained below, absorbed in some abstruse problem.
The sea was smooth, but dark clouds, edged with bright, copper-tinted hues, were rapidly banking up against the westerly breeze, while the rumble of distant thunder was heard at frequent intervals. Even though it was close on midday the sun's light was greatly obscured; while, on the other hand, the far away Sudan coast stood up clearly under the effect of atmospheric refraction.
There was every indication of a sharp yet severe storm.
"Are you going to submerge her, Devoran?" asked the sub.
"Not on my own responsibility," replied the chief officer. "Until the captain gives the order--ah, here he is."
"I cannot understand how the detector is acting," said Captain Restronguet, as he gained the group of officers. "I have most carefully tested the currents and examined the platinum contact breakers. The instrument seems in order, yet it records nothing of the presence of the 'Vorwartz.' It is inexplicable."
"The 'Vorwartz' is doubtless beyond the field of electrical action, sir," remarked Kenwyn.
"So I have been told before," replied Captain Restronguet with asperity. "All the same that theory will not hold good. We ought to have had an intimation of that craft's presence when she torpedoed the 'Noord Brabant.' How can you explain that?"
"Don't you think, sir, we ought to submerge the ship?" asked Devoran, anxious to change the subject. "The glass is falling----"
"There is plenty of time," declared the captain, who was evidently not in his usual easy-going humour. "It certainly looks threatening, but at this moment the sea is as calm as glass. Look at those sharks, Devoran. Vicious looking brutes, aren't they? Suppose we give the men an opportunity at rifle practice."
The captain strolled off to watch the antics of the tigers of the deep, for four ferocious-looking sharks had been persistently following the "Aphrodite" as if anticipating a catastrophe.
The chief officer, although he would much rather have preferred to make all snug and dive to a depth of seven or eight fathoms, was not a man to quibble. He made his way to the hatch-way, to call up the small-arms party. Kenwyn stood a few paces from his superior, while Hythe, unwilling to say anything that might lead to his being snubbed, remained by the after conning-tower.
Suddenly the semi-gloom was rent by a vivid flash of lightning, that played upon the metal deck and upon the placid surface of the ominous sea. A deafening peal of thunder succeeded the flash. For a moment the sub was dazzled by the glare. When he looked aft, Kenwyn was lying on the deck, a portion of the stanchions and rails were shattered, and Captain Restronguet nowhere to be seen.
Raising a shout of "Man Overboard!" Hythe took a running dive and plunged into the sea. He struck the water heavily, for the "Aphrodite" was moving at a good speed. He might very well have broken his back but for the velocity with which he executed his dive. Not till he rose to the surface did he give one thought to the dreaded sharks: it was then too late to count the risk.
Fortunately the monsters, frightened by the flash of lightning, had for the time being disappeared. Hythe struck out to the spot where the bubbles indicated the captain's position, for, winded by the shock, the unfortunate man was sinking never to rise again.
Guided by the bubbles the sub dived. Eight powerful strokes he made ere he perceived Captain Restronguet's form slowly settling towards the bottom of the sea. Four more and his left hand grasped the unconscious man by his collar.
Striking out with his right, and his unimpeded legs, Hythe rose towards the surface. He had been almost winded by his plunge overboard, and had had no opportunity to recover his breath. His lungs felt as if they were on the point of bursting; his temples throbbed. It seemed ages before his head appeared above the surface, and he was able to take a deep draught of the sultry air. Turning on his back he kept himself afloat, at the same time supporting the unconscious captain.
The "Aphrodite" had already lost way and was going astern; in a few minutes a dark, triangular object cleaving the leaden-coloured water attracted the sub's attention. His whole senses momentarily deserted him. He realized that a shark was approaching.
His first instinct was to abandon the unconscious man and strike out madly towards the submarine; but in a moment the temptation passed. Lashing out with his legs Hythe churned up a column of water. The shark stopped, wheeled and retreated a few yards.
Another of these dreaded fish came up, and the pair, regaining confidence, began to approach, swarming towards the two men in ever-narrowing circles.
Hythe could hear the monsters snapping their triple lines of teeth in anticipation of a meal. He kicked the more, shouting at the top of his voice in the hope that the sharks would delay close investigation until it was too late for them to consummate their intentions.
The sub had heard tales of how native divers in the Pacific, knife in hand, boldly attacked the tigers of the deep. The recollection gave him but cold comfort. True he had a knife, but he lacked the marvellous aquatic agility of the Japanese and South Sea Islanders. Moreover, directly he released his hold his unfortunate captain would sink. He vaguely argued that it was but another instance of where theory does not always go hand in hand with practice.
With a sudden rush one of the sharks dashed straight towards the horrified man. The brute turned on its back in order to deliver a terrific bite. Then, apparently seized with a sudden panic, it brought its huge jaws together with a sickening snap and darted off. It was a narrow shave; so narrow that on turning the shark had rasped Hythe's hand with his rough skin.
Finding that nothing happened to hurt it, the shark returned to the charge; as it turned on its back the sub could see right into his capacious mouth. He gazed horror-stricken, too terrified even to kick out or utter a sound. Even as he looked the brute's head was literally shattered, dyeing the water with blood, while the sharp report of a rifle rang in Hythe's ears.
The coils of a rope hurtling through the air fell within his reach. He grasped the means of safety, yet was too exhausted to do more. Another shot, and yet another, rang out; then O'Shaunessey, leaping overboard with a bowline, passed the loop over his officer's shoulders.
"All right, sorr," exclaimed the Irishman cheerily. "Do you let go. I'll see to the cap'n, sure I will."
Pale and breathless Hythe was hauled upon the deck of the "Aphrodite." Captain Restronguet was also drawn into safety, and O'Shaunessey, without any attempt at haste, swarmed up the rope hand over hand.
Devoran and Kenwyn, handing their still smoking rifles to a seaman, hastened to where Captain Restronguet was lying.
"Is he dead?" asked the second officer.
"I am afraid so," replied Devoran gravely, then as the first blast of the approaching storm thrashed the hitherto placid water into sheets of foam he added:--
"Take them below. Secure the hatches. All ready, Mr. Kenwyn."
Gliding serenely deep beneath the surface the "Aphrodite" pursued her way, regardless of the storm that was now raging fiercely overhead. Flash after flash of vivid lightning played upon the angry water, the glare being plainly visible through the glass scuttles of the conning-towers, while the deep roar of the thunder literally shook the heavy metal structure of the submarine.
Gathered around the still unconscious form of the captain were Hythe, Devoran, Polglaze, and Mylor the second quartermaster, while without the cabin, anxiously awaiting the latest news of their leader, were all the crew who were not actually on duty.
Kenwyn was at his post in the after conning-tower, Lancarrow in the fore conning-tower was entrusted with keeping the "Aphrodite" on her course, while Carclew was stationed at the electric detector in order to catch the first intimation of the return of the "Vorwartz" to within the range of that instrument's action.
As soon as Captain Restronguet had been undressed the effect of the lightning stroke was apparent. From the nape of his neck to the lower rib was tattooed the image of part of the chain rails and the head of the stanchion. Whether the damage was merely superficial or whether the spine had been affected was still a matter of conjecture. His face was pale and pinched, his wide-open eyes dull, his pulse almost imperceptible. Only by holding a glass close to his mouth was Devoran able to pronounce that his chief was still alive, for there was absolutely no signs of respiration and circulation.
By careful treatment, and by giving the patient small doses of stimulants, the anxious men succeeded in bringing back the colour to Captain Restronguet's wan cheeks. The pupils of his eyes began to dilate, but although he looked at those who stood around him he gave no signs of recognition.
"You did not rescue a dead man, Hythe," remarked Devoran in a low tone. "But I'm afraid his brain is affected."
"It is too early to form a definite opinion," replied the sub, anxious to put a bold face upon the matter, although in his mind he had his doubts. "I remember on the old 'Velox,' we had a signal-man struck by lightning. He was unconscious for nearly three days; yet he recovered, and was passed for duty after a week in the sick bay."
"Yes, that's all very well," rejoined the chief officer, "but----"
A violent ringing of the bell of the "steering sentry" interrupted Devoran's remark. Both men crossed the cabin and consulted the tell-tale compass. The "Aphrodite" was fifteen degrees off her course, and the "steering sentry," an automatic instrument that gives a warning in the captain's cabin when the vessel deviates from the course set, was ringing incessantly, showing that the error in direction was a grave one.
"What are you up to, Lancarrow?" asked Devoran through the telephone communicating with the fore conning-tower. "Anything in the way?"
There was no reply.
The chief officer hailed again. Still an ominous silence.
"What's up now, I wonder," he muttered as he hastened towards the conning-tower. To his surprise he found Lancarrow huddled up on the floor, with his hands tightly clenched. Left to herself the "Aphrodite" was gradually describing a wide circle to starboard, and only the action of the automatic alarm had called attention to the fact.
Steadying the submarine on her course, Devoran shouted for a couple of hands to carry the unfortunate helmsman below. This done he told Carnon to take charge of the helm, while he made a tour of the vessel to make sure that all was in order. Devoran realized that he was now in command and that the responsibility was great. The mysterious striking down of the former steersman, whether by violence or by natural causes, could not be at present explained; but since a similar thing might happen to others who were on duty he felt it necessary that he should visit all the men at their stations and make sure that everything was in order.
Carclew was still at the detector. He had nothing to report. The instrument was as silent as the Sphinx. Kenwyn in charge of the horizontal rudders and the trimming tanks was attending strictly to his duty. He had been unaware of the affair in the other conning-tower, and since it was not his business to consult the compass and not knowing what course had been given to the helmsman, he had not remarked the erratic steering of the vessel.
"Do you think the lightning struck Lancarrow down?" asked Kenwyn.
"Bless my soul, I hope not!" ejaculated the first officer. "One affair of this sort is quite enough. Why did you ask?"
"The flashes have been terrific. They seemed to play upon the deck, even though we are nine fathoms down."
"Had Lancarrow been touched by the electric fluid it is reasonable to suppose that the electrical steering gear would be affected. As a matter of fact it isn't."
"Give it up, then," rejoined the second officer. "But how is Captain Restronguet?"
"Coming round, thank Heaven. But it's the after effects I am anxious about. By Jove! That's a flash."
It was indeed a vivid fork of dazzling blue light that seemed to corkscrew along the deck of the vessel and dart up over the for'ard conning-tower, till the submerged craft looked as if she were surrounded by a supernatural light. The phenomenon lasted only an instant, but that instant was enough for the chief officer to realize the "Aphrodite's" peril.