[image]"BEATING DOWN, AND READY TO RAM THE APHRODITE, WAS ANOTHER SUBMARINE!"Beating down, and ready to ram the "Aphrodite" amidships, was another submarine! But its similarity to the former Devoran had no doubt as to what it was. It was the "Vorwartz.""Hard a-port!" he shouted through the telephone to the helmsman. At the same moment Kenwyn elevated the horizontal rudders in a vain endeavour to make the "Aphrodite" dive under the on-coming attacker. It was too late. With a rending crash the knife-like bows of the "Vorwartz" crashed into the 'midships compartment of her hitherto unsuspecting rival.CHAPTER XX.RAMMED AMIDSHIPS.In the captain's cabin Hythe heard Devoran shouting for the helm to be put hard a-port. He felt the vessel begin to slew round, then a crash that shook the "Aphrodite" from stem to stern, sent him and the other occupants of the cabin reeling against the starboard side.Simultaneously the watertight doors in the two principal transverse bulkheads were hermetically sealed, save a small emergency exit from Number Three Platform to the fore compartment. Through these those of the crew who were in the holed division made their hasty escape. They were not a moment too soon, for, although the "Vorwartz" made no attempt to back out, the fracture was ragged enough for the water under great pressure to pour in cascades into the midships compartment of the ill-starred submarine.As soon as the men were safely in the fore part of the vessel Devoran gave orders for the remaining watertight doors to be closed. He knew that, although the danger was great, there still remained a chance of saving at least two-thirds of the "Aphrodite.""If only I had been in the fore conning-tower," he thought, "I would have given that 'Vorwartz' something to remember us by. I'll try it, though."And calling up Carnon, who was the senior hand in the now isolated fore part, he ordered him to stand by with electrical destructors, whereby a potential charge of electric fluid could be directed upon the "Vorwartz" as soon as she had backed a certain distance from the vessel she had rammed.In answer Carnon replied: "I've tried the gadget, sir, and there's no current on.""For goodness' sake try the supplementary current!" exclaimed the chief officer anxiously, but the result was the same. The apparatus by which the powerful means of offence was controlled was out of order. Either the lightning or the shock of the impact of the "Vorwartz's" stem had thrown the delicate mechanism out of gear. Nor could the torpedoes be used, for the tubes, having an arc of only four degrees on either side of the bows, could not be brought to bear upon the rival submarine.This time Karl von Harburg had scored heavily, and stood every chance of getting clear without the "Aphrodite" being able to revenge herself upon the submarine that had caught her napping.Meanwhile the crew of the "Aphrodite," after the first shock, had taken up their stations with consummate coolness. Every man knew that the damage was great, and that the "Vorwartz" was the cause of it. One chance yet remained for them to revenge themselves upon Karl von Harburg. Directly the "Vorwartz" backed out of the rent in her rival's side, the "Aphrodite" might be able to turn sufficiently to discharge a torpedo. At the same time steps must be taken to prevent the stricken craft from sinking into depth where the pressure of the water would literally crush their as yet undamaged sections of the submarine like an egg-shell under a hundred-ton hammer.As soon as the water in the midship section rose to the level of the centre platform Devoran gave orders for the detachable keel of that compartment to be dropped. Kenwyn touched the emergency switch, and the massive dead weight fell. Relieved of this mass of iron the "Aphrodite" lurched in an effort to rise to the surface.The sudden strain wrenched her free of the bows of the "Vorwartz." Instantly the water, pouring through the greatly enlarged aperture, filled the whole of the centre compartment, and before the submarine had a chance to turn and let fly a torpedo at her antagonist, the "Aphrodite" sank slowly and surely.This, although serious, was a point in her favour, for Karl von Harburg, observing with savage glee the havoc he had wrought, concluded that his rival's craft was sinking for the last time to the bottom of the Red Sea. Accordingly, satisfied that he was now free to pursue his piratical acts, since the "Aphrodite" was the only submarine he feared, he backed astern, rose to the surface, and proceeded in a southerly direction towards the Straits of Bab-el-Mandeb. Hardly a word was spoken as the "Aphrodite" sank. Devoran, his eyes fixed upon the depth gauge, was waiting his time. He, too, realized that should the submarine rise to the surface it would merely be giving her antagonist a unique opportunity of holing another of the sections that as yet remained intact. On the other hand, he had to guard against the danger of descending too far.Thirty fathoms; the "Aphrodite" was now in total darkness as far as the water was concerned. Within the electric lamps still burned brightly, save for a few that had been shattered at the moment of impact."Easy ahead!" he ordered, and as the partially flooded vessel forged slowly and laboriously ahead, the chief officer trimmed the horizontal rudders so that the resistance at a certain angle just corrected the tendency of the whole vessel to sink.Devoran set a course due east, hoping to fetch the shallower water on the African shore. Twenty minutes later he ventured to switch on the parallel bow searchlights. Even these powerful rays failed to reveal anything more than fifty miles away. Huge fish, that are rarely seen in shallow water, flitted past the thick scuttles. They made no attempt to dart out of the way of the submarine; they were blind, since the gift of sight at these depths is useless to them."She's standing the strain all right," remarked the chief officer to Hythe in quite a cheerful tone.The sub nodded appreciatively. Under similar conditions on board a British submarine the state of affairs would be hopeless. With a rent amidships, extending from the upper platform to the bilges she would have sunk instantly, and given her crew no possible chance of escape; but here was the "Aphrodite" still under control and with the odds greatly in her favour. Next to Captain Restronguet, Devoran was the most capable man in whom to trust."Bottom shoaling!" exclaimed the sub, as the head searchlights glimmered upon an expanse of ooze, so shapeless and ill-defined that it required a practised hand to distinguish it from the deep sea.The chief officer instantly adjusted the planes, and the submarine, though lacking her usual sensitiveness to the action of the horizontal rudders, rose steadily.At twenty fathoms the bottom ceased to shoal, and in place of the slimy mud appeared fantastic formation of coral; a sure sign that shallower water was not far off. Again the "Aphrodite" was brought nearer the surface, till the welcome sunlight could be faintly noticed."Ten fathoms," announced Devoran. "This is our limit. We must carry on till we ground. Look! what a rent, by Jove!"He pointed out of the scuttle, and Hythe following his gaze saw the fracture that the "Vorwartz" bow had caused. Her comparatively straight stem had cut nearly five feet into the upper platform of the "Aphrodite" in addition to making a vertical gash nearly fifteen feet in length in the stricken vessel's side. As a result the whole of the centre compartment had become a dead weight, and the buoyancy of the submarine being imparted only by the fore and aft compartments the tendency of the whole vessel was to sag amidships. Already the upper platform was curving ominously. It would not take much more strain to buckle the "Aphrodite." Although her steel plating was badly cracked and jagged, the restronium sheathing was severed as evenly as if made of wax. This, no doubt, accounted for the fact that the inrush of water at the moment of impact was comparatively slight, and in consequence the men stationed in the midship compartment were able to make good their retreat long before the water completely filled the space between the two principal transverse bulkheads."Let her down gently, Carnon!" ordered Devoran, as the "Aphrodite" passed the broad belt of coral and a clear sandy bottom was visible on all sides.The quartermaster in the fore conning-tower knew his business thoroughly, and with hardly a bump the submarine settled on the bed of the Red Sea."All ready to let go?" asked the chief officer, and from the for'ard compartment came the alert reply that everything was in order."It is almost like abandoning one's ship," remarked Hythe."Hardly so bad as that," replied Devoran. "But all the same we are shedding a large portion of her. Would you mind standing by that lever, and when I give the word push it hard down. No, not just yet. We will wait and watch the fore part shake itself clear."It was indeed a strange sight. At one moment Hythe saw the slightly buckling deck and the fore conning-tower, the upper platform, except for the fracture caused by the collision, being all in one piece. The next instant the whole of the bow compartment, including the conning-tower, gave a sudden bound and darted upwards towards the surface. Hythe could see the bulkhead with its watertight doors securely fastened, and the bright copper electrical contacts with their surrounding belt of insulated material. It reminded him of a salmon cut clean in halves.Already the ballast tanks of the freed section were being filled, till, the upward motion checked, the structure slowly sank and settled once more in the bottom of the sea a few yards to the left of the remaining portion of the submarine. There, cut off from all communication with the still intact after part, the compartment had to remain, till, worm-like, the third section was detached from the damaged portion and united to form a smaller yet still efficient submarine.Kenwyn had meanwhile opened the scuttle in the bottom plates of the vessel in order to guide her on her descent. Since the after portion alone possessed propelling machinery it was necessary that the fore part should be disconnected first."Down with it!" exclaimed Devoran, at the same time operating a switch. Hythe instantly depressed the lever as he had been instructed. The motion following the action was similar to that experienced in the sudden rising of a lift.The damaged midship section had been abandoned to its ocean grave.Directly the sub liberated the after portion of the vessel the hiss of the inrushing water could be heard, and, as in the case of the fore part, the surface was still several fathoms off when the upward tendency was checked.At a few feet from the bottom Kenwyn announced that the required depth was reached, and the chief officer gave the order for "Half speed ahead."The best engine-driver in the kingdom could not have brought his locomotive up to a train of waiting carriages easier than Devoran manoeuvred the after part of the "Aphrodite" up to the fore compartment. There was no perceptible shock, in fact nothing to indicate the fact that the union had been accomplished except that telephonic communication was automatically reestablished in all parts of the reduced "Aphrodite."Into the air locks next to each exterior bulkhead divers were quickly sent. As soon as the water was admitted into these spaces new locking bolts were passed through and secured, and within twenty minutes of being placed in position the two parts of the submarine were made one. But instead of her two hundred feet from stem to stern the new "Aphrodite" was reduced by about one third. Nearly seventy feet of valuable length had been sacrificed; but, as Devoran remarked, "It might have been worse.""That is true," agreed Hythe. "But what will Captain Restronguet say?"CHAPTER XXI.CAPTAIN RESTRONGUET LEARNS THE NEWS.For three whole days the "Aphrodite" lay on the floor of the Red Sea. Captain Restronguet was making steady progress towards recovery, but the news of the disaster had been studiously kept from him. All on board knew that sooner or later their leader must learn of the catastrophe; but every one was in favour of deferring the evil day, fearing what the consequences would be in the case of a highly strung man who was still suffering from a severe physical and mental shock.But until Captain Restronguet did know Devoran stoutly refused to take any action in the navigation of the vessel. Nor would he open up wireless communication. It was desirable, nay imperative, that Karl von Harburg should think that his coup had been entirely successful, and on that account the danger of unauthorized news leaking out had to be strongly guarded against.In her present state the "Aphrodite" was no better than her rival. Her state of partial invisibility was no more, her electrical detector, whereby the position of the "Vorwartz" could be determined was no longer in working order. It was mainly responsible for the dramatic appearance of the craft under Karl von Harburg's command. Her chief means of offence--the discharge of an electrical current that would detonate any explosives within a three-mile limit--had mysteriously failed; and only upon her powerful six-inch torpedoes could she implicitly rely. Nevertheless, all on board, from the chief officer downwards, had no doubts as to the issue of the struggle, even though so far things had gone in favour of the "Vorwartz." Herr Karl von Harburg's submarine must be destroyed; her power must be completely shattered; but until Captain Restronguet was in a position to once more take charge of affairs, Devoran advocated a campaign of non-activity.Curiously enough no reason could be given for Lancarrow's sudden illness in the conning-tower. He had completely recovered before the rejoining operations of the fore and aft sections were completed, but could give no account of what had happened. He did not remember falling: for he stated that he glanced at the clock less than half a minute before the "sentry" began to ring, and up to the last moment his recollections were perfectly clear; he did not notice any particularly brilliant flashes of lightning about that time. He knew nothing till he returned to consciousness and found himself in a bunk in the fore part of the submarine, whither his companions had carried him when the men's quarters were flooded after the collision.On the other hand Captain Restronguet was aware that he had been struck by lightning, although he had no recollection of falling into the sea. The story of how he had been rescued at the risk of the sub's life had been told him, and his gratitude was expressed by grasping his rescuer's hand. Not a word was exchanged between them on the subject, but the action was worth volumes of words."How are we progressing, Devoran?" asked the captain, on the morning of the fourth day of the submarine's sojourn on the bottom of the Red Sea. "Any indication of the presence of the 'Vorwartz,' eh?"Devoran hesitated. It would be a nasty shock to have to confess that the progress was nil and that the presence of the rival submarine had been very pronounced.Captain Restronguet looked up sharply. He saw the chief officer and the sub exchange significant looks."You have a pleasant surprise for me, then?" he continued. "I'll get up and find out for myself.""But, sir----" began Devoran. The captain stopped him by an emphatic gesture.Hythe never felt more uncomfortable. He would right willingly have given a month's pay to be out of the business.Drawing a great-coat over his sleeping-suit Captain Restronguet walked out of the cabin. Hythe and Devoran looked at each other and by a common impulse followed.At the end of the alley-way terminating at the watertight transverse bulkhead Captain Restronguet stopped as if he were about to ascend to the after conning-tower; but changing his mind he opened the watertight door. One glance was sufficient. Instead of the midship compartment he was looking down the passage of the fore part of the ship."Well, Devoran, we've had a mishap, I see," he remarked in a casual tone."Yes, sir; a very unfortunate----""But at the same time unavoidable accident, Devoran. Of that I feel sure. No, no, there is no need to apologize. If ever a man would do his best to save the situation, that man is my chief officer. But how did it occur?"In a few words Devoran told the story--a plain unvarnished statement of actual facts, while Hythe stood mutely by, marvelling at the captain's calmness at the news."I am not surprised, Devoran," continued Captain Restronguet. "Not in the least. I had a presentiment that Karl von Harburg would score at one time. Besides, have I not prepared for such a contingency by providing three distinct compartments to the 'Aphrodite'? But after von Harburg's success my counter-stroke will hit the harder. I know it, Devoran. I feel certain that we shall score in the long run. Were any men lost or injured in the collision?""No, sir.""Thank God for that!" ejaculated Captain Restronguet fervently. "And are all the electric circuits working properly?""No, sir. The detector is entirely out of gear, and so is the offensive apparatus.""H'm, unfortunate, but we will set that right. And the wireless?""I have not used or tried it, sir. Until you were fit to command I preferred to remain here and make no communication whatsoever.""An excellent policy, Devoran. Unfortunately we must resume our wireless communications otherwise we are in the dark as to the movements of the 'Vorwartz.' But our Highgate operator is to be implicitly trusted, and if all messages are sent in code it matters little whether they are picked up by other ships or stations. Get Kenwyn to send a message asking whether any news of von Harburg has been received, and let me know directly you have a reply. I am going to my cabin now. I want to be alone. But do not feel anxious on my account. I shall be perfectly fit for duty in a very short space of time.""Didn't he take the news calmly?" remarked Hythe after Captain Restronguet had gone back to his cabin. "It was enough to drive a fellow off his head.""It's his way," said Devoran slowly. "It is his way. Reverses that are seemingly overwhelming and would be so to almost every one else, only spur him to renewed activities. Believe me the fun is now about to commence."Within an hour and twenty minutes of the despatch of the wireless message to London a reply was received that threw considerable light upon the movements of the modern buccaneer.Karl von Harburg had caused a report to be sent to the news agencies to the effect that he had destroyed the only submarine that stood between him and his definite aim, and now he was at liberty to do what damage he wished to the naval and mercantile fleets of the world, irrespective of nationality or any other consideration. With this object in view he had sunk a French liner off Cape Guadafui, after ransacking her strong rooms. He had even been compelled to substitute gold ingots for the common metal ballast of his craft. Silver he would hardly look at.This ultimatum was received with amazement and in dismay shipping circles. It seemed in vain to appeal for armed warships to destroy the "Vorwartz," since she could keep below the surface for days at a stretch, and could descend deeper than any submarine with the exception of the "Aphrodite." And Karl von Harburg believed that his rival was no longer in existence.There was no doubt that Karl von Harburg was a madman. However successful his raids on shipping might be, however great his hoards of ill-gotten gold, he would never be able to make use of his wealth. He was a world-wide pariah. No civilized country would give him refuge. Even his base in the Island of Sumatra was closed against him, for the Dutch officials, aroused out of their customary lethargy, had seized his concession and had taken strong measures to prevent his return.Thus, with a crew composed of renegade Germans, Dutchmen, Malays and Chinese, he was compelled to keep to the limits of his submarine until his career of wanton destruction was brought to a close either by an act of God or the missiles of one of the avenging craft that were ever on the look-out to rid the seas of a scourge.Meantime Karl von Harburg was directing his attention to the Somali and Zanzibar coasts. Here he could, with little risk, replenish his stock of provisions, while he was within easy distance of the recognized tracks of vessels trading on the East coast of Africa."So our sphere of operations is pretty well defined," remarked Captain Restronguet when the message was brought him. "It is not altogether to my liking, for I have some unpleasant recollections of the Somali coast. Not quite so bad as the West Coast, of course, but quite bad enough.""You have already visited this coast in the 'Aphrodite'?" asked the sub."No; it was in a tramp steamer. We were trading, and instead of getting a profit for the owners we lost half our crew by fever and the bulk of our cargo was seized by the Arabs. That was some years ago. The fever is still there, and no doubt the predatory instincts of the Swahilis and Somalis are as strong as ever. But in a submarine things may be very different."Once more the quest was resumed, the "Aphrodite" keeping on the surface except when a passing vessel was sighted. As secrecy was an essential point Captain Restronguet took no risks, and the submarine was submerged several times during each day.Early opportunity was taken to thoroughly overhaul the detector, and on taking the sensitive gear to pieces the fault was discovered. It was caused by a thin strand of the insulated copper wire protruding from the amalgam covering and thus setting up a short circuit. In a way that was a matter for congratulation, as it showed that the defect was no way due to magnetic disturbances caused by the heavy thunderstorm, as Captain Restronguet fully expected it to be.On the other hand the apparatus controlling the potential current of electricity that could instantaneously destroy a hostile vessel by detonating her powder was for the time being beyond remedy. This was a grave business, but the belt of electric fluid that rendered the "Aphrodite" immune from torpedo attack was still in an efficient state. Had the current been in action when the "Vorwartz" rammed her rival the effect would have been fatal to the former, since, herself a huge torpedo, the submarine would have spontaneously exploded.Shortly after rounding Cape Guadafui the "Aphrodite" once more came in touch with the "Vorwartz," the detector indicating that the latter was within eighty miles. Two hours later Kenwyn, who was keeping watch on deck, reported that he heard the distinct sound of small arms firing.Captain Restronguet, Devoran, Hythe, and several of the crew were on deck as soon as they heard the news. The sound was apparently coming from a place about twenty miles to the west."That's nothing to do with the 'Vorwartz,' sir," suggested the chief officer."I am not so sure about that," replied the captain. "It may have some connexion with that scoundrel Marburg's villainies. We will run in and see what is amiss.""Submerged, sir?""No; on the surface. Time and speed are to be considered."As the "Aphrodite" came in sight of the coast--a low-lying expanse of sand dunes fringed with a belt of milk-white surf--the hull of a large vessel could be distinguished. Ere long those on the submarine made out that the ship was aground and was heeling at a dangerous angle. She was funnelless, being driven by internal combustion engines. Her masts were still standing, though threatening to go by the board as each sullen roller thrashed against her lofty sides.Hoisted half way to her mainmast head was the Red Ensign--upside down--as a signal of distress.Barely two hundred yards to starboard of the stranded vessel was a break in the line of surf and a corresponding break in the coast-line, where either a river gained the sea or the sea formed a narrow inlet. Drawn up on shore at the point formed by the entrance to the creek were three ship's boats, while a quantity of boxes and casks, apparently thrown overboard from the wrecked vessel, fringed the beach.On a sandy hillock, standing well apart from the rest of the dunes and within fifty yards of the inlet, were several men in European clothes, who, kneeling behind a shallow embankment of sand, were firing at a foe invisible to the crew of the "Aphrodite."Three or four had been hit, for they were lying on the sand to the rear of the defences, while, judging by the smoke and the louder reports, the crew of the stranded vessel were being attacked by a far more numerous body of men armed with rifles firing black powder."Arabs!" exclaimed Devoran laconically, without removing his binoculars from his eyes."Or Somalis," added Captain Restronguet. "Clearly we are in the nick of time, for as soon as it gets dark those fellows will rush the seamen and massacre every man-jack of them."Hythe could not help wondering how the crew of the submarine could render any effective assistance. The canvas boat had been lost in the encounter with the "Vorwartz," since it was stowed under the midship hatchway.Captain Restronguet touched him on the shoulder."Mr. Hythe, you have had experience with landing parties. I have had none. Will you, then, take charge of our automatic quick-firer? I am sending it ashore with nine men.""Very good, sir," replied the sub unhesitatingly, although he was still at sea as to how the men could be landed."Blow all the ballast tanks!" ordered the Captain. "A leadsman for'ard."Then the sub realized the plan of action. Captain Restronguet was going to take the "Aphrodite" across the bar.With no more ballast than the two sections of iron bolted to her keel for use in emergencies, the "Aphrodite" drew but five feet for'ard and seven aft. The first soundings gave four fathoms: soon the depth decreased to three.Yet unhesitatingly Captain Restronguet held the "Aphrodite" on her course, heading towards the smooth patch in the line of breakers that marked the entrance to the creek.Suddenly the submarine gave a jerk that almost capsized every man on deck. She had stuck right in the centre of the bar, with threatening breakers only a few yards off on either hand.Simultaneously came a hail of bullets from the opposite bank to which the crew of the tramp steamer were holding. A strong body of Somalis, seeing the helpless state of the "Aphrodite," had commenced to direct a heavy fire upon the stranded submarine.CHAPTER XXII.BESET BY SOMALIS."Take cover!" ordered Captain Restronguet calmly. "Down below, every man."The order was promptly obeyed, for several of the leaden messengers were flying perilously close, some impingeing upon the metal sides and conning-towers, that offered a huge target."It is as well we afford those rascals something to fire at," he continued, as he entered the fore conning-tower and closed the scuttles on the starboard side. "Otherwise they would be firing into the rear of the position on shore. Serve out the rifles, Mr. Devoran. We must drive them off before we can attempt to land."So saying the captain ordered full speed astern. For quite five minutes the twin screws ran at their greatest rate, causing the hull to vibrate and the sea to be discoloured with mud and sand churned up by the action of the propellers. Then, with a rasping sound, the "Aphrodite" glided off the bank and gained the slightly deeper water."Easy ahead!" This time the submarine was headed slightly to the left of the spot where she had just stranded. Another dull shock told all on board that once more she was held up, this time by her keel.All the while bullets were flattening themselves against the submarine's plating, but in spite of the danger Hythe thought of something which he immediately put into action. Grasping the lead line he gained the upper platform, ran forward and made a cast. The lead touched bottom at twenty feet.A bullet cut a gash through the sleeve of his coat, another grazed his shoe, but grimly the sub stuck to his task. Gathering in the line he made his way amidships and made another cast. Here the sounding gave ten feet. He had learnt enough."We're nearly over the bar, sir," he exclaimed, as he rejoined his companions in the fore conning-tower. "If we gave her full speed ahead I think she would do it. We're in quite deep water as far aft as the after conning-tower."Without a word in reply Captain Restronguet telegraphed for full speed ahead. With barely ten seconds' hesitation the "Aphrodite" slipped over the bar and started off up the creek at a great speed till the motors were reversed. Losing way she brought up abreast of the sorry defences held by the shipwrecked crew."Here we are, then," exclaimed Captain Restronguet. "But how are we going to get out again? However, that problem can wait. All ready, Mr. Devoran?"Under the fore hatchway every available man was waiting, armed with automatic rifles. The field gun was dismounted, in order to facilitate its transport ashore, tackles being in readiness to hoist it on deck. Up the hatchway the men swarmed, and taking advantage of every bit of cover afforded by the base of the conning-tower and other projections on deck, opened a rapid, well-aimed fire upon the Somalis.So intent were the Englishmen on shore with the work they had in hand that hitherto they had not noticed the arrival of the "Aphrodite," but with the rattle of musketry so close to where they stood they could not fail to notice that help was at hand.With a ringing cheer the shipwrecked men redoubled their fire, for hitherto they had been compelled, except when it became necessary to repel a rush, to husband their cartridge supply.Soon the volleys from the submarine's deck became too much for the liking of the Somalis. The accurate fire bowled dozens of them over like rabbits, and the rest promptly bolted for the shelter of the sand-dunes, whence they began to work round to join their forces with their brethren on the other side of the creek, where the chances of sending a score of unbelievers to perdition were considerably greater.Turning the "Aphrodite's" bows towards the shore Captain Restronguet ordered easy ahead till her forefoot grounded on the stiff clay soil that formed the banks of the creek. Polglaze and Mylor immediately jumped overboard, the water reaching almost to their chins, and walked ashore, dragging the end of a three-inch rope. This they fastened to a bolt passed through a hole in the forefoot of one of the stranded vessel's boats, and the "Aphrodite" going astern pulled the ponderous wooden craft down the beach into the water.As soon as it was brought alongside the field gun was placed into it in sections. The gun's crew, under Hythe's orders, followed, and the boat was hauled ashore by Polglaze and Mylor, who had taken the precaution to bend a rope to the painter.Although lacking the dash that characterizes the British bluejacket, the men of the "Aphrodite" ably supported their young commander; and Hythe was surprised at the resolute bearing of the submarine's crew immediately under his orders.The moment the boat's keel touched the ground the brave fellows heaved the heavy portion of the gun over the side and upon the beach. In twenty-five seconds the wheels were placed upon the axles and the lynch-pins thrust home. The gun, its muzzle protected against damage by a piece of stout canvas, was raised in an almost vertical position by means of ropes and levers, while the carriage was backed close to the heavy steel cylinder. Then, with a crash, the gun was allowed to drop into its proper place, and within a minute the quick-firer was "assembled" and ready for action.Up the soft, sloping sand dunes the men raised the gun, Hythe himself staggering under the weight of a wooden case filled with projectiles. Wheeling, the men brought the muzzle of the powerful weapon to bear upon the foe, and the first of the belt of shells was placed within the breech-block.The "Aphrodite's" landing party were only just in time. Already the Somalis, reinforced by those who had vainly attempted to stop the approach of the submarine, were massing for a concentrated rush upon the handful of men from the stranded merchant-vessel. Under a heavy fire of Martini and other rifles--weapons discarded by various Governments and sold by unscrupulous tenders to the fierce and lawless Equatorial tribes--nearly two thousand spearmen were advancing stealthily, till, in spite of a steady fire maintained by the British seamen, the attackers were within two hundred yards. Here they paused, then giving vent to a terrific roar of defiance, they broke into a headlong rush, brandishing their broad-bladed spears and leather shields in order to demoralize the unbelievers who had been rash enough to land on that inhospitable shore.Hythe raised his hand. The gunner pressed home a small lever with his thumb. The belt of projectiles in the capacious maw of the automatic gun, grew shorter and shorter, while the steam from the water-jacket soon outrivalled the haze from the smokeless powder.It was no longer a fight: it was a massacre. The sub saw the Somalis mown down as though with a scythe, till, unable in spite of their fanatical bravery, to face the hail of death they fled, leaving the ground thickly covered with dead and dying."Cease fire!" ordered Hythe; then, "Carry on. Search the bush away on the right. There are hundreds of the enemy lurking there."Round swept the muzzle of the gun; up went the sight to a thousand yards. "Pop, pop, pop," went the sharp detonation of the quick-firer, till half a dozen rounds had been fired. Then came an ominous silence."Carry on," repeated the sub in a loud voice. "I gave no orders to cease firing.""Can't help it, sir," replied Polglaze, who was sitting across the trail and manipulating the firing-gear. "The blessed thing's jammed."It was indeed fortunate that the mechanism had not gone wrong during the attack, but the danger was not yet over. It was imperative that the weapon should be rendered serviceable again before the rescued crew could be taken off.As soon as the Somalis withdrew beyond range the wearied men of the stranded vessel hastened to greet their new-comer, while the master, a short, broad-shouldered, rubicund-visaged old salt, briefly explained to Hythe the circumstances under which the vessel went ashore.It came as no surprise to the sub to learn that the ship--the two-thousand ton Diesel engined tramp, "Iticaba"--had been chased by the "Vorwartz." Scorning to surrender, the sturdy skipper served out rifles and ordered his men to fire at the submarine as she rose to the surface to hail the "Iticaba" to heave-to. The bullets had no more effect than peas rattling on a corrugated iron roof, but Karl von Harburg lost no time in retiring to the security of the conning-tower.The chase was a long one, and although the "Vorwartz," fired three torpedoes only one hit the mark, exploding under the "Iticaba's" starboard quarter and destroying one of her twin propellers and buckling the rudder, while the steel plating of the hull was fractured sufficiently to cause the vessel to be in a sinking condition.Still the old skipper stood doggedly on the bridge, refusing to surrender. His one hope was to run the ship ashore in shoal water where the submarine could not follow. Ordering every available pump to be worked to its utmost capacity the "old man" still found the leak gaining, and it was a question whether the "Iticaba" would or would not founder in deep water.Apparently the "Vorwartz" was unwilling to waste another torpedo on a ship that was already doomed; and since her rascally crew could not hope to gain any plunder from a foundering ship, the submarine sheered off and made way to the south'ard. Unmolested the "Iticaba" managed to reach the shore, and on striking was cast broadside on upon the breakers.Being unprovided with wireless, the stranded vessel could not call for assistance; nevertheless the skipper, trusting that the sound might be heard by passing ships, fired distress guns at the stipulated intervals. Loath to abandon his command he still held hopes that with the aid of another vessel and the rent of the hull temporarily patched up, the "Iticaba" might even yet be towed off and brought safely into port.But the heavy ground-swell soon knocked this idea out of the skipper's head. Serious leaks, apart from those caused by the torpedo, appeared, and in less than an hour from the time of stranding the forehold was flooded. The first on-shore gale would complete the work of destruction, and as there were indications of the approach of bad weather, the skipper reluctantly decided, on he representations of his chief officer, to give orders to abandon ship. Fortunately the "Iticaba," broadside on, afforded a breakwater for the boats under her lee, and after carefully provisioning and manning two whalers, a cutter and a gig, the crew pulled for the shore.It was the skipper's intention to camp ashore till the forecasted storm had blown itself out, and then to coast southwards to Mombassa or Zanzibar; but the plan was foredoomed to failure.A keen-eyed Somali, hearing the report of the distress signals, had ridden his fleet camel to the landward side of the sand dunes fronting the shore. He could see that a ship was ashore, and that there was a most excellent opportunity for his fellow-tribesmen to enjoy the congenial task of massacring a handful of unbelievers and pillaging their goods. He returned at full speed to the encampment, and soon eighty swarthy Somalis were ready for the shore.With seamen's true contempt for danger the crew of the "Iticaba" had neglected to make any preparations for defence against hostile tribesmen. They knew that they were cast ashore upon a district over which the Italians exercised something less then a nominal sway, and that the Somalis were noted for their excesses upon any strangers who had the misfortune to fall into their hands. Yet they suffered themselves to be surprised by eighty savages while they were straggling inland to find brushwood to light a fire.The crew paid dearly for their rashness. Four men fell under the keen broad-bladed spears of the Somalis. The rest contrived to form up and open fire; and finding that their self-imposed task had already cost the lives of twenty of the Faithful, the Somalis beat a retreat in order to summon the neighbouring tribes to aid them.From north, west and south the fanatical warriors assembled, till, with numbers sufficient to overwhelm the handful of Englishmen, they advanced to the second attack.Profiting by experience the crew of the "Iticaba" had meanwhile constructed rough-and-ready defences. They realized that they were fairly trapped, for to attempt to put to sea in open boats with the probability of encountering a gale would be sheer madness. On the other hand it was possible that they might hold out against the attackers, until either the weather became fair or means of rescue were afforded them."Well, the sooner we get you out of this mess the better," said Hythe, when the master of the "Iticaba" had concluded his narrative."Strikes me you are no better off than we are," remarked the old skipper. "There's too much sea running on the bar for you to get out. What water d'ye draw?"The sub told him."Suppose you are one of those new-fangled craft--all top-sides and no draught in a manner o' speaking," remarked the "old man" bluntly."Well, hardly," replied Hythe smiling. "You see yonder vessel is the submarine 'Aphrodite,' of which you may have heard."The master of the "Iticaba" looked at the sub for a few seconds, then shrugging his shoulders he replied,"Look here, sir, I'm grateful for your assistance, but Cap'n Nick Rees isn't a man to be bamboozled. I know for a fact that that cursed 'Vorwartz' destroyed the 'Aphrodite' some days ago. I heard the news from official sources while I was lying at Aden.""News from official sources is apt to be misleading, Captain Rees. It is in this case. That vessel is the submarine 'Aphrodite' and there is Captain Restronguet standing abaft the after conning-tower. There is no doubt but that he may be able and willing to afford accommodation for you and your crew. The quarters will be somewhat cramped, I fear. But as soon as we can get out of the creek it will not take us very long to tow your boats to Mombassa or Zanzibar as you suggested. How are you getting on, Polglaze?""A fair brute of a job, sir," replied the man, as, streaming with perspiration, he struggled with the refractory mechanism of the gun."It's lucky for us they have not persisted in the attack," observed Hythe. "All the same, there's no time to be lost. Mylor and Gwennap, will you take the boat and row off to the 'Aphrodite.' Inform Captain Restronguet of the state of affairs, and how the position will be difficult to hold in the event of a night attack. Ask him if there is any objection to bringing off the survivors of the 'Iticaba'?"While the two men were on their errand, and Polglaze, with two or three assistants, was endeavouring to get the automatic gun into working order, the rest of the landing-party assisted the crew of the "Iticaba" to launch the ship's boats. Within an hour they were afloat and moored a few feet from the bank of the creek, stern ropes and kedges having been laid out so as to haul them off into deep water should it be necessary to embark in a hurry.Presently the quartermaster and Gwennap returned with the order that Captain Restronguet wished the landing party and the rescued men to embark at once, as the wind was rising and there was a heavy swell tumbling in over the bar.The crew of the "Iticaba" received the communication with mixed feelings. They were glad to leave this inhospitable shore, but at the same time they had grave misgivings as to whether they ought to trust themselves on board a submarine. The majority of the men, although members of the Royal Naval Reserve, were blue water seamen, to whom a storm at sea had no perils providing they were at a safe distance from a lee shore. They were sufficiently conservative in their ideas to regard with obvious distrust the interior of a submarine as a haven of refuge."Are you going to dive, sir?" asked Captain Rees. "If so, I'd rather stick it ashore and chance my luck; and most of my men would too, I'm thinking.""Please yourself, then," replied the sub brusquely. "I wouldn't give a rope's-end for your chances if you remain here. Now, then, Polglaze, hurry up. Limber up, there, we'll finish the repairs on board.""Nearly finished, sir," answered Polglaze remonstratively."Can't help it. There'll be too much of a swell on the beach in a minute. Fall in, men."Captain Rees glanced in the direction of the "Aphrodite," which was moored by a pair of stout chain cables, since her patent anchoring device was useless when afloat. He gave another look, this time at the slender mounds of sand that had been hastily heaped over the victims of the Somalis."Come along, men!" he exclaimed.Quickly the landing-party and the crew of the "Iticaba" embarked. Polglaze, still lingering longingly over his array of spanners and other armourers' tools, accompanied the gun to the beach.Just as the gun's crew were about to unmount the heavy weapon from its carriage a blood-curdling roar of mingled yells and shouts burst from a dense body of Somalis, who, observing the embarkation in progress, had crept up the remote side of the dunes, and barely a hundred yards from the shore.Three of the seamen who had not yet embarked dropped on one knee, and using their rifles, strove to check the furious rush. Others in the boats joined in the firing, while from the deck of the "Aphrodite" every man left on board hastened to aid their comrades with well-aimed volleys.Coolly Polglaze attempted to adjust the small pieces of mechanism necessary to make the automatic gun serviceable, while Gwennap stood ready to thrust the end of the ammunition belt into the breech-block feeder.The next instant Polglaze dropped limply across the trail with a broad-bladed spear thrown at less than ten yards' distance sticking into his body. Gwennap, using the butt-end of his rifle, stood over his comrade till, desperately fighting, he fell. The gun was surrounded by a swarm of blood-thirsty foes.Seeing this the men who still remained ashore made a wild scramble for the boats, and the fire in consequence slackened. Revolver in hand, Hythe called to them to make an effort to recover the gun. The call was promptly obeyed, and a dozen men, comprising several of the "Iticaba's" crew, in addition to those of the "Aphrodite" jumped ashore, pouring in a hot fire as fast as they could handle the bolts of their magazine rifles.Unable to withstand so concentrated a fire the horde of Somalis melted away. The gun stood alone with a score or more of corpses to bear testimony to the efficacy of the rifle-fire.But there was no time to be lost. Already a swarm of the enemy, four or five times as numerous as the crowd that had just been driven off, were racing like furies to renew the conflict.As soon as Hythe gained the place where the quick-firer stood he realized that it was impossible to remove it. Even in the short interval during which it had remained in the enemy's possession the Somalis had taken good care to sever and remove the drag ropes.Calling to his men to carry off the bodies of Polglaze and Gwennap, the sub removed the breech mechanism, and staggering under the heavy weight, he followed his men to the boats, where, under a heavy but ill-aimed rifle fire from the Somalis, they pushed off towards the "Aphrodite."Under the lee of the submarine the men boarded their haven of refuge. One glance sufficed to show that poor Gwennap was no more. The Somalis, not content with slaying outright, had hacked his body in a most atrocious manner. Polglaze still showed signs of life, for protected by his comrade's body, he had escaped the demoniacal fury of the savages. Nevertheless the spear-thrust through his left shoulder looked very dangerous.What had to be done must be done quickly, for night was approaching, and the Somalis were evidently making preparations to remove the gun which had been left in their hands. As long as daylight lasted the rifle fire from the deck of the submarine would effectually check any attempt in this direction, while an additional deterrent was provided in the form of a powerful rocket. This could only be fired at an angle of less than five degrees from the perpendicular, and in consequence could do no physical hurt to the Somalis. Nevertheless the moral fear it inspired served to make the natives clear off to a respectful distance, where they waited for nightfall.It was obvious that the attempt to recapture the quick-firer must be made early for other reasons. The wind was now blowing strong from the east'ard, and with the rising sea landing would be a very difficult matter; while, floating light, the submarine stood a good chance of being blown from her anchorage.As soon as night had fallen twenty men led by Hythe fell in on the upper platform. Rifles were discarded as encumbrances, but each of the party carried an automatic pistol in his belt, the weapon holding ten cartridges, while separate clips, each containing a similar number, were placed in their ammunition belts.Into the stern-sheets of the "Iticaba's" cutter was stowed a coil of three inch rope--the "coil" measuring the orthodox one hundred and thirteen fathoms. One end of the rope was made fast to the "Aphrodite's" for'ard capstan, while to the other end was spliced a length of flexible steel wire rope.With muffled oars the boat's crew gave way, Mylor the quartermaster paying out the rope as the boat stole shorewards. There was little need for silence, for the thunder of the surf on the reef drowned every other sound.All went well till the cutter grounded on the shore, then from a distance of nearly two hundred yards along the bank the darkness was pierced by the flash of the Somalis rifles, while a swift rushing sound indicated that swarms of fierce foes were charging down upon the boat.
[image]"BEATING DOWN, AND READY TO RAM THE APHRODITE, WAS ANOTHER SUBMARINE!"
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"BEATING DOWN, AND READY TO RAM THE APHRODITE, WAS ANOTHER SUBMARINE!"
Beating down, and ready to ram the "Aphrodite" amidships, was another submarine! But its similarity to the former Devoran had no doubt as to what it was. It was the "Vorwartz."
"Hard a-port!" he shouted through the telephone to the helmsman. At the same moment Kenwyn elevated the horizontal rudders in a vain endeavour to make the "Aphrodite" dive under the on-coming attacker. It was too late. With a rending crash the knife-like bows of the "Vorwartz" crashed into the 'midships compartment of her hitherto unsuspecting rival.
CHAPTER XX.
RAMMED AMIDSHIPS.
In the captain's cabin Hythe heard Devoran shouting for the helm to be put hard a-port. He felt the vessel begin to slew round, then a crash that shook the "Aphrodite" from stem to stern, sent him and the other occupants of the cabin reeling against the starboard side.
Simultaneously the watertight doors in the two principal transverse bulkheads were hermetically sealed, save a small emergency exit from Number Three Platform to the fore compartment. Through these those of the crew who were in the holed division made their hasty escape. They were not a moment too soon, for, although the "Vorwartz" made no attempt to back out, the fracture was ragged enough for the water under great pressure to pour in cascades into the midships compartment of the ill-starred submarine.
As soon as the men were safely in the fore part of the vessel Devoran gave orders for the remaining watertight doors to be closed. He knew that, although the danger was great, there still remained a chance of saving at least two-thirds of the "Aphrodite."
"If only I had been in the fore conning-tower," he thought, "I would have given that 'Vorwartz' something to remember us by. I'll try it, though."
And calling up Carnon, who was the senior hand in the now isolated fore part, he ordered him to stand by with electrical destructors, whereby a potential charge of electric fluid could be directed upon the "Vorwartz" as soon as she had backed a certain distance from the vessel she had rammed.
In answer Carnon replied: "I've tried the gadget, sir, and there's no current on."
"For goodness' sake try the supplementary current!" exclaimed the chief officer anxiously, but the result was the same. The apparatus by which the powerful means of offence was controlled was out of order. Either the lightning or the shock of the impact of the "Vorwartz's" stem had thrown the delicate mechanism out of gear. Nor could the torpedoes be used, for the tubes, having an arc of only four degrees on either side of the bows, could not be brought to bear upon the rival submarine.
This time Karl von Harburg had scored heavily, and stood every chance of getting clear without the "Aphrodite" being able to revenge herself upon the submarine that had caught her napping.
Meanwhile the crew of the "Aphrodite," after the first shock, had taken up their stations with consummate coolness. Every man knew that the damage was great, and that the "Vorwartz" was the cause of it. One chance yet remained for them to revenge themselves upon Karl von Harburg. Directly the "Vorwartz" backed out of the rent in her rival's side, the "Aphrodite" might be able to turn sufficiently to discharge a torpedo. At the same time steps must be taken to prevent the stricken craft from sinking into depth where the pressure of the water would literally crush their as yet undamaged sections of the submarine like an egg-shell under a hundred-ton hammer.
As soon as the water in the midship section rose to the level of the centre platform Devoran gave orders for the detachable keel of that compartment to be dropped. Kenwyn touched the emergency switch, and the massive dead weight fell. Relieved of this mass of iron the "Aphrodite" lurched in an effort to rise to the surface.
The sudden strain wrenched her free of the bows of the "Vorwartz." Instantly the water, pouring through the greatly enlarged aperture, filled the whole of the centre compartment, and before the submarine had a chance to turn and let fly a torpedo at her antagonist, the "Aphrodite" sank slowly and surely.
This, although serious, was a point in her favour, for Karl von Harburg, observing with savage glee the havoc he had wrought, concluded that his rival's craft was sinking for the last time to the bottom of the Red Sea. Accordingly, satisfied that he was now free to pursue his piratical acts, since the "Aphrodite" was the only submarine he feared, he backed astern, rose to the surface, and proceeded in a southerly direction towards the Straits of Bab-el-Mandeb. Hardly a word was spoken as the "Aphrodite" sank. Devoran, his eyes fixed upon the depth gauge, was waiting his time. He, too, realized that should the submarine rise to the surface it would merely be giving her antagonist a unique opportunity of holing another of the sections that as yet remained intact. On the other hand, he had to guard against the danger of descending too far.
Thirty fathoms; the "Aphrodite" was now in total darkness as far as the water was concerned. Within the electric lamps still burned brightly, save for a few that had been shattered at the moment of impact.
"Easy ahead!" he ordered, and as the partially flooded vessel forged slowly and laboriously ahead, the chief officer trimmed the horizontal rudders so that the resistance at a certain angle just corrected the tendency of the whole vessel to sink.
Devoran set a course due east, hoping to fetch the shallower water on the African shore. Twenty minutes later he ventured to switch on the parallel bow searchlights. Even these powerful rays failed to reveal anything more than fifty miles away. Huge fish, that are rarely seen in shallow water, flitted past the thick scuttles. They made no attempt to dart out of the way of the submarine; they were blind, since the gift of sight at these depths is useless to them.
"She's standing the strain all right," remarked the chief officer to Hythe in quite a cheerful tone.
The sub nodded appreciatively. Under similar conditions on board a British submarine the state of affairs would be hopeless. With a rent amidships, extending from the upper platform to the bilges she would have sunk instantly, and given her crew no possible chance of escape; but here was the "Aphrodite" still under control and with the odds greatly in her favour. Next to Captain Restronguet, Devoran was the most capable man in whom to trust.
"Bottom shoaling!" exclaimed the sub, as the head searchlights glimmered upon an expanse of ooze, so shapeless and ill-defined that it required a practised hand to distinguish it from the deep sea.
The chief officer instantly adjusted the planes, and the submarine, though lacking her usual sensitiveness to the action of the horizontal rudders, rose steadily.
At twenty fathoms the bottom ceased to shoal, and in place of the slimy mud appeared fantastic formation of coral; a sure sign that shallower water was not far off. Again the "Aphrodite" was brought nearer the surface, till the welcome sunlight could be faintly noticed.
"Ten fathoms," announced Devoran. "This is our limit. We must carry on till we ground. Look! what a rent, by Jove!"
He pointed out of the scuttle, and Hythe following his gaze saw the fracture that the "Vorwartz" bow had caused. Her comparatively straight stem had cut nearly five feet into the upper platform of the "Aphrodite" in addition to making a vertical gash nearly fifteen feet in length in the stricken vessel's side. As a result the whole of the centre compartment had become a dead weight, and the buoyancy of the submarine being imparted only by the fore and aft compartments the tendency of the whole vessel was to sag amidships. Already the upper platform was curving ominously. It would not take much more strain to buckle the "Aphrodite." Although her steel plating was badly cracked and jagged, the restronium sheathing was severed as evenly as if made of wax. This, no doubt, accounted for the fact that the inrush of water at the moment of impact was comparatively slight, and in consequence the men stationed in the midship compartment were able to make good their retreat long before the water completely filled the space between the two principal transverse bulkheads.
"Let her down gently, Carnon!" ordered Devoran, as the "Aphrodite" passed the broad belt of coral and a clear sandy bottom was visible on all sides.
The quartermaster in the fore conning-tower knew his business thoroughly, and with hardly a bump the submarine settled on the bed of the Red Sea.
"All ready to let go?" asked the chief officer, and from the for'ard compartment came the alert reply that everything was in order.
"It is almost like abandoning one's ship," remarked Hythe.
"Hardly so bad as that," replied Devoran. "But all the same we are shedding a large portion of her. Would you mind standing by that lever, and when I give the word push it hard down. No, not just yet. We will wait and watch the fore part shake itself clear."
It was indeed a strange sight. At one moment Hythe saw the slightly buckling deck and the fore conning-tower, the upper platform, except for the fracture caused by the collision, being all in one piece. The next instant the whole of the bow compartment, including the conning-tower, gave a sudden bound and darted upwards towards the surface. Hythe could see the bulkhead with its watertight doors securely fastened, and the bright copper electrical contacts with their surrounding belt of insulated material. It reminded him of a salmon cut clean in halves.
Already the ballast tanks of the freed section were being filled, till, the upward motion checked, the structure slowly sank and settled once more in the bottom of the sea a few yards to the left of the remaining portion of the submarine. There, cut off from all communication with the still intact after part, the compartment had to remain, till, worm-like, the third section was detached from the damaged portion and united to form a smaller yet still efficient submarine.
Kenwyn had meanwhile opened the scuttle in the bottom plates of the vessel in order to guide her on her descent. Since the after portion alone possessed propelling machinery it was necessary that the fore part should be disconnected first.
"Down with it!" exclaimed Devoran, at the same time operating a switch. Hythe instantly depressed the lever as he had been instructed. The motion following the action was similar to that experienced in the sudden rising of a lift.
The damaged midship section had been abandoned to its ocean grave.
Directly the sub liberated the after portion of the vessel the hiss of the inrushing water could be heard, and, as in the case of the fore part, the surface was still several fathoms off when the upward tendency was checked.
At a few feet from the bottom Kenwyn announced that the required depth was reached, and the chief officer gave the order for "Half speed ahead."
The best engine-driver in the kingdom could not have brought his locomotive up to a train of waiting carriages easier than Devoran manoeuvred the after part of the "Aphrodite" up to the fore compartment. There was no perceptible shock, in fact nothing to indicate the fact that the union had been accomplished except that telephonic communication was automatically reestablished in all parts of the reduced "Aphrodite."
Into the air locks next to each exterior bulkhead divers were quickly sent. As soon as the water was admitted into these spaces new locking bolts were passed through and secured, and within twenty minutes of being placed in position the two parts of the submarine were made one. But instead of her two hundred feet from stem to stern the new "Aphrodite" was reduced by about one third. Nearly seventy feet of valuable length had been sacrificed; but, as Devoran remarked, "It might have been worse."
"That is true," agreed Hythe. "But what will Captain Restronguet say?"
CHAPTER XXI.
CAPTAIN RESTRONGUET LEARNS THE NEWS.
For three whole days the "Aphrodite" lay on the floor of the Red Sea. Captain Restronguet was making steady progress towards recovery, but the news of the disaster had been studiously kept from him. All on board knew that sooner or later their leader must learn of the catastrophe; but every one was in favour of deferring the evil day, fearing what the consequences would be in the case of a highly strung man who was still suffering from a severe physical and mental shock.
But until Captain Restronguet did know Devoran stoutly refused to take any action in the navigation of the vessel. Nor would he open up wireless communication. It was desirable, nay imperative, that Karl von Harburg should think that his coup had been entirely successful, and on that account the danger of unauthorized news leaking out had to be strongly guarded against.
In her present state the "Aphrodite" was no better than her rival. Her state of partial invisibility was no more, her electrical detector, whereby the position of the "Vorwartz" could be determined was no longer in working order. It was mainly responsible for the dramatic appearance of the craft under Karl von Harburg's command. Her chief means of offence--the discharge of an electrical current that would detonate any explosives within a three-mile limit--had mysteriously failed; and only upon her powerful six-inch torpedoes could she implicitly rely. Nevertheless, all on board, from the chief officer downwards, had no doubts as to the issue of the struggle, even though so far things had gone in favour of the "Vorwartz." Herr Karl von Harburg's submarine must be destroyed; her power must be completely shattered; but until Captain Restronguet was in a position to once more take charge of affairs, Devoran advocated a campaign of non-activity.
Curiously enough no reason could be given for Lancarrow's sudden illness in the conning-tower. He had completely recovered before the rejoining operations of the fore and aft sections were completed, but could give no account of what had happened. He did not remember falling: for he stated that he glanced at the clock less than half a minute before the "sentry" began to ring, and up to the last moment his recollections were perfectly clear; he did not notice any particularly brilliant flashes of lightning about that time. He knew nothing till he returned to consciousness and found himself in a bunk in the fore part of the submarine, whither his companions had carried him when the men's quarters were flooded after the collision.
On the other hand Captain Restronguet was aware that he had been struck by lightning, although he had no recollection of falling into the sea. The story of how he had been rescued at the risk of the sub's life had been told him, and his gratitude was expressed by grasping his rescuer's hand. Not a word was exchanged between them on the subject, but the action was worth volumes of words.
"How are we progressing, Devoran?" asked the captain, on the morning of the fourth day of the submarine's sojourn on the bottom of the Red Sea. "Any indication of the presence of the 'Vorwartz,' eh?"
Devoran hesitated. It would be a nasty shock to have to confess that the progress was nil and that the presence of the rival submarine had been very pronounced.
Captain Restronguet looked up sharply. He saw the chief officer and the sub exchange significant looks.
"You have a pleasant surprise for me, then?" he continued. "I'll get up and find out for myself."
"But, sir----" began Devoran. The captain stopped him by an emphatic gesture.
Hythe never felt more uncomfortable. He would right willingly have given a month's pay to be out of the business.
Drawing a great-coat over his sleeping-suit Captain Restronguet walked out of the cabin. Hythe and Devoran looked at each other and by a common impulse followed.
At the end of the alley-way terminating at the watertight transverse bulkhead Captain Restronguet stopped as if he were about to ascend to the after conning-tower; but changing his mind he opened the watertight door. One glance was sufficient. Instead of the midship compartment he was looking down the passage of the fore part of the ship.
"Well, Devoran, we've had a mishap, I see," he remarked in a casual tone.
"Yes, sir; a very unfortunate----"
"But at the same time unavoidable accident, Devoran. Of that I feel sure. No, no, there is no need to apologize. If ever a man would do his best to save the situation, that man is my chief officer. But how did it occur?"
In a few words Devoran told the story--a plain unvarnished statement of actual facts, while Hythe stood mutely by, marvelling at the captain's calmness at the news.
"I am not surprised, Devoran," continued Captain Restronguet. "Not in the least. I had a presentiment that Karl von Harburg would score at one time. Besides, have I not prepared for such a contingency by providing three distinct compartments to the 'Aphrodite'? But after von Harburg's success my counter-stroke will hit the harder. I know it, Devoran. I feel certain that we shall score in the long run. Were any men lost or injured in the collision?"
"No, sir."
"Thank God for that!" ejaculated Captain Restronguet fervently. "And are all the electric circuits working properly?"
"No, sir. The detector is entirely out of gear, and so is the offensive apparatus."
"H'm, unfortunate, but we will set that right. And the wireless?"
"I have not used or tried it, sir. Until you were fit to command I preferred to remain here and make no communication whatsoever."
"An excellent policy, Devoran. Unfortunately we must resume our wireless communications otherwise we are in the dark as to the movements of the 'Vorwartz.' But our Highgate operator is to be implicitly trusted, and if all messages are sent in code it matters little whether they are picked up by other ships or stations. Get Kenwyn to send a message asking whether any news of von Harburg has been received, and let me know directly you have a reply. I am going to my cabin now. I want to be alone. But do not feel anxious on my account. I shall be perfectly fit for duty in a very short space of time."
"Didn't he take the news calmly?" remarked Hythe after Captain Restronguet had gone back to his cabin. "It was enough to drive a fellow off his head."
"It's his way," said Devoran slowly. "It is his way. Reverses that are seemingly overwhelming and would be so to almost every one else, only spur him to renewed activities. Believe me the fun is now about to commence."
Within an hour and twenty minutes of the despatch of the wireless message to London a reply was received that threw considerable light upon the movements of the modern buccaneer.
Karl von Harburg had caused a report to be sent to the news agencies to the effect that he had destroyed the only submarine that stood between him and his definite aim, and now he was at liberty to do what damage he wished to the naval and mercantile fleets of the world, irrespective of nationality or any other consideration. With this object in view he had sunk a French liner off Cape Guadafui, after ransacking her strong rooms. He had even been compelled to substitute gold ingots for the common metal ballast of his craft. Silver he would hardly look at.
This ultimatum was received with amazement and in dismay shipping circles. It seemed in vain to appeal for armed warships to destroy the "Vorwartz," since she could keep below the surface for days at a stretch, and could descend deeper than any submarine with the exception of the "Aphrodite." And Karl von Harburg believed that his rival was no longer in existence.
There was no doubt that Karl von Harburg was a madman. However successful his raids on shipping might be, however great his hoards of ill-gotten gold, he would never be able to make use of his wealth. He was a world-wide pariah. No civilized country would give him refuge. Even his base in the Island of Sumatra was closed against him, for the Dutch officials, aroused out of their customary lethargy, had seized his concession and had taken strong measures to prevent his return.
Thus, with a crew composed of renegade Germans, Dutchmen, Malays and Chinese, he was compelled to keep to the limits of his submarine until his career of wanton destruction was brought to a close either by an act of God or the missiles of one of the avenging craft that were ever on the look-out to rid the seas of a scourge.
Meantime Karl von Harburg was directing his attention to the Somali and Zanzibar coasts. Here he could, with little risk, replenish his stock of provisions, while he was within easy distance of the recognized tracks of vessels trading on the East coast of Africa.
"So our sphere of operations is pretty well defined," remarked Captain Restronguet when the message was brought him. "It is not altogether to my liking, for I have some unpleasant recollections of the Somali coast. Not quite so bad as the West Coast, of course, but quite bad enough."
"You have already visited this coast in the 'Aphrodite'?" asked the sub.
"No; it was in a tramp steamer. We were trading, and instead of getting a profit for the owners we lost half our crew by fever and the bulk of our cargo was seized by the Arabs. That was some years ago. The fever is still there, and no doubt the predatory instincts of the Swahilis and Somalis are as strong as ever. But in a submarine things may be very different."
Once more the quest was resumed, the "Aphrodite" keeping on the surface except when a passing vessel was sighted. As secrecy was an essential point Captain Restronguet took no risks, and the submarine was submerged several times during each day.
Early opportunity was taken to thoroughly overhaul the detector, and on taking the sensitive gear to pieces the fault was discovered. It was caused by a thin strand of the insulated copper wire protruding from the amalgam covering and thus setting up a short circuit. In a way that was a matter for congratulation, as it showed that the defect was no way due to magnetic disturbances caused by the heavy thunderstorm, as Captain Restronguet fully expected it to be.
On the other hand the apparatus controlling the potential current of electricity that could instantaneously destroy a hostile vessel by detonating her powder was for the time being beyond remedy. This was a grave business, but the belt of electric fluid that rendered the "Aphrodite" immune from torpedo attack was still in an efficient state. Had the current been in action when the "Vorwartz" rammed her rival the effect would have been fatal to the former, since, herself a huge torpedo, the submarine would have spontaneously exploded.
Shortly after rounding Cape Guadafui the "Aphrodite" once more came in touch with the "Vorwartz," the detector indicating that the latter was within eighty miles. Two hours later Kenwyn, who was keeping watch on deck, reported that he heard the distinct sound of small arms firing.
Captain Restronguet, Devoran, Hythe, and several of the crew were on deck as soon as they heard the news. The sound was apparently coming from a place about twenty miles to the west.
"That's nothing to do with the 'Vorwartz,' sir," suggested the chief officer.
"I am not so sure about that," replied the captain. "It may have some connexion with that scoundrel Marburg's villainies. We will run in and see what is amiss."
"Submerged, sir?"
"No; on the surface. Time and speed are to be considered."
As the "Aphrodite" came in sight of the coast--a low-lying expanse of sand dunes fringed with a belt of milk-white surf--the hull of a large vessel could be distinguished. Ere long those on the submarine made out that the ship was aground and was heeling at a dangerous angle. She was funnelless, being driven by internal combustion engines. Her masts were still standing, though threatening to go by the board as each sullen roller thrashed against her lofty sides.
Hoisted half way to her mainmast head was the Red Ensign--upside down--as a signal of distress.
Barely two hundred yards to starboard of the stranded vessel was a break in the line of surf and a corresponding break in the coast-line, where either a river gained the sea or the sea formed a narrow inlet. Drawn up on shore at the point formed by the entrance to the creek were three ship's boats, while a quantity of boxes and casks, apparently thrown overboard from the wrecked vessel, fringed the beach.
On a sandy hillock, standing well apart from the rest of the dunes and within fifty yards of the inlet, were several men in European clothes, who, kneeling behind a shallow embankment of sand, were firing at a foe invisible to the crew of the "Aphrodite."
Three or four had been hit, for they were lying on the sand to the rear of the defences, while, judging by the smoke and the louder reports, the crew of the stranded vessel were being attacked by a far more numerous body of men armed with rifles firing black powder.
"Arabs!" exclaimed Devoran laconically, without removing his binoculars from his eyes.
"Or Somalis," added Captain Restronguet. "Clearly we are in the nick of time, for as soon as it gets dark those fellows will rush the seamen and massacre every man-jack of them."
Hythe could not help wondering how the crew of the submarine could render any effective assistance. The canvas boat had been lost in the encounter with the "Vorwartz," since it was stowed under the midship hatchway.
Captain Restronguet touched him on the shoulder.
"Mr. Hythe, you have had experience with landing parties. I have had none. Will you, then, take charge of our automatic quick-firer? I am sending it ashore with nine men."
"Very good, sir," replied the sub unhesitatingly, although he was still at sea as to how the men could be landed.
"Blow all the ballast tanks!" ordered the Captain. "A leadsman for'ard."
Then the sub realized the plan of action. Captain Restronguet was going to take the "Aphrodite" across the bar.
With no more ballast than the two sections of iron bolted to her keel for use in emergencies, the "Aphrodite" drew but five feet for'ard and seven aft. The first soundings gave four fathoms: soon the depth decreased to three.
Yet unhesitatingly Captain Restronguet held the "Aphrodite" on her course, heading towards the smooth patch in the line of breakers that marked the entrance to the creek.
Suddenly the submarine gave a jerk that almost capsized every man on deck. She had stuck right in the centre of the bar, with threatening breakers only a few yards off on either hand.
Simultaneously came a hail of bullets from the opposite bank to which the crew of the tramp steamer were holding. A strong body of Somalis, seeing the helpless state of the "Aphrodite," had commenced to direct a heavy fire upon the stranded submarine.
CHAPTER XXII.
BESET BY SOMALIS.
"Take cover!" ordered Captain Restronguet calmly. "Down below, every man."
The order was promptly obeyed, for several of the leaden messengers were flying perilously close, some impingeing upon the metal sides and conning-towers, that offered a huge target.
"It is as well we afford those rascals something to fire at," he continued, as he entered the fore conning-tower and closed the scuttles on the starboard side. "Otherwise they would be firing into the rear of the position on shore. Serve out the rifles, Mr. Devoran. We must drive them off before we can attempt to land."
So saying the captain ordered full speed astern. For quite five minutes the twin screws ran at their greatest rate, causing the hull to vibrate and the sea to be discoloured with mud and sand churned up by the action of the propellers. Then, with a rasping sound, the "Aphrodite" glided off the bank and gained the slightly deeper water.
"Easy ahead!" This time the submarine was headed slightly to the left of the spot where she had just stranded. Another dull shock told all on board that once more she was held up, this time by her keel.
All the while bullets were flattening themselves against the submarine's plating, but in spite of the danger Hythe thought of something which he immediately put into action. Grasping the lead line he gained the upper platform, ran forward and made a cast. The lead touched bottom at twenty feet.
A bullet cut a gash through the sleeve of his coat, another grazed his shoe, but grimly the sub stuck to his task. Gathering in the line he made his way amidships and made another cast. Here the sounding gave ten feet. He had learnt enough.
"We're nearly over the bar, sir," he exclaimed, as he rejoined his companions in the fore conning-tower. "If we gave her full speed ahead I think she would do it. We're in quite deep water as far aft as the after conning-tower."
Without a word in reply Captain Restronguet telegraphed for full speed ahead. With barely ten seconds' hesitation the "Aphrodite" slipped over the bar and started off up the creek at a great speed till the motors were reversed. Losing way she brought up abreast of the sorry defences held by the shipwrecked crew.
"Here we are, then," exclaimed Captain Restronguet. "But how are we going to get out again? However, that problem can wait. All ready, Mr. Devoran?"
Under the fore hatchway every available man was waiting, armed with automatic rifles. The field gun was dismounted, in order to facilitate its transport ashore, tackles being in readiness to hoist it on deck. Up the hatchway the men swarmed, and taking advantage of every bit of cover afforded by the base of the conning-tower and other projections on deck, opened a rapid, well-aimed fire upon the Somalis.
So intent were the Englishmen on shore with the work they had in hand that hitherto they had not noticed the arrival of the "Aphrodite," but with the rattle of musketry so close to where they stood they could not fail to notice that help was at hand.
With a ringing cheer the shipwrecked men redoubled their fire, for hitherto they had been compelled, except when it became necessary to repel a rush, to husband their cartridge supply.
Soon the volleys from the submarine's deck became too much for the liking of the Somalis. The accurate fire bowled dozens of them over like rabbits, and the rest promptly bolted for the shelter of the sand-dunes, whence they began to work round to join their forces with their brethren on the other side of the creek, where the chances of sending a score of unbelievers to perdition were considerably greater.
Turning the "Aphrodite's" bows towards the shore Captain Restronguet ordered easy ahead till her forefoot grounded on the stiff clay soil that formed the banks of the creek. Polglaze and Mylor immediately jumped overboard, the water reaching almost to their chins, and walked ashore, dragging the end of a three-inch rope. This they fastened to a bolt passed through a hole in the forefoot of one of the stranded vessel's boats, and the "Aphrodite" going astern pulled the ponderous wooden craft down the beach into the water.
As soon as it was brought alongside the field gun was placed into it in sections. The gun's crew, under Hythe's orders, followed, and the boat was hauled ashore by Polglaze and Mylor, who had taken the precaution to bend a rope to the painter.
Although lacking the dash that characterizes the British bluejacket, the men of the "Aphrodite" ably supported their young commander; and Hythe was surprised at the resolute bearing of the submarine's crew immediately under his orders.
The moment the boat's keel touched the ground the brave fellows heaved the heavy portion of the gun over the side and upon the beach. In twenty-five seconds the wheels were placed upon the axles and the lynch-pins thrust home. The gun, its muzzle protected against damage by a piece of stout canvas, was raised in an almost vertical position by means of ropes and levers, while the carriage was backed close to the heavy steel cylinder. Then, with a crash, the gun was allowed to drop into its proper place, and within a minute the quick-firer was "assembled" and ready for action.
Up the soft, sloping sand dunes the men raised the gun, Hythe himself staggering under the weight of a wooden case filled with projectiles. Wheeling, the men brought the muzzle of the powerful weapon to bear upon the foe, and the first of the belt of shells was placed within the breech-block.
The "Aphrodite's" landing party were only just in time. Already the Somalis, reinforced by those who had vainly attempted to stop the approach of the submarine, were massing for a concentrated rush upon the handful of men from the stranded merchant-vessel. Under a heavy fire of Martini and other rifles--weapons discarded by various Governments and sold by unscrupulous tenders to the fierce and lawless Equatorial tribes--nearly two thousand spearmen were advancing stealthily, till, in spite of a steady fire maintained by the British seamen, the attackers were within two hundred yards. Here they paused, then giving vent to a terrific roar of defiance, they broke into a headlong rush, brandishing their broad-bladed spears and leather shields in order to demoralize the unbelievers who had been rash enough to land on that inhospitable shore.
Hythe raised his hand. The gunner pressed home a small lever with his thumb. The belt of projectiles in the capacious maw of the automatic gun, grew shorter and shorter, while the steam from the water-jacket soon outrivalled the haze from the smokeless powder.
It was no longer a fight: it was a massacre. The sub saw the Somalis mown down as though with a scythe, till, unable in spite of their fanatical bravery, to face the hail of death they fled, leaving the ground thickly covered with dead and dying.
"Cease fire!" ordered Hythe; then, "Carry on. Search the bush away on the right. There are hundreds of the enemy lurking there."
Round swept the muzzle of the gun; up went the sight to a thousand yards. "Pop, pop, pop," went the sharp detonation of the quick-firer, till half a dozen rounds had been fired. Then came an ominous silence.
"Carry on," repeated the sub in a loud voice. "I gave no orders to cease firing."
"Can't help it, sir," replied Polglaze, who was sitting across the trail and manipulating the firing-gear. "The blessed thing's jammed."
It was indeed fortunate that the mechanism had not gone wrong during the attack, but the danger was not yet over. It was imperative that the weapon should be rendered serviceable again before the rescued crew could be taken off.
As soon as the Somalis withdrew beyond range the wearied men of the stranded vessel hastened to greet their new-comer, while the master, a short, broad-shouldered, rubicund-visaged old salt, briefly explained to Hythe the circumstances under which the vessel went ashore.
It came as no surprise to the sub to learn that the ship--the two-thousand ton Diesel engined tramp, "Iticaba"--had been chased by the "Vorwartz." Scorning to surrender, the sturdy skipper served out rifles and ordered his men to fire at the submarine as she rose to the surface to hail the "Iticaba" to heave-to. The bullets had no more effect than peas rattling on a corrugated iron roof, but Karl von Harburg lost no time in retiring to the security of the conning-tower.
The chase was a long one, and although the "Vorwartz," fired three torpedoes only one hit the mark, exploding under the "Iticaba's" starboard quarter and destroying one of her twin propellers and buckling the rudder, while the steel plating of the hull was fractured sufficiently to cause the vessel to be in a sinking condition.
Still the old skipper stood doggedly on the bridge, refusing to surrender. His one hope was to run the ship ashore in shoal water where the submarine could not follow. Ordering every available pump to be worked to its utmost capacity the "old man" still found the leak gaining, and it was a question whether the "Iticaba" would or would not founder in deep water.
Apparently the "Vorwartz" was unwilling to waste another torpedo on a ship that was already doomed; and since her rascally crew could not hope to gain any plunder from a foundering ship, the submarine sheered off and made way to the south'ard. Unmolested the "Iticaba" managed to reach the shore, and on striking was cast broadside on upon the breakers.
Being unprovided with wireless, the stranded vessel could not call for assistance; nevertheless the skipper, trusting that the sound might be heard by passing ships, fired distress guns at the stipulated intervals. Loath to abandon his command he still held hopes that with the aid of another vessel and the rent of the hull temporarily patched up, the "Iticaba" might even yet be towed off and brought safely into port.
But the heavy ground-swell soon knocked this idea out of the skipper's head. Serious leaks, apart from those caused by the torpedo, appeared, and in less than an hour from the time of stranding the forehold was flooded. The first on-shore gale would complete the work of destruction, and as there were indications of the approach of bad weather, the skipper reluctantly decided, on he representations of his chief officer, to give orders to abandon ship. Fortunately the "Iticaba," broadside on, afforded a breakwater for the boats under her lee, and after carefully provisioning and manning two whalers, a cutter and a gig, the crew pulled for the shore.
It was the skipper's intention to camp ashore till the forecasted storm had blown itself out, and then to coast southwards to Mombassa or Zanzibar; but the plan was foredoomed to failure.
A keen-eyed Somali, hearing the report of the distress signals, had ridden his fleet camel to the landward side of the sand dunes fronting the shore. He could see that a ship was ashore, and that there was a most excellent opportunity for his fellow-tribesmen to enjoy the congenial task of massacring a handful of unbelievers and pillaging their goods. He returned at full speed to the encampment, and soon eighty swarthy Somalis were ready for the shore.
With seamen's true contempt for danger the crew of the "Iticaba" had neglected to make any preparations for defence against hostile tribesmen. They knew that they were cast ashore upon a district over which the Italians exercised something less then a nominal sway, and that the Somalis were noted for their excesses upon any strangers who had the misfortune to fall into their hands. Yet they suffered themselves to be surprised by eighty savages while they were straggling inland to find brushwood to light a fire.
The crew paid dearly for their rashness. Four men fell under the keen broad-bladed spears of the Somalis. The rest contrived to form up and open fire; and finding that their self-imposed task had already cost the lives of twenty of the Faithful, the Somalis beat a retreat in order to summon the neighbouring tribes to aid them.
From north, west and south the fanatical warriors assembled, till, with numbers sufficient to overwhelm the handful of Englishmen, they advanced to the second attack.
Profiting by experience the crew of the "Iticaba" had meanwhile constructed rough-and-ready defences. They realized that they were fairly trapped, for to attempt to put to sea in open boats with the probability of encountering a gale would be sheer madness. On the other hand it was possible that they might hold out against the attackers, until either the weather became fair or means of rescue were afforded them.
"Well, the sooner we get you out of this mess the better," said Hythe, when the master of the "Iticaba" had concluded his narrative.
"Strikes me you are no better off than we are," remarked the old skipper. "There's too much sea running on the bar for you to get out. What water d'ye draw?"
The sub told him.
"Suppose you are one of those new-fangled craft--all top-sides and no draught in a manner o' speaking," remarked the "old man" bluntly.
"Well, hardly," replied Hythe smiling. "You see yonder vessel is the submarine 'Aphrodite,' of which you may have heard."
The master of the "Iticaba" looked at the sub for a few seconds, then shrugging his shoulders he replied,
"Look here, sir, I'm grateful for your assistance, but Cap'n Nick Rees isn't a man to be bamboozled. I know for a fact that that cursed 'Vorwartz' destroyed the 'Aphrodite' some days ago. I heard the news from official sources while I was lying at Aden."
"News from official sources is apt to be misleading, Captain Rees. It is in this case. That vessel is the submarine 'Aphrodite' and there is Captain Restronguet standing abaft the after conning-tower. There is no doubt but that he may be able and willing to afford accommodation for you and your crew. The quarters will be somewhat cramped, I fear. But as soon as we can get out of the creek it will not take us very long to tow your boats to Mombassa or Zanzibar as you suggested. How are you getting on, Polglaze?"
"A fair brute of a job, sir," replied the man, as, streaming with perspiration, he struggled with the refractory mechanism of the gun.
"It's lucky for us they have not persisted in the attack," observed Hythe. "All the same, there's no time to be lost. Mylor and Gwennap, will you take the boat and row off to the 'Aphrodite.' Inform Captain Restronguet of the state of affairs, and how the position will be difficult to hold in the event of a night attack. Ask him if there is any objection to bringing off the survivors of the 'Iticaba'?"
While the two men were on their errand, and Polglaze, with two or three assistants, was endeavouring to get the automatic gun into working order, the rest of the landing-party assisted the crew of the "Iticaba" to launch the ship's boats. Within an hour they were afloat and moored a few feet from the bank of the creek, stern ropes and kedges having been laid out so as to haul them off into deep water should it be necessary to embark in a hurry.
Presently the quartermaster and Gwennap returned with the order that Captain Restronguet wished the landing party and the rescued men to embark at once, as the wind was rising and there was a heavy swell tumbling in over the bar.
The crew of the "Iticaba" received the communication with mixed feelings. They were glad to leave this inhospitable shore, but at the same time they had grave misgivings as to whether they ought to trust themselves on board a submarine. The majority of the men, although members of the Royal Naval Reserve, were blue water seamen, to whom a storm at sea had no perils providing they were at a safe distance from a lee shore. They were sufficiently conservative in their ideas to regard with obvious distrust the interior of a submarine as a haven of refuge.
"Are you going to dive, sir?" asked Captain Rees. "If so, I'd rather stick it ashore and chance my luck; and most of my men would too, I'm thinking."
"Please yourself, then," replied the sub brusquely. "I wouldn't give a rope's-end for your chances if you remain here. Now, then, Polglaze, hurry up. Limber up, there, we'll finish the repairs on board."
"Nearly finished, sir," answered Polglaze remonstratively.
"Can't help it. There'll be too much of a swell on the beach in a minute. Fall in, men."
Captain Rees glanced in the direction of the "Aphrodite," which was moored by a pair of stout chain cables, since her patent anchoring device was useless when afloat. He gave another look, this time at the slender mounds of sand that had been hastily heaped over the victims of the Somalis.
"Come along, men!" he exclaimed.
Quickly the landing-party and the crew of the "Iticaba" embarked. Polglaze, still lingering longingly over his array of spanners and other armourers' tools, accompanied the gun to the beach.
Just as the gun's crew were about to unmount the heavy weapon from its carriage a blood-curdling roar of mingled yells and shouts burst from a dense body of Somalis, who, observing the embarkation in progress, had crept up the remote side of the dunes, and barely a hundred yards from the shore.
Three of the seamen who had not yet embarked dropped on one knee, and using their rifles, strove to check the furious rush. Others in the boats joined in the firing, while from the deck of the "Aphrodite" every man left on board hastened to aid their comrades with well-aimed volleys.
Coolly Polglaze attempted to adjust the small pieces of mechanism necessary to make the automatic gun serviceable, while Gwennap stood ready to thrust the end of the ammunition belt into the breech-block feeder.
The next instant Polglaze dropped limply across the trail with a broad-bladed spear thrown at less than ten yards' distance sticking into his body. Gwennap, using the butt-end of his rifle, stood over his comrade till, desperately fighting, he fell. The gun was surrounded by a swarm of blood-thirsty foes.
Seeing this the men who still remained ashore made a wild scramble for the boats, and the fire in consequence slackened. Revolver in hand, Hythe called to them to make an effort to recover the gun. The call was promptly obeyed, and a dozen men, comprising several of the "Iticaba's" crew, in addition to those of the "Aphrodite" jumped ashore, pouring in a hot fire as fast as they could handle the bolts of their magazine rifles.
Unable to withstand so concentrated a fire the horde of Somalis melted away. The gun stood alone with a score or more of corpses to bear testimony to the efficacy of the rifle-fire.
But there was no time to be lost. Already a swarm of the enemy, four or five times as numerous as the crowd that had just been driven off, were racing like furies to renew the conflict.
As soon as Hythe gained the place where the quick-firer stood he realized that it was impossible to remove it. Even in the short interval during which it had remained in the enemy's possession the Somalis had taken good care to sever and remove the drag ropes.
Calling to his men to carry off the bodies of Polglaze and Gwennap, the sub removed the breech mechanism, and staggering under the heavy weight, he followed his men to the boats, where, under a heavy but ill-aimed rifle fire from the Somalis, they pushed off towards the "Aphrodite."
Under the lee of the submarine the men boarded their haven of refuge. One glance sufficed to show that poor Gwennap was no more. The Somalis, not content with slaying outright, had hacked his body in a most atrocious manner. Polglaze still showed signs of life, for protected by his comrade's body, he had escaped the demoniacal fury of the savages. Nevertheless the spear-thrust through his left shoulder looked very dangerous.
What had to be done must be done quickly, for night was approaching, and the Somalis were evidently making preparations to remove the gun which had been left in their hands. As long as daylight lasted the rifle fire from the deck of the submarine would effectually check any attempt in this direction, while an additional deterrent was provided in the form of a powerful rocket. This could only be fired at an angle of less than five degrees from the perpendicular, and in consequence could do no physical hurt to the Somalis. Nevertheless the moral fear it inspired served to make the natives clear off to a respectful distance, where they waited for nightfall.
It was obvious that the attempt to recapture the quick-firer must be made early for other reasons. The wind was now blowing strong from the east'ard, and with the rising sea landing would be a very difficult matter; while, floating light, the submarine stood a good chance of being blown from her anchorage.
As soon as night had fallen twenty men led by Hythe fell in on the upper platform. Rifles were discarded as encumbrances, but each of the party carried an automatic pistol in his belt, the weapon holding ten cartridges, while separate clips, each containing a similar number, were placed in their ammunition belts.
Into the stern-sheets of the "Iticaba's" cutter was stowed a coil of three inch rope--the "coil" measuring the orthodox one hundred and thirteen fathoms. One end of the rope was made fast to the "Aphrodite's" for'ard capstan, while to the other end was spliced a length of flexible steel wire rope.
With muffled oars the boat's crew gave way, Mylor the quartermaster paying out the rope as the boat stole shorewards. There was little need for silence, for the thunder of the surf on the reef drowned every other sound.
All went well till the cutter grounded on the shore, then from a distance of nearly two hundred yards along the bank the darkness was pierced by the flash of the Somalis rifles, while a swift rushing sound indicated that swarms of fierce foes were charging down upon the boat.