CHAPTER XXIII.OVER THE BAR.Although the air seemed alive with the screech of the bullets the Somalis fired so high that not a man was hit. At the first volley Hythe ordered the quartermaster to haul the cutter off, then bringing her broadside on, he gave the word to open fire.It spoke volumes for the discipline of the men under his command that not one of them gave way to the temptation to discharge his pistol. The pressure of a few ounces on the trigger would be sufficient to send ten shots into the mob on shore, but in the dark there was the danger of the men in the boat accidentally hitting their comrades, but until the cutter swung round broadside on, the boat's crew resisted the almost overwhelming desire to return the fire.But Captain Restronguet had taken precautions to counteract the surprise. Simultaneously the two starboard search-lights were switched on and swung abeam till the powerful rays flashed full in the faces of the astonished Somalis. To the latter it savoured of magic. Blinded by the glare, galled by the fusillade from the automatic pistols, and harassed by the fire from the deck of the "Aphrodite" they fled. Some, however, too terrified to move, flung themselves on the ground, which was already littered with the bodies of several of their comrades."Give way," ordered the sub.Directly the boat touched shore all hands save two jumped out, and carrying the rope, dashed for the gun, that now stood revealed as if outlined in silver in the rays of the search-light.In a trice Mylor had secured the steel wire rope to the trail. A long and a short blast on Hythe's whistle was the signal that this part of the task had been satisfactorily performed.The electric capstan on the submarine's deck began to revolve, and the heavy gun with a succession of jerks was hauled through the yielding sand."Avast heaving!" shouted the sub, as the recovered weapon reached the water's edge."Look out, sir!" shouted O'Shaunessey, and raising his pistol the Irishman shot through the head a Somali who, feigning death, had allowed Hythe to approach within three yards of him ere, springing to his feet, he was about to hurl his spear at the sub's back"Thanks, O'Shaunessey," exclaimed Hythe.To the accompaniment of a desultory and erratic fire from a distance of over a thousand yards the gun was dismounted and "parbuckled" into the cutter. The carriage and limber followed piecemeal, and without a casualty beyond a few bruised knuckles and jammed fingers the landing party re-embarked.It was tricky work transhipping the gun to the submarine, for the "Aphrodite," with nearly fifteen feet freeboard, was rolling heavily. The men were working in the dark since the searchlight could not be swung from off the shore without attracting the Somalis to closer range. Even as it was chance bullets were impingeing upon the submarine's plating, while one cut a clean hole through the side of the cutter, fortunately without hitting any of the men on her.As soon as the gun was safely housed below steps were taken to spend the rest of the night in quietness. The boats of the "Iticaba" were heavily ballasted and their bungs removed, so that they sunk to the bottom of the creek. Thus they were immune from danger from the enemy's rifle bullets, while, when occasion arose, they could easily be raised and again pressed into service.Reluctantly the survivors of the "Iticaba" went below. The men were temporarily quartered for'ard in one of the store compartments, their comrades of the "Aphrodite" making them as comfortable as they could; while Captain Rees and his first mate were accommodated in Kenwyn's cabin, that officer having to share Devoran's quarters.But when the "Aphrodite" settled easily upon the bed of the creek and nothing alarming occurred, the rescued men's misgivings were set at rest, and before long, worn out with fatigue, exposure, and excitement they were sound asleep, regardless of the fact that thirty or forty feet above them the seas were tumbling wildly into the exposed inlet.Throughout the rest of the night the Somalis wasted their ammunition in firing at the position where they last saw the submarine lying, and with the dawn the anchorage was bare. Their losses were made light of, for, according to their belief, they had rid the world of a shipload of unbelievers. No doubt they were a little disappointed that there were no trophies of their victory, but they contented themselves with removing the wreckage and stores washed ashore from the ill-fated "Iticaba," which had completely broken up during the gale.Early on the morning of the second day of the "Aphrodite's" detention in the creek the men of the "Iticaba" were surprised to see nine men, clad in air-tubeless diving-suits, make their way through the compartment which had been allotted to them.Half an hour later the nine returned. In that half hour the remains of poor Gwennap had been buried in the sand at the bottom of the creek. Captain Restronguet would have preferred to have given his faithful comrade a sailor's grave in the open sea, but since it was impossible to say how long it would be before the submarine could recross the bar, the corpse had to be removed by a funeral party in diver's dress.During the day the detector, which had hitherto given plenty of indications of the "Vorwartz" gradually failed to record the movement of the submarine under Karl von Harburg's command. Either the vessel had been driven ashore in a gale or else she had gone many miles to the south'ard, and beyond the field covered by the electrical rays of the detector. In vain Captain Restronguet asked for information by wireless. No news came to hand; his quest had received a check, for cooped up within the creek he was unable to gain or even keep pace with his sworn enemy.It was not until the third day that the gale moderated sufficiently for the "Aphrodite" to rise to the surface. Her appearance was the cause of a wild stampede by the Somalis still engaged in enriching themselves with the stranded cargo. To see a vessel that they confidently believed to have sunk suddenly rise from the deep was to them incomprehensible. They fled, never stopping till they had placed a good half day's journey between them and the sea. In future they regarded the vicinity of that inlet as a district frequented by djinns, or evil spirits, and for some time to come, at least, should the crews of any vessel have occasion to land upon that inhospitable shore, they would be spared the possibilities of a fight against overwhelming numbers of fanatical Somalis.Two more precious days were wasted after the weather had moderated sufficiently to allow the "Aphrodite" to rise. Captain Restronguet began to get anxious, for provisions were running short. A considerable quantity of "emergency rations" had been lost with the central section of the submarine, and now, with a refugee crew to feed, the vessel's resources were severely strained.Since there was little current in the inlet it was impossible to recharge the accumulators, and the reserve of electricity had to be carefully husbanded. Fortunately fairly fresh water for drinking purposes could be obtained on shore, and thus the necessity of using the condensers was for the time being no longer urgent.After the storm the tide fell short of its customary height, for the gale occurring at the time of spring tides, there had been an abnormal rise on the bar. Careful soundings revealed the unpleasant fact that at the top of the tide there would be only a few inches under the keel of the submarine, while, with the ground swell still breaking, this margin was quite insufficient to attempt the passage with any chance of safety.Then news arrived by wireless that the "Vorwartz" had been operating in the Mozambique Channel, a French liner bound for the ports on the west coast of Madagascar being ruthlessly sunk. In this instance there was no attempt by the modern buccaneer to plunder his prize. Without attempting to take possession of her he had sunk her in deep water, there being barely time for the passengers and crew to take to the boats.Furthermore, it was announced that rewards totaling nearly a hundred and forty thousand pounds had been offered to whoever succeeded in capturing or destroying the "Vorwartz." Of this amount Lloyd's--already a heavy sufferer by these depredations--had guaranteed thirty thousand, the remainder being provided by the Governments of Great Britain, France, Germany and the United States of America.Captain Restronguet fumed at the delay. It was not on account of the bounteous guerdon, but because he was unable to put a stop once and for all to his rival's insane acts, for without doubt Karl von Harburg was now nothing less than a dangerous maniac, who possessed sufficient cunning and authority to bend the will of his crew to suit his own aims. It seemed hard indeed that a vessel like the "Aphrodite," equipped with every appliance that human ingenuity could contrive, should be penned in by a narrow strip of sand and shingle on which the surf rolled incessantly."I'll have a shot at it at next high water," announced Captain Restronguet to his officers. "That will be at three o'clock! It is high water full and change on this part of the coast at a quarter past four, and as there is a new moon the day after to-morrow each tide until that day ought to be higher than the preceding one.""Unless influenced by the wind, sir," added Hythe. "That is a great consideration.""Undoubtedly," admitted the captain. "But the sooner we make our preparations the better. Pass the word for Captain Rees, and ask him to warn his men to bear a hand. Unless every one works with a will our chances of success will be severely threatened."The sunken boats of the "Iticaba" were raised, baled out, and laden with movable stores from the submarine. Everything that could possibly be taken from the "Aphrodite" to lessen her already diminished draught was hoisted out, till the boats were laden as deeply as they could be in view of the fact that they would also have to pass the dangerous bar."We had a matter of three hundred barrels of heavy oil in the old 'Iticaba,' sir," announced Captain Rees. "It's just possible that those murdering rascals have not stove in the heads of every barrel that came ashore. They might be of service in keeping down the broken water.""Might," remarked Captain Restronguet dubiously. "What do you say, Mr. Hythe?""I've had no experience under circumstances like the present, sir," replied the sub. "The Board of Trade officials state that in a surf, or waves breaking over a bar, the effect of the oil is uncertain.""We'll try it, anyhow," said Captain Restronguet. "Tell Mr. Kenwyn to take a party ashore--see that they are well armed and keep a sharp look-out--and bring back any barrels of oil that may have come ashore."In less than an hour Kenwyn's party returned, pushing five large barrels over the sand. These were placed in the cutter, which was immediately sent seawards, for it was now nearly the time of high water. As the boat gained the fringe of breakers one wave washed over her bows. From the deck of the "Aphrodite" it could be seen that they were baling furiously. It was a question whether this cutter would escape being swamped; but after a strenuous struggle the boat succeeded in drawing clear of the surf.Anchoring, Kenwyn prepared to liberate the oil. Simultaneously the 'Aphrodite' weighed her anchors, and with the other boats of the 'Iticaba' in tow awaited the critical moment to attempt the risky passage."They're staving in the barrel, sir," announced Devoran. "There's one overboard.""It makes a difference to the water already," observed Captain Restronguet. "But we'll wait till they heave the contents of another couple of barrels overboard, and then we'll see what we can do. By Jove, what's that?"A sudden flash, vivid even in the strong sunlight, was followed by a dense cloud of smoke that completely hid the cutter from sight. Owing to the lack of wind the vapour hung about like a pall, but presently the heads of several men could be seen as they swam for all they were worth towards the shore.There was a rush for the boats that still remained alongside the "Aphrodite," and heedless of the risk they ran in pulling the laden craft towards the bar the crews bent to their oars.In a comparatively short space of time the swimmers were all picked up, several of them being slightly burned, while in some instances their hair and beards had been singed off."What has happened, Mr. Kenwyn?" demanded Captain Restronguet, as the unlucky boat's crew boarded the submarine."One of the barrels contained sodium carbide, sir, and we didn't know it till the head was knocked off. There was a lot of water in the bottom of the boat----""And what caused it to take fire; some one was smoking, eh?""Yes, sir," replied the second officer."Was it one of my men?""No, sir.""Very well, I'll say no more. Had the culprit been one of the 'Aphrodite's' crew there would be trouble; but I do not want to exercise any jurisdiction over the men of the 'Iticaba.' At the same time, Mr. Kenwyn, it was your duty to keep order in the boat, and with an inflammable cargo of oil on board, you ought to have maintained the strictest vigilance."Kenwyn did not reply. The captain's strictures were necessary, but the second officer was not a man to make lame excuses, even though one of the seamen from the "Iticaba" had quietly lit his pipe while Kenwyn's back was turned.The carbide had by now burnt itself out, but patches of burning oil were still drifting shorewards. Nevertheless the object of the expedition was in the main successful, for the seas no longer broke heavily, but continued in a sullen roll right into the deeper water within the creek.Ordering half speed ahead, Captain Restronguet stood by the quartermaster and gave directions as to the course. Gathering way the submarine started on her bid for freedom, the remaining boat of the "Iticaba" being towed astern. No one remained in the boats, while at the stern of the "Aphrodite" a man stood ready with a sharp axe to sever the towing hawser should any of the lumbering craft become swamped.Nearer and nearer to the danger zone the "Aphrodite" headed. Suddenly there was a dull thud. She was aground aft. The boats in tow came surging alongside, only to be swept backwards with a tremendous jerk on the hawser as a roller came swinging by.That wave did it. Lifting the "Aphrodite's" heel clear of the sand it enabled the submarine under the action of her powerful engines to glide into deep water, followed by the half water-logged flotilla of boats.As soon as a safe distance had been placed between her and the inhospitable shore the submarine eased down; the "Iticaba's" boats were brought alongside and the work of bringing the "Aphrodite's" spare gear on board again was pushed forward with feverish energy.All the boats save the largest whaler were cast adrift, as if kept in tow they would have made a great difference in the submarine's speed, and anxious to fall in with the piratical "Vorwartz," Captain Restronguet ordered a course to be shaped for Zanzibar at the utmost capacity of the "Aphrodite's" motors.CHAPTER XXIV.THE AERO-HYDROPLANE."I want you men to promise me," said Captain Restronguet, addressing the survivors of the "Iticaba's" crew, who were drawn up in the submarine deck--"I want you to give me your word of honour that on landing, and in a period of fourteen days from that time, you will make no mention whatsoever about the 'Aphrodite' being still capable of action. Mind, I do not bind you down by conditions, threats, or intimidation of any sort. I would not insult a body of true-hearted British seamen by so doing. I merely ask, in the interests of every vessel within range of the 'Vorwartz's' atrocities, that the presence of the 'Aphrodite' should not be revealed."The submarine was now within ten miles of Ras Nungwe, the northernmost part of Zanzibar Island, and the "Iticaba's" people were about to be sent ashore. They had, through their skipper, expressed their most grateful thanks for their gallant rescue in the nick of time, and in replying Captain Restronguet had made this request with reference to the "Vorwartz.""Strikes me very forcibly, sir," answered Captain Rees, "that you have made a very difficult request. You see, there's bound to be an inquiry by the Consul, and a report will have to be sent to Lloyd's before the owners can recover the insurance. And without I make a clean breast of it the Board of Trade will take away my ticket.""By Jove, I hadn't thought of that!" exclaimed Captain Restronguet. "As you say, it is a very difficult point to take into consideration. Yet in an affair of this description, where so much depends upon the issue, the ordinary routine followed in cases of shipwreck ought to be put aside, at least for a few days.""I could answer for my men," continued the old skipper, and a lusty chorus of "Ay, ay," that had a ring of sincerity in it, came from the survivors of the ill-fated tramp. "But, you see, sir, it's a ticklish business trying to bamboozle the Board.""If I were to write a letter to the President of the Consular Court--no, I'll tell you what I'll do; I'll go myself," declared Captain Restronguet. "Mr. Devoran, keep an offing, will you? I'm going ashore in the 'Iticaba's' boat; I'll hire some sort of craft to get back, so keep a sharp look-out for me on the west side of Bawi Island, that's over yonder. It is on the north side of the Western Pass, as the approach of Zanzibar Town is called. Should any large craft come in sight, don't hesitate to dive. We must preserve our secret at all costs.""Are you going alone, sir?" asked Hythe."I did think of so doing; but why? Would you like to accompany me ashore?""I should, sir. You see, I know the place fairly well. Spent three months in the East Indies flagship in these waters when I was a midshipman."The whaler was manned, Captain Restronguet, the skipper of the "Iticaba," and Hythe sitting in the stern sheets. There was no wind, so the men had recourse to their oars, and a five mile pull under a blazing sun was no light task. Nevertheless, within an hour and a quarter of leaving the "Aphrodite" the whaler ran alongside the landing-slips at Zanzibar.A crowd of Arabs, Zanzibaris, and negroes, with a sprinkling of Europeans, awaited the arrival of the boat, for since there was no large vessel lying outside the Western Pass, it was rightly conjectured that the men were survivors from some disaster.Loyally the seamen maintained silence, and stolidly refused to be questioned by several of the seamen from other ships that happened to be lying in the roadstead, and in a body they marched to the British Consulate, where Captain Restronguet asked to be shown into the presence of His Majesty's representative."What name, sir?" asked the stalwart sergeant of marines, who was in charge of the guard."That I wish to withhold," replied the Captain. "At the same time I am convinced that the Consul will be more than willing to see me."The sergeant demurred, but just then a dapper little man, whose snow-white hair and closely trimmed grey beard contrasted vividly with his brick-red complexion, came across the courtyard."What's this? Shipwrecked men?" he asked, scanning the somewhat dishevelled crowd of seamen, some of whom bore traces of hard knocks received in the struggle with the Somalis."These men are," replied Captain Restronguet. "I have not had that misfortune. Neither has my friend here. At the same time I wish to make an important communication to you in private.""By all means," said the Consul. "This way. Simmons, will you please bring whisky and soda into the small study. I presume, gentlemen, you would like a peg?""Now," he continued, as Captain Restronguet, Captain Rees, and Hythe followed him into the room, "what can I do for you? Do you wish to make a statement on oath? If so, I must send for my secretary.""The necessity for making a statement upon oath rests with you," replied Captain Restronguet. "Allow me to introduce myself as Captain John Restronguet, commanding the submarine 'Aphrodite,' which is now lying off the port."The Consul stared at his informant for quite ten seconds, then recovering himself said stiffly, "This, sir, is neither the place nor occasion for a senseless joke.""I agree with you.""Then, why? The 'Aphrodite' was destroyed by that villain Karl von Harburg in the Red Sea more than a week ago.""On whose authority did you hear this, might I ask?""On the word--if word it can be called--of Karl von Harburg himself.""The report was false. I am he whom I claim to be. This gentleman, Mr. Arnold Hythe, an officer of the Royal Navy, will corroborate my statement.""I am aware that Captain Arnold Hythe was in the 'Aphrodite,'" said the Consul, who was still unconvinced. He was an old Cambridge man, and as such had both participated and had been the victim of more than one elaborate hoax. Such episodes, utterly foolish as they appear to be, serve their purpose in after life. They impart a considerable amount of shrewdness into the human mind."Can you offer me definite proof?" continued the Consul. "If so I should be delighted, since it is my opinion that the only vessel capable of meeting the 'Vorwartz' on anything like even terms was, or perhaps is, the 'Aphrodite.'"Captain Restronguet bowed. "Sir, I feel honoured," he replied. "But since you cannot accept the word of a gentleman, I can offer no other solution.""It is part of my duty to investigate matters," said the Consul reprovingly. "If I remember rightly a photograph of Sub-Lieutenant Hythe appeared in the illustrated papers at the time he was supposed to have been lost in Plymouth Sound. I cannot admit that the gentleman resembles the portrait.""Have you a Navy List, sir?" asked the sub, speaking for the first time during the interview.The Consul walked across the room and took from a bureau a copy of the familiar blue paper-covered book, which he handed to the sub."The 'Topaze' is in the roadstead," said Hythe, as he rapidly turned over the pages. "Ah, here we are. Commander the Hon. C. L. Sedgwyke, I know him, but I'm afraid he doesn't know me. Lieutenant Totterbull--h'm, yes, he might. But here's Dewerstone, he was in my term at Dartmouth. Would you mind if he were sent for, sir?""Certainly not. I will have a signal made at once," replied the Consul."You wouldn't mind, sir," continued the sub, addressing Captain Restronguet. "Dewerstone is a fellow to be trusted. He wouldn't say a word to anyone outside."Accordingly a signal was made from the roof of the Consulate, and Sub-Lieutenant Dewerstone was informed by his captain that his presence was required ashore. The young man did not feel particularly joyful at the intelligence. He had already obtained permission to go to a tennis party, and having to attend on Consular Service did not appeal to him. Nevertheless, as soon as a boat could take him off, Dewerstone was ready."Good afternoon, Dick," exclaimed Hythe as soon as the sub from the "Topaze" had paid his respects to the Consul."Well, Hythe, where did you roll up from?" asked Dewerstone nonchalantly. "I thought you were in Davy Jones's locker.""I am not," said Hythe earnestly. "Perhaps you would not mind proving my identity to His Britannic Majesty's Consul.""Considering we were in the semi-final for the heavyweight and you knocked me out I think I can safely do that," replied Dewerstone."We need not go further, gentlemen," announced the Consul. "I must apologize for not accepting your word, Captain Restronguet. Now what do you wish me to do?"As briefly as he could Captain Restronguet explained the circumstances under which he rescued the survivors of the "Iticaba," and the reason why he wished salient facts in connection with the affair to be temporarily suppressed."I think it can be arranged," said the Consul. "At all events, I will take down the depositions of Captain Rees, and omit any details I consider necessary."As soon as this was done Captain Rees took his departure.His men had already been quartered in the Consulate, where they were to remain until they could be sent back to Liverpool."You will dine with me, gentlemen?" asked the Consul of Captain Restronguet and the two subs. "There is no immediate hurry for you to get back?""I must get a boat before four o'clock," replied Captain Restronguet. "So I must ask to be excused."Hythe was also unable to accept, while Dewerstone, still intent upon the tennis party, managed to find a reason for declining the stiff formality of dinner at the Consulate.During their stay at Zanzibar Captain Restronguet and his companions visited the old town, but finding it remarkable for its malodorous nature, they beat a hasty retreat and went for a stroll inland. Before they returned it came on to blow fairly hard from the sou'west, and by the time they reached the landing-place it was pretty evident that a boat could not put off without great risk.In vain Captain Restronguet offered the native boatmen a large sum to be rowed off beyond Bawi Island. He even tried to charter a dhow, but without success."We could ask the Consul to communicate with the 'Topaze' or any of the cruisers and gunboats in the roadstead; they would send a piquet-boat for us," suggested Hythe.Captain Restronguet shook his head."Not if it can be avoided," he answered. "I have reasons for not falling in with your plan. We will see if we can get better luck at Shangani Point. The water ought to be smoother there."Accordingly both men set off as briskly as they could in the moist, enervating heat, but before they had passed the Sultan's palace a short, sparsely-built man in European clothing overtook them. Twice the man looked over his shoulder at Captain Restronguet, then suddenly wheeling he intercepted him and held out his hand."What ho, there, Tretheway! Whoever would have thought of meeting you in this dead and alive corner of the globe?"Hythe naturally thought it was a case of mistaken identity on the part of the little fellow, but to his surprise Captain Restronguet replied in a cordial manner."Bless my soul! It's Jenkins. What are you doing here?""It is," assented that worthy. "I've been knocking about a bit since I last worked--I mean, slaved--with you in a British dockyard. Fallen on my feet at last though, that is, unless I fall on my precious skull. Just fancy, Tretheway, I am aeroplanist-in-chief to His Highness the Sultan of Zanzibar.""Better you than me," remarked the Captain with a laugh. "But I was unaware that the Sultan was a devotee of the art of flying.""He is, and he isn't," replied Jenkins. "He owns a good many air crafts of various types, and I and several others, mostly Frenchmen, by the by, give exhibition flights while he sits in his state chair and watches us. But how goes it? You look jolly fit, and don't appear as if you were hard up for a dollar?""No, I cannot complain on that score," said Captain Restronguet quietly."Well, come and have a look at my little air-fleet. Really they don't make a bad show. And your friend, of course.""Sorry," replied Captain Restronguet. "But we're in a regular hurry. I am trying to get a boat to put me off.""Where to?" asked Jenkins. "One of the liners in the Roads?""No, further out; quite five miles off.""Guess you won't get a Zanzibari to take on the job. There's a brute of a swell tumbling in. Look here, I'll tell you what: I'll give you a lift in one of our aero-hydroplanes, if you like.""Is it safe?" asked Captain Restronguet earnestly, whereat Hythe wondered, for his companion had never before shown signs of timidity, even when in tight corners in the depths of the sea."Safe as a house," replied Jenkins reassuringly."Jenkins, my friend, you misunderstand me, although I quite admit the question was ambiguous. Is it safe--or shall we say discreet?--to take us for a 'joy-ride' in one of the Sultan's air-craft?""If anything His Highness would be pleased to see me making a flight in gusty weather with two passengers; so say the word and I'll trot out the contraption. It's the only way.""Carry on, then," assented Captain Restronguet.Within the spacious outer courtyard of the palace stood a number of lofty sheds with sliding doors. At a wave and a gesture from the chief aviator a number of natives opened the doors and dragged a huge aero-hydroplane of an obsolete pattern into the sunlight. The machine was a biplane. Underneath the two long floats were four wheels, so that it could be adapted either for alighting and rising from the sea or land.Jenkins critically examined various nuts and tension wires, started the engine, till the machine was all a-quiver with the vibration from the revolving cylinders."All correct," he bawled, for the rapid explosion of the motor practically deadened every other sound. "Get aboard."Captain Restronguet occupied a seat immediately behind and slightly higher than the pilot, while Hythe sat behind the biplane. Jenkins vaulted agilely into his place, motioned to the attendants to stand clear and thrust home the clutch of the propeller shaft.The aero-hydro-craft leapt over the ground for about twenty yards with a jerk that nearly capsized the two passengers; then soaring upwards it cleared the courtyard wall by barely six feet, passed over the upturned faces of a crowd of natives in the roadway, and shot rapidly across the harbour.The motion was exhilarating, but the air, by contrast with the heat ashore, was cold and cutting to the faces of the passengers. Hythe realized that aeroplaning in white ducks, even in the Tropics, was rather out of place."Look, sir," he exclaimed. "There's the 'Topaze' going out.""That's rotten luck," replied Captain Restronguet leaning sideways to watch the cruiser, that, a thousand feet below, looked no larger than a model boat. "Your friend Dewerstone has given the show away.""I think not," replied the sub confidently. "He told me he was on leave till the day after to-morrow.""Where's your ship, Tretheway?" shouted Jenkins."Away beyond Bawi Island. There she is.""Rum looking craft, anyway," commented the aviator. "Looks more like a dog's kennel to me.""Thanks," remarked Captain Restronguet in an undertone; then louder he added, "She's hove-to. If you come down within hailing distance they'll range up alongside to pick us up; they haven't a boat.""Haven't a boat," ejaculated Jenkins. "Rum craft. Look here----"He ended abruptly, for with a report like a pistol shot one of the wires supporting the wing plane snapped. The aero-hydroplane began to tilt ominously. Hythe and his companion instinctively realizing that a disaster was imminent grasped the rods nearest to hand in a grip of iron.Pluckily the aviator strove by manipulating the elevating rudder to restore the doomed aircraft's equilibrium, but in vain. He, therefore, shut off the engine and attempted a vol-plane. Already the air-craft was standing almost on its nose, and falling with fearful velocity, till Captain Restronguet slid out of his seat and was prevented from falling clear only by his grasp upon a metal rod.Finding that the machine was quite out of control, Jenkins touched a lever with his foot. Instantly a length of stout canvas trailed out astern. Before the aero-hydroplane had descended another fifteen feet the canvas, distended by the resistance of the air, took the shape of a huge parachute. The fall, though still rapid, was appreciably retarded, while the three men, literally hanging on tooth and nail, became aware that hope was not yet dead.With a tremendous splash the wrecked aero-hydroplane struck the water. Hythe found himself torn from his support, and plunging feet below the waves. Fearing that he might be entangled in the sinking machine he struck out and swam a considerable distance ere he rose to the surface.Shaking the water out of his eyes, he looked around. The aero-hydroplane was still floating, but with a heavy list. The concussion had burst the seams of one of her floats, which was now completely filled with water, while the other was leaking slightly. Clinging to the still buoyant float were the captain and Jenkins. The "Aphrodite" was nowhere to be seen."We're all right for the present," called out the former cheerily. "The water's warm and I have not seen any sharks about, and the cruiser will bear down and pick us up.""Where's your ship, Tretheway?" asked the aviator anxiously. "We were falling close to where she was hove-to.""I'm rather afraid she didn't spot us," replied Captain Restronguet. "And seeing the 'Topaze' approaching, she dived.""Dived!" exclaimed the astounded Jenkins. "What d'ye mean? You don't mean to tell me the ship you belong to is a submarine?""It is," assented the Captain coolly."Not that rascally 'Vorwartz' by any chance?""No.""Well, then, what's her name? I haven't heard of any other submarine in these waters.""Not the 'Aphrodite'?""Don't try to be funny, Tretheway. You know as well as I do that that submarine was blown to atoms.""I am afraid, my dear Jenkins, that I cannot agree with you. The 'Aphrodite' is even now submerged in the Zanzibar Channel, and I--whom you know as Hugh Tretheway--I am Captain John Restronguet."CHAPTER XXV.THE APPROACH OF THE "VORWARTZ."Beyond muttering "Well, I'm dashed!" the aviator relapsed into silence. In vain Captain Restronguet and Hythe looked for a trace of the "Aphrodite." As a last resource the former produced a silk green and white flag from his pocket and lashed it to one of the vertical stays in the hope that the submarine might locate it by means of her periscope."They're carrying out orders," said Captain Restronguet at length. "I told Devoran to dive if he saw any vessel approaching. He spotted the 'Topaze' and immediately descended. It's awkward, because the secret is bound to leak out. But after all it is rather remarkable that it didn't become common property hours ago.""How shall we get on board the 'Aphrodite,' sir?" asked the sub."We'll manage it sooner or later, but there's valuable time lost. Ha, there's the 'Topaze' altering helm. She's sighted us."A quarter of an hour later the cruiser's gig picked up the three unlucky aviators, while the aero-hydroplane was secured and towed alongside before she sank, and was hoisted on board by means of a boat's davit. Dry clothing was immediately forthcoming, and clad in borrowed garments the rescued men were taken aft to be introduced and interviewed by the Hon. Charles Sedgwyke, captain of H.M.S. "Topaze."Realizing that it would be useless to attempt to conceal anything Captain Restronguet made a full report of all that had occurred, and requested that he and his companions might be taken back to Zanzibar, whence the "Aphrodite" might be communicated with by wireless."I am afraid that it is at present impossible, Captain Restronguet," said the Hon. Sedgwyke. "We are under urgent orders to proceed to Delagoa Bay, for there that villainous von Harburg has been making himself particularly objectionable. We are to meet and co-operate with the 'Pique,' and should our efforts meet with success we are to carry on to Table Bay. There is, I am afraid, no option. You must accompany us, and no doubt, your valuable experience in connection with the affair will enable us to settle with the 'Vorwartz.'""I would much rather settle with her myself," replied Captain Restronguet."That I can quite understand. I can also safely assert that Captain Restronguet will not prevent the 'Topaze' from distinguishing herself by standing aloof when he might otherwise render us good service."Captain Restronguet bowed. "Naturally," he added. "Our interests in the business lies in the same direction.""Anything I can do to aid you I will most willingly do," continued Captain Sedgwyke. "I might suggest that the wireless of this vessel is at your disposal, and by sending a message to the Admiralty you could have it re-transmitted through your agent to the 'Aphrodite.'""An excellent arrangement," said Captain Restronguet, "only it is certain that the news will reach Karl von Harburg, and that is what I particularly wish to avoid.""I trust that within the next few days Karl von Harburg will be totally indifferent to news of any description," remarked the captain of the "Topaze" drily. "But in the meanwhile make yourselves comfortable on board. You will, I hope, do us the honour of being a temporary member of the Ward Room. Mr. Hythe, who is still under the Naval Discipline Act, must, of course, mess in the Gun Room. I am still slightly hazy as to the exact official and social status of the aviator-in-chief to His Highness the Sultan of Zanzibar."Three days later the "Topaze" was threshing her way southward at a good twenty-two knots and was approaching the rendezvous. It was now night, but the moon, shining with all the lustre that only the tropics can enjoy, made everything on deck quite discernible.Surrounded by a group of officers, all of whom were most anxious to gather particulars of the rival submarines from two of the principal characters, Captain Restronguet and Hythe had to exercise their ingenuity to prevent themselves being "pumped," for even to their kind hosts it was not advisable to give themselves away. Nevertheless the time passed pleasantly. The paymaster's cigars were excellent, the surgeon was a lively raconteur, and the first lieutenant was kindness personified; but at length Captain Restronguet contrived to draw Hythe aside to the lee of the after nine-point-two-inch gun turret."No doubt you wondered why that fellow Jenkins addressed me as Hugh Tretheway," he began. "Well, it certainly was strange running across him in far-off Zanzibar. You may remember I told you that for some months, when down on my luck, I worked as an electrical fitter in Devonport Dockyard? That man Jenkins was in the same shop. He isn't a bad fellow by any means, though somewhat of a rough diamond. Hugh Tretheway is my baptismal name, but for certain reasons I preferred to drop it and assume the name of John Restronguet. I hope that for the present at all events you will keep that information a secret. I have already had a quiet talk with Jenkins on the matter, and from what I already know of him, he will be as silent as the dead.""Of course I will carry out your wishes, sir," said the sub."Thank you. But to change the subject: what do you think of the chances of the 'Topaze' against the 'Vorwartz'?""She has her work cut out," replied the sub. "But I feel certain that every man on board will do his best.""They cannot do more," added Captain Restronguet earnestly. "At the same time they are running needless risks when, once I locate the 'Vorwartz,' I could destroy her without a quarter of the danger. Suppose, now, that the Delagoa Bay report was false and Karl von Harburg is knocking about in these waters: what is there to prevent her from torpedoing the ship and sending her to the bottom?""That is a risk that every ship must run in naval warfare," replied Hythe. "Ever since the invention of torpedoes that risk has increased, and now that submarines form a formidable arm of the Naval Service there is still the greater possibilities of a ship being sent to the bottom without a shot in self-defence."Before Captain Restronguet could say another word a hoarse order came from the fore bridge, followed by a shrill bugle-call for "General Quarters" and the long-drawn notes of the bo's'un's-mates' whistles."What's that?" demanded Captain Restronguet."'Clear for action'--a test order perhaps," replied Hythe. "See how those fellows get to work."Up the companion-ladders officers hurriedly appeared, still fumbling with the buckles of their sword-belts. From for'ard tumbled a swarm of hefty bluejackets, who, invading the sacred precincts of the quarter-deck, began to unship stanchions, davits, ventilating-cowls, and other impedimenta; steel covers were lowered over skylights and companion-hatchways. The securing bolts of the after nine-point-two gun turrets were cast loose, and the long muzzle swung round, causing Captain Restronguet to hurriedly duck his head. In five minutes the quarter-deck of the "Topaze" was deserted, as were the other exposed parts of the ship, every man being at his station behind the armoured portions of the vessel.Another bugle-call."As you were," exclaimed Hythe. "Suppose we go up on the after-bridge. They are exercising. Perhaps the next evolution will be 'Out collision mats.'""Hope they won't have to do it in real earnest," remarked his companion as the two men ascended to their coign of vantage.Once more the bo's'un's-mates' whistles sounded while the bo's'un shouted in stentorian tones "Out nets." The cry was repeated in half a dozen different parts of the ship, and the hither-to deserted decks became a scene of disorder and chaos: at least that's what it seemed to Captain Restronguet, who was for the time being a stranger in a strange land.Instinctively Hythe pulled out his watch, which once more had stedfastly resisted the assaults of the sea water. Captain Restronguet, gripping the rail, leant over and watched the scene of activity upon the moon-lit deck. Over the side of the gently-rolling craft active seamen slid down upon the apparently insecure net-shelves, and by a series of gymnastic feats succeeded in rolling ten tons of close-meshed steel netting over the side, to the accompaniment of shouts of "Look alive there!" from their officers. Hardly had the last man regained the deck ere the motor capstans of the fo'c'sle began to clank. Seamen armed with spars thrust at the ends of the torpedo booms to give the motor-worked wire rope a chance; then slowly yet surely the twenty hollow steel booms were swung outwards till the "Topaze" was encircled with a "crinoline" of nets at sufficient distance from the ship to stop a deadly torpedo. Back doubled the men to their stations for action.The sub glanced at his watch. The evolution had taken only forty-five seconds."Smart work!" ejaculated Captain Restronguet."Yes," assented Hythe. "But we did it in forty seconds on the old flagship. Apparently Captain Sedgwyke is not satisfied for I can hear him storming to some one.""It is hardly my place to offer suggestions," said Captain Restronguet, "but I think it would be advisable if they kept the nets in position. It might save the 'Topaze' from being torpedoed, although I know that the speed is greatly diminished by the drag in the water.""We never do," replied the sub. "It is the first time I have seen 'Out nets' performed with the ship underway. It is essentially a defence when lying at anchor. There: 'In net defence,' they are going to stow the nets."In the midst of the scramble that ensued the bugle suddenly sounded "General Quarters." To leave an evolution half completed was a very unusual thing.Something prompted Hythe to look seaward. At less than a cable's distance the two conning-towers of a submarine had just appeared above the surface of the moon-lit sea, a smother of foam making them still more conspicuous. The sub gripped his companion's arm and pointed."The 'Vorwartz!'" he exclaimed.Several of the officers of the "Topaze" had observed the sudden appearance of the sinister craft, and hence the call to General Quarters. The light quick-firers were manned, their muzzles swung round till they pointed full at the submarine's conning-towers, which, proceeding at nearly the same rate and in a similar direction to that of the cruiser, presented an easy target.Captain Sedgwyke was puzzled. It was inexplicable that the submarine should show herself when she might have let loose a torpedo while completely submerged. Nevertheless he was on the point of giving the order to open fire when Captain Restronguet, in a voice that could be heard from one end of the ship to the other, shouted:--"Don't fire, it is the 'Aphrodite.'"Something in the captain of the "Aphrodite's" words prompted Captain Sedgwyke to issue a confirmatory order. Hythe was astonished--even doubtful. He could not be certain as to whether it was the "Aphrodite" or her counter-felt rival; but the inventor and constructor had made no error. It was the "Aphrodite."Thirty feet in front of the fore conning-tower the sharp bows of the submarine appeared above the water, followed by the whole length of her decks, from which the water poured in silvery cascades.Then a hatch was thrown open and a figure that Hythe recognized as that of the first officer appeared. Raising a megaphone Devoran shouted:--"Is Captain Restronguet on board?""Ay, ay," replied a voice from the fore-bridge. "What submarine is that?""The 'Aphrodite,'," replied Devoran, merely as a matter of form, since his identity was now established. "Can you send a boat? We have important intelligence to communicate."At that moment a petty officer ran up the ladder of the after-bridge and requested Captain Restronguet to speak to Captain Sedgwyke."I suppose you wish to board your craft," said the Captain of the cruiser. "We will lower a boat as soon as we get a bit shipshape.""If you will kindly do so I will rejoin the 'Aphrodite,'" replied Captain Restronguet. "At the same time I think the information is urgent. Shall I ask my first officer to deliver it verbally to save time?""Very good," assented Captain Sedgwyke.The information was indeed startling. The electric detector of the "Aphrodite" had picked up the position of the "Vorwartz." Karl von Harburg's submarine was proceeding northwards, and was even now within twenty miles of the British cruiser.
CHAPTER XXIII.
OVER THE BAR.
Although the air seemed alive with the screech of the bullets the Somalis fired so high that not a man was hit. At the first volley Hythe ordered the quartermaster to haul the cutter off, then bringing her broadside on, he gave the word to open fire.
It spoke volumes for the discipline of the men under his command that not one of them gave way to the temptation to discharge his pistol. The pressure of a few ounces on the trigger would be sufficient to send ten shots into the mob on shore, but in the dark there was the danger of the men in the boat accidentally hitting their comrades, but until the cutter swung round broadside on, the boat's crew resisted the almost overwhelming desire to return the fire.
But Captain Restronguet had taken precautions to counteract the surprise. Simultaneously the two starboard search-lights were switched on and swung abeam till the powerful rays flashed full in the faces of the astonished Somalis. To the latter it savoured of magic. Blinded by the glare, galled by the fusillade from the automatic pistols, and harassed by the fire from the deck of the "Aphrodite" they fled. Some, however, too terrified to move, flung themselves on the ground, which was already littered with the bodies of several of their comrades.
"Give way," ordered the sub.
Directly the boat touched shore all hands save two jumped out, and carrying the rope, dashed for the gun, that now stood revealed as if outlined in silver in the rays of the search-light.
In a trice Mylor had secured the steel wire rope to the trail. A long and a short blast on Hythe's whistle was the signal that this part of the task had been satisfactorily performed.
The electric capstan on the submarine's deck began to revolve, and the heavy gun with a succession of jerks was hauled through the yielding sand.
"Avast heaving!" shouted the sub, as the recovered weapon reached the water's edge.
"Look out, sir!" shouted O'Shaunessey, and raising his pistol the Irishman shot through the head a Somali who, feigning death, had allowed Hythe to approach within three yards of him ere, springing to his feet, he was about to hurl his spear at the sub's back
"Thanks, O'Shaunessey," exclaimed Hythe.
To the accompaniment of a desultory and erratic fire from a distance of over a thousand yards the gun was dismounted and "parbuckled" into the cutter. The carriage and limber followed piecemeal, and without a casualty beyond a few bruised knuckles and jammed fingers the landing party re-embarked.
It was tricky work transhipping the gun to the submarine, for the "Aphrodite," with nearly fifteen feet freeboard, was rolling heavily. The men were working in the dark since the searchlight could not be swung from off the shore without attracting the Somalis to closer range. Even as it was chance bullets were impingeing upon the submarine's plating, while one cut a clean hole through the side of the cutter, fortunately without hitting any of the men on her.
As soon as the gun was safely housed below steps were taken to spend the rest of the night in quietness. The boats of the "Iticaba" were heavily ballasted and their bungs removed, so that they sunk to the bottom of the creek. Thus they were immune from danger from the enemy's rifle bullets, while, when occasion arose, they could easily be raised and again pressed into service.
Reluctantly the survivors of the "Iticaba" went below. The men were temporarily quartered for'ard in one of the store compartments, their comrades of the "Aphrodite" making them as comfortable as they could; while Captain Rees and his first mate were accommodated in Kenwyn's cabin, that officer having to share Devoran's quarters.
But when the "Aphrodite" settled easily upon the bed of the creek and nothing alarming occurred, the rescued men's misgivings were set at rest, and before long, worn out with fatigue, exposure, and excitement they were sound asleep, regardless of the fact that thirty or forty feet above them the seas were tumbling wildly into the exposed inlet.
Throughout the rest of the night the Somalis wasted their ammunition in firing at the position where they last saw the submarine lying, and with the dawn the anchorage was bare. Their losses were made light of, for, according to their belief, they had rid the world of a shipload of unbelievers. No doubt they were a little disappointed that there were no trophies of their victory, but they contented themselves with removing the wreckage and stores washed ashore from the ill-fated "Iticaba," which had completely broken up during the gale.
Early on the morning of the second day of the "Aphrodite's" detention in the creek the men of the "Iticaba" were surprised to see nine men, clad in air-tubeless diving-suits, make their way through the compartment which had been allotted to them.
Half an hour later the nine returned. In that half hour the remains of poor Gwennap had been buried in the sand at the bottom of the creek. Captain Restronguet would have preferred to have given his faithful comrade a sailor's grave in the open sea, but since it was impossible to say how long it would be before the submarine could recross the bar, the corpse had to be removed by a funeral party in diver's dress.
During the day the detector, which had hitherto given plenty of indications of the "Vorwartz" gradually failed to record the movement of the submarine under Karl von Harburg's command. Either the vessel had been driven ashore in a gale or else she had gone many miles to the south'ard, and beyond the field covered by the electrical rays of the detector. In vain Captain Restronguet asked for information by wireless. No news came to hand; his quest had received a check, for cooped up within the creek he was unable to gain or even keep pace with his sworn enemy.
It was not until the third day that the gale moderated sufficiently for the "Aphrodite" to rise to the surface. Her appearance was the cause of a wild stampede by the Somalis still engaged in enriching themselves with the stranded cargo. To see a vessel that they confidently believed to have sunk suddenly rise from the deep was to them incomprehensible. They fled, never stopping till they had placed a good half day's journey between them and the sea. In future they regarded the vicinity of that inlet as a district frequented by djinns, or evil spirits, and for some time to come, at least, should the crews of any vessel have occasion to land upon that inhospitable shore, they would be spared the possibilities of a fight against overwhelming numbers of fanatical Somalis.
Two more precious days were wasted after the weather had moderated sufficiently to allow the "Aphrodite" to rise. Captain Restronguet began to get anxious, for provisions were running short. A considerable quantity of "emergency rations" had been lost with the central section of the submarine, and now, with a refugee crew to feed, the vessel's resources were severely strained.
Since there was little current in the inlet it was impossible to recharge the accumulators, and the reserve of electricity had to be carefully husbanded. Fortunately fairly fresh water for drinking purposes could be obtained on shore, and thus the necessity of using the condensers was for the time being no longer urgent.
After the storm the tide fell short of its customary height, for the gale occurring at the time of spring tides, there had been an abnormal rise on the bar. Careful soundings revealed the unpleasant fact that at the top of the tide there would be only a few inches under the keel of the submarine, while, with the ground swell still breaking, this margin was quite insufficient to attempt the passage with any chance of safety.
Then news arrived by wireless that the "Vorwartz" had been operating in the Mozambique Channel, a French liner bound for the ports on the west coast of Madagascar being ruthlessly sunk. In this instance there was no attempt by the modern buccaneer to plunder his prize. Without attempting to take possession of her he had sunk her in deep water, there being barely time for the passengers and crew to take to the boats.
Furthermore, it was announced that rewards totaling nearly a hundred and forty thousand pounds had been offered to whoever succeeded in capturing or destroying the "Vorwartz." Of this amount Lloyd's--already a heavy sufferer by these depredations--had guaranteed thirty thousand, the remainder being provided by the Governments of Great Britain, France, Germany and the United States of America.
Captain Restronguet fumed at the delay. It was not on account of the bounteous guerdon, but because he was unable to put a stop once and for all to his rival's insane acts, for without doubt Karl von Harburg was now nothing less than a dangerous maniac, who possessed sufficient cunning and authority to bend the will of his crew to suit his own aims. It seemed hard indeed that a vessel like the "Aphrodite," equipped with every appliance that human ingenuity could contrive, should be penned in by a narrow strip of sand and shingle on which the surf rolled incessantly.
"I'll have a shot at it at next high water," announced Captain Restronguet to his officers. "That will be at three o'clock! It is high water full and change on this part of the coast at a quarter past four, and as there is a new moon the day after to-morrow each tide until that day ought to be higher than the preceding one."
"Unless influenced by the wind, sir," added Hythe. "That is a great consideration."
"Undoubtedly," admitted the captain. "But the sooner we make our preparations the better. Pass the word for Captain Rees, and ask him to warn his men to bear a hand. Unless every one works with a will our chances of success will be severely threatened."
The sunken boats of the "Iticaba" were raised, baled out, and laden with movable stores from the submarine. Everything that could possibly be taken from the "Aphrodite" to lessen her already diminished draught was hoisted out, till the boats were laden as deeply as they could be in view of the fact that they would also have to pass the dangerous bar.
"We had a matter of three hundred barrels of heavy oil in the old 'Iticaba,' sir," announced Captain Rees. "It's just possible that those murdering rascals have not stove in the heads of every barrel that came ashore. They might be of service in keeping down the broken water."
"Might," remarked Captain Restronguet dubiously. "What do you say, Mr. Hythe?"
"I've had no experience under circumstances like the present, sir," replied the sub. "The Board of Trade officials state that in a surf, or waves breaking over a bar, the effect of the oil is uncertain."
"We'll try it, anyhow," said Captain Restronguet. "Tell Mr. Kenwyn to take a party ashore--see that they are well armed and keep a sharp look-out--and bring back any barrels of oil that may have come ashore."
In less than an hour Kenwyn's party returned, pushing five large barrels over the sand. These were placed in the cutter, which was immediately sent seawards, for it was now nearly the time of high water. As the boat gained the fringe of breakers one wave washed over her bows. From the deck of the "Aphrodite" it could be seen that they were baling furiously. It was a question whether this cutter would escape being swamped; but after a strenuous struggle the boat succeeded in drawing clear of the surf.
Anchoring, Kenwyn prepared to liberate the oil. Simultaneously the 'Aphrodite' weighed her anchors, and with the other boats of the 'Iticaba' in tow awaited the critical moment to attempt the risky passage.
"They're staving in the barrel, sir," announced Devoran. "There's one overboard."
"It makes a difference to the water already," observed Captain Restronguet. "But we'll wait till they heave the contents of another couple of barrels overboard, and then we'll see what we can do. By Jove, what's that?"
A sudden flash, vivid even in the strong sunlight, was followed by a dense cloud of smoke that completely hid the cutter from sight. Owing to the lack of wind the vapour hung about like a pall, but presently the heads of several men could be seen as they swam for all they were worth towards the shore.
There was a rush for the boats that still remained alongside the "Aphrodite," and heedless of the risk they ran in pulling the laden craft towards the bar the crews bent to their oars.
In a comparatively short space of time the swimmers were all picked up, several of them being slightly burned, while in some instances their hair and beards had been singed off.
"What has happened, Mr. Kenwyn?" demanded Captain Restronguet, as the unlucky boat's crew boarded the submarine.
"One of the barrels contained sodium carbide, sir, and we didn't know it till the head was knocked off. There was a lot of water in the bottom of the boat----"
"And what caused it to take fire; some one was smoking, eh?"
"Yes, sir," replied the second officer.
"Was it one of my men?"
"No, sir."
"Very well, I'll say no more. Had the culprit been one of the 'Aphrodite's' crew there would be trouble; but I do not want to exercise any jurisdiction over the men of the 'Iticaba.' At the same time, Mr. Kenwyn, it was your duty to keep order in the boat, and with an inflammable cargo of oil on board, you ought to have maintained the strictest vigilance."
Kenwyn did not reply. The captain's strictures were necessary, but the second officer was not a man to make lame excuses, even though one of the seamen from the "Iticaba" had quietly lit his pipe while Kenwyn's back was turned.
The carbide had by now burnt itself out, but patches of burning oil were still drifting shorewards. Nevertheless the object of the expedition was in the main successful, for the seas no longer broke heavily, but continued in a sullen roll right into the deeper water within the creek.
Ordering half speed ahead, Captain Restronguet stood by the quartermaster and gave directions as to the course. Gathering way the submarine started on her bid for freedom, the remaining boat of the "Iticaba" being towed astern. No one remained in the boats, while at the stern of the "Aphrodite" a man stood ready with a sharp axe to sever the towing hawser should any of the lumbering craft become swamped.
Nearer and nearer to the danger zone the "Aphrodite" headed. Suddenly there was a dull thud. She was aground aft. The boats in tow came surging alongside, only to be swept backwards with a tremendous jerk on the hawser as a roller came swinging by.
That wave did it. Lifting the "Aphrodite's" heel clear of the sand it enabled the submarine under the action of her powerful engines to glide into deep water, followed by the half water-logged flotilla of boats.
As soon as a safe distance had been placed between her and the inhospitable shore the submarine eased down; the "Iticaba's" boats were brought alongside and the work of bringing the "Aphrodite's" spare gear on board again was pushed forward with feverish energy.
All the boats save the largest whaler were cast adrift, as if kept in tow they would have made a great difference in the submarine's speed, and anxious to fall in with the piratical "Vorwartz," Captain Restronguet ordered a course to be shaped for Zanzibar at the utmost capacity of the "Aphrodite's" motors.
CHAPTER XXIV.
THE AERO-HYDROPLANE.
"I want you men to promise me," said Captain Restronguet, addressing the survivors of the "Iticaba's" crew, who were drawn up in the submarine deck--"I want you to give me your word of honour that on landing, and in a period of fourteen days from that time, you will make no mention whatsoever about the 'Aphrodite' being still capable of action. Mind, I do not bind you down by conditions, threats, or intimidation of any sort. I would not insult a body of true-hearted British seamen by so doing. I merely ask, in the interests of every vessel within range of the 'Vorwartz's' atrocities, that the presence of the 'Aphrodite' should not be revealed."
The submarine was now within ten miles of Ras Nungwe, the northernmost part of Zanzibar Island, and the "Iticaba's" people were about to be sent ashore. They had, through their skipper, expressed their most grateful thanks for their gallant rescue in the nick of time, and in replying Captain Restronguet had made this request with reference to the "Vorwartz."
"Strikes me very forcibly, sir," answered Captain Rees, "that you have made a very difficult request. You see, there's bound to be an inquiry by the Consul, and a report will have to be sent to Lloyd's before the owners can recover the insurance. And without I make a clean breast of it the Board of Trade will take away my ticket."
"By Jove, I hadn't thought of that!" exclaimed Captain Restronguet. "As you say, it is a very difficult point to take into consideration. Yet in an affair of this description, where so much depends upon the issue, the ordinary routine followed in cases of shipwreck ought to be put aside, at least for a few days."
"I could answer for my men," continued the old skipper, and a lusty chorus of "Ay, ay," that had a ring of sincerity in it, came from the survivors of the ill-fated tramp. "But, you see, sir, it's a ticklish business trying to bamboozle the Board."
"If I were to write a letter to the President of the Consular Court--no, I'll tell you what I'll do; I'll go myself," declared Captain Restronguet. "Mr. Devoran, keep an offing, will you? I'm going ashore in the 'Iticaba's' boat; I'll hire some sort of craft to get back, so keep a sharp look-out for me on the west side of Bawi Island, that's over yonder. It is on the north side of the Western Pass, as the approach of Zanzibar Town is called. Should any large craft come in sight, don't hesitate to dive. We must preserve our secret at all costs."
"Are you going alone, sir?" asked Hythe.
"I did think of so doing; but why? Would you like to accompany me ashore?"
"I should, sir. You see, I know the place fairly well. Spent three months in the East Indies flagship in these waters when I was a midshipman."
The whaler was manned, Captain Restronguet, the skipper of the "Iticaba," and Hythe sitting in the stern sheets. There was no wind, so the men had recourse to their oars, and a five mile pull under a blazing sun was no light task. Nevertheless, within an hour and a quarter of leaving the "Aphrodite" the whaler ran alongside the landing-slips at Zanzibar.
A crowd of Arabs, Zanzibaris, and negroes, with a sprinkling of Europeans, awaited the arrival of the boat, for since there was no large vessel lying outside the Western Pass, it was rightly conjectured that the men were survivors from some disaster.
Loyally the seamen maintained silence, and stolidly refused to be questioned by several of the seamen from other ships that happened to be lying in the roadstead, and in a body they marched to the British Consulate, where Captain Restronguet asked to be shown into the presence of His Majesty's representative.
"What name, sir?" asked the stalwart sergeant of marines, who was in charge of the guard.
"That I wish to withhold," replied the Captain. "At the same time I am convinced that the Consul will be more than willing to see me."
The sergeant demurred, but just then a dapper little man, whose snow-white hair and closely trimmed grey beard contrasted vividly with his brick-red complexion, came across the courtyard.
"What's this? Shipwrecked men?" he asked, scanning the somewhat dishevelled crowd of seamen, some of whom bore traces of hard knocks received in the struggle with the Somalis.
"These men are," replied Captain Restronguet. "I have not had that misfortune. Neither has my friend here. At the same time I wish to make an important communication to you in private."
"By all means," said the Consul. "This way. Simmons, will you please bring whisky and soda into the small study. I presume, gentlemen, you would like a peg?"
"Now," he continued, as Captain Restronguet, Captain Rees, and Hythe followed him into the room, "what can I do for you? Do you wish to make a statement on oath? If so, I must send for my secretary."
"The necessity for making a statement upon oath rests with you," replied Captain Restronguet. "Allow me to introduce myself as Captain John Restronguet, commanding the submarine 'Aphrodite,' which is now lying off the port."
The Consul stared at his informant for quite ten seconds, then recovering himself said stiffly, "This, sir, is neither the place nor occasion for a senseless joke."
"I agree with you."
"Then, why? The 'Aphrodite' was destroyed by that villain Karl von Harburg in the Red Sea more than a week ago."
"On whose authority did you hear this, might I ask?"
"On the word--if word it can be called--of Karl von Harburg himself."
"The report was false. I am he whom I claim to be. This gentleman, Mr. Arnold Hythe, an officer of the Royal Navy, will corroborate my statement."
"I am aware that Captain Arnold Hythe was in the 'Aphrodite,'" said the Consul, who was still unconvinced. He was an old Cambridge man, and as such had both participated and had been the victim of more than one elaborate hoax. Such episodes, utterly foolish as they appear to be, serve their purpose in after life. They impart a considerable amount of shrewdness into the human mind.
"Can you offer me definite proof?" continued the Consul. "If so I should be delighted, since it is my opinion that the only vessel capable of meeting the 'Vorwartz' on anything like even terms was, or perhaps is, the 'Aphrodite.'"
Captain Restronguet bowed. "Sir, I feel honoured," he replied. "But since you cannot accept the word of a gentleman, I can offer no other solution."
"It is part of my duty to investigate matters," said the Consul reprovingly. "If I remember rightly a photograph of Sub-Lieutenant Hythe appeared in the illustrated papers at the time he was supposed to have been lost in Plymouth Sound. I cannot admit that the gentleman resembles the portrait."
"Have you a Navy List, sir?" asked the sub, speaking for the first time during the interview.
The Consul walked across the room and took from a bureau a copy of the familiar blue paper-covered book, which he handed to the sub.
"The 'Topaze' is in the roadstead," said Hythe, as he rapidly turned over the pages. "Ah, here we are. Commander the Hon. C. L. Sedgwyke, I know him, but I'm afraid he doesn't know me. Lieutenant Totterbull--h'm, yes, he might. But here's Dewerstone, he was in my term at Dartmouth. Would you mind if he were sent for, sir?"
"Certainly not. I will have a signal made at once," replied the Consul.
"You wouldn't mind, sir," continued the sub, addressing Captain Restronguet. "Dewerstone is a fellow to be trusted. He wouldn't say a word to anyone outside."
Accordingly a signal was made from the roof of the Consulate, and Sub-Lieutenant Dewerstone was informed by his captain that his presence was required ashore. The young man did not feel particularly joyful at the intelligence. He had already obtained permission to go to a tennis party, and having to attend on Consular Service did not appeal to him. Nevertheless, as soon as a boat could take him off, Dewerstone was ready.
"Good afternoon, Dick," exclaimed Hythe as soon as the sub from the "Topaze" had paid his respects to the Consul.
"Well, Hythe, where did you roll up from?" asked Dewerstone nonchalantly. "I thought you were in Davy Jones's locker."
"I am not," said Hythe earnestly. "Perhaps you would not mind proving my identity to His Britannic Majesty's Consul."
"Considering we were in the semi-final for the heavyweight and you knocked me out I think I can safely do that," replied Dewerstone.
"We need not go further, gentlemen," announced the Consul. "I must apologize for not accepting your word, Captain Restronguet. Now what do you wish me to do?"
As briefly as he could Captain Restronguet explained the circumstances under which he rescued the survivors of the "Iticaba," and the reason why he wished salient facts in connection with the affair to be temporarily suppressed.
"I think it can be arranged," said the Consul. "At all events, I will take down the depositions of Captain Rees, and omit any details I consider necessary."
As soon as this was done Captain Rees took his departure.
His men had already been quartered in the Consulate, where they were to remain until they could be sent back to Liverpool.
"You will dine with me, gentlemen?" asked the Consul of Captain Restronguet and the two subs. "There is no immediate hurry for you to get back?"
"I must get a boat before four o'clock," replied Captain Restronguet. "So I must ask to be excused."
Hythe was also unable to accept, while Dewerstone, still intent upon the tennis party, managed to find a reason for declining the stiff formality of dinner at the Consulate.
During their stay at Zanzibar Captain Restronguet and his companions visited the old town, but finding it remarkable for its malodorous nature, they beat a hasty retreat and went for a stroll inland. Before they returned it came on to blow fairly hard from the sou'west, and by the time they reached the landing-place it was pretty evident that a boat could not put off without great risk.
In vain Captain Restronguet offered the native boatmen a large sum to be rowed off beyond Bawi Island. He even tried to charter a dhow, but without success.
"We could ask the Consul to communicate with the 'Topaze' or any of the cruisers and gunboats in the roadstead; they would send a piquet-boat for us," suggested Hythe.
Captain Restronguet shook his head.
"Not if it can be avoided," he answered. "I have reasons for not falling in with your plan. We will see if we can get better luck at Shangani Point. The water ought to be smoother there."
Accordingly both men set off as briskly as they could in the moist, enervating heat, but before they had passed the Sultan's palace a short, sparsely-built man in European clothing overtook them. Twice the man looked over his shoulder at Captain Restronguet, then suddenly wheeling he intercepted him and held out his hand.
"What ho, there, Tretheway! Whoever would have thought of meeting you in this dead and alive corner of the globe?"
Hythe naturally thought it was a case of mistaken identity on the part of the little fellow, but to his surprise Captain Restronguet replied in a cordial manner.
"Bless my soul! It's Jenkins. What are you doing here?"
"It is," assented that worthy. "I've been knocking about a bit since I last worked--I mean, slaved--with you in a British dockyard. Fallen on my feet at last though, that is, unless I fall on my precious skull. Just fancy, Tretheway, I am aeroplanist-in-chief to His Highness the Sultan of Zanzibar."
"Better you than me," remarked the Captain with a laugh. "But I was unaware that the Sultan was a devotee of the art of flying."
"He is, and he isn't," replied Jenkins. "He owns a good many air crafts of various types, and I and several others, mostly Frenchmen, by the by, give exhibition flights while he sits in his state chair and watches us. But how goes it? You look jolly fit, and don't appear as if you were hard up for a dollar?"
"No, I cannot complain on that score," said Captain Restronguet quietly.
"Well, come and have a look at my little air-fleet. Really they don't make a bad show. And your friend, of course."
"Sorry," replied Captain Restronguet. "But we're in a regular hurry. I am trying to get a boat to put me off."
"Where to?" asked Jenkins. "One of the liners in the Roads?"
"No, further out; quite five miles off."
"Guess you won't get a Zanzibari to take on the job. There's a brute of a swell tumbling in. Look here, I'll tell you what: I'll give you a lift in one of our aero-hydroplanes, if you like."
"Is it safe?" asked Captain Restronguet earnestly, whereat Hythe wondered, for his companion had never before shown signs of timidity, even when in tight corners in the depths of the sea.
"Safe as a house," replied Jenkins reassuringly.
"Jenkins, my friend, you misunderstand me, although I quite admit the question was ambiguous. Is it safe--or shall we say discreet?--to take us for a 'joy-ride' in one of the Sultan's air-craft?"
"If anything His Highness would be pleased to see me making a flight in gusty weather with two passengers; so say the word and I'll trot out the contraption. It's the only way."
"Carry on, then," assented Captain Restronguet.
Within the spacious outer courtyard of the palace stood a number of lofty sheds with sliding doors. At a wave and a gesture from the chief aviator a number of natives opened the doors and dragged a huge aero-hydroplane of an obsolete pattern into the sunlight. The machine was a biplane. Underneath the two long floats were four wheels, so that it could be adapted either for alighting and rising from the sea or land.
Jenkins critically examined various nuts and tension wires, started the engine, till the machine was all a-quiver with the vibration from the revolving cylinders.
"All correct," he bawled, for the rapid explosion of the motor practically deadened every other sound. "Get aboard."
Captain Restronguet occupied a seat immediately behind and slightly higher than the pilot, while Hythe sat behind the biplane. Jenkins vaulted agilely into his place, motioned to the attendants to stand clear and thrust home the clutch of the propeller shaft.
The aero-hydro-craft leapt over the ground for about twenty yards with a jerk that nearly capsized the two passengers; then soaring upwards it cleared the courtyard wall by barely six feet, passed over the upturned faces of a crowd of natives in the roadway, and shot rapidly across the harbour.
The motion was exhilarating, but the air, by contrast with the heat ashore, was cold and cutting to the faces of the passengers. Hythe realized that aeroplaning in white ducks, even in the Tropics, was rather out of place.
"Look, sir," he exclaimed. "There's the 'Topaze' going out."
"That's rotten luck," replied Captain Restronguet leaning sideways to watch the cruiser, that, a thousand feet below, looked no larger than a model boat. "Your friend Dewerstone has given the show away."
"I think not," replied the sub confidently. "He told me he was on leave till the day after to-morrow."
"Where's your ship, Tretheway?" shouted Jenkins.
"Away beyond Bawi Island. There she is."
"Rum looking craft, anyway," commented the aviator. "Looks more like a dog's kennel to me."
"Thanks," remarked Captain Restronguet in an undertone; then louder he added, "She's hove-to. If you come down within hailing distance they'll range up alongside to pick us up; they haven't a boat."
"Haven't a boat," ejaculated Jenkins. "Rum craft. Look here----"
He ended abruptly, for with a report like a pistol shot one of the wires supporting the wing plane snapped. The aero-hydroplane began to tilt ominously. Hythe and his companion instinctively realizing that a disaster was imminent grasped the rods nearest to hand in a grip of iron.
Pluckily the aviator strove by manipulating the elevating rudder to restore the doomed aircraft's equilibrium, but in vain. He, therefore, shut off the engine and attempted a vol-plane. Already the air-craft was standing almost on its nose, and falling with fearful velocity, till Captain Restronguet slid out of his seat and was prevented from falling clear only by his grasp upon a metal rod.
Finding that the machine was quite out of control, Jenkins touched a lever with his foot. Instantly a length of stout canvas trailed out astern. Before the aero-hydroplane had descended another fifteen feet the canvas, distended by the resistance of the air, took the shape of a huge parachute. The fall, though still rapid, was appreciably retarded, while the three men, literally hanging on tooth and nail, became aware that hope was not yet dead.
With a tremendous splash the wrecked aero-hydroplane struck the water. Hythe found himself torn from his support, and plunging feet below the waves. Fearing that he might be entangled in the sinking machine he struck out and swam a considerable distance ere he rose to the surface.
Shaking the water out of his eyes, he looked around. The aero-hydroplane was still floating, but with a heavy list. The concussion had burst the seams of one of her floats, which was now completely filled with water, while the other was leaking slightly. Clinging to the still buoyant float were the captain and Jenkins. The "Aphrodite" was nowhere to be seen.
"We're all right for the present," called out the former cheerily. "The water's warm and I have not seen any sharks about, and the cruiser will bear down and pick us up."
"Where's your ship, Tretheway?" asked the aviator anxiously. "We were falling close to where she was hove-to."
"I'm rather afraid she didn't spot us," replied Captain Restronguet. "And seeing the 'Topaze' approaching, she dived."
"Dived!" exclaimed the astounded Jenkins. "What d'ye mean? You don't mean to tell me the ship you belong to is a submarine?"
"It is," assented the Captain coolly.
"Not that rascally 'Vorwartz' by any chance?"
"No."
"Well, then, what's her name? I haven't heard of any other submarine in these waters."
"Not the 'Aphrodite'?"
"Don't try to be funny, Tretheway. You know as well as I do that that submarine was blown to atoms."
"I am afraid, my dear Jenkins, that I cannot agree with you. The 'Aphrodite' is even now submerged in the Zanzibar Channel, and I--whom you know as Hugh Tretheway--I am Captain John Restronguet."
CHAPTER XXV.
THE APPROACH OF THE "VORWARTZ."
Beyond muttering "Well, I'm dashed!" the aviator relapsed into silence. In vain Captain Restronguet and Hythe looked for a trace of the "Aphrodite." As a last resource the former produced a silk green and white flag from his pocket and lashed it to one of the vertical stays in the hope that the submarine might locate it by means of her periscope.
"They're carrying out orders," said Captain Restronguet at length. "I told Devoran to dive if he saw any vessel approaching. He spotted the 'Topaze' and immediately descended. It's awkward, because the secret is bound to leak out. But after all it is rather remarkable that it didn't become common property hours ago."
"How shall we get on board the 'Aphrodite,' sir?" asked the sub.
"We'll manage it sooner or later, but there's valuable time lost. Ha, there's the 'Topaze' altering helm. She's sighted us."
A quarter of an hour later the cruiser's gig picked up the three unlucky aviators, while the aero-hydroplane was secured and towed alongside before she sank, and was hoisted on board by means of a boat's davit. Dry clothing was immediately forthcoming, and clad in borrowed garments the rescued men were taken aft to be introduced and interviewed by the Hon. Charles Sedgwyke, captain of H.M.S. "Topaze."
Realizing that it would be useless to attempt to conceal anything Captain Restronguet made a full report of all that had occurred, and requested that he and his companions might be taken back to Zanzibar, whence the "Aphrodite" might be communicated with by wireless.
"I am afraid that it is at present impossible, Captain Restronguet," said the Hon. Sedgwyke. "We are under urgent orders to proceed to Delagoa Bay, for there that villainous von Harburg has been making himself particularly objectionable. We are to meet and co-operate with the 'Pique,' and should our efforts meet with success we are to carry on to Table Bay. There is, I am afraid, no option. You must accompany us, and no doubt, your valuable experience in connection with the affair will enable us to settle with the 'Vorwartz.'"
"I would much rather settle with her myself," replied Captain Restronguet.
"That I can quite understand. I can also safely assert that Captain Restronguet will not prevent the 'Topaze' from distinguishing herself by standing aloof when he might otherwise render us good service."
Captain Restronguet bowed. "Naturally," he added. "Our interests in the business lies in the same direction."
"Anything I can do to aid you I will most willingly do," continued Captain Sedgwyke. "I might suggest that the wireless of this vessel is at your disposal, and by sending a message to the Admiralty you could have it re-transmitted through your agent to the 'Aphrodite.'"
"An excellent arrangement," said Captain Restronguet, "only it is certain that the news will reach Karl von Harburg, and that is what I particularly wish to avoid."
"I trust that within the next few days Karl von Harburg will be totally indifferent to news of any description," remarked the captain of the "Topaze" drily. "But in the meanwhile make yourselves comfortable on board. You will, I hope, do us the honour of being a temporary member of the Ward Room. Mr. Hythe, who is still under the Naval Discipline Act, must, of course, mess in the Gun Room. I am still slightly hazy as to the exact official and social status of the aviator-in-chief to His Highness the Sultan of Zanzibar."
Three days later the "Topaze" was threshing her way southward at a good twenty-two knots and was approaching the rendezvous. It was now night, but the moon, shining with all the lustre that only the tropics can enjoy, made everything on deck quite discernible.
Surrounded by a group of officers, all of whom were most anxious to gather particulars of the rival submarines from two of the principal characters, Captain Restronguet and Hythe had to exercise their ingenuity to prevent themselves being "pumped," for even to their kind hosts it was not advisable to give themselves away. Nevertheless the time passed pleasantly. The paymaster's cigars were excellent, the surgeon was a lively raconteur, and the first lieutenant was kindness personified; but at length Captain Restronguet contrived to draw Hythe aside to the lee of the after nine-point-two-inch gun turret.
"No doubt you wondered why that fellow Jenkins addressed me as Hugh Tretheway," he began. "Well, it certainly was strange running across him in far-off Zanzibar. You may remember I told you that for some months, when down on my luck, I worked as an electrical fitter in Devonport Dockyard? That man Jenkins was in the same shop. He isn't a bad fellow by any means, though somewhat of a rough diamond. Hugh Tretheway is my baptismal name, but for certain reasons I preferred to drop it and assume the name of John Restronguet. I hope that for the present at all events you will keep that information a secret. I have already had a quiet talk with Jenkins on the matter, and from what I already know of him, he will be as silent as the dead."
"Of course I will carry out your wishes, sir," said the sub.
"Thank you. But to change the subject: what do you think of the chances of the 'Topaze' against the 'Vorwartz'?"
"She has her work cut out," replied the sub. "But I feel certain that every man on board will do his best."
"They cannot do more," added Captain Restronguet earnestly. "At the same time they are running needless risks when, once I locate the 'Vorwartz,' I could destroy her without a quarter of the danger. Suppose, now, that the Delagoa Bay report was false and Karl von Harburg is knocking about in these waters: what is there to prevent her from torpedoing the ship and sending her to the bottom?"
"That is a risk that every ship must run in naval warfare," replied Hythe. "Ever since the invention of torpedoes that risk has increased, and now that submarines form a formidable arm of the Naval Service there is still the greater possibilities of a ship being sent to the bottom without a shot in self-defence."
Before Captain Restronguet could say another word a hoarse order came from the fore bridge, followed by a shrill bugle-call for "General Quarters" and the long-drawn notes of the bo's'un's-mates' whistles.
"What's that?" demanded Captain Restronguet.
"'Clear for action'--a test order perhaps," replied Hythe. "See how those fellows get to work."
Up the companion-ladders officers hurriedly appeared, still fumbling with the buckles of their sword-belts. From for'ard tumbled a swarm of hefty bluejackets, who, invading the sacred precincts of the quarter-deck, began to unship stanchions, davits, ventilating-cowls, and other impedimenta; steel covers were lowered over skylights and companion-hatchways. The securing bolts of the after nine-point-two gun turrets were cast loose, and the long muzzle swung round, causing Captain Restronguet to hurriedly duck his head. In five minutes the quarter-deck of the "Topaze" was deserted, as were the other exposed parts of the ship, every man being at his station behind the armoured portions of the vessel.
Another bugle-call.
"As you were," exclaimed Hythe. "Suppose we go up on the after-bridge. They are exercising. Perhaps the next evolution will be 'Out collision mats.'"
"Hope they won't have to do it in real earnest," remarked his companion as the two men ascended to their coign of vantage.
Once more the bo's'un's-mates' whistles sounded while the bo's'un shouted in stentorian tones "Out nets." The cry was repeated in half a dozen different parts of the ship, and the hither-to deserted decks became a scene of disorder and chaos: at least that's what it seemed to Captain Restronguet, who was for the time being a stranger in a strange land.
Instinctively Hythe pulled out his watch, which once more had stedfastly resisted the assaults of the sea water. Captain Restronguet, gripping the rail, leant over and watched the scene of activity upon the moon-lit deck. Over the side of the gently-rolling craft active seamen slid down upon the apparently insecure net-shelves, and by a series of gymnastic feats succeeded in rolling ten tons of close-meshed steel netting over the side, to the accompaniment of shouts of "Look alive there!" from their officers. Hardly had the last man regained the deck ere the motor capstans of the fo'c'sle began to clank. Seamen armed with spars thrust at the ends of the torpedo booms to give the motor-worked wire rope a chance; then slowly yet surely the twenty hollow steel booms were swung outwards till the "Topaze" was encircled with a "crinoline" of nets at sufficient distance from the ship to stop a deadly torpedo. Back doubled the men to their stations for action.
The sub glanced at his watch. The evolution had taken only forty-five seconds.
"Smart work!" ejaculated Captain Restronguet.
"Yes," assented Hythe. "But we did it in forty seconds on the old flagship. Apparently Captain Sedgwyke is not satisfied for I can hear him storming to some one."
"It is hardly my place to offer suggestions," said Captain Restronguet, "but I think it would be advisable if they kept the nets in position. It might save the 'Topaze' from being torpedoed, although I know that the speed is greatly diminished by the drag in the water."
"We never do," replied the sub. "It is the first time I have seen 'Out nets' performed with the ship underway. It is essentially a defence when lying at anchor. There: 'In net defence,' they are going to stow the nets."
In the midst of the scramble that ensued the bugle suddenly sounded "General Quarters." To leave an evolution half completed was a very unusual thing.
Something prompted Hythe to look seaward. At less than a cable's distance the two conning-towers of a submarine had just appeared above the surface of the moon-lit sea, a smother of foam making them still more conspicuous. The sub gripped his companion's arm and pointed.
"The 'Vorwartz!'" he exclaimed.
Several of the officers of the "Topaze" had observed the sudden appearance of the sinister craft, and hence the call to General Quarters. The light quick-firers were manned, their muzzles swung round till they pointed full at the submarine's conning-towers, which, proceeding at nearly the same rate and in a similar direction to that of the cruiser, presented an easy target.
Captain Sedgwyke was puzzled. It was inexplicable that the submarine should show herself when she might have let loose a torpedo while completely submerged. Nevertheless he was on the point of giving the order to open fire when Captain Restronguet, in a voice that could be heard from one end of the ship to the other, shouted:--
"Don't fire, it is the 'Aphrodite.'"
Something in the captain of the "Aphrodite's" words prompted Captain Sedgwyke to issue a confirmatory order. Hythe was astonished--even doubtful. He could not be certain as to whether it was the "Aphrodite" or her counter-felt rival; but the inventor and constructor had made no error. It was the "Aphrodite."
Thirty feet in front of the fore conning-tower the sharp bows of the submarine appeared above the water, followed by the whole length of her decks, from which the water poured in silvery cascades.
Then a hatch was thrown open and a figure that Hythe recognized as that of the first officer appeared. Raising a megaphone Devoran shouted:--
"Is Captain Restronguet on board?"
"Ay, ay," replied a voice from the fore-bridge. "What submarine is that?"
"The 'Aphrodite,'," replied Devoran, merely as a matter of form, since his identity was now established. "Can you send a boat? We have important intelligence to communicate."
At that moment a petty officer ran up the ladder of the after-bridge and requested Captain Restronguet to speak to Captain Sedgwyke.
"I suppose you wish to board your craft," said the Captain of the cruiser. "We will lower a boat as soon as we get a bit shipshape."
"If you will kindly do so I will rejoin the 'Aphrodite,'" replied Captain Restronguet. "At the same time I think the information is urgent. Shall I ask my first officer to deliver it verbally to save time?"
"Very good," assented Captain Sedgwyke.
The information was indeed startling. The electric detector of the "Aphrodite" had picked up the position of the "Vorwartz." Karl von Harburg's submarine was proceeding northwards, and was even now within twenty miles of the British cruiser.