CHAPTER XXIII

"Steadyon your helm!" exclaimed Drake. "There's a man in the water—two, by Jove!"

TheMosquitowas moving slowly under the action of her aerial propeller towards the scene of the catastrophe. The lieutenant decided to make a search for any possible survivors, then take the boats of theCerberusback to their parent. Should there be any members of the pirate crew still alive they might be able to give valuable information respecting the fate of Fielding and Cardyke —and here they were: two scorched and blackened men, clinging in a half-dazed manner to a fragment of wreckage.

"Steady on your helm," repeated Drake. "Stand by with a boathook, there. Well done, Jenkins!"

image: 11_struggled.jpg

[Illustration: HE STRUGGLED DESPERATELY TO THROW HIMSELF ONCE MORE INTO THE SEA.]

Jenkins by a dexterous movement succeeded in lifting one of the survivors on board—a man almost destitute of clothing, and without hair left on his head. It was Da Silva.

The Spaniard was just able to realise that he was in the hands of his foes. He struggled desperately to throw himself once more into the sea. The effort was too much for his weakened energies, and, uttering a malediction, he expired in the arms of his rescuer.

The second pirate was one of the ordinary seamen, a massive-framed Catalonian, who, having an inkling of Cervillo's desperate resolve, had jumped overboard a few seconds before the explosion took place. Ere he regained the surface the worst of the disaster was past, but the concussion temporarily deprived him of his senses. At length, practically blind and deaf, he struck out feebly until his hands encountered the piece of floating wreckage. Here he clung till rescued by the crew of theMosquito.

In vain Drake cruised over the fatal scene in search of more survivors. There were none. "Easy ahead," he ordered, and the little craft headed towards the boats, whose crews, now recovering from the effects of the terrible detonation, were proceeding to pull back to theCerberus.

"Any casualties?" asked Drake, anxiously.

"None, thank Heaven," replied Lieutenant Thompson, who was in charge of the expedition. "All pretty well shaken up though, by Jove!"

"Stand by for a tow," continued Drake, and a minute later the boats were sedately following theMosquito.

"One survivor, sir," replied Drake as he came alongside the scout. "He's pretty bad; but we can question him later. He's only fit for the sick-bay at present."

"That rascal Cervillo has saved us a nasty job," remarked the captain. "But what's become of theImpregnable, I wonder?"

"We'll find out later, sir," replied Drake, confidently. "This rascal will be glad to save his hide."

TheMosquitowas soon hoisted on board. Signals of recall were sent to the other aero-hydroplanes, and within half-an-hour the little craft were snugly housed on the deck of their parent ship. For the present there was nothing to be done; everything depended upon the information that might be forthcoming from the rescued pirate. Until this was obtained the captain of theCerberusrefrained from announcing by wireless the destruction of Cervillo and his rascally companions, otherwise there might be an unwelcome order to rejoin the commodore, or else return to port.

At length the pirate recovered sufficiently to be questioned. For some time he stubbornly refused to speak, until it was pointed out to him that it would be a decided point in his favour at the trial that was bound to ensue should he give all the information in his power. Then it was that he related the circumstances of the abandoning of the pirate-cruiser with the greater portion of the crew and the hostages still on board.

The Spaniard was quite unable to give the position of the cruiser when theSerenasteamed away. All he could give was the number of days that had elapsed and the yacht's rate of speed.

Promptly theCerberusheaded northwards on the look-out for the stolen cruiser, and Drake obtained his commanding officer's permission to take out the four aero-hydroplanes for reconnoitring purposes at day break on the following morning.

"I've had permission, Thompson!" he exclaimed, gleefully. "I feel confident that I'll pick up Fielding and young Cardyke before another twelve hours are up. If I don't capture the oldImpregnableI'll eat my——"

"Steady, old man," remonstrated Thompson. "Remember you're already pledged to eat one. Don't forget the cricket match."

Long before the bos'un's mate's whistle piped "Clear lower deck" the four aerial craft were spreading fanwise in a northerly direction in search of the elusiveImpregnable; but although a wide "field" was kept under the closest observation, and constant messages were exchanged between theMosquitoand her consorts, the operations were futile. Shortly after midday the aero-hydroplanes were recalled in order to recharge accumulators and replenish petrol tanks, and also to give the wearied though enthusiastic men a well-earned rest.

But Drake and slumber were not good messmates when work was to be done. Something kept on prompting him to persevere with his quest; the self-confidence that was so characteristic of his personality urged him on—to him was to be the honour of solving the mystery of the missing cruiser.

In answer to Drake's earnest representations the captain of theCerberusconsented to another flight with the aero-hydroplanes that evening, on the understanding that volunteers only should be taken to comprise the crews of the aerial scouts.

"I can rely upon enough men to make one crew at least, sir," replied Drake; but to his astonishment and immense satisfaction not only did every member of the complements of the four aero-hydroplanes signify their willingness to forgo their "stand-easy," but every seaman on board qualified as airmen literally clamoured to take part in the search.

Just before three bells in the second dog-watch (7.30 p.m.) theMosquitowas hoisted out; theGnat,Tse-tse, andFleafollowed in quick succession, and, rising gracefully from the surface, glided on their renewed quest.

Anxiously Drake scanned the horizon. Nothing except a waste of grey water, flicked here and there by white foam, was to be seen. The sun, low in the heavens, shone from a cloudless sky. There was every indication of a spell of fine but cold weather.

Five miles on theMosquito'sport hand theGnatwas flying steadily at an immense height, the other two aerial craft being a considerable distance on theMosquito'sstarboard quarter. If anything, Drake's craft was well in advance of the rest of the little flotilla. With monotonous regularity the wireless reported "Nothing in sight" till the sun was on the point of setting.

"There she is, by Jove!" exclaimed Drake suddenly, pointing to a mere dot on the horizon.

"You're right, sir," replied the chief petty officer. "Leastways 'tis a lump of a ship, and we don't look to see big craft in these parts." Ordering the rest of the flotilla to concentrate and follow theMosquito, Drake headed "all out" towards the distant vessel, and before another quarter of an hour had passed he was able to announce that it was theImpregnable, and that she was steaming slowly stern foremost, evidently badly damaged.

In obedience to signals the three aero-hydroplanes followed the movements of their leader, and came to rest on the surface of the sea. Bearings were taken of the position of the oncoming cruiser, and the four amphibians lay close till darkness set in.

Under ordinary circumstances Drake ought to have immediately reported the discovery of theImpregnableto his commanding officer, and wait till theCerberuscame up to take possession of the pirate-cruiser. But Drake had confidence in his ability to achieve his object. Each of the aero-hydroplanes carried ten men. Allowing two to remain on board there were thirty-two available for the task of capturing the much-sought-after prize. Drake realised that the business would be a comparatively simple matter, since only a small percentage of the original crew of the cruiser remained, and that they were without officers and greatly demoralised by the hardships and perils they had undergone.

As soon as darkness set in, the four vessels, with their air-planes securely folded alongside, formed up in line-ahead, and stole cautiously towards the oncoming ship. To Drake's surprise, theImpregnablewas showing steaming-lights, a circumstance quite contrary to the procedure hitherto followed by the modern buccaneer.

Turning hard-a-port the flotilla eased down, and waited for the giant cruiser to pass.

"Looks like a bloomin' ghost, sir," remarked Jenkins to his superior. "Not doin' more'n six knots at the very outside, and as quiet as a corpse."

"We'll liven her up in due course," replied Drake. "Now, lads, no cheering or unnecessary noise. No shot to be fired till I give the word. Then a good old British cheer, and drive the rascals down below. Easy ahead, there!"

Without a sound, save the muffled pulsations of the motors and the rhythmical swish of the waves against the vessel's knife-like sterns, the four craft followed the huge cruiser, like a shoal of threshers after a whale. Not a light was visible on theImpregnable, not a sound of a human voice came from her decks. It was like a mountain of floating steel ploughing its way aimlessly through the waste of night-enshrouded sea.

Satisfied that there was no watch kept in the foremost part of the vessel, Drake ordered speed to be increased till theMosquitolay alongside the cruiser's port bow, with theTse-tsejust astern. TheFleaand theGnatmade fast to theImpregnable'sstarboard bow. There was just enough of theTse-tse'sand theGnat'safter ends projecting beyond the cruiser's stem to establish communication between the different aero-hydroplanes, while the cruiser's "overhang" for'ard prevented any possibility of their being seen from theImpregnable'sfo'c'sle.

Drake gave the signal, and, revolver ready for instant use, led the way, clambering agilely up the steep steel sides by means of one of the torpedo-net booms. Unseen and unheard he gained the deck, followed by the rest of the boarders, till the thirty-two men formed up silently under the lee of the foremost barbette.

Going aft to reconnoitre Drake discovered a light on the after-bridge, for, since the cruiser was going stern foremost, she was being navigated from that position instead of from the fore-bridge.

A hasty examination of the fo'c'sle revealed two men stationed over the hatchway. These were sternly summoned to surrender, but not complying with sufficient alacrity to satisfy Drake, they were promptly thrown to the deck, gagged and secured.

This done, the lieutenant led his men aft. Twenty were detailed to secure the hatchways and companions; the rest, headed by Drake himself, made a sudden rush for the after-bridge.

There was now no need for silence. With a lusty cheer the British bluejackets tore up the steep ladder. The commotion brought two or three muffled figures from the shelter of the wheel-house.

"Surrender in the King's name!" shouted Drake.

"I beg your pardon, sir?" replied Cardyke's well-known voice.

Tosay that Lieutenant Douglas Drake was flabbergasted would not do justice to the state of his mind. In the very hour of his triumph, when the credit of recapturing the stolen cruiser seemed absolutely assured, the fruits of victory were snatched from his grasp by a midshipman. It was humiliating, but Drake was a true sportsman, and, stifling his feelings of disappointment, was genuinely hearty in his congratulations to his junior.

"Where's Fielding?" he asked, as soon as Cardyke had briefly explained the situation.

"Down below. He's had a nasty time of it, sir; but he's doing wonderfully well."

"I'll go and see him. By the bye, we knocked over a couple of fellows just now. Who were they?"

"A couple of watchmen from the tugHekla," replied the mid. "It's rough luck on them. I stationed them to keep an eye on the prisoners. They can't speak English, so they're wondering what has happened?"

"I'll see that they are released," replied Drake. "Now I'll go below and pay Fielding a visit. I mustn't stop long, or theCerberuswill be getting anxious. We'll report you by wireless, and stand by till daybreak, if you wish."

"Aren't you taking command, sir?" asked Cardyke.

"Taking command? Why, no, my boy; you've done excellently up to the present. This is your business, and you rightly deserve the credit. I envy you, Cardyke; 'pon my word I do."

"Better take command, sir," replied the midshipman, wearily. "I've only had three hours' sleep the last forty-eight hours, and there's only enough fuel to last a day and a half. If it weren't for you turning up we'd soon have been in an awkward fix."

"All right, then, Mr. Cardyke," assented Drake. "I'll relieve you at your request. Mr. Domer," he continued, addressing the senior, "will you please take sufficient hands to man the boats, and return to theCerberus? I am keeping the rest of the men on board theImpregnable. I will hand you a written report for Captain Dexter before we part company."

* * * * *

When Cardyke turned out after a solid sixteen hours' sleep he found that theImpregnable, once more under the White Ensign, was in tow of theCerberus, en route for Halifax. The trials and tribulations of Juan Cervillo's hostages were over. Already the momentous news of the fate of the notorious pirate and the recapture of the terror of the Atlantic had been flashed abroad, and once again peaceful merchantmen might pursue their way without an ever-present fear of capture by a daring and unscrupulous modern buccaneer.

* * * * *

Two months later the long-postponed dinner given by the Fifth Division to their successful rivals of the Sixth took place at a popular Portsmouth hotel.

Lieutenant Player was amongst the first to arrive.

"Well, you fellows," he exclaimed, as he laid a cocked-hat case on a chair. "Drake's not turned up yet?"

"No," replied Cosham, of the Kestrel. "Going on with the business, Player? It's rubbing it in a bit thick, isn't it?"

"I don't know about that," replied Player. "This has nothing to do with Drake's disappointment. If it had I for one would not take a rise out of him."

"He's taking it very well," remarked Cosham. "Blessed if I can quite understand it—and a fellow with influence behind him, too."

"He deserves promotion in any case, influence or no influence,"' added Peel. "Fielding's promoted—lucky beggar—and has been specially commended for gallantry. Young Cardyke is made sub., and Drake gets nothing. I really don't think we ought to——"

"Good evening!" exclaimed Thompson, putting his head inside the door. "Heard the news? Of course you haven't."

"Fire away!" replied the group of officers.

"Drake's away on leave. Coming in by motor for this little function. He told me to open any wires, and forward any letters that might be sent to him. Acting under instructions I opened a telegram, and what do you think it was?"

"Can't say," replied Player. "Has he scratched for to-night?"

"No. A wire from young Tregarthen—he's at the Admiralty, you know. The secretary told him that Drake is appointed commander, and receives the D.S.O."

"Good luck to him!"

"Now you can carry on with your little joke, Player," said Thompson.

"I will. But, I say, Drake will see his promotion in the evening paper. Can't we prevent him, and spring it as a surprise?"

"You'll have to look pretty sharp. Let the others know, and give them the tip. Here's Fielding."

Lieutenant Fielding, who had practically recovered from his wound, came up at this moment, followed by his shipmate, Sub-Lieutenant Cardyke. Both were cordially greeted, for this was the first opportunity the majority of the officers present had to welcome their comrades on their return to England.

"I am glad to hear the news about Drake—I thought he was being treated a bit shabbily. If it hadn't been for him we shouldn't have had a leg-up," said Fielding, when Thompson informed him of his chief's promotion.

"Stand by, here's Drake," exclaimed someone.

Drake was low-spirited. The iron of disappointment had eaten into his soul. But with praiseworthy self-restraint he concealed his feelings. It seemed hard that with the opportunities offered him he should have failed to make his mark, and doubly hard that his subordinates should be signalled out for promotion, while he, as far as he knew, was slightingly passed over. Nevertheless he offered his sincere congratulations to Fielding and Cardyke. He was not a man to repine when others deserved and received advancement.

At length the company sat down. Amongst the guests were General Oki, and Hokosuka, and Mukyima, who had purposely journeyed down from London for the festive occasion; and the Japanese, who had played such a prominent part in the unlawful commission of theImpregnable, came in for no small share of attention.

After the customary toasts had been duly honoured, the head waiter appeared bearing a covered silver dish. A tense silence fell upon the jovial company. Those who knew what was about to happen seemed to exercise a magnetic influence over those who did not.

Then the string band burst forth into the strains of an old popular refrain, "Where did you get that hat?"

Simultaneously the waiter whisked off the cover, and on the dish reposed a naval officer's cocked hat.

A roar of hearty laughter greeted its appearance. Thompson, Fielding, Cardyke, and one or two others looked grave, wondering how Drake would take it; but to their relief the victim of the practical joke, flushing slightly under his bronzed skin, rose to his feet, and, with a reassuring smile, raised his hand to command silence.

"Gentlemen," he began, "I will not attempt a speech. If I did I should say what I didn't mean to say, and leave unsaid what I meant to say. But I see you have not forgotten to remind me of that little failing of mine on the occasion of the match which this gathering is celebrating in its customary manner. It will not be said that a Drake is not a man of his word. I promised to eat my hat; I will do so. Will you kindly pass the article round to show that there is no deception?"

The practical jokers began to look unduly anxious. They never expected Drake would have taken the matter so calmly. Perhaps he had been warned, and had prepared a counter-plot? He had. Producing a small parcel, Drake cut the string, and unwrapped the paper. Within was a small replica of a lieutenant's cocked hat, faithfully executed in confectionery. Inside were written the words, "My hat!"

Having passed the edible model round for inspection, Drake, amid the applause of his comrades, gravely proceeded to eat it.

As soon as Drake had completed his meal, Thompson stood up.

"Gentlemen!" he exclaimed. "I think it only right that we should signify our satisfaction at the way in which a Drake keeps his word, by giving him a little certificate of his—er—his conduct. Allow me, sir, to present you with this."

And leaning over the table Thompson handed the newly appointed commander the momentous telegram.

Drake took it, hesitatingly, as if suspecting another joke at his expense, looked at it casually, then again intently.

He tried to speak, but no words came from his agitated lips. He sat down.

"Gentlemen!" shouted Thompson, in stentorian zones. "A toast: Commander Douglas Drake, D.S.O., and the heroes of 'The Stolen Cruiser.'"

THE END

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{Transcriber's Notes:The following misprint has been corrected:{The shock of the collison} —> {The shock of the collision}Obvious punctuation/spelling errors were corrected without note.}

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