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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 57989 ***
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: cover of "The Captain" volume XXV]
+
+
+
+
+THE SEA MONARCH
+
+By
+
+Percy F. Westerman
+
+
+
+
+  [Transcriber's note:
+
+    Mr. Percy F. Westerman has written this story for:
+
+    THE CAPTAIN
+    A MAGAZINE FOR BOYS & "OLD BOYS".
+
+    VOL. XXV
+    _APRIL to SEPTEMBER, 1911_
+
+    _London:_
+    GEORGE NEWNES, LIMITED, 3 to 12, SOUTHAMPTON STREET, STRAND.
+
+    The magazine was a periodical that appeared monthly and was also
+    sold in volumes of 6 months, in this case April to September
+    of 1911. In the index of this volume the story appeared as
+    follows:
+
+    *SEA MONARCH, THE.* By Percy F. Westerman 40
+                        98, 217, 311, 386, 482
+
+    Each instalment, except the first, has a copyright-statement
+    at the bottom of the first page:
+
+    _Copyright_ 1911, _by George Newness, Ltd., in the United States
+    of America._
+
+  ]
+
+
+
+
+         CONTENTS
+
+    CHAP.
+      I. THE MYSTERIOUS CASE OF THE "ZIETAN"
+     II. INTRODUCES THE "PLAYMATE" AND HER SKIPPER
+    III. RUN DOWN
+     IV. A PRISONER ON THE MYSTERIOUS SHIP
+      V. CAPTAIN BROOKES
+     VI. THE CONNING-TOWER OF THE "OLIVE BRANCH"
+    VII. RUMOURS OF WAR
+   VIII. TREACHERY
+     IX. AN ACT OF PIRACY
+      X. CLEARED FOR ACTION
+     XI. WIPED OUT
+    XII. THROUGH THE MINE FIELD
+   XIII. TRAPPED
+    XIV. RUNNING THE GAUNTLET
+     XV. A ONE-SIDED ENGAGEMENT
+    XVI. IN THE CLUTCHES OF THE PATAGONIANS
+   XVII. GERALD'S RUSE
+  XVIII. THE CAPTAIN'S REVENGE
+    XIX. GERALD'S PROMOTION
+     XX. THE AIRMAN
+    XXI. THE MISSING WIRELESS GEAR
+   XXII. THE TOUCHSTONE OF PERIL
+  XXIII. THE CRIPPLED SUBMARINE
+   XXIV. A FRUSTRATED PLOT
+    XXV. THE EMPIRE'S ORDEAL
+   XXVI. THE VINDICATION OF THE "OLIVE BRANCH"
+
+
+
+
+  ILLUSTRATIONS
+
+  Crash! The huge vessel, looming out of the fog, struck the little
+  yacht amidships. The stout planks were shorn through as if made of
+  match-board, and the water poured in a cataract over the lee side.
+
+  There was the sound of a hasty scuffling; then appeared the head
+  and shoulders of the owner of the _Playmate_
+
+  The mast snapped off close to the deck, and a block, hurtling
+  through the air, struck Gerald a terrific blow over the head.
+
+  Staggering to the door he threw it open. To his great surprise he
+  saw a burly sentry standing without.
+
+  In spite of his strenuous resistance they hauled the deserter out
+  of the empty tank, and then unceremoniously bundled him into the
+  gig.
+
+  "Look here, Mr. Schneider, you've come to the wrong box with your
+  sneaking complaints. So clear out!"
+
+  Bending over the instrument was a young officer, his head
+  practically covered with a metal cap fitted with receivers.
+
+  The man staggered, clapped his hand to his shoulder, and fell to
+  the deck, the weapon slipping from his grasp.
+
+  Schneider cleared the rail, and leapt into the sea.
+
+  The doomed vessel was instantly swept out of existence. The massive
+  outlines of the cruiser seemed to melt into a hundred thousand
+  fragments.
+
+  As night fell the searchlights played with unceasing vigilance upon
+  the harbour. Suddenly Captain Brookes turned to Gerald. "Does my
+  compact forbid me using the Z-rays?" he asked.
+
+  A party of natives appeared on the beach regarding the cruiser with
+  obvious amazement. In their hands they carried long slender spears,
+  which they brandished menacingly.
+
+  Like a terrier let loose amidst a swarm of rats the submarine
+  dashed towards the canoes.
+
+  A terrific detonation shook the ground, and a thick cloud of smoke
+  obscured the view of the pinnacle. In an agony of fear the natives
+  threw themselves face downwards in the dust.
+
+  Seated up to his waist in water was the aviator, clad in an
+  inflated rubber suit. The engine was lost to view, the tips of the
+  twin propellers just projected above the surface.
+
+  "Good shot!" yelled several of the officers on the _Olive Branch_.
+  For a full ten seconds the monoplane held on its course, then,
+  lurching like a wounded bird, it swooped swiftly downwards.
+
+  The searchlight revealed a huge circular turret with a pair of
+  monster guns. Slowly the submarine swung round, the light
+  travelling the length of the huge mass of weed-encrusted iron
+  and steel.
+
+  The four men threw themselves on the astonished foreigners, and
+  a desperate conflict ensued.
+
+  "In view of possible events I must ask you to take up your quarters
+  beneath the armoured deck," said Captain Brookes.
+
+  An admiral's pinnace was approaching the shattered _Olive Branch_.
+  Gerald hastened on deck to receive the distinguished officer.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: Crash! The huge vessel, looming out of the fog, struck
+the little yacht amidships. The stout planks were shorn through as if
+made of match-board, and the water poured in a cataract over the lee
+side. (_See page_ 52)]
+
+
+
+
+THE SEA MONARCH
+
+BY PERCY F. WESTERMAN
+
+Author of: "A Lad of Grit," "The Quest of the Golden Hope," etc.,
+etc.
+
+_ILLUSTRATED BY E. S. HODGSON_
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: chapter I]
+CHAPTER I
+
+THE MYSTERIOUS CASE OF THE "ZIETAN"
+
+
+IT was a scorching afternoon in the month of August. The slanting
+rays of the sun beat powerfully upon the tranquil waters of
+Portsmouth Harbour, while the white ensigns of the numerous warships
+fluttered idly in the almost motionless air.
+
+Swinging easily at her moorings to the first of the young flood lay
+the torpedo-boat destroyer _Calder_, presenting a very different
+appearance from its trim state of a few days before. Engine-room
+defects had occasioned her return to harbour, and as these were of a
+somewhat serious nature, the opportunity was taken to place the
+destroyer into dockyard hands for at least two months. The
+commissioned officers had obtained permission to go on leave, while
+the _Calder_, in the charge of a gunner, was to be put into dock the
+following day.
+
+_Ting-ting! Ting-ting! Ting-ting! Ting-ting!_ Eight bells had hardly
+sounded ere two men appeared on deck, scrambling agilely through the
+small hatchway that did duty for the ward-room companion. The first
+was the tall, lean-featured lieutenant-commander. The other,
+Sub-Lieutenant Gerald Tregarthen, needs a slightly longer
+introduction.
+
+He was almost the same height as the commander, or a fraction under
+5ft. 11 ins. in his socks, and was broad in proportion. His features,
+tanned by constant exposure to sun, wind, and spray, were clear-cut,
+almost boyish in expression, while at times there was a roguish light
+in his deep blue eyes.
+
+Yet beneath the apparently boyish exterior lurked the spirit of a
+man. When occasion arose those merry lips would compress themselves
+into a thin, straight line, the powerful chin would be thrust
+aggressively forward, and a dangerous glint in his eyes would betoken
+that resolution, coolness, and daring which are the indispensable
+characteristics of a successful naval officer.
+
+His service career, in spite of its comparative shortness, had been
+one continued success, yet success had not been gained without sheer
+hard work. With a "first" in gunnery, torpedo, and navigation, he
+found himself at an early age well up on the list for promotion.
+
+Gerald Tregarthen was in mufti; but his well-cut civilian clothes
+could not conceal the erect bearing and breezy alertness that
+characterised the British naval officer. Taking advantage of the
+_Calder's_ temporary idleness, he had applied and obtained permission
+for six weeks' leave, and, strange as it may appear, his intention
+was to spend the best part of that time afloat.
+
+There is a story told of a London 'bus-driver who devoted a rare
+holiday to playing the role of passenger on his own vehicle. Similar
+motives doubtless prompt hundreds of bluejackets and marines to hire
+private skiffs during their leave. One has but to go to Southsea
+beach, the shores of the Hamoaze, or the mouth of the Medway to see
+jolly tars and jovial "joeys" rowing in shore-boats as if that form
+of recreation was the greatest treat imaginable. It is, then, not so
+much to be wondered at that Gerald Tregarthen elected to spend most
+of his leave on board the 4-ton cutter _Playmate_, at that moment
+lying in Poole Harbour, the yacht being owned by his old school-chum,
+Jack Stockton.
+
+The appearance of the two officers on deck was immediately followed
+by the hoarse orders of the quarter-master. The boat's crew manned
+the falls, and the little craft was brought alongside the destroyer's
+starboard quarter. Tregarthen's luggage, consisting only of a
+well-filled portmanteau, was handed over the side, and, having bade
+his senior officer goodbye, the sub-lieutenant took his place in the
+stern-sheets. A quarter of an hour later Gerald Tregarthen landed at
+the King's Stairs, and, followed by a seaman bearing his portmanteau,
+walked rapidly through the dockyard to the main gate. Here a
+lynx-eyed driver; spotting a likely fare, ran his taxi close up to
+the spot where the young sub. was standing.
+
+"Town station for all you're worth," exclaimed Tregarthen, but ere he
+could enter the taxi a boy rushed up to him.
+
+"Evening paper, sir? All the latest naval appointments."
+
+This is a bait that rarely fails to draw the naval man. Taking the
+paper Tregarthen boarded the vehicle, and was soon bowling along
+towards the railway station.
+
+Two unavoidable delays were sufficient to alter Tregarthen's
+arrangements, for on arriving at the town station he found that he
+had missed the 4.45 Bournemouth train by a bare two minutes. Little
+did he imagine that the loss of those two minutes was fated to effect
+a tremendous change in his career at no distant date.
+
+"Next train 6.2, sir," replied a porter in answer to the sub.'s
+anxious inquiry.
+
+"Just my luck. Over an hour to wait," soliloquised the disappointed
+sub., and sitting down and placing his portmanteau by his side, he
+unfolded the sheets of the newspaper.
+
+The "Naval Appointments" he read with more than ordinary interest,
+inwardly commenting on the good luck or otherwise of those of the
+numerous officers he knew personally. Then the "Movements of H.M.
+Ships" attracted his attention. Lower down in the columns was a
+paragraph that, though he paid scant heed to it at the time, was to
+vitally affect him within the next few days:--
+
+  The new ironclad _Almirante Constant_ left the Tyne yesterday. A
+  persistent rumour is being circulated in certain quarters that the
+  vessel, which has been built with the utmost secrecy, is not, after
+  all, to become a unit of the Brazilian navy. Our correspondent has
+  made careful and exhaustive inquiries on this point, but the
+  officials concerned maintain a strict reticence. One thing is
+  certain, however--she is not at present armed, the contract for her
+  ordnance being placed, we understand; with an American firm.
+
+"Blest if I can understand why these South American republics want
+such up-to-date ships," mused the sub. as he turned over the
+refractory pages. "It's like giving a child a razor to play with.
+Well, I suppose it means work for the North Country shipyards; but
+should any European power lay its hands on half a dozen of them I'm
+afraid our naval supremacy will have but a very small margin. Hallo!
+What's this?"
+
+  A telegram from Wilhelmshaven, dated the 11th inst., states that
+  the Imperial third class cruiser _Zietan_ has arrived here
+  apparently in difficulties, in charge of two tugs. Captain Schloss
+  immediately landed and despatched a lengthy report to the German
+  Admiralty, but, as shore leave is refused, our correspondent is
+  unable to obtain details of the accident from any of the officers
+  or crew. We have reason to believe that a serious disaster has
+  taken place on board.
+
+  Later.----From the master of the tug _Vulkan_ we learn that the
+  cruiser _Zietan_, while two hundred miles west of Heligoland,
+  suddenly encountered a violent and unprecedented magnetic storm.
+  Practically every electric wire on board was fused, the wireless
+  gear was hopelessly broken down, and the compasses rendered
+  absolutely useless. The _Zietan_ was, in fact, instantaneously
+  reduced in fighting value to below that of a cruiser of thirty
+  years ago. It is stated that the ship is still highly charged with
+  electromagnetism, and will have to go into dock for a lengthy
+  period. Captain Schloss was heard to express his doubts that the
+  cruiser would ever be fit for sea-service again.
+
+Gerald Tregarthen read this report with more than ordinary interest.
+At first he was inclined to scoff at the intelligence. It savoured
+too much of a fairy story, while it was more than possible that the
+master of the German tug had been, to use a nautical term, "pumped."
+Even in his somewhat brief career the sub-lieutenant had experienced
+several severe electrical storms in the tropics, but the ship's
+compasses and delicate electrical gear had never been seriously
+affected. This new danger, should it be repeated, threatened to
+increase the trials and troubles of the navigator a thousandfold.
+
+"By George!" he exclaimed suddenly. "I must wire to Jack Stockton, or
+he'll wonder what's happened. But where shall I wire to? It's no use
+addressing it to the yacht--the post office people will keep the
+telegram till called for. I have it. I'll wire to Stockton, care of
+station-master, Poole."
+
+Accordingly Tregarthen strolled over to the post office, discharged
+his mission, and returned to the dreary platform. At length the
+long-drawn hour passed, and, taking his seat in a first-class
+carriage, the sub-lieutenant steeled himself to endure the
+discomforts of a tedious journey.
+
+At Southampton West his supply of literature was exhausted, so a
+sixpenny novel and a copy of a London evening paper were purchased.
+Occupying a prominent position in the newspaper was a further report
+from Reuter's agent in Wilhelmshaven:--
+
+  The mysterious disaster to the cruiser _Zietan_ appears to be far
+  more serious than was at first supposed. The ship is evidently
+  heavily charged with an unknown form of electricity. Her standard
+  compass has been sent to the Imperial Laboratory at Berlin.
+  Meanwhile the huge cruiser _Von der Tann_, that was lying in the
+  next dock to that occupied by the _Zietan_, has been affected by
+  the inexplicable current. To avoid further ill-effects, orders have
+  been given to undock the _Zietan_ and move her out in the stream.
+
+The next paragraph was to the effect that all telegraphic reports
+relating to the _Zietan_ incident had been received via Middlekerke
+and Dumpton Gap, the submarine cable between Borkum and Lowestoft
+being interrupted. A telegraph cable ship had left the Thames in
+order to locate and remedy the fault.
+
+"Seems something in this business after all," remarked Tregarthen;
+then, as his eye caught the blurred type of the "Stop Press News," he
+read:--
+
+  _Zietan_ incident cable _via_ Lowestoft reports that all traces of
+  phenomenon have vanished. Compasses and electrical gear in normal
+  working order.
+
+The young officer folded up the paper and thrust it under the straps
+of his portmanteau. The cheap novel remained unread. For the rest of
+the journey Tregarthen was in a brown study, cudgelling his brains as
+to what he would do should he ever find himself in command of a
+vessel under similar circumstances. It was growing dark as the train
+drew up at Poole. Alighting, Gerald, rapidly passing along the
+crowded platform, sought his old school-fellow. But no Jack Stockton
+was to be seen.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: chapter II]
+CHAPTER II
+
+INTRODUCES THE "PLAYMATE" AND HER SKIPPER
+
+
+I SUPPOSE I must try and find the _Playmate_," thought Tregarthen.
+"Perhaps Jack has not received my wire. I hope he hasn't cleared out
+without waiting for me, though I shouldn't be surprised. It used to
+be a favourite trick of his not to wait a minute for anyone."
+
+When Tregarthen had reached the quayside he found that the whole
+length of the spacious wharf was lined with a double row of coasting
+brigs, schooners, lighters, and the ubiquitous Rochester barges. On
+the Hamworthy side the feeble glimmer of the quay lights faintly
+illuminated the white hulls of a few yachts, but the sub-lieutenant
+knew that they were of too great a tonnage to correspond with his
+ideas of the _Playmate_.
+
+Where, then, in all that jumble of floating craft, was Stockton's
+yacht to be found?
+
+Gerald Tregarthen was at a loss. Beyond a few half intoxicated seamen
+lurching back to their vessels the quay was deserted. He was on the
+point of making for the nearest hotel when a voice came apparently
+from beneath his feet.
+
+"Ferry, sir?"
+
+The young officer looked down. Close to where he stood a flight of
+stone steps led to the water's edge. It was nearly low tide, and the
+steps looked particularly uninviting in the dim reflection from the
+oily water. At the foot of the landing, with barely a couple of
+inches to spare betwixt the cutwater of a brig and the ponderous
+rudder of a Thames barge, was a boat, its occupant holding on to a
+ringbolt in the stonework by means of a short boat-hook.
+
+"Ferry, sir?"
+
+"Do you know of a yacht--a cutter called the _Playmate_?" asked
+Tregarthen.
+
+"Can't say as 'ow I does, sir," replied the ferry-man. "But I'll call
+my mate; maybe he'll know." And placing his hands trumpet-wise to his
+mouth he shouted: "Buck-up! Buck-up Cartridge, where be ye?"
+
+The echo of the man's powerful voice had barely died away when a hail
+came from the opposite shore. "Hulloa, there?" immediately followed
+by the faint splash of oars.
+
+"Old Buck-up'll know if there be any craft o' that name," remarked
+the ferry-man, and as the new comer's boat rubbed its nose against
+the quarter of the ferry-boat the query was anxiously repeated.
+
+"Wot, _Playmate_, owned by a gent o' the name o' Stockton? Why, sure
+I do. She's lying off the Stakes."
+
+"Can you put me aboard?" asked Tregarthen, a load removed from his
+mind at the assurance that his chum had not set sail.
+
+"Certainly, sir," replied Cartridge; and, handing his portmanteau to
+the ferry-man, who in turn passed it on to the second water-man,
+Tregarthen stepped across the first craft into the second.
+
+With long, easy strokes the boat glided with the still strong ebb
+past the line of shipping and into the staked channel. Here, being
+comparatively open, the N.W. wind blew fresh, and the young officer
+shivered in spite of his experience on the bridge of a destroyer. He
+missed the thick pilot-coat, and the comforting shelter of the
+storm-dodgers.
+
+Between long, low banks of reeking mud the boat passed, till at
+length, a good quarter of a mile from the quay, appeared the dim
+outlines of half a dozen yachts of all sizes, their anchor-lights
+gleaming fitfully upon the dew-sodden decks and mainsail covers, and
+casting broken shafts of light upon the ruffled water.
+
+"There be the _Playmate_, sir," exclaimed the waterman, resting on
+his oars and looking over his shoulder. Tregarthen followed the
+direction of his gaze.
+
+Twenty yards away lay a smart little white cutter. Even in the gloom
+the sub-lieutenant could distinguish her graceful spoon bow, her
+short yet becoming quarter, and the businesslike sheer of her sides.
+Across her boom a canvas awning was lashed over the diminutive
+cockpit. From the cabin a light flickered upon the awning, and
+gleamed cheerfully through the fluted glass skylight. To Tregarthen
+the vision of that light seemed an indescribable comfort. The tedious
+journey, the disappointment of Stockton's non-appearance, the
+cheerless welcome of the bleak and desolate harbour--all were
+forgotten. He had found a haven of rest.
+
+"_Playmate_, ahoy!"
+
+The waterman jerked one oar into his boat and with the other
+skilfully checked her way till she gently rubbed sides with the
+yacht.
+
+"Hallo, there! Is that you, Cartridge?"
+
+"Yes, sir; I've brought a gent off to see you."
+
+There was the sound of a hasty scuffling, the awning was partially
+unlaced, and a hand holding a lantern appeared, followed by the head
+and shoulders of the owner of the cutter _Playmate_.
+
+The rays of the lamp fell upon the features of the owner. He had a
+somewhat long, thin face, with a characteristically square jaw, and
+light eyebrows that formed an almost continuous line across his
+brows.
+
+"Hallo, you!" he exclaimed, as the identity of his visitor was
+revealed. "I'd given you up."
+
+"So it appears," replied Tregarthen. "Didn't you get my wire?"
+
+"Wire--what wire? But don't stay there; come aboard. You'd better use
+the fore-hatch, unlacing this awning is a blessed nuisance."
+
+Stockton's head vanished as its owner retreated into the cabin.
+Tregarthen, having paid the boatman, seized the main shrouds and
+swung himself lightly on deck. Then making his way for'ard he removed
+the partially open hatchway leading to the fo'c'sle.
+
+"Hold on! Hold on a minute!" shouted Jack. "You're putting your foot
+into the soup!"
+
+Checking his downward progress just in time, Gerald waited till the
+skipper, and cook combined, removed a saucepan from the top of a
+roaring Primus stove, pushed the stove out of the way, and gave the
+word that all was clear.
+
+The next instant Tregarthen found himself in the fo'c'sle.
+
+It was a small, wedge-shaped apartment, barely 4ft. in height and
+7ft. wide at its broadest part, tapering away to less than 6ins.
+for'ard. This limited space was still further curtailed by a number
+of lockers and cupboards, the stove, a bundle of sails and warps, and
+the still weed-covered chain cable. Jack Stockton, pipe in mouth, and
+huddled up on an upturned bucket, was busily engaged in preparing
+some flat-fish, that he had just caught, for supper.
+
+Gerald began to cough. What with the heat of the stove, the tobacco
+smoke, the combined odours of the fish, the soup, and the seaweed, to
+say nothing of the smoky paraffin lamp, made the confined quarters
+well-nigh unbearable. It was infinitely worse than the fo'c'sle of a
+destroyer in a heavy seaway, yet Stockton endured it with
+equanimity--even with pleasure. It was one of the joys of yachting in
+the rough.
+
+"Excuse the mess!" he exclaimed. "You see, I didn't expect you after
+the arrival of the train you agreed upon. But I'll have everything
+shipshape in a jiffy. Where's your gear?"
+
+"On deck."
+
+"Then bring it below. You may as well get into the cabin, and I'll be
+with you soon. Mind your head!"
+
+The warning came too late. Tregarthen forgot that the cabin of a
+4-ton yacht is a mere dog-kennel compared with the diminutive
+wardroom of _H.M.S. Calder_, but luckily his thick cap saved his
+skull from a nasty blow from a deck beam.
+
+Then with a thud his portmanteau was deposited on the floor of the
+fo'c'sle, and Stockton's voice was heard: "Here, bear a hand, and get
+this thing into the cabin."
+
+Gerald hastened to give the requested assistance. This time the small
+of his arched back came into violent contact with the top of the
+doorway communicating with the fo'c'sle. Thereupon, acting with more
+discretion, he slowly dragged his belongings into the cabin, and sat
+down upon one of the sofa-bunks.
+
+By degrees he recovered his ruffled composure, and took a careful
+survey of his limited surroundings. A glance in a bevelled mirror
+revealed the fact that his encounter with the deck-beam had had the
+effect of crumpling his collar into a series of longitudinal creases.
+
+"It's time I put a sweater on," he thought, and opening his
+portmanteau he produced one of those thick, serviceable articles, and
+measuring the distance between his head and the deck-beams--a margin
+of barely 6ins.--Tregarthen removed his collar and plunged into his
+sweater. This done his sense of comfort was materially increased.
+
+
+[Illustration: There was the sound of a hasty scuffling; then
+appeared the head and shoulders of the owner of the _Playmate_]
+
+"Now what do you propose doing?" he asked, as the crew of the
+_Playmate_ tackled a hearty supper. "Going west?"
+
+"I thought of making a dash across the Channel. Any objection?"
+
+Tregarthen whistled.
+
+"Bit risky, isn't it?"
+
+"I don't think so. This packet is as stiff as a house; the gear's
+sound, and all the stores are aboard."
+
+"You've a compass, of course?"
+
+"A little beauty."
+
+"Then I'm game. By the bye, have you seen to-day's paper?"
+
+"No; I went ashore, but quite forgot to get one. Why--anything
+startling?"
+
+"Only this," replied Gerald, producing the newspapers he had
+purchased on the journey, and pointing to the _Zietan_ paragraph.
+"What do you think of it?"
+
+"Not much," replied Jack, in a matter-of-fact tone. "At any rate, I
+don't suppose it will affect us."
+
+"When do you propose to make a start?" Stockton did not immediately
+reply, but, gaining the cockpit, he unlaced a portion of the awning.
+
+"Now if you like," he replied. "The young flood has set in, though,
+but with the wind in this quarter we can stem it and pick up the
+east-going tide outside. Just hand me down that bundle of charts."
+
+Gerald did so, and his chum picked out one of the English Channel.
+
+"We ought to make St. Catherine's before daybreak," continued Jack
+"And then with a decent slice of luck we can make a slant across and
+pick up Cape Barfleur before sunset. It's barely fifty miles as the
+crow flies. So we'll get under way now, and when we are outside the
+harbour you can turn in. I had a good spell below during the day, so
+a night's watch won't trouble me."
+
+"All right; I'm game," repeated Tregarthen. Twenty minutes later the
+_Playmate_ was heeling over to the steady breeze. Her voyage, that
+was fated to be the forerunner of a wealth of peculiar adventures,
+had begun.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: chapter III]
+CHAPTER III
+
+RUN DOWN
+
+
+A FEW years ago a commander-in-chief is reported to have declared
+that our seamen are the worst boat-sailors in the world, while
+another naval officer of high rank has written: "I don't think there
+is any foreign navy that is not better than us in the handling of
+their boats--ours is a disgrace." Thanks, however, to the forethought
+of the Admiralty in providing fore and aft rigged cutters for the use
+of the cadets at Dartmouth this stigma is gradually being removed.
+
+Owing to the opportunities thus provided Gerald Tregarthen was no
+novice on board a yacht. He had steered the college cutters to
+victory on several occasions, and, now once having acquired the knack
+of dealing with the _Playmate's_ peculiarities, he was quite capable
+of taking charge of the tiller while Jack Stockton attended to the
+numerous duties so necessary when about to make a long passage.
+
+Gallantly breasting the young flood the _Playmate_ thrashed her way
+down the well-lighted channel, passed between the sandy dunes that
+mark the entrance to Poole Harbour, and negotiated the long, buoyed
+passage under the lee of Studland Heath. Then, the outer bar-buoy
+being rounded, the yacht was gybing, and her course shaped for the as
+yet invisible Needles Light.
+
+This done Jack Stockton put on his oilskins, in anticipation of a
+"dusting," and Gerald Tregarthen turned in for a few hours' rest.
+
+Left to himself the skipper of the _Playmate_ settled down to his
+night's vigil. Lighting his pipe he took up a position on the lee
+side of the cockpit, whence, by occasionally raising himself, he
+could command a view ahead. Then, keeping the lee shrouds in line
+with a conveniently placed star, he was able to dispense with the
+inconvenience of having his eyes glued to the compass-card. Jack was
+an old hand at the pastime of yachting. Scorning the use of a motor
+as being detrimental to the joys of sailing, he relied upon his
+weather lore, the judicious use of the barometer, and a thorough
+knowledge of the tides to make his voyages, and rarely did he fail to
+make his desired port. He was an ideal yachtsman--calm and resolute
+in difficulties, patient in adverse circumstances, loth to run
+unnecessary risks, yet full of courage and reliance.
+
+With the pale grey dawn the _Playmate_ was within the influence of
+the mighty St. Catherine's Race, where, fair weather or foul, the
+tide surges over the uneven bed of the sea at a good five knots.
+
+"Pity to wake him," exclaimed Stockton, as he put the helm hard up,
+jibbed, and headed for the distant French coast. "Still it can't be
+helped."
+
+With the gybe Gerald Tregarthen's berth on the leeward side was
+transformed into the windward one, and the heel and pitching of the
+little craft deposited him bodily on the floor of the cabin.
+
+"Hallo! Where are we?" he asked, sleepily.
+
+"You, my dear fellow, are wedged in between the swing-table and the
+floor; I am still at the helm, waiting to be relieved; and the
+_Playmate_ is approximately two miles southwest of St. Catherine's.
+Have I made clear our relative positions?"
+
+"Quite, old fellow," replied Tregarthen, scrambling out of the
+partially closed sliding hatchway. "I'll give you a spell."
+
+"Here you are, sou' by west quarter west," said Stockton, indicating
+the course; and crawling into the fo'c'sle, he was soon hard at work
+preparing breakfast.
+
+Having satisfied himself as to the course Tregarthen looked astern.
+It was a magnificent picture. Away on the port hand a huge man-of-war
+was heading towards Spithead. By her tripod masts and the peculiar
+arrangement of her funnels and upper works the sub-lieutenant
+recognised her as the _Foudroyant_, the latest phase in British naval
+construction. A mile ahead was a topsail schooner, close-hauled on
+the starboard tack, her brown and patched canvas gilded by the
+slanting rays of sunshine, while still further away a few tramps were
+steaming steadily up Channel, their outlines barely discernible
+against the morning mist. "How's the glass?" asked Gerald, as his
+chum regained the cockpit with a deep tray covered with eatables.
+
+"Steady as a rock. Here, wedge this tray in somewhere, and I'll bring
+out the coffee. We must rough it a bit when we are having meals under
+way."
+
+In spite of the pitching of the yacht both members of the crew did
+full justice to the meal. This over, Jack resumed his place at the
+helm, and Gerald proceeded to his task of "washing up."
+
+The young sub-lieutenant could not help laughing at the ludicrousness
+of his position. Here was he--an officer of H.M. Navy--cooped up in a
+most uncomfortable posture in a cramped fo'c'sle, and undertaking a
+task that he had never before performed. How his brother-officers
+would roar with amusement could they but see him. Yet he had to
+confess that the novelty of the whole thing was delightful.
+
+"What about a wash?" he asked, some time later.
+
+"You'll have to whistle for one," replied Jack. "At least, till we
+reach port. Fresh water's precious at the present time. I'll tell you
+what--we'll have a bathe over the side."
+
+Gerald looked at the wake of the little craft. The _Playmate_ was
+bowling along at a bare three knots, and having passed the disturbed
+waters of the race was now sailing more steadily in the gentle,
+regular heave of the open Channel.
+
+"How will you manage it--heave-to?"
+
+"No; one at a time. Keep her as she is." Jack quickly divested
+himself of his clothing, and, grasping the bight of the slackened-off
+main-sheet, he lowered himself into the sea. There he hung, towed
+through the waves, with a miniature cascade pouring over his head,
+till, having had enough, he dexterously regained the yacht.
+
+"Capital!" he exclaimed, shaking the dripping water from his face.
+"But it's much colder than one would expect for the time of year."
+
+"Deep water always is," replied Gerald, as he prepared to follow his
+companion's example.
+
+"Are you going to get the dinghy aboard?" he asked, after the
+ablutionary exercises had been completed. "She's a bit of a drag
+astern, I fancy."
+
+"No; let her stop. I'm going to turn in now. If it comes on to
+blow--I don't think it will--give me a shout, and we'll soon whip the
+dinghy aboard and lash her down securely. In any case turn me out at
+eight bells."
+
+Gerald thereupon took charge of the helm. The _Playmate_ had already
+reeled off more than thirty miles of her cross-Channel passage. But
+though the atmosphere astern was perfectly clear, ahead the horizon
+was obscured by a haze that blended sea and sky together in an
+indistinct blurr. The wind, too, was slowly yet gradually dying away,
+and the yacht was doing little more than two knots.
+
+With the falling of the wind the haze increased in density, so that,
+two hours after Gerald had taken the helm, the _Playmate_ was fairly
+in the thick of a dreaded sea-fog.
+
+"Jack, old man, have you a fog-horn aboard?"
+
+Stockton was wide-awake in an instant.
+
+"By George! This is thick," he exclaimed, for already the yacht's
+bowsprit end was lost to view in the white, curling vapour. "No, I've
+no fog-horn; I always use a rowlock. Here's one. We'll lash it up to
+the sliding-hatch."
+
+This done, he struck the suspended rowlock a couple of sharp taps
+with a mallet.
+
+"There's enough noise to warn any vessel within a cable's length of
+us," he continued. Gerald grunted. He knew the ways of the sea. A
+tramp steamer, forging through the fog at a steady eight knots--as
+they frequently do--would not pay much heed to anything less than a
+siren.
+
+"All right," he assented; "I'll see to that. You may as well turn in
+again."
+
+"I've had enough sleep to last me for a time," replied Jack. "I'll
+keep watch with you. Here, put this on, or you'll get soaked to the
+skin," he added, producing an oilskin from one of the lockers, and
+proceeding to don a second one himself.
+
+"What's that?" asked Gerald, after a prolonged interval, as a dull,
+pulsating sound, quite unlike the noise of a steamer's engines, was
+borne faintly to their ears.
+
+"Hanged if I know! Here, old chap, get a sweep out, and keep way on
+her. I'll sound the fog-bell."
+
+Tregarthen did as he was asked, for the yacht was now practically
+becalmed, while Stockton made a vigorous onslaught upon the
+improvised fog-bell with his mallet.
+
+Nearer and nearer came the mysterious vibrating sound; then, with
+appalling suddenness, a shrill, long-drawn blast from a siren sounded
+as if from overhead.
+
+"By Jove! We'll be run down!" exclaimed Jack, calmly, though he fully
+realised the danger.
+
+The next instant a hoarse voice shouted: "Ahoy there! Starboard your
+helm!"
+
+Instinctively Jack thrust the tiller hard over; the yacht, responding
+slowly to the helm, commenced to describe a wide curve; but in less
+than ten seconds from the time of the hail a ponderous monster of
+grey-coloured steel loomed out of the fog, its upper portion lost to
+view in the mist.
+
+_Crash!_
+
+Although doing a bare five knots the sharp steel bow of the huge
+vessel caught the _Playmate_ fairly on the port side amidships. The
+stout planks were shorn through as if made of match-board, the mast
+snapped off close to the deck, and, as the stick with its spread of
+canvas fell over the side the water poured in a cataract over the
+lee-coaming, and through the huge rent in the side of the doomed
+yacht.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: chapter IV]
+CHAPTER IV
+
+A PRISONER ON THE MYSTERIOUS SHIP
+
+
+AT the moment of impact Gerald strove to ward off the oncoming vessel
+with the unwieldy oar, but the blade found no holding-place against
+the wet, heaving bows of the leviathan of destruction. Then, with the
+carrying away of the mast, a block hurtling through the air struck
+him a terrific blow over the head. Thousands of white lights flashed
+across his vision as he found himself lying in the already flooded
+cockpit; yet in his state of partial insensibility he was dimly
+aware that Jack had seized him round the waist.
+
+With a powerful heave Stockton literally threw his friend into the
+dinghy, which had meanwhile floated alongside the yacht. Then,
+springing into the little cockleshell, he whipped out his knife, and
+with a swift sweep severed the painter. Not a moment too soon.
+
+The colliding vessel had already stopped, and was gathering sternway.
+The withdrawal of the sharp, wedge-shaped bows from the shattered
+yacht caused the water to pour in with redoubled violence, and in a
+smother of bubbles and foam the _Playmate_ plunged downwards to her
+last resting-place.
+
+Jack Stockton seized the oars, which fortunately had been left in the
+dinghy, and rowed desperately towards the craft that had been the
+cause of the disaster. Already she was a mere blur in the fog; once
+lost sight of, the position of the two occupants of the dinghy,
+adrift in mid-Channel without food or water, would be perilous in the
+extreme.
+
+Beyond the first hail perfect silence had been maintained on board
+the huge grey vessel. As Jack gradually gained on her--for the
+engines had apparently been reversed only for a few revolutions--a
+rope was flung dexterously over his head. This he made fast to the
+dinghy's bow-ring, and in absolute silence another coil descended
+from the lofty fo'c'sle.
+
+Deftly Jack passed a bight round his friend's body just below the
+arms, and like a sack of flour Gerald was hoisted upwards. This much
+Tregarthen remembered, though but dimly, and on gaining the deck he
+lost consciousness.
+
+When the young sub-lieutenant opened his eyes he found himself lying
+in the uppermost of two bunks in a small yet conveniently arranged
+cabin.
+
+"Where the dickens am I?" he murmured, drowsily.
+
+He sat up, and at once discovered that the pyjama suit he was wearing
+was not his own; then he became aware that his head was throbbing
+painfully, and on raising his hand to the aching place his fingers
+encountered a strip of plaster.
+
+Then the details of the collision flashed across his mind, and the
+anxious question rose to his lips: "Where's Jack?"
+
+Steadying himself by grasping the rounded edge of the bunk, Gerald
+leant sideways. The effort nearly caused him to lose his balance, but
+the result of his investigations showed that the lower bunk was
+unoccupied.
+
+For the space of quite five minutes the injured officer lay still,
+striving to collect his thoughts as to where and when he last saw his
+late companion.
+
+Above the centre of the top bunk was an open scuttle, through which
+the salt-laden breeze whistled like a youthful whirlwind. From where
+he lay Tregarthen could see that the thickness of the vessel's side
+at this opening was at least 7ins.--a truly enormous size for the
+plating of any but a powerful war vessel, and even then it was
+unusual to continue the armoured belt so far above the water-line.
+
+Curiosity prompted the sub-lieutenant to essay another change of
+position. This time he met with better success, and was able to look
+through the narrow, circular aperture.
+
+
+[Illustration: The mast snapped off close to the deck, and a block,
+hurtling through the air, struck Gerald a terrific blow over the
+head.]
+
+
+His eyes dilated with astonishment. The fog had completely vanished,
+and the sun shone brilliantly from an unclouded sky upon the deep
+blue waters. But the change in the atmospheric conditions was not the
+cause of the young officer's surprise; it was the apparent motion of
+the water.
+
+Without the faintest suspicion of a bow-wave--at least as far as
+Tregarthen could judge--the huge vessel was tearing through the sea
+at a terrific rate. Taking into consideration the height of the
+scuttle above the sea-level, Gerald came to the conclusion that the
+craft was a cruiser of the largest type, yet in spite of her size he
+estimated her speed at not less than forty-five knots. The _Calder_,
+lightly built as she was, could not attain that rate, her greatest
+pace being a good thirty-eight knots. And with this extraordinary
+speed there was a total absence of vibration or noise, save the
+howling of the wind caused by the vessel's own motion, while the
+faint pulsation of the engines, that had first betrayed her presence
+in the fog, had entirely ceased.
+
+Then Tregarthen made another discovery. The mysterious vessel was, as
+far as he could judge by the position of the sun, heading nearly
+south-west. That meant that, willing or unwilling, he was being
+spirited away from the shores of Old England at a phenomenal
+speed--but whither?
+
+Gerald next proceeded to make a systematic investigation of the
+cabin; but there was nothing to indicate the nationality or nature of
+the vessel that had effected his rescue. He had an idea that she was
+a British craft, as the only hail was given in his native tongue; but
+he had heard the officers of German and Dutch vessels give orders in
+perfectly good English to pilots and boatmen in home waters.
+
+Besides the double bunks there were a portable wash-hand basin, a
+bath slung from the ceiling, a small chest of drawers, a couple of
+cane-seated chairs, and a looking-glass. On one of the chairs were
+his clothes, in a perfectly dry condition.
+
+With considerable effort he managed to dress; then, staggering
+towards the door, he threw it open.
+
+To his great surprise he saw a sentry standing without. He was a
+tall, burly-looking sailor, dressed in a uniform somewhat resembling
+that of a British seaman, although the blue jean collar was of a
+deeper shade, and black tape replaced the white ornamentation worn in
+the Royal Navy. The man had no name on his cap-ribbon, but a device
+representing a leaf upon his right arm. A black leather bandolier
+encircled his waist, a cutlass taking the place of a bayonet. He
+carried "at the slope" a rifle of a similar pattern to the latest
+form of Lee-Enfield, except that the stock was terminated 6ins. from
+the muzzle, which was enclosed at that end by a metal cylinder of
+about 3ins. in diameter. A portion of this cylinder was flattened,
+apparently for the purpose of using the sights.
+
+This much Tregarthen took in at a glance, but with a peremptory
+gesture the man indicated that all egress was debarred. There was
+nothing to do but to obey the mute instructions. Gerald retreated to
+the cabin, and immediately he heard the sound of a key being turned
+in the lock. He was a prisoner.
+
+Gerald--too much astonished to concentrate his thoughts--sat down in
+complete bewilderment. The tragic events of the ill-fated cruise, the
+mysterious nature of the vessel that had rescued him, the unsolved
+problem of his friend's disappearance, and finally the ignominy of
+being held in captivity, crowded in upon his already aching brain.
+Then an irresistible desire to smoke came over him. He felt in his
+pocket for his pipe, till, remembering that he had left it in the
+cabin of the _Playmate_, he bethought him of his cigarette-case,
+fervently hoping that its contents had escaped damage from the
+sea-water. To his surprise he found the case filled with a different
+kind to those he was accustomed to. Evidently his captors meant to
+allow him every comfort.
+
+Without compunction he began to explore the contents of the chest of
+drawers. With one exception they proved to be empty, and, what was
+more, evidently new and unused. In the top drawer, however, was a
+case containing a brush and comb and shaving materials--also in a
+perfectly new condition.
+
+In the midst of his investigations the door was unlocked, and, with a
+preliminary knock, a little, alert-looking man attired in a neat and
+well-fitting uniform entered.
+
+"Good afternoon, Mr. Tregarthen," he exclaimed. "I trust you are
+feeling better? My name is White, at your service, and I am the
+senior surgeon on board."
+
+"Thanks, sir, I am feeling nearly fit. But might I ask what ship is
+this, and why I am kept under lock and key?"
+
+The doctor shook his head deprecatingly.
+
+"I regret I can give you no information on that point. You must, I am
+afraid, wait till you have seen the captain."
+
+"But my friend--is he safe?"
+
+"He is safe."
+
+"And----"
+
+"No more questions, if you please, Mr. Tregarthen," interrupted the
+surgeon, firmly, and in a manner that betokened the uselessness of
+further inquiries. "Meanwhile, before the captain sends for you, some
+light refreshment will doubtless be beneficial. I am pleased to see
+that you are little the worse for your misfortunes."
+
+So saying the medico withdrew, and a steward silently entered the
+cabin, bearing a tray on which an appetising meal was tastefully
+spread.
+
+This man was even more unsociable than the doctor, and with as few
+words as possible he left the cabin, the door being again locked.
+
+Left once more to his own reflections Tregarthen acknowledged that
+the mystery was almost as dark as before. He had made two
+discoveries. Firstly, Jack Stockton was safe on board, though
+possibly a prisoner like himself. Secondly, the ship was more than
+likely manned by a British-speaking crew, but whether British or
+American Gerald was unable to say.
+
+At length the sun sank beneath the horizon--a red ball of flaming
+fire in an indigo sky.
+
+Gerald glanced at his watch. It was a half-hunter, and the
+well-fitting case had not admitted any water during his immersion The
+hands pointed to a quarter to seven.
+
+Here was another mystery. He knew full well that at home the sun set
+at 7.15 p.m. The ship's course was, as far as he could judge,
+south-west. How, then, could the apparent discrepancy be accounted
+for? Perhaps his watch was wrong.
+
+Anxiously Tregarthen waited, listening intently for the ship's bell.
+Punctually at seven--the second hour of the second dogwatch--came the
+dim sound of the bell--_ting, ting--ting!_ Two sharp blows followed
+at a longer interval by another. His watch was right, then, and since
+the course was not easterly he could only conclude that by a hitherto
+unattainable speed the mysterious vessel had already gained a
+latitude corresponding to that of the Bay Of Biscay.
+
+Ere the short twilight deepened into night the cabin was brightly
+illuminated by the warm glow of a pair of electric lights, one at the
+middle of each bulkhead.
+
+"Well, there's nothing to amuse myself with, so I might as well turn
+in," thought Gerald, for the excitement of the day, coupled with the
+fact that he had had but a short spell of sleep the previous night,
+was beginning to tell. He was on the point of divesting himself of
+his clothing when the door was unlocked, and a young man evidently an
+officer, entered.
+
+"The captain wishes to see you, sir," he announced, bringing his hand
+to his forehead with professional smartness.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: chapter V]
+CHAPTER V
+
+CAPTAIN BROOKES
+
+
+ON ships of all nationalities the captain's wishes are his commands.
+Tregarthen fully recognised this; so, returning the young officer's
+salute, he followed his guide from the cabin that had for so many
+hours been his prison.
+
+It was but a few steps to the captain's cabin, but during his journey
+Tregarthen made good use of his eyes.
+
+
+[Illustration: Staggering to the door he threw it open. To his great
+surprise he saw a burly sentry standing without.]
+
+
+As he left the cabin he looked forward. Here his range of vision was
+limited by an armoured bulkhead, against which stood an arms-rack,
+the weapons being similar to that carried by the sentry, each having
+the peculiar cylindrical arrangement close to the muzzle. On either
+side of the passage were a number of cabin doors; some were ajar, but
+heavy curtains prevented him from seeing into the officers' quarters.
+
+Between the bulkhead and the captain's cabin on the half-deck a
+sentry was pacing to and fro. Smartly he came to the salute; Gerald's
+companion returned the compliment, then, knocking at the door of the
+captain's quarters, he waited till a deep voice bade him enter.
+
+"Mr. Gerald Tregarthen, sir," announced the young officer, and with
+this introduction he withdrew.
+
+Gerald found himself in a spacious, well-lighted cabin, comfortably
+furnished, yet without any pretence at luxury. Thick carpet covered
+the floor, the walls were painted in a "flat" olive green colour,
+relieved here and there by a small square port-hole. Right aft a
+doorway in the armoured plating gave access to a little gallery or
+stern-walk. The furniture consisted solely of a large mahogany table,
+two sofa chairs, a well-filled bookcase, a sideboard, and a smaller
+table littered with papers and drawings.
+
+But Tregarthen paid scant heed to the contents, of the cabin. His
+attention was drawn to its only other occupant. He was a man of short
+stature, yet of a commanding and pompous presence, that is so often
+found in persons whose bearing alone can atone for their loss of
+inches. He was of a dark olive complexion, with deep-set eyes, full
+features, dark brown closely cut hair, and a neatly trimmed moustache
+and "torpedo" beard, after the style affected by British naval
+officers. He was dressed in a dark blue "mess" uniform, black braid
+taking the place of the usual gold lace. This, then, was Captain
+Brookes, the officer in command of the mysterious cruiser.
+
+For a space of nearly half a minute the captain remained silent,
+apparently "sizing up" the young British officer who had fallen into
+his power.
+
+On his part Gerald Tregarthen drew himself up to his full height,
+and, standing stiffly at attention, looked his captor--since captor
+he undoubtedly was--squarely in the face, having first given him a
+salute which the captain punctiliously returned.
+
+"Take a chair, Mr. Tregarthen," began Captain Brookes, waving his
+hand in the direction of one of the settees.
+
+Gerald would have infinitely preferred to remain standing, but there
+was a veiled authority in the words, and without a sign of protest he
+yielded. Something in the man's personality compelled the
+sub-lieutenant to obey.
+
+"You are, I believe, a sub-lieutenant in the Royal Navy? Lately of
+His Majesty's destroyer _Calder_?"
+
+Gerald started. His interrogator seemed to know everything, but,
+recollecting that Jack Stockton had in all probability been subjected
+to a cross-examination, he replied: "Yes, sir."
+
+"And, judging by this "--here he tapped an official Navy List that
+was lying on the table--"you are what might be well described as a
+promising young officer?"
+
+"Might I ask, sir, why I am detained on board this vessel, and why I
+am subjected to this inquisition?" asked Tregarthen, ignoring the
+obvious flattery, yet truth, of the captain's last question.
+
+"To come to the point, sir," replied Captain Brookes, "you came on
+board because there was no choice in the matter; then, finding you
+are a man likely to suit my purpose, I decided to retain you."
+
+"To suit your purpose?"
+
+"Precisely. What my intentions are I will hasten to explain in a few
+words. You are now on board the cruiser _Olive Branch_, formerly
+known as the _Almirante Constant_. The circumstances under which the
+vessel was acquired from the Brazilian Government I will explain
+later. The _Olive Branch_ has no nationality; she claims the
+protection of no state or country. Hers is a particular mission; I, a
+nonentity, though owning no earthly master, am the controlling
+authority of a universal enterprise. No doubt men will call me a
+crank, a maniac, or worse. Most benefactors of mankind are so
+regarded--until they are dead and gone--but public opinion does not
+trouble me one iota. To be brief and to the point, my mission is
+universal peace, and my title is 'The Exterminator of War.'"
+
+The captain paused to allow his words to carry weight. Tregarthen
+gave no sign of incredulity or otherwise. He looked steadily at the
+man who had made this astounding statement, wondering whether some
+symptom of insanity lurked behind the calm exterior of his captor.
+Captain Brooke's features were lit by an earnestness that denotes
+sincerity of purpose.
+
+"To continue: The _Olive Branch_ is the last word in naval
+construction. I do not make this assertion without having carefully
+weighed the truth of what I say. Warships claiming to be finality in
+offensive power have been laid down, yet ere they leave the slips
+plans for still more powerful vessels have already been passed, and
+so on. Yet even taking the rapid rate of progress into consideration,
+I can safely say that a hundred years hence--should there be any
+necessity for them--there will be no vessels equal to the _Olive
+Branch_ for purposes of offence and defence.
+
+"I am prepared to show that naval warfare, as demonstrated by the
+_Olive Branch_, will be so terrible that no nation will dare run the
+risk of undertaking it. I purpose to police the high seas, and
+ruthlessly exterminate the fleet of any nation that offers to break
+the world's peace.
+
+"For years past England has held the proud position of Mistress of
+the Sea, using her power with firmness and wisdom. But these times
+are rapidly passing away----"
+
+"Sir, I protest," exclaimed Tregarthen, impetuously.
+
+"Protests are of no avail, unfortunately," replied Captain Brookes,
+with a suspicion of harshness in his voice. "Review the facts
+carefully and deliberately, and you will have to admit that what I
+say is true. Why do other nations, possessing little legitimate
+interests on the ocean, knowing full well that their seaborne
+commerce has hitherto been conducted without let or hindrance,
+suddenly decide to build huge and powerful fleets? To what purpose do
+they express their intention of rivalling the British fleet? Not from
+necessity, but from sheer wantonness. Is that not so?"
+
+"Then you, yourself, are an Englishman?"
+
+"I am what I am, a cosmopolitan--a pariah, if you choose to term it
+so. I prefer to let my identity remain a secret. Now, to put the
+matter bluntly, are you prepared to throw in your lot with mine for
+the space of not more than two years?"
+
+"I am not. As a British officer my duties----"
+
+"Then I must take steps to compel you."
+
+"Compel me? You cannot."
+
+"Mr. Tregarthen, before we talk of compulsion--though I admit I was
+the first to suggest such a step--pray consider the main and side
+issues of the question. You are bound by a solemn oath to obey your
+lawful sovereign, King George V. Do you think you could serve him in
+a better manner than by acquiring the knowledge of what this vessel
+is, and how she is enabled to possess such irresistible power? The
+Admiralty would be only too glad of a chance to gain the secret of
+the _Olive Branch_. You would to all intents and purposes become a
+naval attaché, with far greater prospects of gaining invaluable
+knowledge. Now, this is my offer: Your service for the space of not
+less than two years; your solemn word that you will obey my orders in
+all matters, provided you are not called upon to commit a hostile act
+against your own nation. Means will be afforded you to communicate
+with the authorities at the Admiralty, in which you can explain the
+facts under which you were compulsorily detained, and so on. Then, at
+the end of two years, or before, should my mission be accomplished,
+you will be permitted to return home, armed with the priceless
+secrets that are to command universal peace. Is that clear?"
+
+"And the alternative?"
+
+"I do not wish to discuss the alternative beyond saying what I have
+already stated." Then, seeing that Tregarthen was on the point of
+giving a direct refusal, Captain Brookes interposed:--
+
+"Now, don't do or say anything foolish. Take time to consider the
+matter. I'll see you at four bells in the forenoon watch, when I
+shall expect a definite reply."
+
+
+_(A second instalment of this thrilling serial will appear next month)_
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: In spite of his strenuous resistance they hauled the
+deserter out of the empty tank, and then unceremoniously bundled him
+into the gig.] [_See page_ 112.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: second instalment]
+BY PERCY F. WESTERMAN
+
+Author of "A Lad of Grit," etc.
+
+_ILLUSTRATED BY E. S. HODGSON_
+
+*Characters in the Story*
+
+GERALD TREGARTHEN, sub-lieutenant of H.M.S. _Calder_, decides to
+spend his leave on a small yacht. He accordingly takes train to
+Poole, where the craft is lying. On the journey he reads in a
+newspaper a passage relating to the departure from the Tyne of a
+powerful cruiser, nominally intended for the Brazilian Government,
+also a series of reports concerning a mysterious accident to the
+German cruiser _Zietan_. At Poole he joins his friend and former
+school-chum.
+
+JACK STOCKTON, owner of the yacht _Playmate_. The same night they put
+to sea, intending to cross the Channel. When about thirty miles off
+the Isle of Wight they encounter a dense sea-fog, and the _Playmate_
+is run down by a large vessel. Tregarthen is stunned by some falling
+gear, but is saved by Stockton, and both are taken on board the ship
+that has run them down.
+
+When Tregarthen recovers his senses he finds himself alone in a
+cabin. From observation he comes to the conclusion that the vessel
+possesses astounding speed and that she is heavily armoured; also
+that he is a prisoner. At length he is taken into the presence of
+
+CAPTAIN BROOKES, in command of the cruiser _Olive Branch_. This
+individual claims that his cruiser is the most powerful vessel
+afloat, and that it is his mission to exterminate war and secure
+universal peace, using the super-powerful means at his command to
+achieve that purpose.
+
+He also informs Tregarthen that, as a British naval officer, he will
+prove useful to the _Olive Branch_ in her mission, and suggests that
+the sub-lieutenant should serve on board the cruiser for a period of
+not more than two years. At the end of that time he will be able to
+impart the valuable knowledge thus gained to the British Admiralty.
+
+Tregarthen is about to refuse, but Captain Brookes reminds him that
+in any case he is virtually a prisoner, and adds, "Take time to
+consider the matter. I'll see you at four bells, when I shall expect
+a positive reply."
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: chapter VI]
+CHAPTER VI
+
+THE CONNING-TOWER OF THE "OLIVE BRANCH"
+
+
+PUNCTUALLY at ten o'clock on the following morning Gerald Tregarthen
+was ushered into the captain's cabin. "Well, sir, what decision have
+you arrived at?" demanded Captain Brookes.
+
+"No decision at all, sir," replied Tregarthen, firmly. "I want first
+of all to know what you propose to do with my companion."
+
+"With Mr. Stockton? I suppose I ought, as the pirate you regard me,
+to hold him as a hostage for your good behaviour. But rest assured,
+I'll have him shipped aboard the first homeward-bound vessel we
+sight."
+
+"Before I give you a reply I should like to have a few minutes'
+conversation with him," said Gerald.
+
+"Your request seems reasonable. You may have fifteen minutes'
+interview."
+
+While speaking, Captain Brookes had touched the push of an electric
+bell, and a seaman, evidently a petty officer, was immediately in
+attendance.
+
+"Take this gentleman to his quarters and desire Mr. Black to bring
+Mr. Stockton to him."
+
+"Very good, sir," replied the seaman, and holding back the heavy
+curtains that hung over the door he allowed Tregarthen to precede
+him.
+
+In less than five minutes Jack Stockton had joined his chum.
+
+"Hulloa, Jack! How have they treated you?"
+
+"Can't complain," was the laconic reply. "They told me you were all
+right in spite of a crack on the skull. Beyond that I didn't worry
+much, though I've been thinking about my poor old yacht."
+
+"Yes, it's rough luck," replied Tregarthen. "But she's insured, isn't
+she?"
+
+"Yes. But what does that matter? I shall never have the same craft
+again; and, Gerald, she was part and parcel of my existence."
+
+"You'll have another one soon."
+
+"Will I? How do you know?"
+
+"Because they are going to ship you aboard the first vessel we meet."
+
+"Ship _me?_ How about you?"
+
+"Ah! There's the difficulty. You will be sent home, but, worse luck,
+they are going to keep me here, whether I like it or not."
+
+"Is that a fact? What is this vessel--a pirate?"
+
+"Goodness only knows. But to put the matter in a nutshell, I have to
+give my decision whether I'll become one of them or not."
+
+"And if you don't?"
+
+"I've been promised something mighty unpleasant."
+
+Thereupon Gerald related the details of the conversation of the
+previous evening, and the captain's peremptory demand for a definite
+reply.
+
+"What do you propose to reply?" asked Jack.
+
+"That's what I want to consult you about. You see there's my position
+to consider. If I do not turn up within thirty-three days from now I
+shall be branded as a deserter, unless My Lords take gentler measures
+and mark me down as missing. If I could serve a useful purpose to my
+country by accepting the man's proposals I'd do it like a shot,
+subject to certain guarantees."
+
+"Then why not? In any case you are booked. But I say, old fellow,
+when you are treating for terms, couldn't you stipulate that I am to
+be retained as well?"
+
+"You?"
+
+"Yes. I admit, Gerald, I don't possess the same qualifications as you
+do, but at the same time I'm not a duffer afloat. If this vessel is
+such a wonderful packet, I'd be only too delighted to stay."
+
+"All right," replied Gerald. "My mind's made up. But the quarter of
+an hour is up, too, so I must be off."
+
+"Well, sir," asked Captain Brookes, "have you come to any
+conclusion?"
+
+"I am willing, subject to certain conditions, sir," replied Gerald,
+firmly.
+
+"And those are----"
+
+"That I am to be treated with the respect due to a British naval
+officer; that I am not called upon to perform any duties prejudicial
+to my country----"
+
+"That I have already suggested."
+
+"That I may be allowed to dispatch a communication to the Admiralty
+stating the circumstances under which I am detained here; and,
+lastly, that my friend Jack Stockton may be allowed to remain here
+with me, that being his own desire."
+
+"I agree to your requests," replied Captain Brookes, though
+Tregarthen noted that he used the word "requests" instead of his
+expression "conditions."
+
+"Very good, sir."
+
+"You quite understand that my orders are to be implicitly obeyed?"
+
+"So long as I am not called upon to commit any act detrimental to my
+country."
+
+"That has already been decided."
+
+"Too much stress cannot be laid upon that condition, sir."
+
+"Are you prepared to wear the uniform of officers serving on board
+the _Olive Branch_?"
+
+"No, sir. The only uniform I am entitled to wear is that of the
+British Navy. As that is, of course, impossible in these
+circumstances, I must wear mufti."
+
+"Very well, then," replied the captain. "Now we will make a tour of
+the ship and you will be able to form some opinion of her
+capabilities."
+
+So saying, Captain Brookes led the way to the half-deck, whence by
+the after ladder he gained the quarter-deck. Unlike ships of the
+British Dreadnought type, the quarter-deck was situated in the after
+end of the ship, but Gerald noticed that the officers who were
+walking up and down kept religiously to the port side, leaving the
+starboard side to the use of the captain. This caused him to wonder
+how the similarity between the customs of the Royal Navy and those of
+the mysterious ship was to be accounted for.
+
+Touching his cap to the quarter-deck Gerald found himself upon a
+vessel apparently of not less than 10,000 tons displacement, or a
+little more than half of a modern Dreadnought. She was, as far as he
+could judge, about 300ft. in length, and 60ft. in breadth. She was
+flush decked; a low slender funnel, a motor cutter and launch, a
+massive conning-tower, a pair of turrets, and the necessary hatchways
+and companions alone occupying the centre line. Placed _en echelon_
+were two more turrets, but in none of these were guns mounted,
+although each turret had two embrasures.
+
+At frequent intervals along the deck were plates of thin steel
+inclined at an angle of 45degs.
+
+"These are wind screens," observed Captain Brookes. "They are an
+absolute necessity, I can assure you."
+
+"Don't hesitate to put any questions you may feel inclined to ask,"
+he continued. "It will be to your interests as well as mine for you
+to do so. I noticed you were looking at the turrets. These are as yet
+without their armament, although I hope within a day or two to have
+the guns in position."
+
+"Then at present you are without means of offence?"
+
+"You will hardly care to make that assertion when you have completed
+your first inspection of the _Olive Branch_. But what speed do you
+think we are doing?"
+
+Tregarthen looked over the side. There was a long, gentle swell
+setting in from the west, but so great was the ship's rate of speed
+that she appeared to be travelling over a succession of short, steep
+seas, yet without the faintest suspicion of a roll or a lurch.
+
+"Forty-five," he hazarded.
+
+"Add twenty to it and you will be nearer the mark. Mr. Gimlette," he
+added, addressing the officer of the watch, "will you please let me
+have the present reading of the log?"
+
+The officer ran aft to where the patent log indicator on the taffrail
+was merrily ringing at less than every fifteen seconds.
+
+"Sixty-seven point five knots, sir."
+
+The reply was given smartly, but in a manner that suggested this
+speed was an ordinary occurrence. Tregarthen could only gasp in
+astonishment. It meant the _Olive Branch_ was doing an equivalent to
+a fraction under seventy-five land miles an hour. Were it not for the
+wind screens it would be almost a matter of impossibility to face the
+hurricane that whistled overhead.
+
+"You may have noticed the almost total absence of a bow wave,"
+continued the captain. "This is owing to the vessel's remarkable
+flare--for which the designers must take the credit. By means of an
+ingenious contrivance the displaced water is led close alongside, yet
+the 'skin friction' of the hull is not increased. The effect of this
+diversion is to give the propellers a better grip. As a matter of
+fact, the 'slip' of the propellers amounts to less than 5 per cent.
+Now we will make our way for'ard to the conning-tower."
+
+"But what is the motive power?" asked Gerald.
+
+"Petrol, paraffin, or, in fact, any inflammable oil capable of
+passing through the vaporisers. The motors, which can be attended to
+by a staff of ten engineers only, actuate five propellers. Thus we
+are not under the obligation of having to carry stokers. As a matter
+of fact, the _personnel_ of the _Olive Branch_, thanks to mechanical
+appliances of the most modern type, amounts to 105 officers and men."
+
+The conning-tower consisted of a circular armoured structure 25ft. in
+diameter, and barely 5ft. above the upper deck. Around the walls were
+electrical indicators and a maze of pipes painted in distinctive
+colours similar to those on board a British man-of-war. But the
+apparatus that riveted Gerald's attention was a board composed of
+copper and zinc squares resembling a draught board, with a pair of
+pointers at two adjacent corners. This device travelled on steel
+lines that formed an almost complete circle, a gap being left in the
+direction of the after end of the ship.
+
+"Now, Mr. Tregarthen, what do you suppose this arrangement is for?"
+
+"It appears to me to be a sort of position-finding instrument."
+
+"It is more than that. But first I must request you to maintain a
+strict secrecy regarding what you see in the conning-tower, at least
+until I withdraw this restriction. Beyond that you are at perfect
+liberty to discuss with your companion any details concerning the
+ship," replied Captain Brookes. "Before you left Poole Harbour did
+you see a report in the papers concerning the German cruiser
+_Zietan_?"
+
+Like a flash the truth swept across Tregarthen's mind. The
+ex-Brazilian vessel, _Almirante Constant_, the mysterious agency
+that had temporarily incapacitated the _Zietan_, and the ship on
+which he stood were one and the same. So astonishing was the
+revelation that even he--an iron-nerved naval officer--gasped with
+amazement. The captain, who was watching the effect of his question,
+kept silent, awaiting Gerald's reply.
+
+"I did," he assented after a prolonged interval. "But how did you do
+it? And how were you aware?"
+
+"One question at a time, please. I am on the point of showing you a
+somewhat ingenious device; what it has already done I will inform you
+of in due course. This chequered board is divided, as you see, into
+eighty-one squares, each division representing one square mile. Thus
+a 'field,' meaning nine miles in either direction, is at my command.
+Now, supposing a hostile ship is sighted. Her position is determined
+by the ordinary range-finding instruments. By placing these two
+pointers on the square representing the ship's position--the
+pointers, as you will observe, being capable of alteration of
+length--I release a wireless current, which I prefer to term the
+Z-ray--upon the enemy's ship. Instantly the whole of her electrical
+gear is completely disorganised, and, knowing as you do the vital
+importance of electricity on board a modern man-of-war, you can
+realise what it means."
+
+"Then you have already committed a hostile action against the ship of
+a friendly nation?"
+
+"I suppose I have. It is necessary to experiment, and having good
+cause to try my device upon a German ship, I proceeded to do so. I am
+fully aware of the results it occasioned while I kept the _Zietan_
+under the influence of the Z-rays."
+
+"However did you manage to know that?" asked Tregarthen. "Have you
+put into any port since leaving the Tyne?"
+
+"I have neither put into port nor have I entered into communication
+with any vessel excepting your yacht, so obtaining information by
+those means is entirely out of the question. How I did find out the
+results of my experiment I will inform you shortly. But to return to
+this device. You will doubtless have observed that there are two
+pairs of pointers? Those with a black disc are merely deterrents. Any
+vessel that persists in forcing an action after receiving the stern
+warning given by these pointers has only herself to blame for the
+consequences; for the moment the pointers with the red disc are
+superimposed upon the others the fate of the _Olive Branch's_
+antagonist is sealed."
+
+"How?" asked Gerald, with ever-growing interest.
+
+"The conjunction of the red-disced pointers release a super charge of
+electricity--which I term the ZZ-rays--and her magazines are
+instantly exploded."
+
+"In that case why do you require guns on board? I understood you to
+say that you expected to have her armament in position in the course
+of a few days."
+
+"Chiefly as a matter of precaution. The slightest defect in a
+terminal, switch, or wire might throw the whole of the electrical
+apparatus out of gear. But there is another danger I have to guard
+against--the danger of annihilation from the sky. This device you see
+here has taken me fifteen years of unremitting toil and thought to
+perfect, and perfected it is as far as my original plans were
+concerned. But within recent years the advent of the airship and
+aeroplane has tended to revolutionise warfare. In order to negative
+the possible ill results of the ZZ-rays to the vessel that releases
+them the indicator board is arranged so that the minimum range is
+nine miles. Thus I can put a vessel out of action at any distance
+between nine and eighteen miles. The Z-rays, having a comparatively
+low electro-motive force, can be brought into play at a distance of
+two miles, without danger to the _Olive Branch's_ delicate mechanism.
+It consequently follows that to use the rays within the distance of
+1,000ft.--the effective range of an airship--the consequences would
+be disastrous to us. I therefore have to rely on other means. Now I
+think I have explained the contents of the conning-tower pretty
+fully, so we will resume our tour."
+
+"But what are these for?" asked Tregarthen, pointing to a triple row
+of metal studs fixed to a mahogany board on the side of the
+conning-tower.
+
+"To control the gun fire. When the ordnance is installed I'll explain
+their use. But we will now ascend to the flying bridge."
+
+With the wind howling over this exposed position like a veritable
+tornado Gerald was glad to gain the shelter of a diminutive
+chart-house. Here was the electrical steering apparatus, but, to his
+unbounded astonishment, Tregarthen found that the place was
+untenanted, the only other occupants of the bridge being a lieutenant
+and a seaman, both of whom, glass in hand, were scanning the horizon.
+
+"Don't you keep a hand at the helm?" he asked.
+
+Captain Brookes shook his head. "Not on long ocean voyages," he
+replied. "The ship steers herself. Like plenty of other problems,
+it's simple when you know how. The _Olive Branch's_ steering
+apparatus is on the same principle as that of a Whitehead torpedo.
+The course is set by means of a pointer on the compass-card. The
+slightest deviation causes a small valve to be opened which actuates
+the rudder. Of course in confined waters or on going into action we
+use the steering-gear in the conning-tower."
+
+"I can scarcely grasp the meaning of these wonders," remarked
+Tregarthen.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: chapter VII]
+CHAPTER VII
+
+RUMOURS OF WAR
+
+
+"ONE moment, sir," said Gerald as he accompanied the captain across
+the fo'c'sle, where a party of men were undergoing musketry exercise.
+"What is the meaning of that cylinder close to the muzzles of the
+rifles?"
+
+"It's a silencer--the Lucas silencer, to be exact. I took a fancy to
+the device and acquired the patent. Mr. Ball, bring me one of those
+rifles, please."
+
+The gunner brought one of the rifles for inspection. As Gerald had
+already noted it differed little from the Lee-Enfield type.
+
+"The magazine takes a clip of ten rounds of .202 ammunition,"
+announced Captain Brookes, as he pulled out the "cut-off" and thrust
+a cartridge into the chamber. "Now, listen."
+
+Bringing the rifle to his shoulder the captain pressed the trigger.
+Beyond the slight recoil and a faint hiss there was nothing to
+indicate that the weapon had been discharged, until the still-smoking
+cartridge-case was ejected.
+
+"I am applying this principle to all our ordnance, from the 6in. down
+to the revolver. It means a great moral advantage to be in a position
+to launch a hail of charged shells with a complete absence of sound,"
+continued the captain, as he handed back the weapon. "Now we
+will----"
+
+"Sail-ho!" came a hail from the bridge.
+
+"Where away?" demanded the captain, in stentorian tones.
+
+"Dead ahead, sir."
+
+"That's the _Puma_, I'll be bound. Mr. Tregarthen, we must postpone
+the remainder of our inspection for awhile. In the meantime you'll
+find Mr. Stockton in your cabin. You may inform him that he has the
+run of the ship, with the exception, of course, of the
+conning-tower."
+
+So saying, Captain Brookes hurried off to the bridge, the speed of
+the _Olive Branch_ was reduced to less than twenty knots, and
+preparations were begun for opening communications with the _Puma_,
+which was already within five miles when Tregarthen went below to
+rejoin his companion.
+
+"It's settled, Jack; you are to stay aboard the _Olive Branch_," he
+exclaimed.
+
+"Yes, I know, thanks to you. They've told me that I'm to share your
+cabin."
+
+"How did you know that?" asked Gerald. "Captain Brookes agreed to my
+proposal, and ever since then he has not been out of my sight."
+
+"I don't know; I'm here, and there's an end of it as far as I am
+concerned," replied Jack, philosophically.
+
+"Well, let's go on deck. We've sighted some vessel or the other."
+
+"What's the game--piracy?" asked Stockton, suspiciously.
+
+"I don't think so. But we're easing down, so look sharp."
+
+Together the two chums gained the quarterdeck, the sentry on the half
+deck coming to the salute as Tregarthen passed. Here, again, Gerald
+was puzzled, for the man evidently was aware that the young
+lieutenant was no longer under arrest but had nominally become an
+officer of the ship.
+
+The _Olive Branch_ and the _Puma_ lay side by side at about a cable's
+length apart. There was a total absence of wind, and the sea was as
+smooth as glass, while overhead the sun beat fiercely down upon the
+mirror-like surface of the ocean.
+
+On the _Olive Branch_ the bo'sun's mate had piped "Clear lower deck,"
+and already the somewhat meagre crew had mustered on the upper deck,
+where warps and hawsers were being laid out with the evident
+intention of making fast to the other vessel.
+
+The _Puma_ was a tramp steamer of about 6,000 tons, with two stumpy
+masts, a black funnel, and towering wall sides that had been but
+partially painted, for a considerable portion of her hull still
+showed the priming coat of red lead. From an ensign staff over her
+taffrail the stars and stripes hung motionless in the sultry air. The
+_Olive Branch_ flew no colours.
+
+"I don't think it's piracy this time," remarked Jack. "The men are
+not armed."
+
+"They seem a well set up lot," said Gerald. "I wonder where they were
+picked up. Short service naval men and Royal Naval Reserve seamen in
+all probability."
+
+Tregarthen knew a sailor when he saw one, and his observations were
+correct. The men had for the most part discarded their No. I suits of
+blue serge, and were dressed in serviceable white canvas. With the
+utmost alertness and intelligence they executed their orders, which
+were given with a noticeable lack of bawling and shouting.
+
+Smartly the _Olive Branch_ was manoeuvred alongside the _Puma_, large
+fenders protecting the two vessels from the slight rolling as the
+latter's derricks were set to work.
+
+In less than two hours eight 6in. guns, each weighing nearly seven
+tons, were transferred from the hold of the tramp to the deck of the
+cruiser, besides several smaller quick-firers and a quantity of cases
+and empty shells. Why the projectiles were shipped apart from their
+cartridges Tregarthen could not understand, though he resolved to
+make inquiries at the earliest opportunity.
+
+The work of transhipping the ordnance having been completed, the
+skipper, a typical New Englander, came aboard the _Olive Branch_,
+armed with a sheaf of documents. For half an hour he remained below
+in the company of Captain Brookes, and on returning to his own ship
+the hawsers were cast off.
+
+Meanwhile Tregarthen noticed that the cruiser's ensign had been
+hoisted--a device similar to that worn on the seamen's sleeves,
+evidently representing an olive branch in green on a white field.
+
+As the two vessels parted company, the cruiser making off at a
+decorous seventeen knots, there was a mutual dipping of ensigns, and
+a quarter of an hour later the _Puma_ was hull down to the nor-west.
+
+For the rest of that day all hands were kept busy in mounting the
+principal armament. The work proceeded with marvellous rapidity,
+testifying to the splendid mechanical appliances at their command.
+
+Hitherto unnoticed by the sub-lieutenant a powerful crane was
+cunningly concealed in the wake of each turret, so that when not in
+use one of the faces of the apparatus lay flush with the deck. By
+actuating a lever an enormous mass of metal rose to a vertical
+position, the arm commanding a radius of 20ft., while in the place of
+a hook was a powerful electromagnet. The top of the hood of each
+turret was composed of plates of 4in. steel, each section being
+temporarily held by metal bolts. Round swung the crane, the current
+was switched on, and plate after plate was whipped off till the
+turret was ready to receive its pair of guns. These were then easily
+lowered upon the mountings that were waiting to receive them, and the
+roof of the turret was next replaced, men setting to work with
+electric welding machines to permanently seal the armoured slabs.
+
+The work was still in progress when dinner in the ward-room was
+announced, and before this function Gerald and Jack were introduced
+to the other officers of the ship by Captain Brookes.
+
+There were fifteen occupants of the wardroom, all told. Some of the
+officers Gerald had met before, namely, White, the surgeon, and
+Christopher Weeks, the young lieutenant who had escorted him to the
+captain's quarters. Taken together the officers of the _Olive Branch_
+gave Tregarthen the impression that they were a genial,
+happy-go-lucky class. They spoke freely on general topics, but
+studiously avoided "shop," nor did they go into details concerning
+their past careers.
+
+There was one exception, however.
+
+The scientist, Taylor, who had charge of the laboratory and
+shell-filling room, was ever ready to let his tongue wag
+unrestrainedly in spite of the invariable snubbing he received from
+his messmates.
+
+After dinner Gerald and Jack went on deck. Here strong arc lamps
+enabled the crew to continue their labours, for Captain Brookes was
+evidently in a hurry to get the work completed; he was here, there,
+and everywhere, testing circuits, examining the riveted plates,
+calling attention to this and that defect, and, in fact, an example
+of unflagging energy.
+
+"What is this extraordinary hurry for, Mr. Sinclair?" asked
+Tregarthen of the navigating lieutenant, who had just been relieved
+on the bridge.
+
+"Don't you know? Hasn't the captain told you the news? We've our
+first real business in hand. A wireless was received this afternoon
+that war is to be declared between two South American Republics
+within a few days. This is where we step in."
+
+"How do they manage the wireless business, I should like to know,"
+remarked Stockton, as the two friends gained the seclusion of their
+cabin.
+
+"Really, I'm not surprised at anything in this ship," replied Gerald.
+"How is it going to end? The _Olive Branch_ cannot keep the sea
+indefinitely. She must take in stores, have her hull coated in dry
+dock, and undergo a periodical refit. It all costs money, and where
+does the money come from? Who is this Captain Brookes? A
+millionaire--a fanatic--or what?"
+
+"I suppose---- Hallo, who's there? Come in." A timid knock at the
+door had interrupted Jack Stockton's sentence.
+
+A fresh-complexioned round-faced little man edged cautiously into the
+cabin, and carefully closed the door behind him. It was Taylor, the
+scientist.
+
+"Well, Mr. Taylor, what can we do for you?" demanded Gerald.
+
+"Hush, sir, not so loud, I pray of you," replied the little man,
+anxiously, his closely cut greyish hair bristling in his excitement.
+"My name is Schneider, not Taylor.
+
+
+[Illustration: "Look here, Mr. Schneider, you've come to the wrong box
+with your sneaking complaints. So clear out!"]
+
+
+"I am a professor of languages and sciences. You came from Poole, is
+it not? Zen perhaps you are acquainted with Colonel Mortebeque? I was
+at one time tutor to his son----"
+
+"Look here, Mr. Schneider," broke in Tregarthen, impatiently. "I
+don't know Colonel What's-his-name, nor do I want to hear your
+personal history. Come to the point--what do you want with us?"
+
+"Alas!" groaned the professor with a shudder and a curious grimace.
+"I have been trapped; brought on ze voyage under false
+representations. It was to be scientist zat I was brought, but ze
+Captain Brookes he would me make fill ze shells in ze laboratories. I
+like it not. He is pirate."
+
+"Who says he is a pirate?" asked Gerald sternly.
+
+"Me, I will not say it. But zen, he is a--a what you call it. Ah! I
+know--a wizard. You two are also in peril. Will you ask ze captain to
+let you go on land at ze first port we touch, and take me wit you?
+Zen we run away and be safe."
+
+"Look here, Mr. Schneider, you've come to the wrong box. If you've
+any complaint, why not lay it before the captain himself? If as you
+say the captain is a wizard he might be listening now to what you are
+saying. You understand? Well, then, clear out."
+
+"A bright specimen of a sneaking waster," remarked Jack, as the cabin
+door closed on the retreating figure of the professor. "I wonder if
+there's any truth in his tale, eh?"
+
+"I don't think the skipper will go to that extent," replied Gerald;
+as he prepared to turn in. "Anyway, we're here, so let's make the
+best of things. By George! old chap, to tell the truth, I'm jolly
+glad we came."
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: chapter VIII]
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+TREACHERY
+
+
+FOR several days the _Olive Branch_ continued her headlong course
+southwards, bound for the Magellan Straits, the gateway to the
+Pacific.
+
+During that time Tregarthen had little opportunity of speaking to
+Captain Brookes. The little man was literally working night and day.
+
+At length the line was crossed, without the observance of the
+time-honoured custom of receiving Father Neptune and his court. Then,
+as if the classic Sea God smarted under the slight, the _Olive
+Branch_ encountered a terrific hurricane ere she had run clear of the
+Doldrums.
+
+It was as if the sea and sky conspired to wreak vengeance upon the
+cruiser. The waves ran "mountains high," their rugged crest whipped
+into clouds of spindrift by the tempestuous wind, while torrential
+rain, accompanied by rapid and brilliant flashes of lightning,
+blotted out the field of vision to less than a cable's length ahead.
+
+Yet in spite of the elements the _Olive Branch_, her speed reduced to
+a bare thirty knots, charged through the foaming waters. Everything
+was battened down, and well it was, for instead of lifting to the
+waves the cruiser dashed straight through them.
+
+Tons of water swept her decks as far as the aftermost turret, the
+spray flying in solid sheets high over her charthouse. Yet she
+maintained a remarkably even keel, so that, had it been necessary,
+her guns could have been fought with comparative ease.
+
+Gerald, who, like the rest of the crew save those whose presence was
+necessary in the chart-house, was compelled to remain below, could
+not help admiring the steadiness with which the vessel behaved.
+
+"Yes, she's a marvel!" assented Alec Sinclair, the first "luff."
+
+"I don't want to alarm you, but this stability is owing to her low
+metacentric height. It's only her speed that gives her safety, though
+I would not give much for my life if she were caught broadside on by
+one of those waves."
+
+Fortunately these storms, though violent, are of comparatively short
+duration, and, running directly across the path of a hurricane, it
+was not long before the _Olive Branch_ emerged from the zone of the
+tempest.
+
+The sea still ran high, though the crests rarely broke inboard, but
+the hatches were able to be unbattened, and the crew to breathe the
+fresh air.
+
+"Sail on the starboard bow!"
+
+The officer of the watch, on hearing the hail, immediately acquainted
+Captain Brookes. During the voyage several craft had been sighted,
+but, with the exception of the _Puma_--which had previously been
+ordered to rendezvous at a certain latitude and longitude--they had
+invariably been carefully avoided. It was a matter of surprise,
+therefore, that the captain ordered the cruiser's head to be turned
+towards the strange vessel.
+
+It did not take the _Olive Branch_ long to overhaul the craft, which
+proved to be a German tramp steamer of about 4,000 tons. She was
+rolling helplessly in the trough of the waves, alternately dipping
+her topstrakes and showing the greater part of her bilge-keels, while
+from her mainmast fluttered the international signal signifying that
+her main shafting was broken.
+
+Maintaining a bare steerage way the _Olive Branch_ was brought as
+close to the disabled vessel as was consistent with safety, and by
+the aid of a megaphone Captain Brookes expressed his intention of
+giving the tramp a "pluck" into Pernambuco.
+
+"Are you Engliche sheep of war?" asked the gold-laced Teuton in
+command, knowing full well that in that case he would be freed from
+the obligation of paying salvage.
+
+"No," replied Captain Brookes, shortly.
+
+"Den how much you want?" continued the German officer, astutely.
+
+"The same as if this ship were a British Government vessel--nothing
+at all. So stand by to get out a hawser."
+
+The delighted skipper thereupon asked the name of the cruiser, but
+Captain Brookes preferred to keep a mysterious silence. Possibly he
+had ulterior motives in acting the good Samaritan, but Tregarthen was
+unable to fathom them.
+
+It was a hard task to bring the tramp's hawsers aboard the cruiser.
+Twice they parted like pack-thread, but at the third attempt a strong
+cable was secured to a stout "necklace" passing round the base of the
+after-turret. Then, at a steady twelve knots, the _Olive Branch_
+headed for Pernambuco, the disabled tramp wallowing astern like a
+wounded porpoise.
+
+
+[Illustration: Bending over the instrument was a young officer, his
+head practically covered with a metal cap fitted with receivers.]
+
+
+"We can now complete our tour of inspection," remarked Captain
+Brookes, "since the presence of yonder craft interferes somewhat with
+our preparations. Bring Mr. Stockton with you."
+
+"Very good, sir," replied Gerald, and in a few minutes the captain
+and his two _protégés_ were descending the steep iron ladder that
+communicated with that part of the ship below the armoured deck.
+
+Being below the water-line the place was lighted by electric lamps,
+while every bulkhead and partition was traversed by a maze of wires,
+hidden by metal casings, each painted in distinctive colours.
+
+At length Captain Brookes stopped before a sliding steel door and
+beckoned Gerald and Jack to enter. The two chums found themselves in
+a small lobby, their progress barred by a door similar to the one
+they had just entered. Carefully closing the outermost door their
+guide proceeded to slide back the other panel, disclosing a small
+room lighted only by the fitful bluish sparks emanating from an
+electrical machine. Bending over the instrument was a young officer,
+his head practically covered by a metal cap fitted with receivers
+similar to those worn by telephone exchange operatives.
+
+"This is our wireless room," said the captain, raising his voice to
+make it audible above the succession of sharp reports like the crack
+of a whip. "No overhead gear to be carried away in action or in a
+gale; our wireless messages are received by an electrical current
+passing through water. The apparatus is merely an extension of the
+submarine signalling system. We are in touch with our agents at
+Swanage in England, Plougastel in Brittany, Cape Cod in the U.S.A.,
+and ere long with Sydney, N.S.W., and Antofagasta in Chili. Thus we
+are well informed of events that are likely to call for our
+intervention."
+
+"Then that is how you learned the result of your experiments with the
+_Zietan_, is it not?" asked Tregarthen.
+
+"A shrewd guess, only it happens to be wrong," replied Captain
+Brookes. "However, I'll enlighten you on this point."
+
+From the wireless room he led the way for'ard, between walls of steel
+that doubtless contained more wonders of mechanical triumph. Passing
+the cable lockers he dived down a narrow hatchway, leading still
+deeper into the bowels of the ship, till he arrived at the door of a
+wedge-shaped room corresponding with the bow of the vessel. Here was
+a table on which were several electrical coils and a pair of dials
+resembling galvanometers.
+
+"Here you are," continued the captain. "What do you make of this
+contrivance?"
+
+"I cannot say," replied Gerald, still nettled by the failure of his
+previous conjecture.
+
+"That apparatus gives us warning when we are passing over a submarine
+cable. It used to be an accepted fact that the insulation of our deep
+sea cables is so perfect that the 'leakage' is infinitesimal, but by
+this instrument we can detect their presence in any depth down to one
+hundred fathoms. This done, it is a comparatively simple matter to
+grapple for the cable, hoist it to the surface and tap it. The great
+disadvantage is that the ship must be brought almost to a standstill
+to enable the 'detector' to act, and, of course, wholly so while the
+wire is being brought on board."
+
+"Then you tapped the Borkum and Lowestoft cable--I remember the
+newspaper report stated that it was interrupted."
+
+"No, I did not. If anything went wrong with that cable it was merely
+a coincidence. What would be the use of tapping a cable if by so
+doing it was made useless for transmitting messages? No, it was the
+Middlekerke and Dumpton Gap lines we took on board, and consequently
+heard the whole of the business concerning the _Zietan_, and a
+considerable amount of other intelligence as well. Now I think you
+have seen all that there is to be seen for the present," continued
+Captain Brookes, after the engine-room had been inspected. "There is
+one more marvel, on which I pride myself not a little, but until the
+finishing touches are completed it would be better to say nothing
+about it. Some day, and at no distant date, I hope to enlighten you
+on that subject."
+
+"One question I should like to ask--I hope you will not think me
+impertinent or unduly inquisitive--that is, where did you obtain your
+officers?"
+
+The captain pursed his lips for a few moments before replying. "They
+are, for the most part, gentlemen," he observed. "But, unfortunately,
+they have fallen in the social scale, and wish to regard their past
+as a closed book. I can tell you of a few cases, though, of course,
+in strict confidence. Mr. Palmer, one of our lieutenants, for
+example, was but a few years ago a commander in the Royal Navy. Ran
+his vessel full tilt on the rocks, was court-martialled, and
+'smashed.' As far as his friends are concerned, Palmer--though that
+is not his real name--is supposed to be away for a three-years' tour
+in the Rockies. Then there's White, the surgeon--also an _alias_, by
+the bye. He was a well-known country doctor with a good practice till
+he fell foul of a coroner's court over some trivial detail. It broke
+him as far as England was concerned."
+
+"And the men?"
+
+"Are mostly the discarded victims of the British Admiralty's short
+service system, with a sprinkling of merchant seamen who have been
+ousted by cheap and inferior foreigners."
+
+"Are you not afraid that some of them will desert and reveal the
+secret of the _Olive Branch_?"
+
+"It matters little so long as they do not desert in a body; but,
+thanks to the condition under which they are engaged, I do not
+anticipate any trouble in that direction. No man is acquainted with
+the whole of this vessel's mechanism. Even the officers' duties are
+not entirely interchangeable. For instance, Sinclair, the gunnery
+Jack, would be helpless on the Z-rays; Taylor--oh! I have forgotten
+something, after all. With the load of responsibility on my shoulders
+it's a wonder that I am not even more forgetful. There's Taylor, the
+scientist; he runs the laboratory with Guy Temple as his assistant. I
+have not yet shown you his sanctum."
+
+The laboratory was a spacious apartment on the starboard side of the
+base of the fore-turret, with a hatchway communicating with the orlop
+deck. In one corner was a wide bench covered with test tubes,
+retorts, and similar articles used in chemistry, while on the floor
+were ranged nearly a hundred cylinders.
+
+"Where's Mr. Taylor?" asked Captain Brookes, of an alert young
+officer who was engaged in some experiment of scientific research.
+
+"I have not seen him during the last two hours, sir."
+
+"H'm!"
+
+"Shall I send for him, sir?"
+
+"No, it does not matter particularly. Now, Mr. Tregarthen. Here are
+the explosive charges for the 6in. shells. The projectiles are
+discharged with Whaddite, an improved form of cordite, but what do
+you think is the composition of the bursting charges? I'll tell you;
+it's liquid air. With this explosive a 6in. is more deadly than a
+thirteen point five shell charged with lyddite. No armour plate can
+withstand it. Directly we have parted company with the tramp we have
+in tow, I'll give a demonstration of its power."
+
+The captain's words were interrupted by the appearance of a
+lieutenant, pale-faced in spite of his tanned complexion, and
+evidently labouring under suppressed excitement.
+
+"Sir," he exclaimed. "Will you come on deck? The officer of the watch
+has sent me to say that there's treachery aboard the _Olive Branch_."
+
+"Oh, is that so?" asked Captain Brookes, calmly, then turning to
+Tregarthen he requested him to accompany him to the quarter-deck.
+
+"Well, Mr. Sinclair," exclaimed the captain as the officer of the
+watch hurried to meet him. "What's amiss?"
+
+"I observed someone in that vessel astern signalling from the shelter
+of the bridge, sir," he explained. "I couldn't make out the message,
+and judging by the manner in which they signalled I took it for
+granted that the sender wished to avoid outside attention. When I
+strolled aft the flag-wagging ceased, so I sent Mr. Weeks to your
+cabin to investigate. He informs me that Mr. Taylor is in the
+stern-walk and is signalling to yonder German."
+
+"How could he gain the stern walk without attracting the attention of
+the sentry on the half-deck?"
+
+"I believe, sir, that he slipped over the rail when no one was
+looking, lowered himself to the canopy of the gallery, and thence to
+the stern-walk; that's a comparatively easy matter."
+
+"Very good, Mr. Sinclair; carry on as if nothing were amiss."
+
+Thereupon Captain Brookes made for the shelter of the after-turret,
+whence from the sighting-hood he could command an uninterrupted view
+of the German vessel without being observed.
+
+"Can you understand German?" he asked.
+
+"Fairly well, sir," replied Gerald.
+
+"Then see what you can make of that," pointing to the rapidly waving
+flag. "I shall require corroboration."
+
+"'_Make an attempt to leave the ship tonight; we will be awaiting
+you,_'" read Gerald.
+
+"That's it," assented Captain Brookes. "They've finished for the
+present; but I've learnt enough."
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: chapter IX]
+CHAPTER IX
+
+AN ACT OF PIRACY
+
+
+DURING dinner there was nothing to indicate that ere morning strange
+doings were to be enacted on board the _Olive Branch_. Captain
+Brookes had given strict instructions to those who were in the secret
+to maintain silence and to abstain from any words that might alarm
+the traitor.
+
+The meal therefore proceeded as smoothly as usual, though Gerald
+noticed that Taylor, _alias_ Schneider, was ill at ease, refraining
+from indulging in conversation, and looking across the table in an
+absent-minded manner.
+
+When permission was given to smoke the captain excused himself and
+withdrew.
+
+"Well, Mr. Sinclair?" said he to the officer of the watch.
+
+"I've examined the stern-walk, sir; there is a snatch-block and a
+coil of rope under the seat."
+
+"You did not disturb them, I hope?"
+
+"No, sir."
+
+"Very good; I'll have the lights going in my cabin and the curtains
+drawn over the scuttles and gallery door. Keep an eye on Taylor
+without being observed, and when he makes for the stern-walk inform
+me."
+
+Shortly after midnight word was brought that the scientist had
+lowered himself on to the stern gallery; and Captain Brookes, Gerald,
+Stockton, and the officer of the watch crept cautiously aft so that
+they could hear the traitor's movements.
+
+The night was pitch dark. All the deck lamps were screened, save the
+navigation lights, which were invisible from the quarter-deck. The
+_Olive Branch_ was still maintaining a steady ten knots, her wake
+showing a path of faint phosphorescence till it was interrupted by
+the hull of the German tramp a cable's length astern.
+
+After a quarter of an hour's vigil the watchers were rewarded by the
+sound of a sullen splash, and a dark object, outlined in a spray of
+dim light, veered slowly astern.
+
+"Has he jumped overboard?" whispered Jack Stockton.
+
+"Hist! No, he's slung the life-buoy overboard. There's a line bent on
+to it."
+
+"You're right," remarked Captain Brookes, as he watched the towed
+craft through a pair of night-glasses. "They've brought the buoy over
+the side."
+
+Suddenly the canopy over the stern-walk vibrated violently. The
+watchers instantly drew back and laid themselves flat on the deck.
+The next instant the dark outline of a man appeared above the metal
+covering of the stern-walk. It was Schneider.
+
+The man was active in spite of his obvious cowardice, for with the
+utmost dispatch he passed the heavy snatch-block over the hempen
+cable that connected the two vessels and closed its hinged side.
+
+From the hook of the block was a bo's'un's chair. On this the rogue
+adroitly took his seat, and instantly let go. So cunningly had he
+laid his plans that he had omitted no detail to ensure success, for
+the sheave made no sound as the block descended the bight of the
+hawser, showing that he had not forgotten to oil the large
+lignum-vitae roller.
+
+"Wait till he reaches the middle of the slack," ordered the captain.
+Then, having ascertained by the aid of his glasses that the fugitive
+was dangling a few feet from the water midway betwixt the _Olive
+Branch_ and the German vessel, he whipped out a knife and proceeded
+to sever the hawser.
+
+"Good heavens!" muttered Jack Stockton under his breath. "It's
+murder!"
+
+"No fear; he'll only get a ducking. They'll haul him inboard by means
+of the whip," replied Gerald. "Stand by and look out for the hawser
+when she goes."
+
+The warning had hardly been given when the last strands of the stout
+cable snapped, the inboard portion flying across the deck. Then, like
+a greyhound released from its leash, the _Olive Branch_ darted off
+into the darkness.
+
+"Pass the word for the searchlight to be run," ordered Captain
+Brookes. "Hard a-starboard with the helm."
+
+Round spun the cruiser. Her giant beams swept the gently heaving
+water, and revealed the tramp, like a silver bark, lying well-nigh
+motionless a couple of miles away on the starboard bow.
+
+"That will do. Keep yonder craft in sight," continued Captain
+Brookes. "Now gentlemen, we'll retire. To-morrow morning I'll finish
+up this business."
+
+At daybreak Gerald went on deck, eager to learn the state of affairs,
+and found that Captain Brookes had already forestalled him.
+
+Less than a mile away was the German vessel. Her crew had taken the
+severed cable on board, and had doubtless discovered that the parting
+of the tow-rope was caused by a deliberate act, for they had hoisted
+a staysail and trysail, and were heading slowly S.S.W.
+
+In obedience to the captain's order the _Olive Branch_ was brought
+within hailing distance of the vessel she had befriended, and had in
+return received such despicable treatment.
+
+"Heave-to," thundered Captain Brookes. "I'm going to send a boat."
+
+"Mr. Slade," he added, addressing one of the lieutenants, "you will
+please board yonder craft and bring back Mr. Taylor at any cost. Mr.
+Tregarthen, will you also accompany Mr. Slade?"
+
+The gig's crew scrambled into the boat with alacrity. Every man was
+armed with a cutlass, while from their somewhat exaggerated holsters
+peeped the butts of revolvers. The lieutenant was also provided with
+a pistol, but Gerald preferred to go unarmed.
+
+As the boat drew near to the foreigner the bulwarks of the latter
+were lined with fair-complexioned, stolid-faced Germans, but no
+attempt was made on their part to encourage the men of the cruiser to
+board.
+
+"Throw us a line, will you?" shouted Slade.
+
+"What do you want?" demanded the master of the tramp.
+
+"We want the person who deserted from our ship last night. We know
+that you aided and abetted him," replied the lieutenant.
+
+"You no come aboard my ship," retorted the master, resolutely. "See
+dis flag; dis ship German territory," and he pointed aft to where the
+red, white, and black ensign fluttered from the staff.
+
+
+[Illustration: The man staggered, clapped his hand to his shoulder,
+and fell to the deck, the weapon slipping from his grasp.]
+
+
+"In bow! Oars!" ordered the lieutenant, and the boat ran alongside
+the towering wall-sided hull.
+
+Taking advantage of the roll of the ship the bowman managed to obtain
+a hold with his boathook on the iron bulwarks. The next instant a
+sweep with a hatchet severed the head of the boathook and a lump of
+coal was hurled into the boat. Fortunately it struck one of the
+thwarts, which prevented the little craft from being stove in.
+
+Slade's face darkened with anger.
+
+"Do that again, and I'll fire," he shouted. At this threat the
+Teutonic skipper leant over the bridge rails and flourished a
+revolver. "You pirates!" he drawled. "Stand off, or me fire!"
+
+Then, on giving an order to his men, the cruiser's boat was saluted
+by a volley of coal and scraps of iron, some of the boat's crew
+receiving nasty injuries.
+
+This was more than the lieutenant could stand. Without another
+moment's hesitation he drew his revolver, took a rapid aim, and
+pressed the trigger.
+
+There was no flash, no noise, only a slight twitching of the
+lieutenant's arm as the powerful weapon kicked; but Tregarthen saw
+the German stagger, clap his hand to his shoulder, and fall to the
+deck, his weapon slipping from his nerveless grasp.
+
+"Now, lads, away boarders!"
+
+Aghast at the fall of their skipper, and still more astounded at the
+silent messenger that had laid him low, the crew of the tramp offered
+little resistance, and in a few minutes the cruiser's people were in
+possession of the tramp's deck.
+
+In response to a signal a second boat left the _Olive Branch_,
+containing the surgeon in addition to an armed party. Examination
+showed that the German master's wound was not serious, the bullet
+having passed completely through the fleshy part of his shoulder; and
+having attended to the wounded man, Dr. White ordered his removal to
+his cabin.
+
+"Look here, Tregarthen," exclaimed Slade, "you speak their lingo;
+tell the first mate to muster his men on deck, or there'll be more
+trouble."
+
+Thoroughly cowed, the German obeyed, and the crew having fallen in on
+the upper deck, Slade told off a party of his men to search the
+_Afrika_, for that was the name of the vessel. A prolonged search
+revealed no trace of the missing scientist. The mate was sullen under
+examination, and for a time neither requests nor threats were of any
+use.
+
+At length, unable to curb himself, Slade drew his revolver and
+pointed it at the man's head, bidding Gerald to inform him that
+Taylor must be produced, dead or alive, within five minutes.
+
+Whether the lieutenant meant to keep his word or not his grim
+determined features compelled the mate to give way, and in response
+to a guttural order two of his crew, accompanied by four of the
+cruiser's men, descended to the fore-peak.
+
+The deserter was discovered hidden in an empty tank, and in spite of
+his strenuous resistance he was brought on deck and unceremoniously
+bundled into the gig. Then, having achieved the object of their
+mission, the two boats' crews pulled back to the cruiser.
+
+"Take him below and lock him in his cabin," ordered Captain Brookes,
+sternly. "Let two men remain with him in case he tries to injure
+himself. Mr. Tregarthen," he added, "I have to thank you for your
+assistance in the matter. No doubt you are in need of a meal; your
+breakfast awaits you."
+
+"I wonder why the captain was so keen on seeing that I had my
+breakfast?" remarked Gerald to his friend Jack as the pair attacked
+their meal.
+
+"Goodness only knows," replied Stockton, who had already been
+acquainted with the details of the visit to the _Afrika_. "But, by
+jove, if that man calls himself the Exterminator of War, all I can
+say is he's going a funny way to work. It will end with the _Olive
+Branch_ being denounced as an ocean pariah, and we shall all be
+hanged."
+
+"It's certainly an act of piracy," assented Gerald. "I should not be
+surprised if within a week an international squadron is sent in
+pursuit of us. Yes, Jack, it's rank piracy."
+
+And even while Tregarthen was thus expressing himself, Captain
+Brookes, with the coolest audacity imaginable, had hoisted the white
+ensign to the gaff as the _Olive Branch_ glided rapidly away from the
+outraged German ship.
+
+
+[Illustration: (_To be continued_)]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: third instalment]
+BY PERCY F. WESTERMAN
+
+Author of "A Lad of Grit," etc.
+
+_ILLUSTRATED BY E. S. HODGSON_
+
+*Synopsis*
+
+GERALD TREGARTHEN, sub-lieutenant of H.M.S. _Calder_, being on leave,
+sails from Poole with his old school chum Jack Stockton on board the
+latter's yacht _Playmate_. In mid-Channel the yacht is run down; the
+two friends are rescued, and find themselves on board a mysterious
+cruiser--the _Olive Branch_--commanded by Captain Brookes. Finding
+that Tregarthen is a British naval officer, Captain Brookes announces
+his intention of keeping him on board, and, after due deliberation,
+Gerald decides to fall in with the captain's plans, as far as his
+sense of loyalty will permit.
+
+Tregarthen is initiated into the secrets of the _Olive Branch_,
+including that of the deadly ZZ-rays--an irresistible charge of
+electricity whereby the destruction of a hostile ship can be effected
+at will. Captain Brookes also explains that by the power at his
+command he hopes to make war so terrible that no nation will venture
+to declare war; thus universal peace will be assured.
+
+During the voyage south Schneider, the ship's scientist, deserts,
+taking with him some important plans. He is found on board a German
+"tramp," and is brought back to the _Olive Branch_, whereby an act of
+piracy is committed.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: chapter X]
+CHAPTER X
+
+CLEARED FOR ACTION
+
+
+IT was six bells in the forenoon watch. The _Olive Branch_, her speed
+reduced to a bare ten knots, slipped noiselessly through the oily
+waters, the tropical sun beating down fiercely upon the awning that
+had been spread over the quarter-deck.
+
+Seated upon chairs abaft the after-turret were the ship's officers,
+while on either hand were mustered as many of the crew as could be
+spared from their duties. There was an air of sternness about the
+assembly, for Taylor, the scientist, was about to be tried on a
+charge of desertion and treachery.
+
+"Bring in the prisoner!" ordered the captain, and escorted by two
+armed seamen the culprit was marched on deck and directed to take up
+a position facing his judges.
+
+"Mark Taylor," exclaimed Lieutenant Palmer, who appeared as
+prosecutor, "you are accused upon direct evidence of having broken
+out of this vessel and having sought to obtain a refuge on board the
+German ship _Afrika_. That in itself is a serious charge; but not
+content with that breach of discipline you wittingly informed the
+master of the aforesaid _Afrika_ of the secrets appertaining to the
+ordnance of this cruiser, the _Olive Branch_. Do you plead guilty or
+not guilty?"
+
+"Not guilty," replied the accused man, with a forced tone of
+defiance. "I----"
+
+"That will be sufficient for the present," said the lieutenant. "Your
+evidence will be taken in due course."
+
+Five witnesses for the prosecution having been called, the prisoner
+was allowed to speak on his own behalf.
+
+The accused scientist tacitly admitted that he had broken out of the
+ship, but strenuously denied having given any information regarding
+the cruiser to the master or any member of the crew of the _Afrika_.
+At first his speech was delivered in perfectly pure English, but by
+degrees he waxed excitable and spoke with a decided foreign accent.
+
+"And I claim," he continued, "ze protection of ze German flag, for I
+am a German by nationality."
+
+"Is that so?" demanded Captain Brookes. "How is it that this fact was
+concealed when you joined this vessel? And why has it remained a
+secret till this moment?"
+
+"I am a German," reiterated the prisoner. "My name is Schneider, not
+Taylor. I told zese gentlemen it was so," indicating Gerald and Jack
+with a wave of his hand. "I told zem I was a German subject, and zat
+I was about to run away from ze ship as soon as I was able, and zey
+know it."
+
+"Then why did you not report this to me, sir?" asked Captain Brookes,
+turning to Gerald.
+
+"The man came into my cabin one evening in an excited manner,"
+replied Gerald, calmly. "He certainly said his name was Schneider,
+and began to tell us a long rigmarole concerning his private affairs.
+We told him that if he had a grievance, you, sir, were the best
+person to hear it. With that we kicked him out."
+
+"Thank you," said Captain Brookes, and, addressing the prisoner,
+continued, "Are you in a position to inform us where are the drawings
+and specifications relating to the 6in. shells?"
+
+The accused turned a shade paler than before.
+
+"In one of ze lockers in ze laboratory," he replied.
+
+"If I send you to the laboratory under escort, can you produce them?"
+
+"Hein! If zey are not zare zey haf been stolen," exclaimed Schneider.
+"Perhaps you haf hidden zem."
+
+"They _have_ been stolen, sir," rapped out the captain, harshly; "and
+by you. They were found in the cabin of the master of the _Afrika_ by
+Lieutenant Slade. What have you to say to this?"
+
+Schneider's limbs were trembling so violently that one of the seamen
+had to support him, otherwise he would have fallen to the deck.
+
+"Well, gentlemen, your verdict?"
+
+"Guilty on both counts."
+
+"Mark Taylor, otherwise Schneider, you stand convicted on charges of
+desertion and treachery. With reference to the first crime I now
+admit that you are a German subject, and that I was in error in
+removing you from the protection of the German flag. However, the
+mischief is done, and I must abide the consequences, though I fear
+not the whole naval force of that Empire. As to your traitorous act,
+I can only point out that while in my pay and holding a position of
+trust on board this cruiser you wilfully betrayed your position as a
+responsible officer of the _Olive Branch_. In every community
+treachery against the supreme authority is punishable by death, and
+it is in my power to inflict that penalty upon you. As, however, your
+wretched crime has failed to achieve its object, and these drawings
+are again in our possession, I will waive the capital punishment. You
+are sentenced to solitary confinement, with sufficient exercise for
+the maintenance of your health, as long as the _Olive Branch_ remains
+in commission. Remove the prisoner."
+
+Escorted by the two armed sailors, Schneider was led from the
+quarter-deck. Grimly defiant, he marched between his guards, till on
+arriving at the companion ladder one of the men preceded him, the
+other stepping one pace in the rear.
+
+The prisoner descended two steps, then, suddenly turning, he butted
+the seaman at the head of the ladder. The man fell, and Schneider,
+seizing his advantage, sprang over his prostrate body, cleared the
+rail with a single bound, and leapt into the sea.
+
+There was a rush to the side to see the termination of the tragedy,
+but the luckless man was never seen again.
+
+"That has saved us a great deal of trouble," said Captain Brookes;
+"unless the mischief's already done," he added, under his breath.
+
+On the following day the _Olive Branch_ was running off the east
+coast of Patagonia, the rugged barren heights of that inhospitable
+country being plainly visible on the starboard hand.
+
+"Ah, good morning, Mr. Tregarthen," exclaimed Captain Brookes as
+Gerald made his appearance on deck. He spoke with an affability that
+had been missing during the last few days, but on this particular
+morning his customary geniality seemed to have reasserted itself. "At
+last I think that this vessel is fit for action; that is, as far as
+her armament is concerned. Of course, there may be failures, but
+these can be easily rectified. I mean to make an experiment to
+demonstrate the power of the _Olive Branch_, beyond that of her
+electrical means of offence. In another hour we ought to sight Carlos
+Rock--you've heard of that, perchance?"
+
+"No, sir," replied Gerald.
+
+"Carlos Rock is a small uninhabited island of less than a quarter of
+a mile in extent, and towering to a height of 600ft. How many rounds
+from a 13.5in. gun would demolish it, do you think?"
+
+"I cannot say, sir; but one hit would make a great difference in its
+appearance."
+
+"Then you'll have an opportunity of seeing what our 6in. gun will do.
+By the bye, why are most of the British Dreadnoughts able to fire two
+more guns astern than they can ahead."
+
+"Merely the result of circumstances," replied Tregarthen, bridling
+under the sting of the suggestion. "The position of the after-turrets
+is to facilitate the broadside fire."
+
+
+[Illustration: Schneider cleared the rail, and leapt into the sea.]
+
+
+"Other nations may not think so."
+
+"They can think what they like, sir," replied Gerald.
+
+"So they can, so they can," rejoined Captain Brookes, with an air of
+a man wishing to remove a wrong impression. "Now, if you will
+accompany me to the conning-tower, we'll see what's to be done."
+
+The order for general quarters was given by means of a bugle-call,
+and in a few minutes the scanty crew of the _Olive Branch_ were
+busily engaged in un-shipping stanchions and rails. Then, in response
+to another order the decks were deserted.
+
+"Do they call this 'cleared for action,' I wonder?" thought
+Tregarthen, but barely had his mind expressed the thought ere Captain
+Brookes thrust home a pair of levers. Silently the massive steel
+windshields athwartships sank flush with the deck; the funnel dropped
+out of sight; the steel boats and other deck lumber disappeared into
+yawning cavities prepared for their reception; while simultaneously
+every watertight door in the ship was hermetically sealed. From end
+to end of the upper deck everything was cleared, save for the four
+turrets, the light quick-firers, and the massive conning-tower.
+
+"How's that?" asked Captain Brookes, enthusiastically. "Here we are
+cleared to rapid torpedo-boat attack. Now, watch while I move this
+lever."
+
+This time the light quick-firers disappeared below the armoured deck,
+leaving only the principal armament, while heavy steel plates slid
+noiselessly over the pits into which they had vanished.
+
+"This is where we score again. In modern battleships most, if not
+all, of the light torpedo-repelling armament is badly protected. In a
+general engagement the lighter guns would be dismounted in five
+minutes, and the ship would fall an easy prey to a torpedo-boat
+attack, especially if carried out with a combined dash. Here the guns
+are ready whenever they are required. Now, here's Carlos Rock."
+
+Gerald glanced ahead and saw a mass of stone rising almost
+perpendicularly from the sea, its base lashed by the milk-white surf
+that pounded incessantly upon its iron-bound shores.
+
+Meanwhile Captain Brookes had given directions to the quartermaster
+to encircle the rock at a distance of two miles so as to make sure
+that it was inhabited by no human beings. Ten minutes were sufficient
+for this manoeuvre, during which time the occupants of the
+conning-tower swept the desolate-looking island with their glasses;
+but beyond the presence of myriads of sea-birds the rock showed no
+signs of life.
+
+"Now, stand by!" exclaimed the captain to Gerald. "I cannot go into
+details, but you will easily follow what I mean. All eight guns are
+coupled, ready to fire a broadside. You see those three index-hands?
+One shows the speed of the ship, the second the range of the object
+to be fired at, and consequently the required elevation, the third
+corrects the effect of windage. When set, a resultant pointer fitted
+with telescopic sights gives us the correct aim. Stand here and look
+through this aperture."
+
+Tregarthen did so, and at that moment Captain Brookes depressed the
+firing-key. Instantly there was a slight tremor throughout the ship,
+an almost imperceptible recoil, and then a thin haze of brownish
+smoke, but no noise was audible save the shriek of the projectiles as
+they left the muzzle with a velocity of 2,500ft. per second. Four
+seconds later the whole face of Carlos Rock was covered by a dense
+cloud of dust, and with a dull rumble thousands of tons of rock slid
+into the sea.
+
+"You've altered Carlos's features, sir," exclaimed Gerald, when he
+had recovered from the effects of watching this wonderful broadside.
+
+"Ay!" assented Captain Brookes. "What ship would stand up to that,
+d'you think? Now you can go below and watch the loading operations,
+for we are going to keep up a rapid fire for half a minute."
+
+Descending a spiral steel ladder which led from the conning-tower to
+below the armoured deck, Tregarthen found nearly the whole of the
+ship's company, including those men whom he knew to be captains of
+turrets. Why the latter should be away from the turrets he could not
+quite understand.
+
+Seamen, stripped to the waist, were running small trucks laden with
+shells from the after-magazine. These were placed in a metal hopper
+at a position corresponding with the base of the foremost turret.
+When twelve rounds had been deposited in this hopper its doors were
+closed, and a red light instantly appeared in a dial overhead.
+
+Once again a slight jar shook the ship, followed by eleven others in
+less than twice that number of seconds. The next instant the hopper
+door fell open and twelve empty and still smoking cylinders fell upon
+the floor; a seaman dashed a bucket of water into the compartment,
+and the work of reloading was repeated.
+
+Then a bugle sounded the "Cease fire," and the officers returned on
+deck to observe the effects of the terrible ordnance of the _Olive
+Branch_.
+
+"How's that for going into action?" asked Captain Brookes. "With the
+exception of three men and myself all hands were safe beneath the
+armoured deck. Automatic loading and firing, unerring aim, and the
+victory's won, eh?"
+
+"I certainly should not like to be on board a craft that received one
+round from those guns, sir," replied Gerald. "But suppose, in the
+heat of an engagement, one pair of guns was trained so that some
+portion of this ship intercepted the line of fire?"
+
+"That has been arranged for," said the captain. "Directly the arc of
+fire on one pair of guns is exceeded, that turret remains locked till
+the other guns are trained backward sufficiently for that pair to be
+automatically linked up, so that damage to our own ship from that
+cause is impossible. Of course, if necessary, each turret can be
+worked independently, and in that case the captains of the guns would
+have the control of the firing arrangements."
+
+Further conversation was interrupted by the arrival of a signalman.
+
+"Wireless message just received, sir," he reported, handing a sealed
+envelope to the captain with a salute.
+
+Captain Brookes broke open the envelope, and read and reread its
+contents without moving a muscle; then he beckoned to those of the
+officers who happened to be on the quarter-deck.
+
+"Gentlemen," he exclaimed, "a wireless of extreme importance has just
+been handed to me. The captain of the _Afrika_ has reported an
+outrage by a ship flying the White Ensign, and representations have
+been made by the German Ambassador in London. The British Government
+has rightly repudiated the suggestion that the delinquent was a
+British man-of-war, and has asserted that, from the description
+given, it can only be the ex-Brazilian cruiser _Almirante Constant_.
+Consequently the British and German Governments have issued a joint
+note branding that vessel as a pirate, and have stated their
+intention of hounding her down at all costs, and invite the navies of
+all nations to join them in their task. So, gentlemen, the _Olive
+Branch_ is a modern buccaneer. Every port and harbour is closed
+against her. However, I'll stick to my purpose, but, rest assured, I
+will never fire a shot against a British ship--I'll trust to the
+_Olive Branch's_ speed to shake off pursuit. But"--here his face
+clouded ominously--"should a vessel of any other nationality attempt
+to interfere with us, I'll give her a fair warning. If she persist,
+by Jove, I'll blow her sky high!"
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: chapter XI]
+CHAPTER XI
+
+WIPED OUT
+
+
+ALMOST without further incident the _Olive Branch_ arrived off the
+coast of Chili. Hostilities had broken out between that State and her
+old rival, Peru, but beyond a few encounters between outposts on the
+frontier, no serious fighting had yet taken place. Both republics
+were unwilling to undertake the risk of sending an army into hostile
+territory until the safety of their respective seaboards was assured,
+and every day news of a decisive engagement between the rival fleets
+was expected.
+
+Directly the _Olive Branch_ was in touch with Captain Brookes's agent
+at Antofagasta a wireless message was despatched in the form of an
+ultimatum to the Presidents of Chili and Peru, stating that unless
+the two fleets returned to their respective ports and peace were
+declared within three days, the _Olive Branch_ would be compelled to
+intervene.
+
+The ultimatum was duly presented, and a copy appeared in the leading
+newspapers of the two republics. People began to ask, "What is the
+_Olive Branch_? And what is her nationality?" Then someone suggested
+that the message was the work of either a practical joker or a
+lunatic, and the heads of the two republics treated the message with
+contempt. Not for one moment did anyone connect the _Olive Branch_
+with the ex-Brazilian cruiser that had committed an outrage upon the
+German flag off the port of Pernambuco. The very idea of a vessel
+being able to travel from that port to Valparaiso--a distance of
+4,600 miles--in less than four days never entered into anyone's head,
+and when the journal _El Mundo_ broadly hinted that it was a ruse on
+the part of the Peruvians to frighten the antagonists, the Chilian
+fleet immediately put to sea.
+
+This news was communicated to the _Olive Branch_ from Antofagasta,
+followed by the information that the Peruvian fleet had steamed out
+of Callao, bound south.
+
+"Now we'll have them!" exclaimed Captain Brookes. "We'll get in touch
+with the Chilian vessels first, then pass them hull down so as to get
+between the two fleets. This done I hold them in the hollow of my
+hand." Unfortunately for Captain Brookes his plans were doomed to
+failure. The fleet of the Southern Republic was sighted and passed as
+arranged, but in the interval the Peruvian squadron had altered its
+course and was steaming for Iquique.
+
+"There they are," announced Captain Brookes, late one afternoon,
+pointing to a dense haze that obscured the otherwise clear horizon.
+
+"Not much mistake about that, sir," assented Tregarthen. "If those
+vessels are not burning Lota coal, I'm a Dutchman!"
+
+"It's too late to do anything much to-day," added the captain. "I'll
+give them a dose of Z-rays, and during the night we'll slow down and
+hang on their flanks. To-morrow we'll press the business."
+
+Throughout the night the Peruvian fleet, unable to use searchlights
+and night-sights, pounded along, keeping an erratic compassless
+course towards Iquique. Unable to explain the cause of the sudden
+failure of their electrical gear, the officers and men were in a
+state of nervous tension, expecting every moment to find the Chilian
+fleet at their heels.
+
+Just before daybreak the _Olive Branch_, to avoid being influenced by
+the Z-rays that permeated the fleet, put her helm hard over in order
+to allow the fugitives to gain a few miles.
+
+As she did so a violent explosion shook the ship from stem to stern,
+and a huge column of water sprang up from alongside her starboard
+quarter.
+
+"A mine, by Jove!" exclaimed Gerald.
+
+He was right. The Peruvians had strewn the sea with mines as they
+fled for shelter, and, on turning, the _Olive Branch's_ starboard
+propellers had struck the dangerous weapon.
+
+There was no panic. Every man was at his post, cool and alert. The
+carpenter came on deck with the reassuring statement that the vessel
+was not making water, but on the other hand the engineer reported
+that the three starboard propellers were useless, and that the motors
+actuating them had to be shut off. Thus with only the three port
+propellers working, the speed of the _Olive Branch_ was reduced to a
+bare fifteen knots.
+
+"I'll make them pay for this!" exclaimed Captain Brookes, coolly.
+"Keep her as she is, and at daybreak I'll show them what the _Olive
+Branch_ is capable of doing."
+
+The short twilight changed into day, and the rising sun revealed the
+presence of the Peruvian fleet barely seven miles to the eastward.
+
+There were four armoured cruisers--the _Santa Rosa_, _Lima_,
+_Independencia_, and _Restauracion_, the first three built at
+Elswick, and the last-named having been constructed at Stettin--and
+three gunboats. The latter were the lame ducks of the fleet, and in
+order to protect them the speed of the cruisers had to be reduced
+from twenty-three to fourteen knots.
+
+But to the surprise of everyone on board the _Olive Branch_ the
+_Independencia_ turned and steamed straight for the solitary and
+apparently foolhardy pursuer, the _Restauracion_ supporting her at
+three cables' length on her port quarter. Throughout the night the
+_Olive Branch_ had been cleared for action, and all that was
+necessary now was for the men to go to their stations.
+
+"She's too near to use the ZZ-rays," observed Captain Brookes to
+Gerald, who, at the former's request, had accompanied him to the
+conning-tower. "I've given orders for independent firing the moment
+she shows her teeth."
+
+On came the _Independencia_, the foam flying from her bows, her
+funnels emitting dense clouds of smoke, while no less than five red
+and white national ensigns flew from her mast-heads and signal
+yard-arms.
+
+Suddenly her forward 4.7in. Canet gun opened fire, and a huge
+45-pounder came hurtling through the air. Fascinated, Gerald watched
+its approach, unable to tear himself away from the slit in the steel
+walls, though the projectile was apparently making straight for the
+conning-tower. Often from behind a gun had he watched the flight of a
+shell, but now the conditions were reversed.
+
+The next thing he was aware of was a tremendous crash overhead,
+followed by the fall of splintered steel and a dense suffocating
+smoke.
+
+"That's settled the charthouse and bridge," remarked Captain Brookes
+as calmly as if discussing some triviality, then, pressing an
+electric push, he gave orders for the forward turret to open fire.
+
+The two 6in. weapons were discharged simultaneously, their
+noiselessness contrasting vividly with the rapid detonation of the
+Peruvian gun.
+
+The doomed vessel was instantly swept out of existence. The massive,
+yet graceful, outlines of the cruiser seemed to melt into a hundred
+thousand fragments, then as the smoke slowly drifted, no trace of the
+_Independencia_ was visible, only an ominous swirl in the agitated
+waters as the disintegrated hull plunged to its ocean grave.
+
+Appalled by the fate of her consort, the _Restauracion_ turned tail
+and fled, being joined in her flight by the remaining cruisers, the
+gunboats being left to their fate. But, satisfied by the moral effect
+of his victory, Captain Brookes desisted from the pursuit.
+
+"We're in a pretty pickle," said Gerald as he joined his friend
+Stockton. "Partially crippled, and every port closed to us."
+
+"Can't they make good the damage afloat?" asked Jack. "Divers could
+go down, couldn't they?"
+
+"If it were merely a matter of replacing the propellers they might,
+but it's the damaged shafting that will cause all the trouble."
+
+"Depend upon it, Captain Brookes will find a way out of the mess,"
+replied Stockton, reassuringly. "The only thing that puzzles me is
+what he will do should we be overhauled by a British cruiser. If he
+keeps to his word he won't open fire on her, and if he attempts to
+run away he'll be overhauled. That's a moral certainty."
+
+
+[Illustration: The doomed vessel was instantly swept out of
+existence. The massive outlines of the cruiser seemed to melt into a
+hundred thousand fragments.]
+
+
+"Well, let's hope we shan't be put to the test," said Tregarthen.
+"But, by George, didn't the shell which hit us knock up a dust? It
+simply swept the charthouse and bridge away like brown paper. That
+means that all the steering will have to be done from the
+conning-tower until we find time to make good the damage. But stand
+by--here comes the captain."
+
+Captain Brookes, however, passed them without apparently noticing
+their presence. He seemed intent upon some great problem, and, lost
+in thought, he descended the companion ladder and entered his cabin.
+
+"What's the course, Mr. Slade?" asked Gerald of the navigating
+lieutenant.
+
+"We're going to fall in with the Chilian fleet next," was the reply.
+
+"More pulverising?"
+
+"I cannot say; captain's orders," replied Lieutenant Slade,
+laconically.
+
+At two bells in the first dog-watch the Chilian fleet was sighted,
+but the victory was an easy, bloodless one. By means of the Z-rays
+the fleet was demoralised, and thereupon a signal was sent to Admiral
+Zaetos's flagship, informing him of the fate of the _Independencia_.
+On learning that the _Olive Branch_ was no myth, the Chilian admiral
+consented to return to Iquique to await further instructions from the
+President, and an hour later the _Olive Branch_ was alone on the vast
+Pacific.
+
+"Now to get the damage made good," remarked Captain Brookes,
+cheerfully. "Have you ever put into Talcahuano, Mr. Tregarthen?"
+
+"No, sir."
+
+"Neither have any of my officers; nevertheless I must do so, for
+there is a government dry dock there, the only one on the west coast
+of South America capable of taking the _Olive Branch_. Whether they
+like it or not, I mean to have the ship repaired there."
+
+Early on the following morning the cruiser came in sight of the port
+of Talcahuano. Captain Brookes did not mince matters when dealing
+with the Chilian town; he promptly isolated it by interrupting
+telegraphic communication by means of the Z-rays, then falling in
+with a small trading brig he expressed his intention of compelling
+the master to pilot the _Olive Branch_ into harbour.
+
+"Mercy on me, señor, I dare not!" expostulated the terrified man.
+"The channel is mined; that is why my vessel was hove-to."
+
+"Are you certain of this?" demanded the captain, sternly.
+
+"Yes, señor."
+
+"Well, gentlemen, you hear what the man says," continued Captain
+Brookes, turning to his officers. "What do you say?"
+
+"We are willing to leave the matter entirely in your hands, sir,"
+replied Lieutenant Sinclair, confidently.
+
+"That's what I expected," continued Captain Brookes. "And now,
+señor, go forward and take the helm, for be there one or fifty
+mines, I mean to enter dry dock before sunset. Mr. Palmer, clear away
+the submarine."
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: chapter XII]
+CHAPTER XII
+
+THROUGH THE MINE FIELD
+
+
+AT the mention of the word "submarine" Gerald felt the blood surge to
+his temples. It was not the surprise of hearing that the _Olive
+Branch_ possessed one of these master craft that affected him; he was
+getting used to surprises. It was the glamour of the enterprise that
+thrilled him.
+
+For months past Gerald's ambition was to serve in the submarine
+flotilla. His name had been on the "roster" as a volunteer for the
+hazardous, yet attractive, service, but up to the time of his leaving
+the _Calder_ his hope in that direction had not been gratified.
+
+"May I accompany Mr. Palmer, sir?" he asked, bringing his hand to his
+forehead with professional smartness.
+
+"I think not," replied Captain Brookes. "This is a matter that
+requires skilled men."
+
+"Very good, sir."
+
+Gerald felt the disappointment keenly, but like a true Englishman he
+bore the refusal manfully. Not so with Stockton; his face showed
+unmistakable signs of relief when his chum had been thwarted in his
+desires to embark in a hazardous craft destined for a still more
+hazardous enterprise.
+
+The _Olive Branch_ was now within two miles of the entrance to the
+harbour. On either side of the narrow mouth were stone forts faced
+with earth, over which floated the Chilian flag--red, white, and
+blue, with a white star on the upper "canton" nearest the staff.
+Beyond were the Government works and the low stone houses of the
+town, while in the distance the snow-capped Andes reared their lofty
+peaks to a height of 14,000ft.
+
+"Do you think they'll open fire, Mr. Sinclair?" asked Captain
+Brookes, jerking his thumb in the direction of the forts.
+
+"I don't fancy so, sir," was the reply. "They will trust to their
+mines. Since the last war these johnnies think twice before tackling
+an ironclad."
+
+"Very well, then--carry on. Are your men ready, Mr. Palmer?"
+
+"Ay, ay, sir!"
+
+"Then look sharp about it, if we are to warp into the dock before
+sunset. By the bye, Mr. Tregarthen," he continued, wheeling round and
+facing Gerald, "have you had any experience of creeping?"
+
+"Plenty of it in the Vernon, sir."
+
+"I've changed my mind; you may go with Mr. Palmer."
+
+Accompanied by Stockton, who, now that his chum was permitted to take
+part in the expedition, wanted to share in the perils, Gerald
+followed the lieutenant and a dozen men down to the orlop-deck.
+
+Here, almost amidships, was an oval-shaped steel box, projecting
+about three feet above the deck. Unfastening a massive securing-bar,
+one of the men touched a knob, and the huge rubber-lined lid slowly
+turned on its hinges and disclosed a similar, though slightly
+smaller, box. It was the conning-tower of the submarine.
+
+To Stockton the next few minutes seemed like a dream. The lid of the
+conning-tower was raised, and five of the sailors descended into the
+recesses of the little craft. Palmer then motioned to Gerald to
+precede him, and with a hasty grasp of the hand Jack bade his friend
+a silent farewell.
+
+Then Palmer followed, and ere the lid closed with a ponderous clang
+Stockton saw the dim glimmer of the electric light shining upon a
+mass of complicated machinery.
+
+"Stand aside, please, sir!" said one of the men who still remained on
+the orlop-deck.
+
+The cover of the outer box descended, the securing bar was carefully
+locked, and the sound of inrushing water was borne faintly to
+Stockton's anxious ears.
+
+"They're off now, sir," added the seaman. "If you go on deck you'll
+be able to see something of what they're up to."
+
+From the top of the conning-tower, which in lieu of the demolished
+bridge and charthouse was now the highest practicable coign of
+vantage, Stockton and several of the officers watched the tip of the
+submarine's periscope glide slowly along the surface of the water,
+while some 30ft. in the rear was the tell-tale swirl of the vessel's
+propeller and the characteristic wake of the submersed craft.
+
+Every available glass was brought to bear upon the receding pole-like
+object, as it kept an unswerving course straight for the entrance of
+the harbour.
+
+Suddenly a column of water was thrown 50ft. in the air. Stockton gave
+an involuntary gasp of horror--what if the submarine had fouled one
+of the deadly mines?
+
+A minute passed. Even Captain Brookes began to look anxious, for no
+trace of the periscope was now discernible.
+
+"There she goes again!" shouted one of the men, as another slender
+column rose high in the air.
+
+Four times this was repeated, then once more came an ominous and
+prolonged silence. While the attention of all hands was directed
+towards the harbour the grey, porpoise-like hull of the submarine
+floundered to the surface less than a cable's length from the port
+bow of the _Olive Branch_. Thus, having announced her safe return,
+the little craft disappeared beneath the waves, and, guided by
+consummate skill and judgment, she glided underneath the hull of her
+parent ship.
+
+Half an hour later her crew came on deck of the _Olive Branch_.
+
+"All correct, sir," reported Lieutenant Palmer. "Every mine exploded;
+six in all."
+
+"Very good," replied Captain Brookes. There were volumes of
+commendation in those two words, and every man who took part in the
+dangerous enterprise realised the fact.
+
+"We must wait another hour till there's enough water on the bar, so
+our pilot informs me," continued Captain Brookes. "Mr. Sinclair, I'm
+going below; please report if anything unusual occurs."
+
+"Well, old chap," exclaimed Stockton as the two friends gained the
+seclusion of their cabin "how did you get on?"
+
+"Splendidly," replied Gerald, enthusiastically. "The submarine is a
+masterpiece. This was the mysterious object at which the captain
+hinted during our inspection of the wireless room. I think I've
+grasped the principle of it. The submarine is barely 30ft. in length
+and 8ft. in beam, and is housed in a cavity underneath the ship
+corresponding with the upper half of the submersible. Apparently its
+natural buoyancy keeps it adhered to the hull of the _Olive Branch_,
+but to prevent undue friction when running at full speed there are
+several steel doors, which, when closed, complete the normal
+curvature of the ship's bottom. You saw how we entered the
+submarine?"
+
+"Yes, by means of a watertight door in the orlop-deck, and a
+corresponding one in the submarine's conning-tower."
+
+"Well, directly I descended into the little craft I noticed that she
+was propelled by electric motors, of about 35 horse-power I should
+imagine. Forward there is a bow tube of less than 4ins. in diameter,
+consequently she can carry twenty small torpedoes to our submarines'
+four. I noticed that the vessel was submerged by means of water
+ballast instead of relying upon horizontal rudders, although the
+latter are utilised when running beneath the surface.
+
+"Directly all hands were aboard Palmer opened a valve, and I saw the
+pale green light filter through the glass of the conning-tower; we
+had sunk clear of the _Olive Branch's_ hull. We descended quite
+80ft., in fact, almost to the bottom of the sea, for I could see the
+water discoloured by the muddy sediment caused by the rush of the
+still ebbing tide. Then the motors were started, and, once well away
+from the cruiser, Palmer hoisted the periscope, which hitherto had
+been housed within the submarine.
+
+"'Now, then,' said he, 'you know a mine when you see one, so will you
+please stand by the conning-tower look-out; I'll keep the vessel on
+her course by means of the periscope.'
+
+"So saying he descended a short iron ladder and took his stand before
+a small table coated with highly polished silver. This mirror
+reflected an erect, right image, or, in other words, a faithful
+reproduction of the horizon as seen from the surface.
+
+"We were running at six knots, so that taking into consideration the
+strength of the ebb, our rate over the ground was a bare three knots,
+thus allowing an ample margin to bring up should we sight an
+obstruction."
+
+"How far could you see ahead?"
+
+"About 100ft., for the water was fairly translucent in the bright
+sunshine. Had it been dark we could have used a powerful searchlight.
+
+"Suddenly I caught sight of a barrel-shaped object straining at its
+sinker and cable like a gigantic long-stalked mushroom. Palmer was
+instantly at my side, having ordered the motors to be eased down. The
+principle on which the torpedoes are fired is similar to that by
+which the guns are discharged on board this ship. I saw the slender,
+fish-shaped weapon leave the tube and glide towards the mark, but the
+target being a small one, and oscillating into the bargain, the
+torpedo missed it by a foot.
+
+"The second shot was successful, and although I did not hear the
+detonation, the shock was sufficient to make the submarine lurch
+violently.
+
+"This operation was repeated till we found ourselves right inside the
+harbour, the wharves and the shore being crowded with people
+attracted by the unwonted spectacle of the presence of a mysterious
+battleship in the offing."
+
+"Then it's certain that all the mines have been destroyed?"
+
+"All in the channel, at all events, for we could see the outlines of
+the shoal on either hand, and not a trace of a mine remained. But
+there's the engine-room telegraph; we're getting under way once more,
+so let's go on deck."
+
+On gaining the fo'c'sle the two chums found the Chilian skipper
+shaking with apprehension and anxiety. He had been led for'ard and
+was conning the ship under the charge of Lieutenant Sinclair, who was
+an expert Spanish linguist. The lieutenant communicated the pilot's
+directions to the quartermaster in the conning-tower, who in turn
+held the _Olive Branch_ on her course at a steady five knots.
+
+Even then the depth on the bar was so little that for some
+considerable distance the ship's remaining propellers churned up
+columns of liquid mud. Cleared for action she slowly approached the
+harbour, but, as anticipated, there was no sign of resistance from
+the forts. On the contrary they respectfully dipped their flags, a
+compliment that the _Olive Branch_ returned by lowering her green and
+white ensign.
+
+"Mr. Sinclair, will you pipe away the cutter's crew. I want you to
+take this letter ashore, and your knowledge of their lingo will be
+useful in case they cannot translate it," said Captain Brookes. "I've
+told them my requirements, and offer to pay all lawful dock charges
+and dues. Inform them of events between the two republics, and of our
+part in the matter."
+
+An hour later Lieutenant Sinclair returned with the information that
+Captain Brookes's requests were favourably received, and that the
+_Olive Branch_ could go into dock at once. He also bore the
+intelligence that the alcalde and the commandante of Talcahuano were
+about to pay a complimentary visit to the cruiser that had, while
+engaged in the work of settling the differences between Chili and
+Peru, inflicted a severe loss upon the fleet of the latter republic.
+
+"Good," remarked Captain Brookes, gleefully. "Nothing could be
+better, gentlemen. I mean to make use of both the alcalde and the
+commandante of the town during our stay here."
+
+Without further delay the _Olive Branch_ was warped into dock and
+shored up. The water was then pumped out, and, as the captain had
+prophesied, the cruiser was dry-docked before sunset.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: chapter XIII]
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+TRAPPED
+
+
+DURING the docking of the _Olive Branch_ crowds of townsfolks,
+soldiers, civilians, and peons flocked around the mysterious visitor,
+expressing astonishment at her appearance, yet without showing any
+signs of ill-will.
+
+Nevertheless, no precautions were left undone to safeguard the ship.
+Two of the guns were pointed at the custom-house, the other pairs
+covered the arsenal, forts, and the principal public buildings,
+while, being unable to use the Z-rays on account of the possible
+consequences to the _Olive Branch_, a party of sailors under
+Lieutenant Sinclair landed and marched up to the telegraph office
+with instructions to prevent any messages being sent that related to
+the presence of the proscribed cruiser.
+
+"Commandante coming off, sir," announced the officer of the watch,
+just as dinner was about to be commenced.
+
+"Very well, then, turn out the guard of honour," replied Captain
+Brookes. "Gentlemen, we must postpone the function for a few
+minutes."
+
+So saying he retired to his cabin to don his full-dress uniform, an
+example that was followed by the rest of the officers.
+
+On gaining the quarter-deck Gerald found that the guard of honour had
+already formed up, while ashore a company of troops with a band in
+attendance had fallen in on the quayside. The Chilian soldiers were a
+mixed crowd of whites, half-castes, and blacks, attired in blue coats
+with scarlet facings, white trousers, and gaudily decorated shakos.
+
+The commandante, who was accompanied by the alcalde and a staff of
+brilliantly uniformed officers, was awaiting with true Castilian
+punctiliousness the appearance of the captain of the _Olive Branch_,
+and directly the latter appeared at the head of the companion ladder,
+the troops stood at attention and the band prepared to play.
+
+"What tune are they going to honour us with?" said Gerald, in an
+aside.
+
+"Goodness only knows! As we are of no nationality, they cannot----"
+
+Here Stockton's reply was interrupted by the blare of the band, and,
+to the amazement of everyone on board, the Chilians struck up the
+British National Anthem.
+
+At the sound of the inspiring note, so thrilling to every true
+Englishman, the crew of the outlawed ship forgot everything but the
+fact that they were British-born. Circumstances that had caused the
+majority of them to forswear the land of their birth were lost sight
+of.
+
+Standing stiffly to attention, the two groups of officers faced each
+other, the commandante at the head of the gangway, the captain of the
+cruiser in front of his staff; nor did anyone relax his rigid posture
+till the last strains of the Chilian National Anthem that followed
+the British one had died away. Then, led by Captain Brookes, the
+commandante was taken to the ward-room, the other officers mingling
+in an amicable manner, though signs had to take the place of ordinary
+conversation.
+
+In spite of this difficulty, dinner was proceeded with, Sinclair
+undertaking the duties of interpreter, while from without came the
+ceaseless noise of hammering as the work of repairing the damaged
+shafting was in progress. It was not till after dessert that the
+commandante--a don with a string of names that showed a connection
+with the highest families of Spain--learned that he had made a
+mistake. Up to this point he had imagined that the cruiser was a
+British man-of-war, in spite of the fact that the green and white
+ensign floated from her ensign-staff.
+
+"Yes, Commandante da Silva. According to the decree of the principal
+European nations this ship is a pirate."
+
+"A pirate!" gasped the astonished officer. "What is your
+intention--to hold the town to ransom?"
+
+"No, señor," replied Captain Brookes. "My intentions regarding the
+town of Talcahuano are perfectly straightforward and reasonable. As I
+said before, I am willing to pay all dues and charges, and when these
+urgent repairs are completed I'll put to sea once more. Meanwhile,
+señor, you and your worthy alcalde must consider yourselves as my
+guests till the time of sailing arrives."
+
+"You would hold us prisoners? It is monstrous!"
+
+"Pray do not look upon it in that light," replied Captain Brookes,
+urbanely. "Rather consider yourselves my honoured guests, though I
+must admit that my primary object in detaining you is to make use of
+you as hostages for the good behaviour of the town."
+
+Seeing that resistance was useless, and being assured of courteous
+treatment, the commandante gave in with a good grace, and, with the
+alcalde, was provided with accommodation in the captain's own
+apartments.
+
+This done, Captain Brookes took other steps to safeguard his
+interests. He seized the railway station and allowed no trains to
+leave the town, though he was unable to prevent them from coming in
+from the north. But he realised that it was impossible to completely
+cut off the town. Lota, a coaling centre, is barely twenty miles
+south of Talcahuano, and the means at the command of the captain of
+the _Olive Branch_ were insufficient to prevent people from going
+thither and telegraphing the news of the daring "hold-up "; yet he
+had gained a decided advantage, and in consequence no time was lost
+in refitting the _Olive Branch_ for sea.
+
+The damage done by the mine was not so great as was anticipated. Two
+of the three port propellers' shafts were bent, and all three
+propellers were hopelessly damaged. Fortunately a spare set was
+carried on board, so the only difficult task was to draw the shafting
+and straighten it in the Government workshops. On the evening of the
+second day the work was completed, and preparations were in progress
+for undocking the _Olive Branch_ at daybreak.
+
+"Do you know, Mr. Palmer, that your gallant exploit in clearing the
+mine-field was unnecessary?" asked Captain Brookes during dinner.
+
+"Unnecessary, sir?" exclaimed the astonished lieutenant. "How so,
+sir? Were they dummies?"
+
+"No, not dummies, but real live electro mechanical mines. But our
+Z-rays had, so the commandante informs me, thrown the firing-gear out
+of action. It's strange that I never thought of that, though had they
+been contact mines the danger would have remained.
+
+"And now, commandante," he continued, "I must make some slight amends
+for my conduct in detaining you. To-morrow, all being well, we must
+part company, but before so doing our paymaster will settle all
+accounts incurred ashore. Meanwhile, I ask you to accept this slight
+token in remembrance of the hurried visit of the _Olive Branch_."
+
+So saying he handed the Chilian officer a morocco case, with a bow
+that would have put a high-born Spanish grandee in the shade. Within
+the box was an English hunter, with a solid gold case, on which was
+the representation of an olive branch set in diamonds. This gift, so
+unexpected, so overwhelmed the commandante that it was some minutes
+before he could frame a suitable reply.
+
+To the alcalde Captain Brookes presented a jewelled scarf-pin,
+bearing a device similar to that of the watch, and it was evident by
+the expressions of gratitude of the two officials that they would
+have welcomed a similar visit every day in the week.
+
+In the midst of these courtesies there came a rude interruption.
+
+The officer of the watch rushed into the ward-room, his face pale
+with excitement.
+
+"We're trapped, sir!". he exclaimed. "There's a British squadron
+outside the harbour, and they've spotted us with their searchlights.
+Signal just come from the flagship demanding our unconditional
+surrender at daybreak."
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: chapter XIV]
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+RUNNING THE GAUNTLET
+
+
+"DON'T distress yourself, Mr. Sinclair," said Captain Brookes, "it
+may cause my guests considerable uneasiness. Reply by merely
+acknowledging the signal; no more. Then report to me the earliest
+moment at which the ship can be undocked."
+
+When the lieutenant had retired the captain turned to his officers.
+
+"This is a strange business, gentlemen," he remarked, briskly,
+"though we must be prepared to deal with little unpleasantnesses of
+this sort. In the first place I did not expect a British squadron in
+these waters, still less did I think they would worry me with
+messages of this kind. I can only conclude that a telegraphic message
+has been sent from Lota or Coronel apprising the fleet of our
+presence here. In any case they've been mighty smart about it."
+
+"What do you propose to do, sir?" asked Lieutenant Slade.
+
+"Do? Why, trick them. Look here, Mr. Tregarthen," he added, "I'll
+remember my promise to you, and what is more, it's my resolution not
+to commit any action that may be regarded as the act of a
+belligerent. Meanwhile it would be a good opportunity for you to
+write your report to the Admiralty, for, mark my words, they'll send
+a boat in the morning."
+
+"I've already done so, sir," replied Gerald. "Do you wish to see the
+document?"
+
+"No, no; I have the greatest confidence in you, Mr. Tregarthen; it
+would be a breach of etiquette on my part if I were to supervise your
+correspondence."
+
+"I have not the slightest objection----"
+
+"But I have, so please say no more on this subject. Ha! Here's
+Sinclair once more."
+
+"Message dispatched as stated, sir. The bos'n reports ship will be
+ready to be undocked at midnight," laconically announced the officer
+of the watch.
+
+"Very good--carry on," was the stereotyped reply.
+
+Captain Brookes appeared to be in no hurry. The dinner seemed unduly
+prolonged, and it was six bells ere the captain set the example by
+going on deck.
+
+Away in the offing the powerful beams of the searchlights of the
+blockading squadron played continuously on the town and harbour,
+while from the mastheads of the ships the flashing signals blinked
+incessantly. Judging by the number of beams there were at least four
+vessels, but of what strength the officers of the _Olive Branch_ were
+unable to ascertain.
+
+In spite of Captain Brookes's coolness a sense of uneasiness pervaded
+the officers and men of the trapped cruiser, for without resorting to
+extreme measures it seemed impossible for the _Olive Branch_ to make
+a bid for freedom.
+
+Punctually at midnight the sound of rushing water announced that the
+sluices to the culverts were opened, and three-quarters of an hour
+later the cruiser, now fit to proceed to sea, was warped into the
+centre of the harbour.
+
+The commandante and the alcalde were sent ashore, all claims settled,
+and with stores and water tanks replenished, the _Olive Branch_ swung
+easily at her cable, awaiting the dawn.
+
+"Do you recognise any of these vessels, Mr. Tregarthen?" asked
+Captain Brookes as the sun appeared over the summit of the Andes.
+
+"Yes, sir; the one flying the commodore's broad pennant is the
+_Niobe_, protected cruiser; the others are the _Melampus, Cambrian_,
+and _Amethyst_."
+
+"All out-of-date vessels on their last legs," commented the captain
+of the _Olive Branch_. "I suppose they are good enough for the
+ordinary work on this station; but, by Jove! it's lucky for them that
+I can keep myself under control. Either that commodore is mad, or he
+does not know the risk he's running."
+
+"Is it madness to carry out orders, sir?" asked Gerald, quietly.
+
+"Under certain conditions, yes; discretion should always be a proviso
+in such cases. But here comes a boat."
+
+As he spoke a steam pinnace flying the white ensign came pelting
+towards the harbour, throwing up columns of spray as she plunged
+through the agitated water on the bar.
+
+"Ship the accommodation ladder," ordered the officer of the watch,
+and for the first time in the commission of the _Olive Branch_ was
+this means of gaining access to the cruiser made use of.
+
+"Desire the officer to step down to my cabin," said Captain Brookes,
+as he turned to leave the quarter-deck.
+
+The pinnace made the foot of the ladder to a nicety, and a lieutenant
+in full uniform, accompanied by a "sub," came over the side,
+punctiliously, yet sourly, returning the salute.
+
+"Hello, Tregarthen! What the dickens are you doing aboard this
+packet?" exclaimed the British officer in undisguised astonishment.
+"Don't you know me?"
+
+"Yes, of course; it's Blake."
+
+"Right, old man; but again, why masquerading in mufti on this
+hooker?"
+
+"Because I cannot help it," replied Gerald. "To be exact, I'm a
+prisoner, though only a nominal one. Also, I'm on leave. In another
+twenty-three days I am supposed to rejoin the _Calder_, but I'm
+afraid I shan't."
+
+"We'll rescue you, old fellow, never fear."
+
+"Don't be so sure about that. It's a long story, but this letter will
+explain matters. Now you had better be off, for the captain awaits
+you in his cabin, and the officer of the watch looks as if he's
+growing impatient." So saying Gerald handed the lieutenant the
+document he had prepared, and withdrew to where Stockton was
+observing, with mixed feelings, the pinnace of the _Niobe_ as she lay
+alongside.
+
+
+[Illustration: As night fell the searchlights played with unceasing
+vigilance upon the harbour. Suddenly Captain Brookes turned to
+Gerald. "Does my compact forbid me using the Z-rays?" he asked.]
+
+
+In less than a quarter of an hour the English lieutenant, accompanied
+by Captain Brookes, reappeared on the quarter-deck. Without betraying
+any of the circumstances of the interview the former went over the
+side, and the pinnace steamed swiftly back to her parent ship.
+
+"Well, gentlemen, it's only right that you should know the true state
+of affairs," began the captain. "I have affirmed that, save for the
+matter concerning the detention of Mr. Tregarthen and Mr. Stockton, I
+have never committed any action against the British Government that
+warrants such interference, and therefore I question the commodore's
+right to demand our surrender. If, in the execution of my
+self-imposed duty, I have unfortunately been compelled to take stern
+measures with the _Afrika_, that quarrel is between the German
+authorities and myself. On that score I have made my protest to the
+commodore of yonder squadron."
+
+An hour later the pinnace returned, the lieutenant bearing a verbal
+message from the British commodore that he was there to carry out
+orders, not to quibble over them, but that he was prepared to put
+Captain Brookes's protest before the Admiralty in a favourable light
+should the surrender be immediately carried out.
+
+This message the lieutenant gave in the presence of all the officers
+of the _Olive Branch_, possibly imagining that the moral effect might
+be greater.
+
+Captain Brookes's swarthy countenance darkened.
+
+"Go back to your ship, sir!" he thundered. "Inform your superior
+officer that I scornfully refuse his terms. Here is the _Olive
+Branch. If he wants her, let him come in and take her_."
+
+A low murmur of applause from his officers greeted this announcement,
+and once again the English lieutenant returned to his ship.
+
+"I am beginning to repent of our bargain, Mr. Tregarthen," remarked
+the captain. "But, by Jove! I'll keep my word. We are safe enough for
+the time being, for they will never dare to enter the harbour without
+obtaining the consent of the Chilian Government. Meanwhile I can only
+hope for an on-shore gale and a dark night."
+
+All that day and the night following the blockading squadron remained
+on the _qui vive_, but on the next morning the gale that Captain
+Brookes wished for had begun.
+
+Dead on shore it blew, the crested breakers thrashing upon the
+shallows that flanked the entrance. The sky was overcast, and heavy
+rain descended incessantly. At about noon the waves became so high
+that the British ships, already rolling their main decks under, stood
+out to sea so as to escape the discomforts of an on-shore berth.
+Nevertheless, as night fell, the searchlights played with unceasing
+vigilance upon the harbour of Talcahuano.
+
+"Confound those searchlights!" muttered Captain Brookes, then turning
+to Gerald he exclaimed, "Look here, Mr. Tregarthen, does my compact
+forbid me the use of the Z-rays? I think not."
+
+Gerald did not know what to reply. This act alone could hardly be
+termed a belligerent one, and at the same time no permanent damage to
+_personnel_ or material was likely to ensue.
+
+"I'll risk it," continued the captain, and giving orders to clear
+deck for general quarters, he made his way to the conning-tower.
+
+One glance at the foaming bar where the water gleamed silvery white
+under the beams of the concentrated searchlights showed him that the
+plan was a desperate one. A deviation of half a cable's length to
+port or starboard would be fatal even to the _Olive Branch_, for no
+vessel could run aground on those deadly shoals and hope to survive.
+
+Suddenly, as if by the touch of a magic hand, the searchlights
+vanished, leaving only a black expanse of storm-tossed waters.
+Captain Brookes had made use of the Z-rays.
+
+Slowly the anchor came home from its muddy bed, the engine-room
+telegraph signalled full speed ahead, and at her utmost possible
+speed the _Olive Branch_ dashed towards the bar, every revolution of
+her propellers bringing her nearer the alert yet mystified British
+squadron.
+
+She was running the gauntlet. Perils unseen awaited her ahead and on
+either hand. Another five minutes would decide her fate.
+
+
+_(Another long instalment of this splendid serial next month.)_
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: fourth instalment]
+BY PERCY F. WESTERMAN
+
+Author of "A Lad of Grit," etc.
+
+_ILLUSTRATED BY E. S. HODGSON_
+
+*Synopsis*
+
+GERALD TREGARTHEN, sub-lieutenant of H.M.S. _Calder_, being on leave,
+sails from Poole with his old school chum Jack Stockton on board the
+latter's yacht _Playmate_. In mid-Channel the yacht is run down; the
+two friends are rescued, and find themselves on board a mysterious
+cruiser--the Olive Branch--commanded by Captain Brookes. Finding that
+Tregarthen is a British naval officer, Captain Brookes announces his
+intention of keeping him on board, and, after due deliberation,
+Gerald decides to fall in with the captain's plans, as far as his
+sense of loyalty will permit.
+
+Tregarthen is initiated into the secrets of the _Olive Branch_,
+including that of the deadly ZZ-rays--an irresistible charge of
+electricity whereby the destruction of a hostile ship can be made at
+will. Captain Brookes also explains that by the power at his command
+he hopes to make war so terrible that no nation will venture to
+declare war; thus universal peace will be assured.
+
+During the voyage south Schneider, the ship's scientist, deserts,
+taking with him some important plans. He is found on board a German
+"tramp," and is brought back to the _Olive Branch_, which when this
+action is reported is branded as a pirate.
+
+Hostilities break out between Chili and Peru, and Captain Brookes
+determines to intervene. The _Olive Branch_ is damaged by a mine, and
+puts into a Chilian harbour for repairs; but while in dock it is
+trapped by a British squadron demanding its surrender by daybreak.
+Captain Brookes is handicapped by a vow never to fire on a British
+vessel. At midnight when the damage to his ship has been repaired, he
+makes use of his Z-rays to extinguish the searchlights of the British
+squadron. Then the _Olive Branch_ starts forward at full speed.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: chapter XV]
+CHAPTER XV
+
+A ONE-SIDED ENGAGEMENT
+
+
+THRASHING through the chaos of broken water on the bar, the spindrift
+flying in blinding showers over her knife-like bows, the _Olive
+Branch_ held swiftly yet steadily on her course, steered by her
+impassive, automaton-like captain.
+
+Every man was at his post, for the cruiser was cleared for action,
+although it was an understood thing that not a shot would be fired
+under any circumstances. Yet Gerald wondered, as he stood in the
+darkened conning-tower, whether the mental strain might prove too
+great, and whether the temptation to touch one of the deadly levers
+that were within arm's length might overcome the captain's iron
+nerve. Could any human being run the gauntlet, receive the fire of
+four cruisers armed with modern quick-firing guns, and yet withhold
+the means of offence at his command?
+
+Not a word did Captain Brookes utter. With his hands steadily
+grasping the electrical steering-gear, his eyes peering through the
+narrow slit in the armoured walls into the intense blackness of the
+night, he stood as rigid as a marble statue, save for an occasional
+slight movement of his hand as he altered the vessel's helm.
+
+To Tregarthen, looking through his aperture in the conning-tower, the
+task of steering through that mirk of blinding rain and spray seemed
+an impossibility; but, without a bearing to fix his course, and
+ignoring the presence of the compass, Captain Brookes seemed to feel
+his way by a supernatural instinct.
+
+Exactly at four minutes from the time of getting under way a bright
+flash, followed almost instantaneously by a crash that out-voiced the
+roaring of the wind and sea, burst from the darkness away on the
+starboard bow. Then with a long-drawn shriek a 4.7in. shell screamed
+overhead.
+
+Then another missile, coming from right ahead, struck the sea a bare
+twenty yards to port, knocking up a cascade of spray that rose high
+above the foam-flecked waves as it ricochetted into the darkness
+astern.
+
+Still the _Olive Branch_ held on, steering straight for the yet
+invisible cruiser that had fired the second shot. The firing now
+became general from the British cruisers, for the luminosity of the
+spray churned up by the swiftly moving blockade-runner gave the
+gunners some knowledge of the position of the on-coming craft.
+
+_Crash!_
+
+A 6in., striking the bow of the _Olive Branch_ in an oblique
+direction, exploded with a deafening report, the flash throwing the
+outlines of the ship into strong relief.
+
+Then, with a concussion that shook the massive conning-tower to its
+foundations, a heavy missile landed fairly on the base of the
+armoured citadel.
+
+Gerald could not refrain from closing his eyes, though the danger of
+that particular shell had passed, yet he did not move from his
+position at the look-out slit. The experience gained in the action
+with the _Independencia_ was beginning to assert itself.
+
+Now the blows that ought to have been described as staggering
+redoubled as shell after shell struck the cruiser's armoured plating,
+while to the louder detonations of the 6in. and the 4.7in. guns was
+added the sharp bark of the 6- and 12-pounders. The air that eddied
+furiously through the apertures in the conning-tower was foul with
+the acrid fumes, while fragments of glowering metal even found their
+way into the steel shell.
+
+Suddenly one of the quartermasters who was standing in reserve at the
+after end of the tower spun round, and blindly fumbling with his
+outstretched hands, sank lifeless to the deck. As he did so he
+grasped one of the levers, thrusting it downward as he fell.
+
+Instinctively Gerald turned, disengaged the man's grasp, and replaced
+the lever; but the mischief was but partly averted. The funnel,
+windscreens, and the sliding hatches that concealed the boats were
+beginning to raise themselves above the deck, and, caught by the
+withering blast, the thin steel plating was riddled like paper.
+
+Then did Captain Brookes shift his position; but it was not on
+account of the damage caused by the lifeless quartermaster. The
+_Olive Branch_ was drawing within the danger zone of her own Z-rays.
+
+Separating the pointers and springing back to his post, the captain
+put the helm hard over. Round swung the _Olive Branch_, listing
+dangerously outwards as he described a short curve with undiminished
+speed; and at that moment the British cruisers, freed from the
+irritating influence of the Z-rays, threw their searchlights upon the
+daring fugitive.
+
+Having gained an offing, Captain Brookes shaped a course to the
+south'ard, thus presenting the whole broadside as a tempting target
+to the _Niobe_. Eight of her 6in. guns thundered on the irresistible
+_Olive Branch_ with but little effect, though she reeled as the
+missiles smashed against her lofty sides. A round from one of the
+latter's weapons could pulverise the 11,000 tons unarmoured cruiser,
+yet even in the heat of this one-sided encounter Captain Brookes kept
+his word.
+
+Then the running fight soon became a hopeless stern-chase, and
+fifteen minutes after leaving Talcahuano Harbour the report of the
+last gun died away in long-drawn reverberations like the growl of a
+beast of prey.
+
+Giving the helm in charge of the remaining quartermaster, and
+ordering a lieutenant to take command of the conning-tower, Captain
+Brookes began a tour of inspection. It was too dark to see the amount
+of damage done on deck, for the arc lamps had been totally destroyed,
+but below the glow of the incandescent lights showed that the _Olive
+Branch_ had not come scathless out of the fray.
+
+Aft, the lighter side armour, above the lower or turtle-backed steel
+deck, had not been able to resist the passage of four 6in. shells.
+Three of the officers' cabins were completely wrecked, the fireproof
+furniture being shattered into fragments. The distilling plant and
+the bread-room were also demolished, while for'ard, the impact of two
+heavy projectiles on one spot had so weakened the armour plate that a
+third shell had burst under the fo'c'sle, the concussion injuring the
+delicate mechanism of the wireless gear.
+
+Beyond the loss of the quartermaster the casualties were confined to
+minor contusions, though most of the crew complained of deafness for
+the next few days.
+
+"This comes of adopting the principle of passive resistance,"
+commented Captain Brookes. "There's a month's hard work to make all
+shipshape again."
+
+"I must give the skipper due credit for his word," said Gerald to his
+chum as they turned in for the night. "I don't think I could have
+blamed him if he had kicked."
+
+During the greater part of the following day the _Olive Branch_
+resumed her southerly flight, though for the space of one hour she
+was hove-to. Daylight had revealed the extent of the damage done on
+decks. Practically everything that could be shot away had vanished;
+the two quarter boats had been swept from their davits, which were
+twisted into fantastic shapes; the stanchions and handrails, though
+stowed flat on the deck, were torn like pack-thread, while the steel
+decks were furrowed in all directions by the glancing blows of the
+projectiles. As for the conning-tower, it seemed a marvel how any of
+its occupants could have escaped, for almost every square inch of its
+massive armour was dented by the heavy shells, and pitted by the hail
+of the quick-firers.
+
+"Well, Mr. Tregarthen, how do you think the _Olive Branch's_ mission
+of universal peace is progressing?" asked Captain Brookes.
+
+"Since you've asked me, sir, I am afraid that I cannot say it is a
+success. You see, sir, we fired the first shot in the Chilian and
+Peruvian set-to, and sent a cruiser to the bottom."
+
+"That I admit. But see the result. By the sacrifice of the
+_Independencia_ the two fleets were prevented from coming to blows. I
+know these fellows; they fight like tigers, so I can claim credit for
+saving twenty times the number of poor fellows lost in the Peruvian
+cruiser, while the war is stopped--that is, unless that British
+squadron, by driving us away, have encouraged the two Republics to
+fly at each others' throats."
+
+"That may be so," assented Gerald.
+
+"Here comes Mr. Selkirk, with trouble written on every line of his
+face as plainly as A B C. Well, Mr. Selkirk, what's amiss now?"
+
+Selkirk, the chief engineer, was a Scotsman whose whole existence
+seemed bound up in his beloved motors. He was a comparatively young
+man, with thin drawn features and a crop of sandy hair. When off duty
+he possessed a vein of dry humour that belied the oft-repeated
+statement that a man born north of the Tweed can never appreciate a
+joke; but while on duty his attention to his particular work was
+beyond reproach.
+
+"No. 3 propeller on port side, sir," he exclaimed. "Wurkin' a wee bit
+loose."
+
+"Then disconnect the shafting," replied Captain Brookes.
+
+"Will ye no stop the ship awhile, sir. Wi' the shaft at rest the
+propeller may hauld on, but I ha' ma douts. An' ye'll call to mind
+we've no spare wan."
+
+"In that case we'll haul it aboard. It's the best thing to be done,
+Mr. Selkirk. How long do you think it will take the divers to unkey
+it?"
+
+"A matter of twa hoors, sir."
+
+"Then carry on. I'll give orders to bring-to. Mr. Slade, tell the
+bo's'un's mate to warn the diving party for duty."
+
+By this time the _Olive Branch_ had outrun the storm, though by the
+erratic behaviour of the mercury there was every reason to expect a
+repetition of the gale. Nevertheless, there was a long heavy sea on,
+so that the task of shipping the defective propeller was hazardous
+both to the divers and the working party on deck.
+
+When at length the propeller was hoisted in over the side Selkirk was
+on the verge of despair; for one of the phosphor bronze fans was so
+badly fractured that it was a marvel how the greater part of the
+blade had not been torn away.
+
+"Yes, it's a bad job," asserted Captain Brookes, "but it cannot be
+helped. There's only one thing to be done, and that is to make for
+some secluded creek, take the fan ashore, and weld it. I don't think
+we can do better than make for Desolation Inlet."
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: chapter XVI]
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+IN THE CLUTCHES OF THE PATAGONIANS
+
+
+DESOLATION INLET is an unfrequented creek on the northern or
+Patagonian shores of the Magellan Straits. Save for the occasional
+visit of a hardy whaler the harbour is rarely occupied. The inlet
+well deserves its name. Imagine a tortuous channel of deep water,
+surrounded by lofty snow-clad mountains that tower to the height of
+7,000ft., presenting the appearance of a Norwegian fjord without the
+beautifying effect of the foliage and pasture land in the
+intersecting valleys. For, with the exception of a few stunted pines
+and occasional patches of hardy, thorn-like scrub, vegetation does
+not exist.
+
+It was early in September, or towards the end of the winter of the
+Southern Hemisphere, when the _Olive Branch_ glided slowly up the
+placid waters of the creek. Although hardly a ripple disturbed the
+mirror-like surface, Desolation Inlet is subject to sudden storms
+that sweep down from the mountains with well-nigh irresistible force,
+so that their effect upon a slowly moving vessel was extremely
+dangerous.
+
+Although the lead gave no depth at seventy fathoms during the first
+ten miles, Captain Brookes dared not proceed with more than a bare
+steerage way, owing to the extreme irregularity of the bottom of the
+badly charted harbour; and it was with undisguised relief that the
+order was given to let go in eight fathoms, with the shore less than
+two cables' length away on either hand.
+
+
+[Illustration: A party of natives appeared on the beach regarding the
+cruiser with obvious amazement. In their hands they carried long
+slender spears, which they brandished menacingly.]
+
+
+Hardly had the _Olive Branch_ moored when a party of natives appeared
+on the beach, regarding the huge cruiser with obvious amazement and
+curiosity. They were tall, muscular men, wild and shaggy in
+appearance, and scantily clothed in spite of the severity of the
+weather. In their hands they carried long, slender spears, which they
+brandished menacingly when a white flag was waved on board the
+cruiser.
+
+Having lost the small boats in action the only means of communicating
+with the shore was by the motor cutter and the barge. These two boats
+were hoisted out by the crane with comparative ease, and a party of
+men prepared to go ashore for the purpose of setting up a temporary
+forge for the repair of the propeller.
+
+Gerald and Jack asked, and readily obtained, permission to go ashore,
+Captain Brookes cautioning them not to wander far from the boat, and
+not to give the savages any cause for offence; so buckling on their
+revolvers they took their place in the cutter.
+
+On the approach of the boat, moving swiftly and noiselessly through
+the water under her well-silenced motors, the natives fled
+precipitately, till they gained the shelter of a cluster of pine
+trees.
+
+At length, by dint of signs, one of the savages was induced to come
+down to the water's edge. This he did slowly, and with manifest
+hesitation and distrust, but the bait of a piece of copper proved
+irresistible. No sooner had he obtained possession of the metal than
+he bolted back to his companions. Two more followed his example,
+received various blankets, and as promptly fled. Then others summoned
+up courage, and soon the shore was lined with natives, with every
+symptom of good-will, who accepted the various presents with the
+greatest eagerness.
+
+The savages having been pacified, steps were immediately taken to
+build a forge, and the damaged fan was laid upon a bed of sand so as
+to receive the molten metal. This work took two days to perform, some
+of the seamen being lodged in temporary shelters so as to prevent any
+attempt on the part of the savages to remove the metal under cover of
+darkness; but so docile did the Patagonians seem that there appeared
+no necessity for the precaution.
+
+While the welding operations were in progress Gerald and Jack,
+accompanied by a party of armed men, made several short excursions
+into the interior. The snow-drifts made walking a difficult matter,
+while the air was so piercingly cold that the men were especially
+cautioned against sitting down to rest while on their expeditions, as
+the result would be fatal.
+
+"I wonder where those poor brutes sleep?" remarked Jack, as the chums
+trudged wearily through the fleecy mantle that covered the ground to
+the depth of a foot. "In caves or rough huts, I expect," replied
+Gerald. "They must be a wiry set. As far as I can make out their food
+consists wholly of shell-fish, yet they seem to thrive on it."
+
+"What's that over there?" exclaimed Stockton, pointing to a series of
+snow-covered mounds standing about a foot from the ground on the
+shores of a small cove or creek.
+
+"Canoes, turned bottom upwards," replied Gerald, after making a
+lengthy examination through his field-glasses. "And on the other side
+of the inlet is a small village, though what those people are doing
+on this side I cannot make out."
+
+"Perhaps they don't want us to know the position of their village,"
+remarked Jack, as they resumed their way back to the boat, the rest
+of the party straggling in the rear.
+
+On returning to the landing-place they found that the repairs to the
+propeller had been completed and the massive casting had already been
+placed on board the cutter.
+
+"We've been waiting for you the last half hour," observed Mr. Slade,
+with asperity, for the coldness of the atmosphere and the tedious
+delay had not improved his temper. "Now then, men, fall in. Number."
+
+On the landing-party "numbering-up" the astounding discovery was made
+that one man was missing, and further inquiries revealed the
+knowledge that the straggler was a petty officer named Black, who was
+known to have accompanied Gerald's party.
+
+"He must have fallen out on the way back to the shore," exclaimed one
+of the men.
+
+"Well, it's no use standing here--he must be found," said Slade. "As
+I am in charge of the landing-party, I'm held responsible. Look here,
+Mr. Tregarthen, will you take command of the cutter, and take the
+propeller off to the ship? I'll take half a dozen men and go and look
+for Black."
+
+Jack Stockton also expressed his intention of forming one of the
+search-party, so leaving twelve men on the shore to stand by the
+launch, Lieutenant Slade followed the well-defined footsteps through
+the snow, while Gerald undertook the duty of taking the cutter back
+to the ship.
+
+Ere the little craft could accomplish her journey a squall swept down
+upon the harbour with its customary fierceness and intensity. In
+spite of the fact that the cruiser was riding to a strong ebb tide
+the strength of the icy blast caused her to swing broadside on and
+athwart the swirling stream. The motor craft, notwithstanding her
+comparatively high freeboard, took in water on both sides, nor was
+Gerald able to bring her alongside the _Olive Branch_ till she had
+gained the comparative shelter of the lee of the cruiser.
+
+Somewhat to young Tregarthen's surprise no one was waiting to receive
+the boat and its weighty and important cargo, so having secured the
+cutter to the swinging boom her crew clambered up the wire rope
+ladders and gained the deck of the _Olive Branch_.
+
+Here they found that, in spite of the hissing shower of hail and
+snow, the whole of the remaining crew of the cruiser were lining the
+weather-side of the deck and peering intently ashore.
+
+It was a strange sight that met Gerald's gaze as he crossed the deck
+and looked in the direction of the landing-place.
+
+Sheltering under the lee-side of the forge and the adjacent temporary
+buildings were the men of the launch, quite oblivious of what was
+taking place a bare hundred yards from where they stood, while on the
+snow-covered plain betwixt the shore and the fringe of the pine trees
+a scene was being enacted in which those on board the _Olive Branch_
+were powerless to interfere.
+
+Plunging and staggering across the snow was one of the seamen of the
+_Olive Branch_, at his heels a score or more of Patagonians, with
+their long spears poised ready to plunge into the fugitive's back,
+yet restraining themselves in order to prolong the savage delight of
+the chase. Against the fleet-footed natives, to whom the soft,
+yielding snow appeared to offer no obstacle to their speed, the
+sailor had no possible chance. Once he turned, raised his revolver,
+and fired, and one of the savages fell. But for the silencer the shot
+might have terrified his pursuers, but regarding the weapon merely as
+they would a piece of cold steel, the moral lesson was thrown away.
+
+Evidently it was his last cartridge, for dashing the weapon in the
+face of the nearest native the man resumed his flight, till within
+twenty yards of the place where his unsuspecting comrades were
+sheltering he stumbled.
+
+During his dash for safety the man gave vent to a warning shout; the
+men had just time to stand to their arms ere the Patagonians were
+upon them. The issue was not long at stake. The powerful yet silent
+weapons of the white men drove the savages back to the shelter of the
+forest.
+
+"Hoist the signal for recall and clear away the for'ard turret,"
+ordered Captain Brookes. "I'll shell the rest of those rascals into
+smithereens."
+
+Muttering threats of vengeance against the treacherous natives the
+crew of the launch came over the side. Three of them had sustained
+slight wounds in the conflict on the shore that necessitated the
+attendance of the surgeon, though the wounded men submitted to his
+ministrations with a bad grace. As for the rest of the crew of the
+_Olive Branch_ they besought their officers to lead them on an
+expedition to rescue or revenge their missing comrades.
+
+To these entreaties Captain Brookes turned a deaf ear. "Too many
+risks have been taken already," he declared. What he meant to do was
+to inflict a stern punishment on the savages who had violated the
+hospitality of their visitors.
+
+"One moment, sir," exclaimed Gerald. "If we open fire with the 6in.
+guns we'll probably exterminate friend and foe; that is, if our
+comrades are still alive, as I think they are. I quite agree with
+you, however, on the impracticability of sending a punitory force
+ashore."
+
+"By Jove! it's worth trying," cried Captain Brookes, after the young
+sub-lieutenant had unfolded his plan, and to the astonishment of the
+rest of the officers and crew orders were given for the _Olive
+Branch_ to weigh and proceed to sea. Twenty minutes later the cruiser
+had left her anchorage in the inhospitable waters of Desolation
+Inlet.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: chapter XVII]
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+GERALD'S RUSE
+
+
+IT will now be necessary to return to the events that befell the
+expedition.
+
+Having followed the tracks across the open plain with comparative
+ease the party plunged into the sombre gloom of the forest, if forest
+it might be termed, for the trees grew in clumps with frequently a
+clearing of fifty to a hundred yards between.
+
+"We'll strike an arm of the creek in a few minutes," observed
+Stockton.
+
+"The sooner the better," replied Slade, shortly, for in the keen
+biting air talking could only be maintained by an effort. Every
+breath seemed to lacerate the lungs, while the wind was so bitter
+that the thick woollen garments worn by the men seemed totally
+insufficient to withstand the numbing effects of the intense cold.
+
+"It's snowing, sir," exclaimed one of the men. "I've served in the
+Arctic, and I know what this means. Our tracks will be covered up in
+a few minutes."
+
+"Well, what do you propose?" asked Slade. "We've no compass."
+
+"Send a man back to blaze the trees before the track is wiped out,
+sir, then do the same as we advance."
+
+"Very good. Roberts, you make your way back and slice a piece of bark
+off a tree now and again, so that each mark can be seen from the one
+nearest to it. Now, look sharp, you others, if we are to find Black
+alive."
+
+Roberts set out on his return journey, while the rest of the
+expedition, bending low in order to force their way against the
+driving hail and snow, proceeded on their way.
+
+Suddenly above the moaning of the wind a blood-curdling yell, issuing
+simultaneously from a hundred throats, burst upon the ears of the
+astonished party, and a shower of spears thrown with tremendous force
+came hurtling through the air.
+
+Three men fell, badly wounded, while two more received slight
+flesh-wounds. Taken completely by surprise the survivors strove to
+draw their revolvers, but ere their benumbed hands--rendered
+additionally clumsy by reason of their thick woollen gloves--could
+perform their task, the savages were upon them.
+
+Having all his work cut out to defend himself, Jack Stockton could
+pay no heed to his companions; it was a case of each man for himself.
+Contriving to obtain a grip at his revolver Jack fired, but the
+small-calibred nickel bullet, with its high initial velocity, passed
+through the shoulder of his nearest opponent so cleanly that the
+muscular savage was unaware that he was hit. Even at that critical
+moment Stockton wondered whether the weapon had missed fire, till he
+remembered that it had "kicked," and quick as lightning the thought
+flashed through his mind that Captain Brookes's methods of
+exterminating war could not be favourably applied when opposed to
+savages.
+
+The next instant Jack was grappling with the brawny Patagonian; and
+though the Englishman was powerfully built and "hard as nails," his
+strength was like that of a child compared with that of his
+antagonist.
+
+He felt himself being forced backwards till it seemed as if his spine
+was on the point of snapping, jagged spear-heads were poised ready to
+be driven home, and ponderous clubs were whirled above his head.
+
+Then a merciful unconsciousness came upon him and he remembered no
+more.
+
+Meanwhile Slade, fighting right manfully, had succeeded in flooring
+three of his antagonists by well-directed blows of his fist; for, in
+spite of his gloves, the lieutenant's knuckles struck home with
+sledge-hammer force and precision. For a time it seemed as if he
+would be able to keep his foes at bay, till a wily savage, stealing
+up from behind, dealt him a crashing blow with a club. Slade
+possessed a thick skull in more senses than one, and on this occasion
+it served its purpose. Under the blow, that would have killed most
+men, Slade fell senseless in the snow.
+
+When Stockton regained consciousness he found himself lying under the
+shelter of an overhanging rock, with Slade and one of the seamen
+lying close to him. Were it not for the actual contact all three
+would have been dead through exposure to the intense cold. At first
+he could hardly open his eyes, for the blood that had oozed from a
+gash in his forehead had congealed and had thus prevented a copious
+loss of the vital fluid.
+
+Gathered around the prostrate forms of the survivors of the
+unfortunate expedition were nearly a hundred savages, some of whom
+were still squabbling over the distribution of their prisoners'
+effects, for every metal article had been unceremoniously taken from
+them. Gradually the details of the surprise dawned upon the young
+Englishman, and he vaguely wondered why the Patagonians had not
+completed their murderous work. Perhaps he and his companions were
+being reserved for a lingering death.
+
+After a while Slade began to stir, then, starting to his feet, he
+stumbled a few paces, and collapsed in the snow. A roar of derisive
+laughter from the savages greeted this performance, and a pair of
+dusky giants lifted the lieutenant and dropped him by the side of his
+comrade.
+
+"Hello, Slade!" began Jack, wearily, but in reply came a torrent of
+inarticulate words. The lieutenant was in a delirium. Once he shouted
+that the men were shirking their task of holy-stoning the decks; then
+he craved for a cocktail; the next moment begging for a draught of
+water, till his exhausted body sank beneath the strain and he
+relapsed into unconsciousness.
+
+Stockton, too, was on the verge of insensibility when a native came
+running with some news of more than ordinary interest. What the
+intelligence was Jack could not, of course, comprehend, but the
+outcome of it was that most of the savages made off, leaving barely a
+score to watch their helpless prisoners.
+
+One of the native scouts had brought word that the white men's
+floating village had gone, and the other savages, doubting (as
+uncivilised tribes invariably do) the word of one of their number,
+had gone to the shores of the creek to satisfy themselves on that
+point.
+
+
+[Illustration: Like a terrier let loose amidst a swarm of rats the
+submarine dashed towards the canoes.]
+
+
+In less than an hour the main body of the natives returned. They were
+in a great state of joy and excitement, for the _Olive Branch_ had
+sailed, and the creek was clear, and they could now ferry themselves
+across and regain their miserable village without fear of
+molestation. Three litters were hastily constructed by means of
+spears and lengths of undressed hide, skins being thrown upon them to
+complete these rough-and-ready contrivances. Upon them the white
+captives were unceremoniously deposited, and with a weird song of
+triumph the savages wended their way through the forest to the shore
+of the creek.
+
+Here a score of muscular arms soon righted the upturned canoes, and
+on being launched the unstable, yet heavy, dug-outs were so crowded
+that their gunwales amidships were barely six inches above water.
+Still scarcely alive to the hazardousness of his position, Stockton
+found himself lying at the bottom of one of the largest canoes, with
+Slade and the seaman beside him, both still unconscious and breathing
+heavily.
+
+Well it was that the storm had abated as suddenly as it had sprung
+up, and that the ebb tide had now changed to the gentle flood,
+otherwise the canoes would have inevitably been swamped.
+
+Urged by the powerful strokes of a score of paddles, the craft in
+which Jack lay shot ahead of the other canoes, its crew giving vent
+to a long-drawn song as they kept time with their quickly flashing
+blades.
+
+Suddenly the song of the savages gave place to a yell of terror. They
+dropped their paddles, stood upright in their fragile craft as if
+paralysed by a nameless horror; then, overcoming their immobility,
+they plunged over the side. Relieved of their weight the canoe rocked
+violently, while a cascade of splashes from the agitated water
+descended upon the bodies of the three white men.
+
+Then to Stockton's utter astonishment he heard a hearty voice
+exclaim, "Here they are, by Jove!" and three brawny seamen took a
+flying leap from somewhere fair into the bottom of the canoe.
+
+"Be sharp! Pass them out!" ordered a voice that Jack knew so well,
+and the next moment he found himself being carefully, but swiftly,
+lifted from the canoe on to the narrow platform of the _Olive
+Branch's_ submarine.
+
+"Thank goodness you're saved!" muttered Gerald, fervently.
+
+The survivors of the unfortunate expedition were carefully passed
+through the narrow forehatchway, then, scorning to take shelter,
+Gerald steered the submarine from the skeleton platform surrounding
+the outside of the conning-tower.
+
+There was no need for the vessel to plunge; her sudden appearance
+from beneath the waters of Desolation Inlet had struck panic into the
+hearts of the savages, and now, like a terrier let loose amidst a
+swarm of rats, the submarine dashed towards the remaining canoes.
+
+Some of the natives let fly a shower of spears in a half-hearted
+manner. Most of the weapons fell short, while a few glanced
+harmlessly from the rounded plating of the avenging craft.
+
+Crash! The snout of the steel monster caught the nearest canoe a
+formidable blow amidships, the dug-out being lifted clear of the
+water by the impact. The next instant it fell, cut completely in two,
+and those of its occupants who were not killed or stunned by the
+concussion were swimming for their lives.
+
+Gerald, in his lust for revenge, resolved to sink the remaining
+canoes. In their flight the savages lost all sense of strategy and
+kept together as if seeking comfort in companionship. Thus the
+submarine's work was rendered still more easy.
+
+Just as the avenger reached the last of the native craft, a savage,
+in the courage of despair, took a flying leap upon the tapering bows
+of the submarine. Then, as agile as a cat, he ran along the narrow,
+sloping deck-plating, and, ere Gerald could avoid the unexpected
+attack, the muscular Patagonian grasped the sub-lieutenant round the
+waist.
+
+Gerald's shout for aid was drowned by the crash of the shattered
+timbers of the canoe, and ere he could repeat the cry the native had
+shifted the grip of his right hand to his antagonist's throat, while
+with his left he strove to wrench Tregarthen from the narrow
+platform.
+
+Realising that the moment he relaxed his grasp of the iron rail he
+was a lost man, Gerald contrived to strike out with his left.
+Handicapped by the fact that his hands were encased in thick woollen
+gloves, and that his reach was limited, the blow fell comparatively
+light. Then he tried to kick his antagonist clear, but at the first
+attempt the agile black, intent only on encompassing his enemy's
+destruction, twisted his legs in a crushing embrace round Gerald's
+waist, while both his sinewy hands were engaged in squeezing the
+sub-lieutenant's throat.
+
+Tregarthen felt his strength was ebbing, his breath came in quick
+gasps, and he gurgled in the throat under the relentless pressure.
+Even in those few moments of peril Gerald realised that once he fell
+into the sea the submarine would leave him to his fate, plunging
+onwards till those below could see that by her erratic course she
+lacked a guiding hand at the helm. By that time it would be too late.
+
+Held in the merciless grip, Gerald's range of vision was limited to
+the grey steel walls of the conning-tower two feet from his face.
+Even in the fierce, yet silent, struggle a slight dent in the metal
+wall exercised an unaccountable fascination till everything grew
+white and a filmy mist swam before his eyes.
+
+His hands were relaxing their hold, stronger came the succession of
+heaves as the savage sought to hasten the end. Flesh and blood could
+stand the strain no longer; the rail seemed to slip from his grasp,
+and with his antagonist still locked in an unyielding embrace he fell
+backwards.
+
+Weakened as he was Gerald braced himself to meet the shock of the
+icy-cold water, but with a jerk that almost broke his ankle he found
+his leg seized in a vice-like grip, while simultaneously the
+tenacious hold of the Patagonian was relaxed. He was dimly conscious
+of being unceremoniously hauled back to the platform of the
+submarine, and of Watson, one of the mechanics, making a sudden dart
+for the steering gear, a heavy spanner still grasped in his hand.
+Then everything became a blank.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: chapter XVIII]
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+THE CAPTAIN'S REVENGE
+
+
+GERALD'S ruse had been successful. Knowing that the Indians of
+Patagonia frequently take prisoners any small parties of the crews of
+whaling vessels who allow themselves to be treacherously surprised,
+so as to plunder and afterwards hold them to ransom, he reasoned that
+the savages would remove their captives to their village directly the
+_Olive Branch_ had left the anchorage. Evidently the natives wished
+to keep the locality of their village a secret, and only Tregarthen's
+scouting instincts had given him the clue.
+
+So the submarine, in which were Lieutenant Palmer and the usual crew
+of that craft, was submersed in mid-channel till the canoes attempted
+the passage, the result of which was fatal to the savages and nearly
+so to the originator of the enterprise.
+
+When Gerald came to himself he found himself lying in the fore part
+of the submarine in the company of the still unconscious members of
+Slade's force. The fore-hatch had been uncovered to admit the air,
+for 'tween decks the atmosphere was almost stifling.
+
+"Well, old fellow, how goes it?" asked Mr. Palmer.
+
+"I feel a bit rocky, but I shall be all right in a minute or two."
+
+"Case for the sick bay, eh?"
+
+"No fear; but it was a narrow squeak. I wonder how I managed to shake
+that brute off my back."
+
+"You didn't. If it had not been for Watson noticing that the boat's
+head was pointing dead on shore you would not be here. He managed the
+rascal very neatly by a tap with a spanner, and grabbed you as you
+were on the point of disappearing overboard."
+
+"Where are we now?"
+
+"Brought up at the anchorage. We've telephoned to the _Olive Branch_,
+and she's on her way back."
+
+Ten minutes later the cruiser appeared round a bend in the channel,
+and without undue delay the submarine was made fast alongside her
+parent ship. Stockton and Slade and the surviving seaman were hoisted
+over the side and sent below to the sick bay, while Gerald, still
+feeling the ill effects of his encounter, hastened to make his report
+to Captain Brookes.
+
+"Excellent," was the captain's comment. "By the bye, you appear to
+have thoroughly adapted yourself to my views. This is a practical
+instance of the extermination of war. But we haven't done yet; I'm
+going to send a charge of dynamite ashore, stow it in the centre of
+their village, and blow the place to bits."
+
+"Haven't we done enough, sir?" asked Gerald, for, now the excitement
+of the struggle was over, the appalling nature of the business was
+beginning to assert itself.
+
+"Enough? No! Be thorough--that's my motto. Look here, Mr. Tregarthen,
+can you give me one good reason why I should withhold my hand when
+dealing with these rascals?"
+
+"Suppose the whole tribe be wiped out--where does the warning to the
+others come in? They won't know who is responsible for the act,
+neither will they be able to understand why it was done. On the other
+hand, if we give these rascals a thundering good fright, they will
+have good cause to remember us, and behave better in the future."
+
+Captain Brookes frowned. For the space of a minute he remained gazing
+in the direction of the inhospitable shore, then, wheeling swiftly,
+looked Gerald squarely in the face.
+
+"Mr. Tregarthen, I don't know why it is, but you are the only man on
+the ship that dares to thwart my purpose. Nevertheless, I like you
+for your outspoken manner. Now carry on, and let me know what is your
+alternative."
+
+"We have not as yet given the ZZ-rays a practical test," remarked
+Gerald, tentatively.
+
+"Good gracious! The ZZ-rays!" exclaimed the captain, with
+astonishment. "The only argument in favour of the ZZ-rays in
+preference to a bombardment is that their action is instantaneous and
+consequently painless. Is that your idea of mercy?"
+
+"No, sir. In any case we must land a party to search for our missing
+comrades. No doubt we can also 'round up' the savages, since they
+won't be in a state to offer much resistance."
+
+"And then?"
+
+"We can land a hundredweight of explosive, place it on yonder rock,
+which I believe is plainly visible from the village, and take the
+_Olive Branch_ down to the mouth of Desolation Inlet, whence she can
+explode the stuff by means of the ZZ-rays."
+
+"In the meantime what will the natives be doing?"
+
+"We can leave a party to keep them under guard. I will undertake that
+task if required, sir."
+
+"You have more faith in the infallibility of my invention than I
+have," observed Captain Brookes, with a grim smile. "What if I
+miscalculated the distance and wiped you out instead?"
+
+"With due precautions there is no risk, sir."
+
+"All right, Mr. Tregarthen. Since you are willing I make no
+objection. Only remember, the men required to guard the prisoners--if
+we succeed in taking any--must be volunteers, duly warned for the
+service."
+
+Meanwhile the submarine had been submersed and housed in its
+accustomed berth; the divers had made rapid progress towards
+replacing the repaired propeller, and preparations were in hand for
+the proposed visit to the native village.
+
+At sunrise on the following morning the launch, with the explosive
+safely stowed on board, lay alongside the cruiser. Captain Brookes
+signified his intention of heading the landing-party, which consisted
+of eighty well-armed men.
+
+"I am going to land on the eastern side of the inlet first," said the
+captain. "I mean to visit the site of the ambuscade. This done, we
+will cross to the other side and make a survey of the village."
+
+It was some time before the track of the unfortunate expedition could
+be picked up, since the snow had obliterated the footprints, and none
+of the survivors were sufficiently recovered to accompany the
+landing-party.
+
+At length a "blaze" was found, and from that point the direction
+taken by the former expedition was followed with little trouble.
+
+Although it was practically certain that all the natives who had
+taken part in the treacherous attack had been completely demoralised,
+Captain Brookes took no risks. Advanced and rear guards were told
+off, the men keeping their arms ready for instant use. In addition,
+the silencers had been removed from the rifles.
+
+"Why are those men halting?" demanded Captain Brookes, as the advance
+guard came to an abrupt stop.
+
+"They've found something, I think, sir," replied Lieutenant Sinclair.
+
+"Then tell them to continue the advance."
+
+By this means the gap between the three divisions being maintained,
+the main body arrived at the spot where their comrades had halted;
+then exclamations of rage burst from the lips of the infuriated
+seamen, for lying, half covered by a mantle of snow, were the bodies
+of the victims of the savages' treachery. "Isn't that enough to knock
+the sickly sentimentality out of the most case-hardened
+humanitarian?" asked Captain Brookes. "I may be wrong in my opinion,
+but with the experience of not only today, but of years past, I feel
+convinced that fear is the only means of keeping these savages in
+order, and, by Jove, I'll teach them a lesson!"
+
+Having made this unpleasant discovery, Captain Brookes led his men
+back to the shore, whence they were transferred to the opposite bank
+of the inlet.
+
+Here they again formed up and marched towards the village, which was
+cunningly concealed save from one particular direction--namely, from
+where Gerald had noticed it from the eastern shore of the creek.
+
+
+[Illustration: A terrific detonation shook the ground, and a thick
+cloud of smoke obscured the view of the pinnacle. In an agony of fear
+the natives threw themselves face downwards in the dust.]
+
+
+Detaching a party of twenty men under Lieutenant Sinclair, with
+instructions to make a detour to the opposite side of the village, so
+that the savages' retreat would be cut off, Captain Brookes halted
+the main body till a prearranged signal was given to show that
+arrangements for surprise were complete.
+
+"Now, forward, my lads!" exclaimed the captain, as the report of a
+rifle was heard in the distance.
+
+At the double the seamen rushed towards the collection of hovels that
+formed the Patagonian village. A few of the natives showed fight, but
+the majority fled, yelling with terror, in the direction of the
+narrow defile held by Sinclair and his men.
+
+Soon the fugitives were driven back; men, women, and children bolted
+to their huts, and the work of capturing the natives began.
+
+The savages offered but little resistance as they were seized and
+securely bound. As for the women and children, they stoically
+remained with their men-folk and finding that they were not to be put
+to death--as they fully expected to be--the savages began to lose
+their sullen manner and to take a faint interest in the seamen's
+preparations.
+
+On an open space in front of the village the natives were placed--the
+men, individually bound and roped together as an additional
+safeguard, sitting on the ground in a circle, with the women and
+children in the centre.
+
+Meanwhile another party of seamen had carried seven tins of dynamite,
+each containing 16 1/2 lbs., to the base of the crag that Gerald had
+indicated--at a distance of a mile and a half from the village--and
+separated from it by the main channel of Desolation Inlet.
+
+Gerald had detailed his volunteers for the task of guarding the
+prisoners, and all the preliminary preparations were now complete.
+
+"Now for a practical test of the ZZ-rays, Mr. Tregarthen," exclaimed
+Captain Brookes, as he bade Gerald farewell. "It is now 10.30 a.m. At
+noon punctually I shall liberate the electric current from the _Olive
+Branch_, at a distance of nine sea miles from yonder crag. You will
+please remain here, and on no account release the prisoners till my
+return, which, I hope, will be at 1.30 p.m."
+
+"Very good, sir," replied Gerald, with a salute, as the captain
+ordered the remainder of the landing-party to fall in.
+
+Meanwhile the divers had been working incessantly, and the propeller
+was again fit for its task; the anchor was weighed, and the _Olive
+Branch_ once more glided down the waters of Desolation Inlet.
+
+Left in charge of the prisoners Gerald had ample time to reflect upon
+the action he had taken. In his anxiety to save the savages from
+extermination he had made a somewhat hasty proposal; and now, with
+the execution of his plan in progress, the force of Captain Brookes'
+objections came home to him.
+
+The hitherto untried ZZ-rays might prove themselves far more
+destructive than their inventor claimed; their radius of action might
+overlap the area governed by those sinister chequers on the
+indicator; the distance and direction of the pinnacle from the _Olive
+Branch_ might be misjudged--and then?
+
+Tregarthen glanced at his watch. It was a quarter to twelve.
+
+"Smith!" he called out, addressing one of the petty officers.
+
+"Sir?"
+
+"Pass the word for the men to take off their bandoliers, empty the
+magazines of their rifles, and stow the cartridges under yonder
+tree."
+
+Without betraying his surprise at the unusual order the man hurried
+off to communicate Gerald's instructions. Implicit obedience was
+Smith's sheet anchor.
+
+"There, I've taken every possible precaution," mused the young
+officer. "Now things must take their course."
+
+As the minutes slowly sped the tension amongst the seamen increased.
+Even the savages seemed to have an inkling that something
+extraordinary was afoot.
+
+Watch in hand Gerald waited till the long hand pointed at a minute to
+the hour.
+
+"Look!" he shouted, pointing to the distant crag.
+
+The natives, although they did not understand the word, followed the
+direction indicated, and a tense deathly silence seemed to fill the
+air.
+
+Precisely at noon a terrific detonation shook the ground, and a thick
+cloud of dust and smoke obscured the view of the pinnacle. When the
+cloud had dispersed the rock had completely vanished, only a heap of
+boulders marking its position.
+
+The effect upon the natives was astonishing. In an agony of fear they
+threw themselves face downwards in the dust, shrieking and moaning in
+a most dismal manner. By a pure coincidence the rock that Gerald had
+selected for destruction had been regarded by the savages as the home
+of the tutelar god of war, and its disintegration had appalled the
+superstitious savages far more than any personal chastisement. They
+realised that the power of the white man was greater than that of the
+deity whom they regarded as their protector in their treacherous
+attacks upon harmless trading and fishing vessels that stress of
+weather had driven into their harbours.
+
+Punctually at the time stated Captain Brookes returned with the rest
+of the landing-party.
+
+By means of signs the savages were told that they were spared on
+condition that they refrained from molesting the crews of any ships
+that might at some future time visit Desolation Inlet. This they
+seemed to understand, and by gesticulations promised to conform to
+their captors' commands.
+
+"Cast them adrift," ordered Captain Brookes, then turning to Gerald
+he continued: "Well, that's done with. There's not much doubt as to
+the efficacy of the ZZ-rays. But the wireless is now in working order
+once more, and the first message that I received is one that requires
+our urgent presence in the Mediterranean Sea. Until I hear further
+details I had better not say any more, but, rest assured, Mr.
+Tregarthen, that compared with our next venture, recent events are
+mere child's play."
+
+(_To be continued_)
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: Seated up to his waist in water was the aviator, clad
+in an inflated rubber suit. The engine was lost to view, the tips of
+the twin propellers just projected above the surface.]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: fifth instalment]
+BY PERCY F. WESTERMAN
+
+Author of "A Lad of Grit," etc.
+
+_ILLUSTRATED BY E. S. HODGSON_
+
+*Synopsis*
+
+GERALD TREGARTHEN, sub-lieutenant of H.M.S. _Calder_, being on leave,
+sails from Poole with his old school-chum Jack Stockton on board the
+latter's yacht _Playmate_. In mid-Channel the yacht is run down; the
+two friends are rescued, and find themselves on board a mysterious
+cruiser--the _Olive Branch_--commanded by Captain Brookes. Finding
+that Tregarthen is a British naval officer, Captain Brookes announces
+his intention of keeping him on board, and, after due deliberation,
+Gerald decides to fall in with the captain's plans, as far as his
+sense of loyalty will permit.
+
+Tregarthen is initiated into the secrets of the _Olive Branch_,
+including that of the deadly ZZ-rays--an irresistible charge of
+electricity whereby the destruction of a hostile ship can be made at
+will. Captain Brookes also explains that by the power at his command
+he hopes to make war so terrible that no nation will venture to
+declare war; thus universal peace will be assured. During the voyage
+south a German "tramp" is boarded for the recovery of some plans
+which had been stolen by a deserter, and for this action the _Olive
+Branch_ is branded as a pirate.
+
+Hostilities break out between Chili and Peru, and Captain Brookes
+determines to intervene. The _Olive Branch_ is damaged by a mine, and
+while undergoing repairs is trapped by a British squadron. Captain
+Brookes is handicapped by a vow never to fire on a British vessel.
+
+By the aid of the Z-rays, however, the _Olive Branch_ escapes, though
+not without sustaining injury. The vessel puts into a creek in the
+Patagonian coast for repairs. A number of blacks which are
+encountered at first appear friendly, but afterwards prove
+treacherous, and to cower them Captain Brookes utterly destroys, by
+means of the ZZ-rays, a huge rock regarded by the natives as the home
+of their god of war. Later the captain receives a message which,
+without disclosing particulars, he tells Tregarthen is to the utmost
+urgency, and involves immediate action.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: chapter XIX]
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+GERALD'S PROMOTION
+
+
+A WEEK later the _Olive Branch_ was once more ploughing the waters of
+the North Atlantic. Since leaving Desolation Inlet her battered
+appearance had undergone a great change. The bridge and chart-house
+had been replaced, but the task of renewing the automatic
+steering-gear was, for the time being, beyond the resources of the
+ship. Thus, day and night, one of the quartermasters and two
+assistants had to take their places at the wheel, instead of merely
+keeping a sharp look-out as the _Olive Branch_, like an intelligent
+human being, pursued an unswerving course.
+
+By this time the identity of the hitherto mysterious _Olive Branch_
+had become common property, and the principal European nations had
+agreed that she was not to be ignored as a fighting machine.
+Incidentally, Gerald's report to the British Admiralty had served a
+useful purpose, for, unknown to Captain Brookes and his officers,
+code messages had been dispatched to the numerous ships flying the
+White Ensign on the high seas, ordering them to abstain from
+hindering or molesting the cruiser, unless the latter were caught in
+the act of committing an outrage on British shipping. No doubt
+Captain Brookes's magnanimous forbearance when he ran the gauntlet
+from Talcahuano Harbour had much to do with this decision, but, being
+ignorant of it, the captain of the _Olive Branch_ still took
+precautions to avoid coming into contact with a British man-of-war.
+
+How this was to be accomplished, especially in the somewhat congested
+waters of the Straits of Gibraltar, through which he must pass in
+order to gain the Eastern Mediterranean--since the passage of the
+Suez Canal was out of the question--required careful forethought.
+News having been received by wireless from one of his agents that
+several of the Russian Volunteer Fleet were making the passage from
+Libau to Sevastopol gave Captain Brookes his opportunity; nor was he
+slow to act. The _Olive Branch_ was to be disguised as a Russian
+vessel.
+
+Accordingly, two huge canvas funnels were rigged up; an additional
+mast with a dummy wireless installation was erected; a calm day
+afforded the opportunity of painting the ship a greenish hue, similar
+to that adopted in the Imperial Russian Navy; the name Ekaterinoslav,
+conspicuously written in Slavonic characters, graced her stern, while
+the blue cross of St. Andrew on a white field floated from the ensign
+staff.
+
+"I think that will pass muster," observed Captain Brookes. "But, by
+Jove! I hope we won't encounter a stiff breeze, or our make-believe
+funnels will sweep the deck."
+
+"It will give the show away if they do," rejoined Lieutenant
+Sinclair. "We've guyed them as firmly as it is possible to do, and
+even now they are whipping before the wind."
+
+"We must ease down a bit. I intended to in any case, so that we can
+slip through the Straits in a decorous manner. Will you please tell
+the engine-room to slow down to fifteen knots, and then stow and
+secure the windshields."
+
+At sunset the _Olive Branch_, which was running in a northerly
+direction off the southwest coast of Spain, altered her course to
+S.E., and boldly stood in towards the historic Straits, so as to pass
+midway betwixt the batteries of Gibraltar on the north and Ceuta on
+the south, or African, shore.
+
+The evening being warm, Gerald Tregarthen appeared on deck
+accompanied by Jack Stockton. The latter was making rapid progress
+under the skilful care of Dr. White, and though the wound had proved
+a severe one, no complications had arisen.
+
+"That's Cape Tarifa," observed Gerald, as a fixed red light became
+visible on the port bow. "We ought soon to pick up the white light on
+Europa Point. But, by Jove! Jack, I hardly like this phase of the
+proceedings. Once we are in the Mediterranean, how are we to get out
+again if this blockading business is continued? It's all very well
+dodging a few cruisers, though, mind you, it was a fine performance;
+but when it comes to having to tackle the whole of the British
+Mediterranean Fleet, that's a rather tall order."
+
+"But we seem to be slipping through unobserved."
+
+"After the fashion of a crab entering a crab-pot--it's on the return
+trip that we have to pay toll. This disguise will serve us for the
+present, but the first appearance of the _Olive Branch_ in her
+natural guise will set the whole of the Mediterranean Fleet about our
+ears."
+
+"If they----"
+
+Jack's sentence remained uncompleted, for with the suddenness
+peculiar to the Straits a vicious squall swept down from Carnero
+Point, taking the _Olive Branch_ full on the broadside. Instantly the
+two dummy funnels disappeared overboard, where, held by the wire rope
+guys, they became gigantic drogues or floating anchors, against which
+the action of the rudder was powerless.
+
+Then as swiftly as it had arisen the squall subsided.
+
+Captain Brookes was, as usual when in a tight place, ready for all
+emergencies. Ordering the motors to be stopped lest the propellers
+should foul the straining canvas, he gave word for the bo'sun's mate
+to pipe the watch to clear away the wreckage.
+
+Lustily the men sprang to their work, axe in hand, but, ere a dozen
+blows had been struck, the dazzling rays of a searchlight picked out
+the _Olive Branch_ with the utmost precision.
+
+"A cruiser," remarked Captain Brookes, calmly. "Carry on, men; then
+general quarters."
+
+As he sprang towards the conning-tower the searchlight was switched
+off and a masthead signalling lamp began to "call up" the motionless
+_Olive Branch_.
+
+"Acknowledge," ordered the captain, shortly; and in reply a lamp from
+the bridge began its succession of rapid short flashes.
+
+"_What ship is that?_"
+
+"It's no use bluffing them, Tregarthen. I'll show my true colours,
+and if they've any regard for their own safety they'll sheer off,"
+remarked Captain Brookes, and turning to his signalman he ordered him
+to reply:--
+
+_"The cruiser 'Olive Branch.'"_
+
+Almost without a moment's hesitation the intercepting vessel
+signalled:--
+
+"_Is Lieutenant Tregarthen on board?_"
+
+"Ha, Mr. Tregarthen, you're promoted, I understand. Allow me to
+congratulate you," said his temporary "chief."
+
+An affirmative reply having been given, the British cruiser--for
+British she undoubtedly was--continued:--
+
+"_I wish to communicate; am sending boat._"
+
+"They can't do us much harm while the boat's alongside," commented
+Captain Brookes. "Nevertheless, we must take precautions. A few
+revolutions with the port propellers, if you please, then carry on
+with the work of clearing away the wreckage."
+
+Hardly had the accommodation ladder been rigged when the sound of
+oars could be heard, and the outlines of a cutter could be discerned
+as it approached the side of the _Olive Branch_.
+
+"Two communications, sir; one for the officer commanding this ship,
+the other for Lieutenant Tregarthen. Will you please favour me with
+an acknowledgment in each case?" announced a lieutenant as he came
+over the side.
+
+"I trust you will honour me with your presence in my cabin," replied
+Captain Brookes affably, and, as the party of officers moved towards
+the companion, he continued "Might I be inquisitive enough to inquire
+how you were so ready with your message?"
+
+"Merely the result of a general order, sir," replied the lieutenant
+of H.M.S. _Galatea_, one of the latest super-Dreadnought cruisers.
+"Since your marvellous display of speed one never knows where you
+might turn up next. We happened to be the vessel that stood in your
+way."
+
+There was a marked difference between the respective manners with
+which Captain Brookes and Gerald received their communications.
+
+The former calmly and deliberately cut the flap of the envelope with
+a paper-knife, while his subordinate tore his with almost feverish
+anxiety.
+
+Gerald's contained a copy of a general order, in which it was stated
+that Sub-Lieutenant Gerald Tregarthen had been promoted Lieutenant in
+His Majesty's fleet; and, further, that he was appointed for special
+duties for an indefinite period, thereby proving that My Lords were
+both willing and anxious for him to continue his stay on board the
+_Olive Branch_, although they hesitated to say so in plain words.
+Nevertheless, the communication lifted a great load off Gerald's
+mind, although in his excitement he could not fully realise his good
+fortune. Meanwhile Captain Brookes had completed the reading of the
+letter addressed to him. Not a sign did he give of its effect, but,
+inscrutable as the Sphinx, he carefully selected a quill, pointed it,
+and began to write.
+
+Gerald had before remarked that these pens were the only obsolete
+articles on the ship. Captain Brookes, past master in the art of
+modern appliances, had a peculiar liking for quills; and it was with
+almost pre-Victorian punctiliousness that the captain penned his
+reply. This done, he carefully sealed the envelope with wax and
+handed it to the British officer with a courteous bow.
+
+Then, having waited till Gerald had written his acknowledgment, he
+broke the official ice by requesting the lieutenant of the _Galatea_
+to partake of a bottle of choice old Madeira.
+
+For nearly half an hour the midnight reception continued, and though
+the conversation was mainly small talk, Captain Brookes noticed that
+his visitor was keenly taking in his surroundings, though, the
+captain reflected, there was little information to be gleaned in that
+cabin that would prove of use to a stranger.
+
+By the time the _Galatea's_ cutter had returned to her parent ship
+the work of clearing away the debris was accomplished; and with a
+courteous interchange of signals the two vessels separated, the
+British cruiser heading towards Gibraltar Harbour, the _Olive Branch_
+tearing at forty-five knots towards the vast tideless waters of the
+Mediterranean.
+
+Shortly before eight bells on the following morning all hands, save
+those whose absence was absolutely necessary, were mustered on the
+quarter deck.
+
+As Gerald emerged through the companion he noticed that the Russian
+Ensign no longer floated aft, but held ready to be hoisted was the
+green and white flag that the _Olive Branch_ claimed as her own.
+
+"There's something in the air, Jack," he whispered to his chum.
+
+The officers and men had mustered with anxious faces. They knew that
+a communication of some import had been received from a British
+cruiser, but the vaguest details of its contents were missing.
+
+Presently Captain Brookes, in full uniform, came on deck, striding
+proudly like a young bantam, as the point of his scabbard clanked
+across the metal plating. Walking as he did between, yet slightly in
+advance of, two tall lieutenants, his gait would have appeared
+ridiculous had he been other than the captain of the _Olive Branch_;
+but there was a determination in his bearing that outweighed his
+comparatively diminutive stature and his pompous walk.
+
+As eight bells were sounded the ship's ensign was hoisted, all hands
+standing rigidly to attention as was their wont. Then, taking from
+his pocket the document that he had received overnight, Captain
+Brookes began to read its contents.
+
+
+  _From My Lords executing the office of Lord High Admiral of His
+  Majesty's Ships and Vessels on the High Seas to the officer
+  commanding the cruiser (nationality uncertain) "Olive Branch._"
+
+  SIR,--You are hereby informed that, as far as His Majesty's
+  Government is concerned, the decree of piracy issued against you,
+  dated 29/8/--, is cancelled, provided that you and the vessel you
+  command abstain from committing any act of violence against any of
+  His Majesty's subjects, ships, buildings, or other properties of
+  the Crown.--(Signed) BALDERSTOWE, Secretary to My Lords, etc., etc.
+
+
+For a few seconds following the conclusion of this announcement
+absolute silence prevailed. The officers were too phlegmatic to allow
+themselves to express their feelings with acclamation; the men took
+longer to grasp the meaning of the declaration. When at length its
+significance came home to them, the seamen burst into a prolonged
+cheer.
+
+Thoroughly loyal to their chief, the officers and crew had realised
+that the captain's policy had brought them into dangerous paths; nor
+could they forget that they were Britons by birth. But now the
+amnesty had been received the load on their minds had been removed;
+they could pursue their plans with a good grace.
+
+"You see, my men," exclaimed Captain Brookes, "there's more in this
+than the British Admiralty feel inclined to put into writing. We are
+recognised as an important factor in preserving the world's peace.
+Nay, I will go farther. Should Great Britain in her hour of trial
+require our assistance--and events seem to show that clouds are
+already gathering on the political horizon--the _Olive Branch_ will
+not hesitate to range herself on the side of the champion of true
+liberty.
+
+"Now occurs the opportunity of informing you of the _Olive Branch's_
+present mission. For some considerable time past there have been
+signs of an approaching rupture between Turkey and Greece, and events
+have proved that the trouble between these two States has almost
+invariably ended in European war.
+
+"I have every reason to believe that a secret treaty exists between
+Greece and Russia, whereby the Russian Black Sea fleet will force the
+passage of the Dardanelles directly the first shot is fired between
+the Greeks and Turks; while, on the other hand, Austria and Italy
+will support the Hellenes. It naturally follows that the Russian
+troops will swarm over the Carpathians. Under the existing
+understanding between Germany and Austria the former country will not
+remain passive while Muscovite armies are massing on her eastern
+frontier; nor is it unreasonable to suppose that France, ever burning
+to wipe out the indignity of losing Alsace-Lorraine, will side with
+her old ally, Russia.
+
+"This conflict between Greece and Turkey must, therefore, be nipped
+in the bud. The encounter between the respective fleets must not take
+place; and it is the _Olive Branch's_ duty to prevent it."
+
+Another outburst of cheering greeted the conclusion of the captain's
+speech, and the men were dismissed.
+
+As Captain Brookes was about to descend the companion, Selkirk, the
+chief engineer, came towards him.
+
+"We're running verra short of fuel, sir," he reported. "A matter of
+twa days will clear us oot o' the last drap."
+
+"That's serious, Mr. Selkirk."
+
+"If she'll take a mixture of lubricating and paraffin maybe I'll
+screw another four hoors out o' the motors, sir; but the----"
+
+"Very well, Mr. Selkirk. Economise as much as you can; meanwhile I'll
+see what's to be done."
+
+Captain Brookes realised the gravity of the situation. At half speed
+it would be just possible to reach Malta, but it was deemed
+inadvisable to claim the hospitality of a British dependency at this
+early stage of reconciliation.
+
+On the other hand, the _Olive Branch_ would soon be in a state of
+comparative impotence, since the running of her dynamos from which
+her offensive and defensive power was derived, would be seriously
+affected by the under-fuelled motors.
+
+Consequently, Captain Brookes decided to take a bold step; he would
+shape a course for the Straits of Messina, intercept one of the many
+oil-tank vessels plying between Baku and the French Mediterranean
+ports, and by fair means or foul take possession of her cargo.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: chapter XX]
+CHAPTER XX
+
+THE AIRMAN
+
+
+JUST before dawn the _Olive Branch_ gained the northern approach of
+the Straits of Messina. Away on the starboard quarter glimmered the
+lights of the Sicilian town of Milazzo, while well down in the
+northern sky a faint ruddy glare betokened the position of the
+smouldering fires of Stromboli.
+
+"There's Cape Faro," observed Sinclair, pointing to a headland that
+loomed against the pale diffusing light. "We'll soon be in the thick
+of the shipping."
+
+"The sooner the better," rejoined Lieutenant Palmer. "The chief has
+just been informed that we can only keep going another two hours."
+
+"Port light showing, sir," shouted the look-out, as a faint red star
+moved slowly from behind the intervening headland.
+
+"Be careful not to excite suspicion," cautioned Captain Brookes, as
+she gave a warning blast on her syren. "Ask her to make her number."
+
+A reference to the code-book showed that the stranger was the British
+steamer _Bletchley Hall_.
+
+"Done this time!" grunted Sinclair, as the _Olive Branch's_ helm was
+altered to show her red. Nor was the second venture more successful,
+the vessel in this case being the _Pluton_, from Zante to
+Castellamare.
+
+Then, in order to economise their precious fuel, the _Olive Branch's_
+engines were stopped. As the sun rose, however, a tramp, emitting
+dense volumes of oil-fed smoke, laboured slowly through the Straits.
+The practised eye of Captain Brookes regarded her with satisfaction.
+"If that's not an oil-tank, I'm a Dutchman," he exclaimed.
+
+Unsuspectingly the tramp gave her name, port of clearance, and
+destination, and the nature of her cargo--crude petroleum. Then, to
+the astonishment of her skipper, the _Olive Branch_ made a peremptory
+signal for her to heave to.
+
+To give the Russian credit he did not immediately accede to this
+demand. Smoke poured from the tramp's funnels in increasing volumes
+as she altered her course with the intention of seeking safety in
+flight. As well might a hedgehog seek to outpace a dog, for, with the
+last of her fuel the _Olive Branch's_ motors worked up to a speed of
+thirty knots, while a solid shell, passing twenty yards in front of
+the tramp's bluff bows, caused her to stop and reverse her engines.
+
+"Pipe away the cutter," ordered Captain Brookes. "Mr. Palmer, you
+will please take charge--you know your orders, I presume?"
+
+"Yes, sir," replied the lieutenant.
+
+As the cutter ranged alongside the tramp's rusty sides her captain, a
+tall, broad-shouldered, heavily bearded Slav, began abusing the
+intruders, cursing them in a medley of all the seafaring epithets of
+Europe.
+
+"Belay there!" exclaimed Palmer. "Don't worry, old fellow! All we
+want is some oil."
+
+"Then you'll haf to want," replied the irate skipper, who spoke
+English with tolerable fluency.
+
+"We mean to pay you a fair rate."
+
+"No, no--I will not sell."
+
+"Then we must make you."
+
+"Pirate, eh?" sneered the Russian. "Me report you, an' you'll go so,"
+making a rapid circle with his thumb and finishing with an upward
+jerk. "What's the name of your sheep?"
+
+"The _Olive Branch_--isn't that good enough for you?" retorted
+Palmer, beginning to lose his temper.
+
+The effect of this announcement was almost magical. The crew of the
+tramp, mostly fair-haired Finns, disappeared from her bulwarks, while
+the captain hastened to leave the bridge and lower a rope-ladder over
+the side.
+
+Thirty seconds later Palmer and six of his men were in possession of
+the Russian vessel, and the cutter was sent back to the cruiser.
+Then, carefully manoeuvred, the _Olive Branch_ came alongside the
+tramp and the work of spoliation began.
+
+The hoses were already connected up, and under the action of six
+powerful centrifugal pumps the precious oil was transferred to the
+tanks of the _Olive Branch_, till six hundred tons completed the
+carrying capacity of the cruiser.
+
+This done, Captain Brookes made out a draft in payment and handed it
+to the Russian skipper, at the same time making him a present of a
+case of whisky, which the man received with an ill grace.
+
+"We may as well give him a taste of the Z-rays, just to show there's
+no deception," remarked Captain Brookes as the _Olive Branch_ showed
+her heels to the tramp.
+
+"Will the rays not effect the submarine cable between Reggio and
+Messina?" asked Gerald.
+
+"What matters? If they want an explanation there are the subjects for
+theory," replied the captain, waving his arm in the direction of the
+invisible Etna. "Volcanic disturbances, eh?"
+
+The Z-rays were accordingly released for ten minutes, during which
+time the _Olive Branch_ had passed the renowned Scylla and Charybdis
+of the ancients and was heading towards the port of Catania, sixty
+miles to the south'ard of the Straits.
+
+"Wreck ahead, sir," reported the look-out.
+
+Glasses were instantly levelled, and an object was discovered that at
+first sight appeared to be a small sailing craft lying on her beam
+ends.
+
+"If that be the case, she's a rum sort of sailing boat," remarked
+Stockton. "She has a sail set on her keel as well."
+
+"It's a monoplane," announced Captain Brookes. "The airman has come
+to earth on the water, to perpetrate an Irish bull. Stand by there,
+for'ard!"
+
+Orders were given for the _Olive Branch_ to reduce speed, while the
+crew prepared for salvage work. In the course of a few minutes the
+distance had decreased sufficiently for the wrecked aeroplane to be
+plainly visible to the naked eye. Although it owed its buoyancy to
+the fact that two cylindrical aluminium floats were attached to the
+chassis, the disabled monoplane was deeply submerged. The engine was
+lost to view, the tips of the twin propellers just projecting above
+the surface, while the extremities of the planes dipped to each
+successive swell.
+
+Seated up to his waist in water was the aviator, clad in a partially
+inflated rubber suit. He had already seen that aid was approaching,
+and with the utmost deliberation he had taken an air-tight case from
+his pocket. From this he drew a huge cigar, which he proceeded to
+light with an automatic lighter, puffing away with the greatest
+unconcern, as if a plunge into the sea in a monoplane was an
+every-day event.
+
+"Steady on your helm, there," cautioned the captain, as the huge hull
+glided slowly to leeward of the wrecked aeroplane; then leaning over
+the rail he hailed "Ahoy, there! What's the length of your planes?"
+
+"Fifteen feet," came the reply.
+
+Noiselessly one of the cranes swung outboard; the block with its
+electrical grappling device was lowered, and engaging the framework
+fairly amidships, held it in a vice-like grip. The next instant the
+monoplane was swinging in the air, a cascade of water and oil pouring
+from every point of its complicated framework.
+
+"You've come to grief, I see," observed Captain Brookes genially, as
+the airman slipped from his seat on to the deck of the cruiser.
+
+"No need to tell me that, sir," replied the stranger, speaking with a
+pronounced American twang. "I guess I'd give a dollar or two to find
+out how she busted up. First time I've known an engine of the
+Maxfield Universal Gold Star Motor Company, of Petersburg, Pa., to
+play that low-down trick. But here's my card, sir: Sidney P. Flew, of
+New York City, and of Portland, State of Oregon; until a few minutes
+ago, on tour from Queenstown to Cairo by monoplane. What ship is
+this, sir?"
+
+"You are on board the _Olive Branch_," said Captain Brookes, taking
+the piece of pasteboard.
+
+"What, that durned pirate? Wal, if I ain't come out on top after all.
+Shake, sir! I'm that downright fortunate that I feel like pinching
+myself in case I'm fooling myself."
+
+"Then you have heard of the _Olive Branch_?"
+
+"Heard of her? Why, the whole of Europe and the United States have
+been talking about her. When I left New York the last words my pa
+said to me were, 'Sidney, young fellow, mind that durned _Olive
+Branch_ doesn't snap you up.' 'I wish she would,' says I. 'It would
+be the stunt of a lifetime, and you would be the proudest man in
+Broadway if you knew your son set foot aboard that vessel.' And now,
+here I am."
+
+"Well, your wish is gratified, though I don't know whether your
+expectations will be realised, Mr. Flew," replied Captain Brookes,
+hardly knowing what to make of the young man's verbosity. "Meanwhile
+one of my officers will take you below. The hospitality of the _Olive
+Branch_ is at your service for a few hours at least."
+
+"No need of refreshment at present, sir. Had breakfast at Cosenza not
+two hours ago. With your permission I'll dismember my machine and
+overhaul the engine before the salt-water plays the mischief with it.
+Durned if I can cotton to it! The motor was going like a clock, when
+all of a heap it stopped. Ignition all to blazes. So down I planed,
+like a ptarmigan with a broken wing."
+
+"I think I can explain it," observed Captain Brookes. "I was
+compelled for certain reasons to let fly an electrical current, and
+unfortunately for you, your monoplane came within its influence."
+
+"More luck!" exclaimed the American, enthusiastically. "Sidney P.
+Flew, of New York City and Portland, fired at by the electrical guns
+of the world-renowned cruiser, _Olive Branch_. What a heading for the
+New York Herald."
+
+"He's a harmless young enthusiast," remarked Captain Brookes to
+Gerald, as the aviator turned his attention to the rescued monoplane.
+"You might take him in hand and show him those parts of the ship that
+are of no particular importance. As soon as his craft is all
+ship-shape, we'll start him on his journey. By the bye, I hear that
+the Turkish fleet is still in the Golden Horn, and that nothing is
+likely to transpire for a few days. What do you say to a run across
+to Malta?"
+
+"I should be glad of the opportunity, if no inconvenience is caused."
+
+"There will be none. Sinclair is going, so if you care to take your
+friend, Stockton, now's the opportunity. The cutter will take you
+into Catania, whence a steamer plies regularly to Valetta."
+
+Tregarthen and Stockton had barely fifteen hours ashore at Malta, but
+not a minute was wasted. Gerald had a previous knowledge of the
+island, and was thus able to pilot his chum. His chief object in
+making the trip was to procure a lieutenant's uniform. Now that the
+Admiralty had given the sanction to Gerald's presence on the _Olive
+Branch_ he felt he could with propriety wear the uniform of his rank.
+So directly he landed at Valetta he hurried to a naval outfitter's,
+where by dint of promises of liberal payment he prevailed upon the
+Maltese tailor to have the uniform ready at the expiration of twelve
+hours.
+
+"There's no time to be lost if we are to stop this business," was
+Captain Brookes's greeting on Gerald's return. "The Turkish fleet has
+cleared the Dardanelles at last. Turn in and take a good night's
+rest, for I'm sure you want it."
+
+"One moment, sir--how's the airman?"
+
+"Oh, he's a nuisance. Makes out he can't get his engine to work
+smoothly. I believe it's only an excuse to hang on. However, it can't
+be helped; I can't pitch him out at a minute's notice, so I've had
+the monoplane unrigged and stowed away beneath the armoured deck.
+After this business is over we can land him if he's still unable to
+fly. Look, there he is, talking to Palmer. By the bye, he seems very
+fond of that young fellow. Now, off you go, Mr. Tregarthen, for by
+sunrise to-morrow we may be cleared for action."
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: chapter XXI]
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+THE MISSING WIRELESS GEAR
+
+
+THE narrow waters of the strait between Negropont and Andros
+presented an unwonted spectacle to the crew of the _Olive Branch_ as
+they stood at general quarters.
+
+Straining and grinding at their utmost speed of nine knots were four
+Turkish battleships--the _Azizieh_, _Mahmoudieh_, _Orkanieh_, and
+_Osmanieh_, while on their flanks were the cruisers _Abdul Medjid,
+Fezibahri_, and _Hamidieh_, compelled, for defensive purposes, to
+reduce their speed to that of their consorts. By dint of strenuous
+exertions--so incomprehensible to the kismet-abiding Turk--the
+battleships had been cleaned of the deposit of barnacles that had
+encrusted their hulls during years of idleness in the Golden Horn,
+and were about to try conclusions with the smaller, yet more
+serviceable, warships of Greece.
+
+The Hellenic fleet, consisting of the three battleships _Hydra,
+Psara_, and _Spetsai_, and three modern cruisers built by the Italian
+firm of Ansaldo, did not hesitate to put to sea, and now at less than
+seven miles apart the rival fleets prepared for the opening stages of
+the conflict.
+
+At her utmost speed the _Olive Branch_ dashed in between the fleets,
+a huge white flag flying from the truck of a forty-foot spar lashed
+to her diminutive signalling mast. Then, reversing her propellers,
+she brought up within three cables' lengths of the Turkish flagship,
+the _Azizieh_.
+
+All hands on board the _Olive Branch_ were now at their stations,
+only Captain Brookes, Gerald, Lieutenant Slade, the signal bo's'un,
+and two yeomen of signals remaining on the bridge or within the
+conning-tower.
+
+"Make the general signal to both fleets," ordered the captain, and
+hoist after hoist rose to the yard-arm with the utmost celerity.
+
+
+  _From captain of "Olive Branch" to the commanding officers Turkish
+  and Hellenic Fleets:--_
+
+  Abandon hostilities and return to respective ports. Every vessel
+  disregarding this order by opening fire will be destroyed.
+
+
+The Turkish admiral was beside himself with rage. He had heard of the
+_Olive Branch_, and of her dealings with the Peruvian fleet, but was
+he, a Mussulman, to be overridden by a Giaour? Slowly the foremast
+turret of the _Azizieh_ swung round, the muzzle of the 9.2 Krupp
+pointing menacingly towards the distant _Psara_. For quite ten
+seconds the gun remained thus trained, the admiral still hesitating
+to give the word to fire.
+
+Then, trained by the manual power imparted by a score of toiling
+seamen, the turret turned till the muzzle gaped straight at the
+_Olive Branch_.
+
+"Better take shelter, gentlemen," remarked Captain Brookes, calmly.
+"The old gentleman yonder seems to be forgetting himself."
+
+Even as he spoke the Krupp opened fire. The Turkish gun-layer,
+distrustful of the quality of the charge, had allowed for the
+admitted inferiority of the explosive; but this particular powder was
+far above the usual standard.
+
+The result was that the projectile, possessing a high initial
+velocity and a low trajectory, flew handsomely over the _Olive
+Branch_, although sufficiently close to allow the windage to be felt
+by those on the bridge as they hastened to take cover.
+
+"For'ard turret: load with Mark 2 projectile," ordered Captain
+Brookes. Then turning to Gerald he remarked: "Perhaps that gunner
+lost his head. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt."
+
+The captain's humane consideration was thrown away. The shot had been
+intentional, and the Turkish admiral, finding there was no reply,
+prepared for a second round.
+
+"Give it to her!" shouted the captain.
+
+Mark 2 projectiles, though of low bursting power compared with the
+_Olive Branch's_ first quality shells, were not to be despised.
+
+The right-hand gun of No. 1 turret kicked slightly and emitted a
+slight bluish haze as the projectile screamed on its way towards the
+Turkish flagship.
+
+The _Azizieh_ was an old ship, being built on the Clyde in 1864, yet
+her 5 1/2in. belt was still capable of standing a lot of hammering;
+at least, so thought the Turkish authorities.
+
+The 6in. shell took her fairly and squarely amidships, and though the
+ship was not instantly pulverised--as she would have been had Captain
+Brookes so wished--her destruction was none the less complete.
+
+A small jagged hole marked the place of entry of the projectile; but
+on the explosion of the shell it seemed as if the vitals of the ship
+were thrown high in the air.
+
+Twice the _Azizieh_ made a double list, then settling down by the
+stern she showed that her wound was fatal. With true Oriental
+indifference the Turks had gone into action without throwing
+overboard their inflammable gear; even their wooden boats were still
+in davits or on the booms, and these were burning furiously.
+
+Calmly the lithe, brown-skinned seamen lowered themselves over the
+side or plunged into the water. Many were caught by the propellers as
+the ship, by some inconceivable means, threw her stern in the air and
+plunged bows foremost beneath the waves, dragging down many of the
+swimmers in the smoke-enshrouded whirlpool that marked her grave.
+Then a deafening roar, as the water came in contact with her boilers,
+gave place to an ominous silence. The _Azizieh_ was no more.
+
+That was the end of the action. The rest of the Turkish vessels
+immediately went about and made off at full speed towards the
+Dardanelles; while the Grecian admiral, having made a signal thanking
+the _Olive Branch_ for her intervention--an acknowledgment that
+Captain Brookes deliberately ignored--retired southward.
+
+Thus the near Eastern difficulty was settled with a promptitude
+hitherto unknown; but, though Captain Brookes was unaware of it, the
+averting of a European war was not complete. The inevitable struggle
+was ere long to be diverted through another channel.
+
+"See here, Mr. Tregarthen," remarked the American airman, a few days
+after this occurrence, "I'd just like to have a look inside that
+wonderful conning-tower. Can you work it?"
+
+"I'm afraid not, Mr. Flew; at least, not without Captain Brookes's
+permission. Why don't you ask him?"
+
+"Thanks, I just won't," was the reply. "Don't mention it to him."
+
+Five minutes later the captain appeared on deck.
+
+"Why is that Yank so keen on knowing what is within the
+conning-tower, Mr. Tregarthen?"
+
+Gerald flushed with surprise. The perception of the captain of the
+_Olive Branch_ seemed beyond comprehension.
+
+"Don't look so flabbergasted, Mr. Tregarthen. You are not the first
+person that fellow has broached on the matter. "However, I've made up
+my mind to get rid of him at the earliest possible opportunity. He
+may be all right, but, bluntly, I don't like his inquisitive manner."
+
+
+[Illustration: "Good shot!" yelled several of the officers on the
+_Olive Branch_. For a full ten seconds the monoplane held on its
+course, then, lurching like a wounded bird, it swooped swiftly
+downwards.]
+
+
+"Inquisitiveness is one of the traits of the American character,
+sir."
+
+"That I can make allowance for. But why didn't he come straight to me
+with his request?" Just then Flew, who was promenading the port side
+of the quarter-deck in company of Lieutenant Palmer, came abreast of
+the spot where the captain and Gerald were talking. In response to a
+sign from Captain Brookes the airman crossed the deck.
+
+"How long will it take to get your motor tuned up, Mr. Flew?" asked
+the captain.
+
+"A couple of hours; why?"
+
+"See yonder land? It is the coast of Syria. I would suggest, Mr.
+Flew, that you continue your tour from this point. The Syrian and
+Palestine littoral will no doubt be interesting to you, and, as we
+are shortly bound for the eastern part of the Mediterranean, this
+favourable opportunity cannot lightly be ignored."
+
+Captain Brookes spoke genially, but there was a veiled command that
+the airman could not fail to detect.
+
+"Very good, sir," he replied deferentially. "I guess I'll quit right
+here."
+
+As a matter of fact the work of assembling the monoplane and
+adjusting the motor was performed in less than an hour and a half,
+during which time the _Olive Branch_ was running southward at an easy
+ten knots, keeping a course parallel to the Syrian coast.
+
+"All ready now, sir."
+
+"Then nip below and have some refreshment. By the bye, is this
+distance too great for your flight to land?"
+
+"Not at all, sir."
+
+"Will you require any of the stanchions to be cleared away?"
+
+"No, I claim I can rise in the air at a less distance and more
+obliquely than any other aviator. I guess I'll not scratch the
+paintwork."
+
+So saying, the airman, accompanied by Lieutenant Palmer, went below,
+where he remained for over half an hour. When he reappeared he was
+fully attired for his flight, though, protesting that the heat made
+the device uncomfortable, he would not inflate his indiarubber suit.
+
+Practically all the officers and crew had assembled to watch his
+departure, the men crowding as far aft as they dared. Shaking hands
+with the officers, Sidney P. Flew climbed into his seat above the two
+air-pontoons. One or two preliminary touches, and like a gigantic
+hawk he was off, amid the hearty cheers of the crew.
+
+While all eyes were fixed upon the rapidly soaring and receding
+figure there was a sudden commotion, and Lieutenant Palmer,
+white-faced and staggering like a drunken man, tottered up the
+companion.
+
+"Stop him!" he gasped. "He's stolen the wireless reciprocators," and
+without another word he collapsed upon the quarter-deck.
+
+Captain Brookes was one of the first to recover his composure--if
+indeed, he had lost it.
+
+"To the conning-tower, Mr. Tregarthen. The Z-rays."
+
+Gerald comprehended these brief orders. By means of the electric
+fluid the aviator would be brought down as he attempted to cross the
+zone representing the minimum limit of the rays. It meant a headlong
+race for'ard, but the crew automatically cleared a path for the young
+officer, and with the least possible delay he gained the armoured
+citadel.
+
+Swiftly, yet deliberately, Gerald set the pointers. There was no
+answering spark. He tried another and yet another square; still no
+response. The Z-rays apparatus had been tampered with.
+
+Realising the uselessness of investigation at that critical moment,
+Gerald tore aft and reported the occurrence.
+
+Captain Brookes looked in the direction of the retreating aviator.
+
+"Clear away that 6-pounder."
+
+Quickly the gun was manned and a shining copper and steel cylinder
+thrust into the breach.
+
+"Four thousand yards," sang out Lieutenant Sinclair, who, without
+waiting for instructions, had taken the distance by means of his
+pocket range-finder.
+
+"Fire!"
+
+"Good shot!" yelled several of the officers, carried away by their
+excitement, as, by the aid of their glasses the missile was seen to
+burst just above the fugitive.
+
+For a full ten seconds the monoplane held on its course, then,
+lurching like a wounded bird, it swooped swiftly downwards, striking
+the water with a terrific splash.
+
+"Full speed ahead. A leadsman in the chains," ordered Captain Brookes
+as he made his way to the bridge.
+
+A few minutes were sufficient to bring the _Olive Branch_, with very
+little way on, immediately over the spot where the aeroplane had
+disappeared, the airman's cap and one of the inflated floats still
+marking the scene of the disaster.
+
+The leadsman made a cast, then as he heaved the buoyed log-line
+overboard he shouted, "Eighty fathoms."
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: chapter XXII]
+CHAPTER XXII
+
+THE TOUCHSTONE OF PERIL
+
+
+"CLEAR away the cutter; pipe the creeping party. Three grapnels and
+the necessary line," ordered Captain Brookes; then turning to his
+officers he continued: "Before we take steps to sweep for the lost
+gear an investigation ought to be made. Will you, Mr. Slade, inspect
+the wireless room and report to me? Mr. White, you will please attend
+to Mr. Palmer, who evidently needs your services. Pull him together
+as far as you are able, so that he can give some account of this
+mystery. Now, Mr. Tregarthen, we'll see what's wrong with the Z-rays
+apparatus."
+
+The fault in the conning-tower was quickly discovered. A small hole
+had been drilled in the steel column conveying the wires from the
+batteries to the indicator-board, and a metal rod had been inserted,
+thus causing a short circuiting of the current.
+
+The mystery was as deep as ever, for how did the miscreant find time
+and opportunity to make his way unobserved into the conning-tower and
+proceed to drill the thick metal standard?
+
+"There's hours of hard work in front of us," declared Captain.
+Brookes. "The disarrangement of this intricate mechanism is far more
+serious than one can imagine. Whether the ZZ-rays are similarly
+affected I cannot tell. We must find a clear field to undertake that
+experiment. However, we can do nothing more at present, as far as the
+conning-tower is concerned, so now for Slade's report."
+
+"All the reciprocators are missing, sir, except the Plougastel one,"
+announced Lieutenant Slade. "That happened to be in the instrument."
+
+"Is the receiver damaged?"
+
+"No, sir; at least, I was able to communicate with Plougastel."
+
+"That's something to be thankful for," ejaculated the captain,
+fervently. "Though the loss of these reciprocators is irreparable. It
+means that we are cut off from all intelligence except by means of
+our Brittany agent. And now to interview Mr. Palmer."
+
+"Mr. Palmer is now in a sufficiently normal state to be interrogated,
+sir," said the surgeon. "He is still suffering from the effects of a
+narcotic--opium by the symptoms."
+
+"Very good, Mr. White," answered the captain. "I'll see him in his
+cabin."
+
+Lieutenant Palmer, looking utterly miserable, staggered to his feet
+and saluted as his captain entered.
+
+"Sit down, Mr. Palmer," said the captain, kindly. "Let me hear what
+you know of this business."
+
+Captain Brookes took a seat and waited for the lieutenant to pull
+himself together, giving a hasty, yet comprehensive, glance round the
+room as he did so. The cabin was small and plainly furnished. In
+addition to the ordinary "fitments," there was a small indicator on
+the wall which at present was showing a blue light. This signified
+that the wireless was not in operation, a red light giving the
+operator warning that his presence was required in the wireless room.
+
+On the table was a coffee pot and cup and saucer, large draughts of
+this beverage being beneficial in the treatment of opium poisoning;
+while on the floor stood a galvanic battery that Dr. White had used
+to a good purpose.
+
+"Now, Mr. Palmer."
+
+"I'm awfully, sorry, sir."
+
+"So am I, but up to the present you've done nothing to be sorry for
+as far as I can see. Pray proceed."
+
+"There is very little to say," began the lieutenant, simply. "The
+Yankee came in to my cabin to say good-bye and offered me a
+cigarette. I remember taking a few draws, then everything became
+misty, though I have a dim recollection of the man lifting me over to
+my bunk. How long I lay there I cannot tell, but somehow or the other
+I managed to open the port. The cool air revived me, and then I saw
+that the wireless indicator light was out. Naturally I looked towards
+the place where the key of the wireless room was kept, but the key
+was missing. Then I realised that I had been tricked, and rushing on
+deck to give the alarm, I found that Flew had already started."
+
+"How were the reciprocators secured?"
+
+"There are four of them, each in a small cylinder, with a steel chain
+passing through a ring-bolt at one end of each."
+
+"Could they be concealed on his person without being separated?"
+
+"I think so, sir."
+
+"Then that simplifies matters. If he did not sever the chain--and
+most likely he had no time to do so--they might be grappled for, even
+if they fell clear during his downward plunge. However, that will do
+for the present, Mr. Palmer; I'll see how things are progressing on
+deck."
+
+The cutter had already been launched and was running at a slow speed,
+barely half a knot, in ever diverging circles around the buoy that
+marked the spot where the airman had disappeared. Over her stern
+trailed a stout 3in. rope to which the grapnel was secured.
+
+"What's that place yonder?" asked Stockton, pointing to a distant
+headland on the Syrian shore, as the two chums stood watching the
+dragging operations.
+
+"Tripoli," replied Gerald, "so called because it was built
+simultaneously by the Syrians, Sidonians, and Aradians. It's a pity
+we can't go ashore there, for the ramshackle old place is full of
+historic interest. They say there are traces of the siege by the
+Crusaders early in the twelfth century. It is also--hello, what's
+happened?"
+
+This ejaculation was occasioned by the sudden stopping of the cutter.
+Her crew began to haul in the rope, but as soon as the slack was
+taken up the grapnel obstinately refused to leave the bottom.
+
+"She's fouled something, sir," shouted the lieutenant in charge of
+the boat.
+
+"What strain have you put on?"
+
+"As much as the rope will stand, sir; we can't get it home another
+foot."
+
+"Then buoy the rope and haul up the lead," replied Captain Brookes.
+
+The buoy indicating the lead-line was within a few feet of the
+cutter, and with but little trouble the buoy was transferred from the
+log-line to the grapnel-rope, and the former was hauled up.
+
+"What have you got?" shouted Captain Brookes, as the heavy weight was
+lifted over the side of the boat.
+
+Lieutenant Sinclair examined the "arming," or tallow filling the
+hollow in the base of the lead.
+
+"Looks like iron scales, sir, or something covered with rust."
+
+"Strange substance for the lead to bring up," muttered Captain
+Brookes; then hailing the boat, "Get out the second grapnel; sound a
+couple of lengths further out, and report."
+
+The lead was again sent down. This time the cast revealed the
+presence of a dark ooze at seventy-four fathoms. Then the grapnel was
+set to work, but after traversing a short distance it became
+inexplicably entangled in some object. A third grapnel was lost in a
+similar manner.
+
+"There's something out of the ordinary down below," remarked the
+captain, as the result of the third dragging operation was announced.
+"I'm afraid we're beaten."
+
+"One moment, sir."
+
+Captain Brookes turned sharply on his heel and saw Lieutenant Palmer,
+pale yet self-possessed, standing close to him.
+
+"Well?"
+
+"I'm responsible for this, sir, and I hope to be able to rectify
+matters. Can I descend in the submarine?"
+
+"The submarine? You must be mad. Do you know the depth? Eighty odd
+fathoms, representing the tremendous pressure of 224lbs. to the
+square inch."
+
+"The submarine is tested to 230lbs., sir."
+
+"Much as I esteem your devotion, and much as I value the missing
+wireless gear, I cannot give my consent."
+
+"Sir, I know the risk, and will take every precaution. With the
+electric grab there is no need to descend to the extreme depth."
+
+"Mr. Palmer, I know you to be a levelheaded and calculating officer.
+I'm proud of you. If you will give me your word of honour to work
+cautiously, I'm willing to withdraw my refusal. Now, pick your crew;
+five men will be sufficient, and what is more, they must be
+volunteers, fully acquainted with the risk they are running."
+
+"I'm with you," said Gerald, calmly.
+
+"Thank you," replied Palmer, quietly, holding out his hand, which
+Tregarthen grasped firmly for a few seconds. It was a simple action,
+with a wealth of meaning behind it. Both men understood.
+
+The remainder of the volunteer crew were quickly forthcoming. The
+difficulty was to pick and choose, since every man capable of service
+in the submarine signified his willingness to take part in the
+enterprise; but at length Palmer, Tregarthen, and three seamen fell
+in on the quarter-deck as the heroes of a desperate venture.
+
+
+[Illustration: The searchlight revealed a huge circular turret with
+a pair of monster guns. Slowly the submarine swung round, the light
+travelling the length of the huge mass of weed-encrusted iron and
+steel.]
+
+
+Captain Brookes addressed them in a few words, urging the men to
+carefully consider the step they were taking.
+
+"You will," he continued, addressing Lieutenant Palmer, "descend for
+not more than one hour. If at the end of that time the submarine does
+not reappear I must take it for granted that some mishap has befallen
+you--which Heaven forfend. Meanwhile, all of you will do well to take
+a quarter of an hour's rest. Should any man, during that interval,
+think better of his decision, he may withdraw."
+
+When the little crew were dismissed Gerald retired to the seclusion
+of his cabin. What he did during those fifteen minutes no human being
+knew, though many hazarded a guess that was not far from the truth.
+
+Then, having shaken hands with his messmates and received their good
+wishes for the enterprise--though the proceedings savoured of a party
+of doomed men setting out for execution--the five members of the
+submarine's crew descended to the orlop deck and entered the
+vault-like cavity of the steel cylinder.
+
+Hardly a word was spoken during the descent, save when, from time to
+time, Palmer's voice could be heard speaking slowly and deliberately
+into the wireless telephone to acquaint the _Olive Branch_ of the
+submarine's downward progress.
+
+Circling in wide curves the steel monster plunged slowly downwards.
+Every moment the pale green light that filtered through the sunlit
+sea grew dimmer, while as the pressure increased the revolution of
+the propeller became slower and slower.
+
+At thirty-five fathoms the wireless telegraphy became useless, while
+the darkness became so opaque that the powerful electric searchlight
+in the conning-tower had to be switched on. By the aid of its
+gradually diverging beams Gerald could see a waste of water,
+boundless, trackless, lifeless. Sixty fathoms. The motor was running
+most abominably, emitting long sparks as the increased resistance of
+the water strove to stop the already slow-running propeller-blades.
+
+"What's that?" hissed Palmer, pointing to a thick, indefinite line
+intercepting the rays of the searchlight.
+
+Gerald looked, then thrusting the vessel's rudder over slightly, he
+allowed the submarine to glide past the obstruction.
+
+"It's one of the grapnel lines."
+
+"Impossible!"
+
+"Yes, you've forgotten the magnifying power of the water. It shows we
+are not far out of our course."
+
+"All right down there, Halliday?"
+
+"Aye, aye, sir."
+
+"Inform me the moment there's any sign of the plates yielding."
+
+"Very good, sir."
+
+The seaman was perfectly cool. Implicitly he trusted the two officers
+in the conning-tower, though he knew that now at any moment the
+massive steel structure might be crushed like an egg-shell by the
+tremendous weight of water without.
+
+Suddenly, at sixty-five fathoms, Palmer seized the reversing lever
+and brought the forward motors of the craft to a standstill. Both he
+and Gerald saw a sight that filled them with nameless awe.
+
+It was as if the submarine was heading straight for the summit of a
+mountain--a mountain of weed and barnacles covering an object that
+was not the work of Nature--it was the work of man.
+
+Slowly the submarine swung round, her searchlight travelling the
+length of that mass of rusty, weed-encrusted iron and steel. Now the
+beams played upon a gaping gunport, its weapon still thrust
+aggressively forward, as if to repel an attack from above. Now the
+searchlight revealed a huge circular turret with a pair of monster
+guns; while beyond towered the fragments of a shattered bridge still
+carrying its silent semaphores.
+
+Then, faintly outlined in the feeble ray, could be discovered a pair
+of funnels, both tottering through decay and held in position solely
+by the stout wire guys; while like a phantom could be traced the
+outlines of a mast with two military tops.
+
+Already the submarine had gathered stern-way and was backing away
+from the threatening embraces of the shattered gear that surrounded
+the wreck, and as the vision faded slowly from their view both
+officers exclaimed simultaneously:--
+
+"The Victoria!"
+
+The two men had seen the melancholy relic of a disaster that, though
+it occurred twenty years ago, is still regarded as one of the most
+terrible that has ever overtaken the British Navy. Hidden from mortal
+eyes ever since the fatal day when the Camperdown rammed her, the
+Victoria lay in eighty fathoms of water, and now, by the wildest of
+coincidences, the submarine of the _Olive Branch_ had descended
+nearly on top of the wreck of the ill-fated ship.
+
+"If the reciprocators have fallen amongst that tangle they are
+hopelessly lost," remarked Lieutenant Palmer, indicating the position
+in which the wreck lay.
+
+"That's what the grapnels fouled," added Gerald. "However, as the
+aeroplane sank its planes would doubtless cause it to describe a
+spiral-like motion. We may as well investigate all round the wreck.
+Have we backed sufficiently to turn?"
+
+"I think so," replied Palmer, and ordering half-speed ahead, he
+thrust the helm hard over.
+
+Seventy-five fathoms; only thirty feet from the bed of the sea. The
+searchlight was deflected till the lower sector of the ray was
+intercepted by the blunt nose of the submarine, while the light was
+of sufficient intensity to cast a faint luminosity over the
+wilderness of ooze that formed the floor of this marine desert.
+
+"She's standing it all right," exclaimed Palmer, cheerfully. "Not a
+sign of a weak spot."
+
+"Yes, it's safe enough, I think. Now, keep a sharp look-out."
+
+The elevating planes were now turned to an almost horizontal
+position, barely sufficient to counteract the small reserve of
+buoyancy preserved by the submarine; and eddying in great circles the
+huge steel craft pursued her voyage of exploration.
+
+The searchlight revealed a place of utter desolation. No trailing
+seaweed served to remind the men of the wonderful submarine pictures
+that artists love to depict; only a vast field of dark mud,
+surmounted by fathoms of practically opaque water.
+
+Gerald feared for the success of their search in that maze of
+trackless ooze, for without a mark from which they might take their
+bearings the submarine must eventually wander far from the spot where
+she had descended. He glanced at his watch, it showed a quarter to
+five. That meant that in another twenty-five minutes the submarine
+must reach the surface, or Captain Brookes would imagine that some
+disaster had befallen them.
+
+"How's the air below there?" sang out the officer in charge.
+
+"All serene, sir; the mice are quite chirpy," replied one of the
+seamen.
+
+"You had better be on the safe side and release a little more
+oxygen," continued Palmer. "Then stand by with the grapnel."
+
+The grapnel was secured to the outside of the submarine, whence by
+means of an electric wire it could be lowered and engaged with the
+object to be salved. Its length was not sufficient to allow the
+possibility of fouling either the planes or the propeller.
+
+"All ready, sir."
+
+At that moment Gerald's quick eye caught sight of a mass of twisted
+aluminium bars and canvas. It was the monoplane.
+
+Wedged between the framework was a long, thin object covered with a
+greyish material. The two officers could hardly recognise the body of
+the treacherous and ill-starred aviator.
+
+Overcoming their feelings of horror the two men looked for the
+missing reciprocators. The submarine was now brought to a standstill,
+her keel resting on the ooze, while her searchlight played straight
+upon the victim of the tragedy.
+
+"There they are, I believe; do you see those bulges under his coat?"
+exclaimed Palmer.
+
+"It certainly seems so," replied Gerald. "Now, what do you propose to
+do?"
+
+"Rise right over the aeroplane, engage the grapnel, and blow the
+ballast tank."
+
+"Mind you don't overrun it, and get the propeller fouled," continued
+Tregarthen.
+
+"I'll try not to. Now, here goes."
+
+Slowly the submarine began to rise; the grapnel was dropped, and with
+an almost imperceptible jar the implement became entangled in the
+wreck of the monoplane.
+
+"Easy ahead."
+
+The motors, running jerkily in their endeavour to overcome the
+pressure of water on the propeller-blades, were gradually advanced to
+their utmost capacity, but still the submarine remained anchored to
+the bottom of the sea, till with a succession of sharp jerks the
+little craft wallowed helplessly in the ooze.
+
+"Blow the for'ard ballast tank," ordered Palmer, calmly. "She'll rise
+like a bird."
+
+Two of the men hastened to pump out the tank, but so great was the
+outside pressure that they were unable to expel the water. On the
+contrary, a slender stream hissed through the glands of the pumps
+with terrific force. One of the seamen, struck full in the face by
+the jet of water, was hurled against the arched sides of the vessel.
+
+"Belay there!" exclaimed the commander, seeing that more harm than
+good was likely to result; then turning to Gerald he whispered, "Now,
+what's to be done?"
+
+"Reverse the planes and try running the engine at full speed astern,"
+suggested Tregarthen, now fully alive to the seriousness of their
+position.
+
+For a few seconds it seemed as if this manoeuvre would prove
+successful, though the water hissed through the tightly packed
+propeller shafting as the blades went astern. Then, with a decided
+swoop, the submarine returned to her muddy bed.
+
+"That's done it!" exclaimed Palmer, gloomily. "We've lost our slight
+reserve of buoyancy; don't say a word to discourage the men, but I
+fear it's all up."
+
+Gerald did not reply. Mechanically he pulled out his watch; it was
+twenty minutes over the hour.
+
+(_To be continued_)
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: The four men threw themselves on the astonished
+foreigners, and a desperate conflict ensued.]   [_See page_ 486.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: sixth instalment]
+BY PERCY F. WESTERMAN
+
+Author of "A Lad of Grit," etc.
+
+_ILLUSTRATED BY E. S. HODGSON_
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: chapter XXIII]
+CHAPTER XXIII
+
+THE CRIPPLED SUBMARINE
+
+
+"BETTER switch off the searchlight," said Gerald. "It's doing no
+good, and we must economise the air."
+
+"There's enough oxygen to last for two hours," observed Palmer; "but
+we had better try the motors full speed ahead once more. It can't do
+much harm, and the longer we remain inactive the deeper the boat will
+sink in the ooze."
+
+But beyond a slight pulsation of the hull the submarine remained in
+her hazardous position.
+
+"Look here," exclaimed Gerald's companion, hopefully, "why not close
+the torpedo compensating tank and discharge all the torpedoes? That
+will get rid of some of our gear."
+
+"What happens to the torpedoes when they have finished their run,
+provided they miss their mark?" asked Gerald.
+
+"If they have practice-heads they rise to the surface; if provided
+with war-heads they sink."
+
+"The same as our Whiteheads: the exhaustion of the compressed air
+actuating the propellers opens a valve that admits water into the
+air-chamber?"
+
+"That is so."
+
+"Then I'm afraid your plan is useless, for in expelling the torpedoes
+we are only getting rid of objects lighter than the weight of the
+water they displace."
+
+"You're right," assented Palmer, ruefully.
+
+"Beg pardon, sir," exclaimed one of the seamen, "but are we hitched
+up here for good?"
+
+"It looks like it," replied Palmer, almost brutally.
+
+"Then couldn't I go out by the air-lock--I am willing to risk it--and
+take a line up with me? We've nearly a hundred fathoms aboard."
+
+"Impossible, man; you would be crushed to death."
+
+"We ought to try something, sir; the oxygen seems to be giving out,
+and the mice are getting torpid."
+
+"I thought we had two hours' supply?"
+
+"So did I, sir, but something's wrong with the stuff."
+
+"We will have to rely on the oxygen helmets, then. Serve them out; it
+may prolong our lives a few hours, though I know not to what
+purpose."
+
+Slowly the minutes passed. Illuminated only by the glimmer of a
+solitary incandescent lamp the interior of the submarine presented a
+picture of gloomy despair. The crew began to realise that they were
+imprisoned in a living tomb.
+
+"We must make some attempt to communicate with the _Olive Branch_,"
+exclaimed Gerald, shaking off the growing feeling of apathy and
+drowsiness by a great effort. "Why not write a report stating our
+condition, enclose it in one of the torpedoes, and fire it to the
+surface?"
+
+"To what purpose?" asked Palmer. "They can't help us."
+
+"It will show them that we've done our best."
+
+"All right, then, though personally I think it a waste of time."
+
+Somehow or other Gerald wrote out a brief account of the vicissitudes
+of the submarine. This both he and Palmer signed, and enclosed in a
+practice-head of one of the torpedoes.
+
+The impulse charge was sufficiently strong to eject the cigar-shaped
+cylinder from the tube, though at the expense of another slight rush
+of water; then, as there was nothing more to be done, the crew
+prepared for the worst.
+
+It was a peculiar sensation that came over the doomed men. Apparently
+paying scant heed to their peril they sat down, with their heads
+buried in their arms, awaiting the sleep that precedes death. The
+white mice--the surest means of indicating the presence of impure
+gases--had long since been lifeless; only the soft purr of the dynamo
+and the laboured breathing of the men broke the oppressive silence.
+
+How long Gerald remained in a semi-unconscious state he knew not;
+time and place were alike forgotten; he hardly possessed the power of
+thinking, and, knowing his fate, he seemed absolutely indifferent to
+it.
+
+Suddenly a sharp metallic clank caught his ear, but, beyond hearing
+the sound, Tregarthen paid no heed to it. Yet something was moving
+across the outside of the massive steel shell. Perhaps, he wondered
+dreamily, it was one of those enormous submarine animals that exist
+only under enormous pressure, and whose bodies have from time to time
+been cast ashore, to the wonder of scientific men.
+
+Slowly the bow of the submarine began to rise. Gerald sat bolt
+upright; he could scarce believe the evidence of his senses. Higher
+and higher it rose till his inert comrades rolled sideways upon the
+steel floor, and began to slide helplessly towards the dim recesses
+occupied by the motors.
+
+Grasping the lowermost rung of the ladder leading to the
+conning-tower, Tregarthen tried to collect his scattered wits in
+order to find some explanation for the sudden tilting of the helpless
+boat. Perchance her afterpart had rested over a fissure, and the
+slimy bed had given way as the hull began to settle down.
+
+Then the sensation of drowsiness began to reassert itself, and the
+lieutenant felt his grip relaxing, till, just as he was on the point
+of joining his companions who lay in a confused heap--dead perhaps,
+but at all events unconscious--a voice exclaimed peremptorily, "Empty
+your ballast tanks."
+
+It was through the receiver of the loud-speaking wireless telephone
+that the voice came. It meant that the submarine had been raised
+several fathoms, sufficiently for the telephone to be used once more.
+
+Staggering up the sloping deck, Gerald grasped the pump lever of the
+'midship tank. Thank goodness the pressure had been reduced
+sufficiently for the powerful pump to act.
+
+With his last remaining strength Tregarthen plied the lever, till at
+length a ruddy sunset glare streamed in through the thick glass
+apertures in the conning-tower. The submarine was awash.
+
+Climbing the ladder into the conning-tower Gerald threw back the
+double-action lock securing the hatchway, but the task of opening the
+massive steel plate was beyond him. The next moment he was drinking
+in the pure air, supported by a burly petty-officer who had slid down
+from the cruiser to the deck of the submarine.
+
+"Hurry up and pass these men out," he heard Captain Brookes exclaim.
+"Perhaps some of them may be still alive."
+
+Half conscious, Gerald was lifted over the side of the _Olive
+Branch_, Jack Stockton supporting him with the utmost solicitude.
+
+"A pretty fine pass," he heard Captain Brookes remark. "I did not
+think that Palmer would disobey orders. And nothing gained, after
+all."
+
+Gerald stopped, just as he was about to be assisted down the
+companion ladder, and with a sudden impulse that surprised his chum,
+he wrenched himself clear and staggered across to where the captain
+stood.
+
+"No, sir; something is gained after all. The missing wireless gear is
+strung underneath the submarine."
+
+Then everything seemed to swim around him in a white mist, and but
+for Lieutenant Sinclair's prompt action he would have fallen headlong
+to the deck.
+
+"We thought you were all done for when you did not return at the end
+of the hour," said Stockton next morning.
+
+"So did I," replied Gerald. "But how did they manage to raise the
+boat?"
+
+"Mainly by a slice of luck, and also through Captain Brookes's
+perseverance and energy, old chap. Directly we felt certain that
+something was amiss the captain ordered a couple of hands to the
+cable-cutting room. The dynameter detected the presence of a very
+weak current----"
+
+"That must have been after we shut off the searchlight and stopped
+the motors."
+
+"Well, at any rate, it was sufficient to enable us to fix your
+position. Three times the grab was lowered without result. During
+these operations a torpedo came to the surface."
+
+"Yes, we discharged it without allowing the propellers to actuate, so
+that it would come nearly straight to the surface."
+
+"By jove, it did! I should never have believed it had I not seen the
+thing jump. It shot nearly twenty feet in the air, missing the cutter
+by a bare boat's length. Then someone suggested unfixing the head,
+and within we found your message.
+
+"With that we knew you were still alive, and that the submarine had
+not collapsed under the pressure of the water, as Captain Brookes had
+feared. Shortly afterwards the grab engaged, and we found that under
+a strain of half a ton it was beginning to come home. It was an
+anxious time, as the cable was only tested to twelve hundredweights,
+but it held, after all, as you know."
+
+"How is Palmer?"
+
+"Bad. The strain coming on top of the narcotic has played havoc with
+him. The other men are progressing favourably; but Gerald, old man,
+where's your shaving-mirror? Then hold it so that you can see the
+back of your head."
+
+Tregarthen did so, and to his surprise he found that on his dark
+brown hair was a patch as white as snow, almost the size of a man's
+hand.
+
+"That's strange, Jack. I remember putting my hand to my head when the
+boat began to tilt. It's a case of utter funk, I suppose."
+
+"You've something to remember the eighty-fathom dive by for the rest
+of your natural life."
+
+"I don't want that to remind me," replied Gerald, with a shudder.
+
+"Well, it's all over now, and little harm done; but do you know there
+was something very remarkable about that message you sent up? You
+gave an account of everything that happened save one thing--the
+object of your trip. You never mentioned the missing wireless gear."
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: chapter XXIV]
+CHAPTER XXIV
+
+A FRUSTRATED PLOT
+
+
+THE recovered reciprocators were none the worse for their prolonged
+submersion, thanks to the protection afforded by the steel cylinders
+in which they were encased.
+
+A diver having removed them from the body of the ill-fated airman,
+the wrecked monoplane was released and allowed to sink once more to
+the bottom of the sea.
+
+The aviator's body was brought on board the _Olive Branch_ in order
+that it might be given a decent burial, and then it was that an
+astonishing discovery was made.
+
+The man was not an American. Papers found on him, carefully concealed
+in the double thickness of his indiarubber coat, revealed the fact
+that he was the agent of a certain European power, and that it was
+his intention to find out as much about the _Olive Branch_ as he was
+able to do. The flight across the Straits of Messina was part of a
+prearranged plan, and, though his fall into the sea under the
+influence of the Z-rays was not strictly in accordance with his
+programme, it materially helped to mature the plot that had all but
+succeeded.
+
+The damage done to the Z-rays apparatus was considerable,
+necessitating the removal of the diagram board and the wires between
+the dynamo and the conning-tower. While this was being done the
+ZZ-rays were consequently out of action, hence Captain Brookes's
+anxiety to have the work put in hand without a moment's delay.
+
+In this partially crippled state advantage was taken of the proximity
+of the Santorin Islands to clear the cruiser's under-body of the
+marine deposit that was already beginning to have an appreciable
+effect on her speed.
+
+Practically the whole of these islands are of volcanic origin,
+sulphur springs, being strongly in evidence around the shores of Port
+Megalos, while the water possesses the property of killing and
+removing in less than thirty-six hours the weeds and barnacles that
+adhere to a ship.
+
+"What do you say to a run ashore, gentlemen?" asked Captain Brookes
+of several of the officers on the afternoon of their arrival. "I'm
+told the crater is very interesting."
+
+"I, for one, will be very glad of the opportunity, provided I can be
+spared," replied Sinclair.
+
+"And I," exclaimed Gerald, Stockton, Temple, and Slade in chorus.
+
+"Very well, only be careful not to go too close to the sulphur
+springs, and beware of loose stones rolling down the mountain. You
+will be practically in sight of the ship the whole time, so keep a
+good look-out in case I have to make a signal for recall."
+
+Two hours later, by dint of much exertion and considerable agility,
+the party of officers gained the edge of the crater. For some time
+they remained looking at the scene of desolation.
+
+"What's that, by Jove!" exclaimed Jack Stockton, pointing to an
+elongated yellow object swaying in a deep hollow a few hundred yards
+away. The others looked in the direction indicated.
+
+"It's an airship--one of the Zeppelin type," said Gerald. "What on
+earth is it doing in this part of the globe?"
+
+"I wish I'd brought my marine glasses," remarked Sinclair. "This
+looks like an interesting discovery. She's anchored, I think."
+
+"Ay, and there are some men coming this way; they've just descended
+by a rope ladder. I wonder if they have spotted us?"
+
+"I don't think so. Look here, you fellows, they mean mischief!
+Suppose we take cover and watch their little game?"
+
+The only shelter worthy of the name was afforded by a clump of
+withered thorns. Foliage there was none, but by lying flat on the
+ground and keeping behind the thick uncovered roots, the officers
+could follow the movements of the men of the mysterious airship.
+
+Evidently the clump was the objective of the strangers, since from it
+they could command a view of the _Olive Branch_ without appearing on
+the skyline. The new comers were three tall, bearded men dressed in a
+brown uniform. One carried a revolver in a pouch, the others were
+apparently unarmed; all had field-glasses slung over their shoulders.
+
+Unsuspectingly they stopped at the clump of thorns, only a few
+tangled branches separating them from Gerald and his comrades. Out
+came their glasses, and with them glued to their eyes the chance of
+detecting the concealed officers was materially lessened.
+
+"Yes, there she is," exclaimed one of the strangers, speaking in a
+guttural tongue that both Gerald and Sinclair were conversant with.
+"Adolphe was right this time."
+
+"Looking at her from here, sir, one would not imagine her to be such
+a formidable ship."
+
+"Appearances are deceptive, Captain Dorge. However, there she is, and
+now is our opportunity. Once we settle with her our chances against
+England are wonderfully improved."
+
+"Will forty kilos of the explosive be sufficient?"
+
+"It will wipe her out of existence. We must be sharp, for the moon
+rises at two."
+
+"If we blunder?"
+
+"There will be no blunder. I'll bring the 'Voertwards' immediately
+above her, and drop to within thirty metres of her deck. They will
+never expect an attack in this harbour, especially from the sky."
+
+Gerald's grasp tightened on Sinclair's shoulder. That officer nudged
+Temple in a manner that required no verbal explanation; while
+Stockton, who had observed the signal, was not slow to comprehend.
+
+"Now!" shouted Sinclair.
+
+Simultaneously the four men sprang to their feet, burst through the
+intervening bushes, and threw themselves on the astonished
+foreigners.
+
+The man addressed as Captain Dorge made as if to draw his revolver,
+but Gerald had already seized him round the waist, while Jack
+Stockton deftly took possession of his weapon. In an instant he was
+capsized, Stockton sitting on his chest so that he could only writhe
+helplessly in the dust.
+
+Temple, a strapping great Scot, had little difficulty in overpowering
+his antagonist, but Sinclair found all his work cut out in tackling
+his man. Fiercely they struggled, the stranger striving to grip his
+adversary by the throat. Failing that, he inserted his fingers in the
+lieutenant's hair and tried to gouge his eyes out with his thumbs--a
+continental trick that Sinclair was conversant with.
+
+The first lieutenant's left arm shot out straight from the shoulder,
+and, taking his antagonist fairly in the chin, sent him reeling a
+dozen paces ere he fell like a log.
+
+"Now what's to be done?" asked Gerald breathlessly, as he wiped the
+perspiration from his forehead.
+
+"Done? Why, drag the bounders back to the ship," replied Sinclair.
+"We've three important hostages for the airship's good behaviour."
+
+"Easier said than done."
+
+"Not when you know the way, but we must look alive, for I see yonder
+gentleman is recovering from the effects of my knock-out blow. I
+wonder if the other fellows belonging to the airship have spotted
+us?"
+
+So saying, Sinclair relieved the two prisoners of their belts, and,
+ordering the men to stand side by side, he fastened the left arm of
+one to the right arm of the other by means of the leather straps,
+tying their thumbs together by means of a piece of thin cord as an
+additional safeguard.
+
+Meanwhile Gerald and Stockton had raised the semi-dazed officer,
+while Temple brought up the rear with the captured revolver well in
+evidence.
+
+It had taken nearly two hours to climb the crater, but the descent
+occupied barely twenty minutes.
+
+Smothered in clouds of pumice dust, continually dodging enormous
+boulders that rolled down the mountain side, the officers of the
+_Olive Branch_ and their captives pursued their headlong descent, and
+on gaining the beach they found that a boat had already been
+despatched to bring them off to the ship.
+
+"What has happened, gentlemen?" asked Captain Brookes as the party
+gained the quarter-deck. "I was watching you through my glasses, and
+could see that you were having an encounter of some sort."
+
+Briefly the "first luff" made his report. The captain's brows
+clouded.
+
+"This is bad news," he remarked. "Whatever design these people have
+against Great Britain is evidently a secret. I've been in
+communication by wireless with our Swanage agent, and he assures us
+that there is no sign of international complications. However, it's
+lucky you nipped this little plot in the bud, for I have no doubt
+that that airship would deliberately violate all the etiquettes of
+neutrality. I'll ask our prisoners a few questions."
+
+"I am Hans von Rippach," replied the man who was evidently the senior
+officer of the airship.
+
+"Herr Hans von Rippach, I salute you," rejoined Captain Brookes,
+without betraying the fact that he understood the nature of the
+foreigner's reply, though he shrewdly suspected that his prisoner was
+a member of the Royal House of a powerful European State. "Might I
+inquire the reason why you proposed to attack my vessel treacherously
+in neutral waters?"
+
+"I refuse to offer explanations to a pirate," replied the prisoner,
+rudely.
+
+Finding that it was useless to attempt to gain further information,
+Captain Brookes ordered the captives to be removed and confined in a
+cabin under an armed guard.
+
+"Couldn't we have a smack at the airship, sir?" asked Lieutenant
+Sinclair. "A six-pounder could be taken ashore and dragged up to
+yonder ridge without much trouble."
+
+"We might harm some of the inhabitants of the island," replied
+Captain Brookes. "There's bound to be a crowd gathered around to see
+the sight."
+
+"I venture to suggest that the crew have kept them at a respectful
+distance, sir."
+
+"I'll not take the risk. If the airship ascends I'll wing her sure
+enough, not otherwise. But I mean to get under way at once and head
+at top speed for English waters. There's mischief brewing; of that I
+feel certain."
+
+Ere nightfall the _Olive Branch_ had cleared Santorin Harbour and was
+tearing towards the Straits of Gibraltar. The English agent at
+Swanage was kept constantly in touch by means of wireless, greatly to
+that individual's annoyance, since he saw no reason for Captain
+Brookes's continuous messages. But, four hours after clearing the
+Straits, a wireless was received that caused the blood of every
+member of the crew of the _Olive Branch_ to surge madly through his
+veins. It was brief and yet to the point: "Triple Alliance has
+commenced hostilities against Great Britain."
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: chapter XXV]
+CHAPTER XXV
+
+THE EMPIRE'S ORDEAL
+
+
+IN the course of a few hours the officers and crew of the _Olive
+Branch_ were in possession of the state of affairs so far as it was
+possible for their English agent to impart information. Great things
+were taking place, events of momentous importance, yet with few
+exceptions the country was kept in ignorance of the initial disasters
+of the war.
+
+A secret treaty had been contracted between three great European
+Powers, and so well were the terms of the understanding guarded that
+the British Foreign Office was absolutely unaware of the existence of
+any agreement between the countries concerned. Simultaneous "autumn
+manoeuvres" had been the means of the foregathering of a powerful
+combined fleet in the Atlantic, where, though away from the
+recognised trade routes, it was within twelve hours' steaming
+distance of the south coast of England.
+
+At the same time most of the British warships under the supreme
+command of Sir Protheroe Hobbes, Admiral of the Fleet, were cruising
+off the west coasts of Scotland and Ireland, while through unforeseen
+defects, an unprecedented number were under refit at the home ports.
+Several events, to which no one at the time attached the real
+importance, took place during the week preceding the outbreak of war.
+
+A large British-owned vessel entering Portsmouth Harbour with a cargo
+of Norwegian granite for use on some of the dockyard works, ran
+aground opposite the Round Tower--the narrowest part of the mouth of
+the harbour. As she swung round broadside on to the strong flood tide
+there was an explosion amidships and the vessel sank in ten minutes,
+completely blocking up the fairway, and consequently "bottling up"
+six useful units of the British Navy.
+
+On the same day a mysterious outrage took place in Scotland, the
+centre spans of the Forth Bridge being destroyed by some powerful
+explosive. This act was wrongly attributed to Anarchists, who had
+been extremely active of late. Though fortunately there was no loss
+of life entailed, the consequences were disastrous, since, until the
+debris was removed, the naval base of Rosyth was completely isolated.
+
+The following afternoon the ambassador of the Triple Alliance left
+London, and hostilities, without a formal declaration of war,
+immediately broke out.
+
+Under cover of darkness simultaneous attempts were made by airships
+upon the principal naval ordnance magazines of Great Britain. The
+attack upon Priddy's Hard Magazine failed, mainly through the
+initiative taken by a young lieutenant in charge of B Y aeroplane at
+Fort Blockhouse; but the enemy succeeded in destroying the magazines
+of Bedenham, Chattenden, and Bull Point, though in the last instance
+the airship dealing the blow was so crippled by the effect of the
+explosion that she was compelled to come to earth at Saltash, where
+her crew were immediately taken prisoners.
+
+A small coasting steamer entering Plymouth Sound struck a submarine
+mine a few cables from the Mewstone, and sank with all hands. It was
+subsequently discovered that the channel on either side of the
+breakwater had been strewn with mines, so that ere a battleship or
+cruiser dare leave the Hamoaze the Sound had to be "swept" as far
+seaward as a line joining Rame Head and Wembury Point.
+
+Meanwhile the fleet of the Triple Alliance--outnumbering Admiral
+Hobbes's command by no less than seven Dreadnoughts and
+super-Dreadnoughts, eleven armoured cruisers, and more than twenty
+ocean-going destroyers--sought to cut off the British fleet and
+compel it to give battle. Once the British fleet were destroyed the
+position of the Empire would be hopeless. Without landing a single
+hostile regiment her downfall would be only a matter of a few weeks;
+with her seaborne commerce captured or destroyed England would be
+starved into submission; the partition of the Empire would follow in
+due course.
+
+The minute Admiral Hobbes heard by wireless of the outbreak of war,
+he issued orders for the fleet to steam at its greatest speed
+straight for the English Channel. A man of undoubted courage and
+skill, he never hesitated to count the cost; disregarding the
+disparity of force, he resolved to take the initiative and do his
+best to win a decisive action.
+
+At daybreak on the day following the departure of the British fleet
+from Bantry Bay, two of the swift coastal destroyers signalled that
+the enemy's ships were standing northwest in quarter line.
+
+Unfortunately this information, though correct, was not complete, as
+a strong division, in line ahead, was steaming parallel to that of
+the main fleet, though some fifteen miles to the south-west. Thus,
+should the British admiral of the fleet attempt to break the enemy's
+line--as he decided to do--he would have to run the risk of being
+raked by the guns of the powerful division lying hull down on his
+starboard side.
+
+Admiral Bloch, in supreme command of the combined hostile fleets, had
+laid his plans carefully, but he had not reckoned with Captain
+Brookes, of the _Olive Branch_. Bloch it was who had planned the
+annihilation of the dreaded cruiser by means of a surprise night
+attack by one of the latest type of airships.
+
+The crew of the airship had cabled news of the failure of the
+enterprise, but unfortunately for the enemy, owing to an error on the
+part of a Greek telegraph operator, the code word for "destroyed" was
+substituted for that signifying "escaped."
+
+Consequently Admiral Bloch, imagining that all danger from that
+source was at an end, did not hesitate to meet the British fleet,
+well knowing that the latter, though powerful, was vastly inferior in
+numbers to his own.
+
+Meanwhile the _Olive Branch_ was tearing across the Bay. Two hundred
+miles from Finisterre she overhauled a British transport homeward
+bound. This vessel she promptly warned of the danger ahead, and as
+the transport turned and made towards Gibraltar her sides were
+crowded with troops who cheered the formidable cruiser to the echo.
+
+The defects to the _Olive Branch's_ electrical gear had been made
+good ere she passed Gibraltar; the 6in. shells were charged with
+their powerful explosive; magazines were opened and water-tight doors
+closed.
+
+
+[Illustration: "In view of possible events I must ask you to take up
+your quarters beneath the armoured deck," said Captain Brookes.]
+
+
+As far as was humanly possible the vessel under Captain Brookes's
+command was fit and ready for action.
+
+At six bells the dull rumble of a terrific cannonade was heard away
+to the nor'-west. The van of Admiral Hobbes's fleet was in touch with
+the enemy.
+
+It was a prolonged yet terrible encounter. The British fleet,
+advancing in line ahead in double columns, suffered severely as they
+received the concentrated fire of the hostile ships. It was a running
+fight at this stage, for Admiral Bloch's main division, relying on
+its superior numbers, was slowly retiring so as to subject its
+pursuers to a heavy cannonade at long range ere the second division,
+fresh for action, converged upon the flank of the British fleet.
+
+In twenty minutes the _British Orion_ and _Thunderer_ were sunk,
+while the _Princess Royal_, _Vanguard_, _Inflexible_, and
+_Foudroyant_ had fallen out of line. In spite of their complicated
+system of water-tight doors they were leaking badly, their powerful
+centrifugal pumps being barely sufficient to cope with the inrush of
+water. The _Foudroyant_ in particular was in a deplorable condition,
+being battered entirely out of recognition.
+
+The "lame ducks" must go. Admiral Hobbes could not hazard the rest of
+his fleet by standing by. The cripples were ordered to make their way
+as best they might for Haulbowline, trusting to luck to avoid the
+detached armoured cruisers of the hostile fleet.
+
+In this running fight the enemy possessed a decided advantage in the
+fact that both torpedoes and mines could be employed, whereas the
+pursuing vessels were unable to use either.
+
+Nor had they suffered lightly. The huge 20,000-ton battleship
+Kronprinz Gustave, her armoured sides shattered by the 13in.
+projectiles of the King George V., was slowly settling down by the
+head. The _Askoldin_ and _Trodet_--both regarded as formidable
+vessels--had already disappeared, while the _Styx_, _Vonderflack_,
+and _Gelion_ had dropped astern hopelessly crippled. These three
+vessels, finding themselves overhauled by the British fleet,
+surrendered at discretion. But Admiral Hobbes was not in a position
+to take possession of the disabled ships; all he could hope was that
+his own "lame ducks" would be able to complete the surrender.
+
+Then with a terrific roar a small cruiser steaming about two cables'
+length on the quarter of the _Donetz_--Bloch's flagship--burst into a
+thousand fragments. Admiral Hobbes hailed this success with as much
+delight as if it had been the sinking of one of the enemy's
+super-Dreadnoughts, for the vessel had been recognised as the
+_Hekla_, a mine-layer of the most aggressive type.
+
+Thus the losses on the side of the Triple Alliance outnumbered those
+of the British by one. This, Admiral Hobbes knew, was good, but not
+good enough. Should the action be continued with the same proportion
+of losses the allies would come out with a balance of eleven ships
+to the good--and that without taking into consideration the as yet
+invisible division of Vice-Admiral Neboff.
+
+By noon the rival fleets, covering a front of eleven miles, were in
+the vicinity of the Lizard. The British commander hoped that some of
+the units left at Devonport might make a flank attack on the enemy.
+His wireless gear had been swept away, and consequently he was cut
+off from communication with the shore.
+
+Then instead of the expected reinforcement one of the scouts came
+within signalling distance with the grave news that another hostile
+division was closing in on the British starboard quarter.
+
+Half an hour later Admiral Neboff's division opened fire.
+
+Admiral Hobbes realised that his position was hazardous in the
+extreme. Cornered between two powerful fleets he had either to beat
+an undignified retreat or to fight to the death. Quickly he made up
+his mind; he would hammer and be hammered as long as a single ship
+remained afloat.
+
+At this juncture a grey cruiser, cutting through the water at an
+inconceivable speed, was seen approaching from the south-east.
+Eagerly, though hardly daring to hope, Admiral Hobbes watched her
+approach through his glass. As she passed within a mile of the
+partially disabled _Hertzog_ the foreigner imprudently let fly an
+11in. shell. The mysterious cruiser returned shot for shot, but one
+only was sufficient. Like a cardboard box the _Hertzog_ appeared to
+crumple up, and amid a thick cloud of steam and smoke she disappeared
+beneath the waters.
+
+"Thank Heaven!" exclaimed the British admiral, fervently. "'Tis the
+_Olive Branch_."
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: chapter XXVI]
+CHAPTER XXVI
+
+THE VINDICATION OF THE "OLIVE BRANCH"
+
+
+FOR three nights preceding the arrival of the _Olive Branch_ on the
+scene of action Captain Brookes rarely left the deck. Content with
+two hours' rest a day he seemed to be independent of a desire to
+sleep. Yet the enormous physical and mental strain was beginning to
+tell.
+
+"I shall have rest in plenty after this business is done; my lifelong
+task will soon be accomplished," he replied in answer to Gerald's
+remonstrances. "But now I must see the prisoners personally. Will you
+please accompany me?"
+
+Outside the cabin in which the officers of the airship were confined
+stood two armed seamen. On the captain's approach they unlocked the
+door, and followed their superior into the apartment; but with a
+gesture they were dismissed, and Captain Brookes and Gerald were
+alone with the three prisoners.
+
+"Good morning, Herr Hans von Rippach," exclaimed Captain Brookes. "I
+regret to have to inform you that owing to possible events I must ask
+you to take up your quarters in a cabin on the main deck."
+
+"Beneath the armoured deck, I presume?" replied the individual who
+concealed his identity under the Continental equivalent of Mr. Nobody
+of Nowhere. The man spoke in fluent English, with hardly a trace of a
+foreign pronunciation. "That means you are going into action?"
+
+The captain assented.
+
+"Might I take this opportunity of expressing my regret for the rude
+manner in which I spoke to you on my arrival on board?" continued the
+officer.
+
+"I accept your apologies, sir."
+
+"And to answer your original questions I beg to announce myself
+as----"
+
+"Prince E. von Bulow von Ratalewis, second son of----"
+
+"Thank you, Lord Stanningborough," rejoined the prince with an air of
+a practised duellist who has effected a successful counter. "Need I
+recall our most pleasurable meeting in Vienna in '09?"
+
+"You heard what the prince said?" said the captain, abruptly, as he
+and Gerald left the cabin after the expiration of ten minutes'
+conversation. "Please keep this matter to yourself, as I particularly
+wish to preserve my incognito."
+
+Gerald bowed; he was on the point of replying "Yes, my lord," but,
+checking himself, he merely answered "Yes, sir." The revelation had
+momentarily staggered him, for he clearly remembered the case of the
+mysterious disappearance of Lord Stanningborough early in the second
+decade of the present century. For the first time he was able to
+recognise the peer's features in spite of the addition of the
+torpedo-beard.
+
+Lord Stanningborough had been a prominent member of a committee of
+Imperial Defence, and had been submitted to a severe criticism for
+his outspoken utterances at the time of the three-power standard
+controversy. Even his personal friends treated him as a harmless
+fanatic, while the Government of the day ignored his well-meant
+warnings. At last, in utter disgust, Lord Stanningborough announced
+his intention of undertaking a big-game expedition to Uganda, and
+within a month of landing in Africa all traces of him had vanished.
+But Gerald Tregarthen understood; Captain Brookes was to remain
+Captain Brookes till his life's work was completed.
+
+
+A bugle sounded "General quarters." From his position in the
+conning-tower Gerald could see the ungainly lattice-work masts of
+Admiral Neboff's division showing just above the horizon.
+
+"Independent firing, foremost turret," ordered Captain Brookes, as an
+11in. shell from a partially disabled ship ricochetted harmlessly a
+hundred yards across the _Olive Branch's_ bows.
+
+"That's done it," he exclaimed, as the hostile vessel disappeared
+from view. "Now for the enemy's flanking ships."
+
+Neboff had witnessed the arrival of the redoubtable cruiser. He had
+been duped; the _Olive Branch_ had not been annihilated but had
+arrived at a critical moment.
+
+A signal fluttered from the flagship of the vice-admiral's division.
+Every available 11in. and 14in. gun was to be trained and fired
+simultaneously at the _Olive Branch_ in the hope of sending her to
+the bottom.
+
+For the space of twelve seconds over fifty heavy shells were hurtling
+through the air at a velocity of considerably more than a thousand
+yards a second. But the gun-layers had forgotten one important
+consideration; they had omitted to make due allowance for the
+cruiser's abnormal speed, and, with one exception, the projectiles
+fell harmlessly astern, thrashing the sunlit water into a cauldron of
+foam.
+
+The shell that struck home--a 14in. missile--simply swept the whole
+of the afterpart of the _Olive Branch_ out of existence. Everything
+above the armoured deck and abaft the rearmost gun-turret was blown
+away, the concussion shaking the cruiser from stem to stern.
+
+"The bos'un to sound and report state of hull," ordered Captain
+Brookes; "then take necessary steps to keep the leak under."
+
+"The range?" he continued, as he bent over the ZZ-rays indicator.
+
+"Fourteen thousand yards, sir," replied Gerald.
+
+The next instant the horizon in the direction of Admiral Neboff's
+division seemed to be one blaze of dull red fire, a thick pall of
+smoke rose in the air, and presently the dull revibration of a series
+of detonations was faintly borne to the ear of the young lieutenant
+in the conning-tower.
+
+"Hurrah! That's settled their hash," he shouted, carried away by the
+excitement of the moment. "The----"
+
+The sentence remained unfinished, for, happening to turn his head, he
+saw the figure of his commanding officer huddled over the
+indicator-board.
+
+"Hit, sir?" he exclaimed, anxiously.
+
+There was no reply. Gently Gerald lifted the body of the captain and
+laid him carefully down upon the floor of the conning-tower. Then, in
+answer to a hurried order, two seamen entered the citadel by means of
+the armoured spiral staircase, and Captain Brookes was carried below
+to be placed in the hands of Dr. White.
+
+There was no time to be lost in bewailing the latest catastrophe.
+
+"Pass the word for Mr. Sinclair to take command," ordered Gerald,
+then, without waiting for the first lieutenant's appearance, he
+directed the quartermaster to head towards the left flank of the main
+division of the enemy's fleet.
+
+A hurried glance at the ZZ-ray apparatus showed that this potent
+means of offence was no longer available.
+
+
+[Illustration: An admiral's pinnace was approaching the shattered
+_Olive Branch_. Gerald hastened on deck to receive the distinguished
+officer.]
+
+
+The pointers had been kept in position for such a length of time
+during the captain's collapse that every unit of electricity had
+escaped. Tregarthen realised that at their utmost capacity the
+dynamos would have to be working for six hours ere sufficient power
+was restored to bring the ZZ-rays up to their normal power.
+
+It was to be by gunfire alone that the _Olive Branch_ must complete
+her work of retrieving the fortunes of the day.
+
+"Independent action!" roared the lieutenant through the
+speaking-tube, for the electrical indicators communicating with the
+turrets had been disorganised by the concussion of the shell that had
+burst inboard.
+
+In the space of a quarter of an hour the supreme conflict was
+decided. The enemy's feint had been changed into a disorderly
+retreat; many were sunk by gunfire, while the remainder, overhauled
+by the superior speed of the British fleet, hoisted the white flag.
+
+The naval Armageddon had been fought and won.
+
+"Where's Sinclair?" asked Tregarthen, as the wearied, yet triumphant,
+crew came on deck to witness the British warships taking possession
+of their surrendered foes.
+
+"Down, sir; fatally wounded, I fear."
+
+"And the captain?"
+
+"Dead, sir," answered Dr. White, who was unable to conceal his
+emotion.
+
+For some moments Gerald could say nothing, so grieved was he at the
+news. Then he asked, simply:--
+
+"Where was he hit?"
+
+"He is untouched by the enemy's shot; it is a case of heart failure
+caused by the strain of the last few days, culminating in the
+excitement of the action," replied the surgeon.
+
+"Pass the word for the officers to come aft," said Lieutenant
+Tregarthen.
+
+In a few broken words Gerald formally conveyed the news of their
+great loss, then, producing a document with which Captain Brookes had
+entrusted him, he read the instructions that were to be carried out
+in the event of the death or disablement of the captain of the _Olive
+Branch_.
+
+This done, Tregarthen with his own hands lowered the green ensign and
+hoisted the blue ensign half-mast in its place, as the British naval
+regulations forbid the use of the white ensign. Then, gathering the
+struck colours under his arm, the lieutenant went below to where the
+body of the gallant captain lay.
+
+All that was mortal of Captain Brookes had been placed on one of the
+junior officer's bunks, for the senior officers' cabins had been
+swept away by the 14in. shell. Reverently Gerald covered the body
+with the green ensign, the most fitting homage he could pay to the
+memory of his temporary chief.
+
+"Admiral coming off, sir."
+
+Tregarthen hastened on deck to find that a pinnace--one of the few
+that was still seaworthy, so fierce had been the enemy's fire--was
+approaching the _Olive Branch_, a Union Jack denoting the rank of
+admiral of the fleet flying from a jack-staff in her bows.
+
+With the customary honours Admiral Hobbes came over the side,
+regarding the shattered quarter-deck of the mysterious cruiser with
+ill-concealed interest.
+
+Gerald, in his uniform of lieutenant in His Majesty's fleet, stepped
+forward to receive the distinguished officer, and informed him of the
+death of Captain Brookes and of his written instructions to hand over
+the _Olive Branch_ formally to the British Government.
+
+"I am not ashamed to confess," remarked Admiral Hobbes to Gerald as
+they stood in the presence of the great captain, "that but for the
+assistance of the _Olive Branch_ our position would have been
+hopeless. Now, thanks to Captain Brookes, all danger is at an end,
+and England still remains Mistress of the Seas. More than that, she
+will be incontestably supreme for all time. It's a sharp lesson, but
+an effectual one. All honour to the man who fulfilled his mission,
+and by one great action made further war impossible."
+
+And standing rigidly at the salute, the veteran admiral paid his
+homage to the Sea Monarch.
+
+THE END.
+
+
+
+
+  [Transcriber's Notes:
+
+
+    "THE CAPTAIN, A MAGAZINE FOR BOYS & 'OLD BOYS.'"
+    was a monthly magazine for young boys. It contained articles
+    about how to make things yourself, about schools, photography,
+    and short stories by different authors. The magazines were
+    also published collectively as half-year volumes. In 1911
+    volume XXV appeared and it included this story by Percy F.
+    Westerman.
+    This story was published the next year (1912) by Adam &
+    Charles Black, as a novel.
+
+    The 1911 edition contains a number of misprints.
+    The following misprints have been corrected:
+
+      [from beneath, his feet.] -> [from beneath his feet.]
+
+      [I wil hasten to] -> [I will hasten to]
+
+      ["I am begining to] -> ["I am beginning to]
+
+      Beneath an illustration the following text was found:
+      [the tips of the twin propellors] ->
+        [the tips of the twin propellers]
+
+      [the companion Selkirk,] ->
+        [the companion, Selkirk,]
+
+      [in the Altantic] -> [in the Atlantic]
+
+      Several words occur with different notation. It could not be
+      established which spelling is correct, so no corrections were
+      made for:
+        [charthouse]/[chart-house]
+        [bos'n]/[bos'un]/[bo's'un]
+        [siren]/[syren]
+
+      A reversal was detected (but not corrected) in the following
+      fragment:
+        ["destroyed" was substituted for that signifying "escaped."]
+      Following the story-line, the author probably meant to write:
+        ["escaped" was substituted for that signifying "destroyed."]
+
+    The plain text file uses underscores to indicate italic text
+    and asterixes to indicate bold.
+
+    A contents-list and an illustrations-list have been
+    added for the convenience of the reader.
+
+  ]
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Sea Monarch, by Percy F. Westerman
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 57989 ***