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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..19cb493 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #63394 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/63394) diff --git a/old/63394-0.txt b/old/63394-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 6013096..0000000 --- a/old/63394-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,5177 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Bill Bolton and the Flying Fish, by -Noel Everingham Sainsbury, Jr. - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Bill Bolton and the Flying Fish - -Author: Noel Everingham Sainsbury, Jr. - -Release Date: October 6, 2020 [EBook #63394] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BILL BOLTON AND THE FLYING FISH *** - - - - -Produced by Al Haines, Stephen Hutcheson & the online -Distributed Proofreaders Canada team at -https://www.pgdpcanada.net - - - - - - - - - - BILL BOLTON - _and the_ - _Flying Fish_ - - - BY - Lieutenant Noel Sainsbury, Jr. - - _Author of_ - Bill Bolton, Flying Midshipman - Bill Bolton and the Flying Fish - Bill Bolton and Hidden Danger - - ★ - - - THE GOLDSMITH PUBLISHING CO. - CHICAGO - - Copyright, 1933 - The Goldsmith Publishing Company - MADE IN U. S. A. - - - _To_ - Philip Malseed - -_grandson of a Marine Engineer, and who may become one himself some day_. - - - - - CONTENTS - - - CHAPTER PAGE - I The Derelict 15 - II Surprised 30 - III Man Overboard 42 - IV Vandals of the High Seas 58 - V The Transformation of a Sea Monster 72 - VI The Raider 84 - VII Aboard 96 - VIII Piracy 109 - IX The Baron’s Methods 122 - X Bill Starts In 133 - XI Dangerous Business 146 - XII The Job 163 - XIII Results 176 - XIV Trouble Ahead 190 - XV The Chase 202 - XVI Prisoners 215 - XVII Charlie’s Note 228 - XVIII The Flying Fish Plays Its Part 239 - - - - - Bill Bolton and The Flying Fish - - - - - Chapter I - THE DERELICT - - -“There’s something wrong over yonder, Osceola.” - -“Where, Bill? What are you talking about?” - -The young Seminole chief spoke from the rear cockpit of Bill Bolton’s -two-seater amphibian, into the transmitter of his headphone set. Bright -August sunshine painted a calm Atlantic brilliant blue two thousand feet -below the speeding airplane. Cirrus clouds like fleecy wisps of carded -wool flecked a light blue sky which melted into the sea on the unbroken -circle of their wide horizon. Since passing Cape Hatteras Light Ship -flying north a quarter of an hour before, neither lad had seen a single -thing to relieve the monotony of an empty ocean. - -“I thought my eyesight was better than average,” Osceola continued, -scanning the horizon, “but I don’t see a blessed thing.” - -“It’s more habit than good vision—spotting something at sea,” returned -Bill from his place at the controls. He clapped a pair of field glasses -to his eyes. “There’s a single stacker off our starboard quarter. She’s -almost hull down to the horizon. I’ve been watching her off and on for -the past five minutes, and I’ll swear she hasn’t moved an inch. What’s -more—the glasses don’t show the slightest sign of smoke.” - -“I can make her out now. Think she’s worth while investigating?” - -“Yes, I do. There’s something queer about that ship.” - -“Why not investigate then?” - -“That’s my idea. The people on board may be in a bad way. It’s our duty -to be of help if we can.” - -“I’m with you, but—how about the time, Bill? You father expects us in -New York this afternoon.” - -Young Bolton banked to starboard, then neutralized his ailerons when the -plane’s nose was headed toward the dot on the horizon. - -“The airline distance between Miami and New York City is one thousand -and ninety-five miles,” said Bill, applying a normal amount of right -rudder to offset the torque. “We’re a good deal better than half way -now, and we’ve made swell time with this light wind on our tail all the -way. Don’t worry, you’ll see the Statue of Liberty before they turn the -floodlights on her tonight.” - -“Okay. Your father is such a grand guy—he’s been so wonderful to me and -my people ever since we cleaned up that Martinengo gang—I’d hate to -disappoint him. And especially so now when he is giving me this trip -north.” - -“I savvy,” Bill replied. “I’m pretty fond of Dad myself—but he’d be the -last person in the world to suggest we pass up anything like this, you -know.” - -He brought the glasses to his eyes again and stared through them for a -full minute without speaking. - -“The nearer we get, the queerer she looks,” he muttered finally. - -“Some kind of a yacht, isn’t it?” - -“It is. And a whopping big one. But that’s not the point, Osceola. She’s -not moving, yet she hasn’t broken out her breakdown flag at the fore. -She isn’t even flying her colors.” - -“I can’t see anyone on board.” - -“Neither can I—and still, if she was abandoned after sunset yesterday -when her colors had been hauled down, why doesn’t she show her three red -lights in vertical line—that’s the sign of a ship not under control?” - -“Some mystery!” - -“I should say you’re right, Osceola. And what’s more, I don’t like -it—not one little bit.” - -Bill banked until the amphibian was headed into the teeth of the light -breeze. With the wings level once more, he closed the throttle and -pushing his stick forward, sent the plane into a normal glide. At an -altitude of about twenty-five feet, he began to break the glide with a -slow backward movement of the stick. With expert precision he gradually -decreased their gliding angle until they were in level flight with the -bottom of the hull perhaps a foot above the water. Although the plane -was steadily losing speed he did not yet permit his craft to make -contact; but continued to pull back the stick gradually raising the nose -and depressing the tail. - -Like every other trained aviator he knew that as a plane approaches the -stalling point, its nose-heaviness increases sharply and the stick must -be pulled farther back to compensate for this. When his point of stall -was reached, Bill pulled the stick fully back, completing the stall. The -step of the hull made contact. There was no rebound. For an instant, the -plane skimmed the surface, then floated forward. A few yards to windward -lay the yacht, broadside to the gentle ground swell. - -Bill ripped off his headgear. - -“Slap your feet on the pedals, Osceola,” he called. “Keep her headed for -that gangway amidships. She’ll fetch it all right!” - -Without waiting for a reply, he caught up a looped mooring line and -climbed out of the cockpit. An instant later he stood on the heaving -grating, with the taut line wound about his arm. - -“Come aboard!” he shouted. “Make it snappy, will you? This ship’s -rolling like a drunken sailor!” - -The agile Seminole landed beside him and the two lads ran swiftly up to -the deck. - -“Looks deserted, all right,” Bill eyed Osceola, while he played off the -line to the plane, then made it fast. “Packed your gat, I hope?” - -The young Chief grinned, and nodded emphatically. “You bet.” He produced -an automatic from its holster below his left armpit. “I do everything -except sleep with this since the Shell Island mixup.” - -Bill nodded. “Me too, old man. From the lay of the land, we’re alone on -this craft. Still, you never can tell. There’s something uncanny about a -sea mystery——” - -“She’s a swell ship.” Osceola motioned toward the polished brass and -mahogany. “Some rich man’s plaything, I guess. Must have cost a pretty -penny.” - -“And she must have carried a large crew. I wonder where everybody -disappeared to! I don’t know how you feel, but this ship gives me the -creeps.” - -“I’m glad I’ve got my gun.” Osceola released the safety catch. - -“Well, we can’t stand here all day,” declared Bill. “Let’s take in the -engine room first. There can’t be a leak. She’s too high in the water.” - -“How do we get down there?” - -“The thwartships passage forward of the main companionway is probably -what we’re looking for. Let’s go see.” - -Bill entered the passage with Osceola at his heels. - -“Captain’s and chief engineer’s quarters,” said Bill, glancing through -the open doorways on either hand. - -“And everything is in apple-pie order,” added Osceola. - -Bill stepped inside the captain’s cabin and began to rummage, pulling -out drawers at the small desk and bureau. “Strange,” he murmured, “—not -a sign of it.” - -“What are you looking for?” Osceola sat down on the captain’s bunk. - -“Not being a sea-faring man yourself, you probably don’t quite realize -_how_ darned mysterious this business is.” Bill slammed a drawer shut in -disgust and turned toward his friend. “This ship has no name!” he -exploded. “Oh, she had one, all right. I spotted the marks on the hull, -under a fresh coat of paint where the metal lettering had been—even -before we came overside. And her boats, lifebuoys and belts are gone. I -thought I would find the logbook or some of her ship’s papers in the -skipper’s cabin—but I’ve drawn a blank. There isn’t the merest scrap of -paper.” - -“And yet,” remarked Osceola thoughtfully, “the lads who had these cabins -left in a hurry. I may be what you Naval Academy midshipmen call a -landlubber—but I can see that they left their clothes behind.” - -Bill’s eyes crinkled. “Right you are. Let’s go below now. I don’t think -Sherlock Holmes could dig any more dope out of these cabins.” - -A steep stair further along the passage led down to a roomy forecastle, -which, like the cabins above, they found empty. Next to the bunkroom -were a crew’s mess, lazarette and galley—likewise deserted. - -“Look here, Bill!” cried the Indian, lifting a lid from the cook range. - -Bill bent over and was astonished to see the red bed of glowing coals. -“Well, I’ll be doggoned! That fire has hardly burned down at all.” - -“Somebody has put coal in that range less than three hours ago. I don’t -know anything about ships, but fires are another matter.” - -“This yacht seems to be the original question mark,” said Bill gloomily. -“But in spite of it, we do know three things.” - -“That the people on board left in a hurry, and left not more than a -couple of hours ago.—What’s the third?” - -“Why, that they were so keen on hiding the name of this craft that they -either destroyed or took with them everything that could identify her.” - -“Yes, that’s so. It sure is confusing. Everything was all right on board -at breakfast time, too.” - -“How do you fathom that one?” - -Osceola took up a large bowl from a table-rack. “Taste that.” He pointed -to a cream-colored, doughy mass in the bottom. - -Bill dipped in a forefinger and brought it to his mouth. “Wheat cakes!” -he exclaimed. “You’ve got it. The cook doesn’t feed the men wheat cakes -knowing the ship is going to be abandoned shortly. They’re too much -trouble to make in a rush.” - -“Exactly!” Osceola looked pleased. - -“I always knew you Carlisle lads were a wide-awake bunch,” grinned Bill. -“Anything more, Mister Holmes?” - -“Yes, there is, big boy—even if they do turn out real live kidders at -Annapolis! I don’t know what time the ship was abandoned, but the cook -left this kitchen—” - -“Galley—” corrected his friend, with a wink. - -“The cook left this _galley_—” Osceola continued, “shortly after -breakfast.” - -“And how—” - -“Well, you see, he’d washed the griddle—it’s hanging up over there—” - -“But he hadn’t got to this bowl yet, or those other dirty dishes on the -table—” Bill broke in. - -“For the first time in history,” said Osceola suavely, “Midshipman -William Bolton, U.S.N., Second Class, and all the rest of it, shows a -decided glimmer of almost human intelligence! ‘Sing ho, the jolly maiden -and the tar’—or words to that effect . . .” - -Bill saluted. “And seeing there’s no maiden, the tar suggests we beat it -out of here before the famous Seminole Chief goes completely nerts! That -door across the passage is marked ‘Engine Room—Keep Out.’” - -“And so, naturally, we’ll go in,” laughed Osceola, and leaving the -galley, he swung open the door. - -The two stepped onto a metal grating. A steel ladder led down to the -floor of the engine room ten feet below. - -“You wait here while I have a looksee,” suggested Bill, and he ran -lightly down the ladder. - -From his stand on the grating, Osceola watched him make a hurried -inspection of the main engines. “Diesels,” he called up, “they are -certainly big ones—but there’s not a blooming thing wrong so far as I -can see.” - -He stayed below for about ten minutes, then joined Osceola above. “The -machinery’s all in running order,” he began. - -The young Indian suddenly raised a hand to his lips, cutting Bill short. -He tiptoed across the grating and into the passage, and presently -beckoned Bill forward, cautioning silence. - -“There’s somebody on deck!” he whispered. “He walked across that passage -one flight up just now, and went on deck over on the side by the -captain’s cabin.” - -“You certainly have a pair of ears,” murmured Bill. “I never caught a -sound. Are you sure it wasn’t a cat or a dog that got left behind?” - -“Dog nothing! My ancestry and early upbringing have been more or less of -a hindrance in this white man’s country—but when it comes to -distinguishing sounds, Bill, I’m one hundred per cent. Those were the -footsteps of a human being. He knows we are down here, whoever he is—and -he doesn’t want us to know he’s aboard, or he’d have come into the open -long before this.” - -“Well, let’s get after him then, and find out why he’s hiding.” - -“Right. But let me go first. I’ve had more experience in tracking than -you. Better take off your shoes. This is a ticklish business and it’s -more than likely he’s armed.” - -Osceola waited until Bill was in his stocking feet with his shoes tied -together and hanging about his neck. Then he passed up the stair to the -passage that led to the deck like a stealthy shadow, with the young -aviator at his heels. - -After pausing to make sure the way was clear, the two went out on deck. -Osceola seemed at a loss for an instant, then started aft, motioning -Bill to follow. He walked with his body bent forward so as to keep below -the level of the deckhouse portholes, and darted into the main -companionway. Then without the slightest hesitation he entered a large -cabin on his right, evidently the main salon. For a moment, he gazed -about, then he sprang back into the passage, pushing Bill ahead of him. - -While his friend watched, Osceola did a peculiar thing. He dropped to -the floor and wormed his way along the passage wall until he could peer -round the open door. His hand, with the automatic revolver in it, came -forward, and trained the gun on someone within the room. - -“You’re covered,” he said in his deep voice, “come out from under that -couch—and come pronto! _Or I’ll fire!_” - - - - - Chapter II - SURPRISED - - -Bill didn’t care to be thrust out of danger’s way by Osceola. He stepped -into the open doorway, his revolver leveled. At the far end of the -yacht’s salon, taking up the entire space across the rear wall, stood -the couch. It was so low from the floor that he wondered not only how a -human being could squeeze beneath it, but how Osceola could possibly -have known that anyone was hidden there. - -“Come on! Get out of that!” growled the Seminole. “And come out feet -first, or you’ll stop a bullet before you leave the floor.” - -“Please don’t shoot!” cried a high-pitched, muffled voice. “I’m—I’m -coming!” - -A pair of rubber soled sneakers appeared from beneath the couch, soon -followed by two stockinged legs. Then while the two friends stared in -amazement a boy of possibly twelve years wriggled forth and got to his -feet. He was a round-faced, red-headed youngster in khaki shorts and -outing shirt, and across his nose and one side of his face he bore a -great smudge of black coal-dust. He looked hot and badly rumpled, but -did not appear to be frightened in the least; on the contrary, he was -bursting with rage, and began to hold forth immediately. - -“Look here, you!” he piped in his ridiculous treble, both hands thrust -into trouser pockets and balancing on the balls of his feet against the -roll of the ship. “What are you fellas doin’ here? Whose yacht do you -think this is, anyway?” - -Bill and Osceola broke into roars of laughter and holstered their -automatics. - -“That’s exactly what we want to know, young bantam-cock!” gasped Bill, -when he could speak. - -“Tell us all about it, bub,” seconded the chief. “We aren’t going to -hurt you.” - -For a full minute the boy stared at the two young men. - -“Say!” he exploded. “You fellas don’t look like pirates!” - -“Pirates?” - -“Hijackers, then, or whatever you call ’em.” - -“What _do_ we look like?” asked Osceola, smiling. - -The boy looked puzzled. “You came in a plane—I saw you land—but you talk -like college men.” - -“Remarkable perception—” The chief winked at Bill. - -“Oh, quit your kiddin’—who are you guys, anyway?” - -Bill shook his head. “Who are _you_, and what are you doing here?” - -“I asked you first,” stubbornly insisted the youngster. - -“All right, then,” laughed Bill. “My name is Bolton, and I’m ‘commonly -known as Bill.’” - -“A college man?” - -“Midshipman at the Naval Academy.” - -“You aren’t in uniform,” said the boy doubtfully. “How do you happen to -be here?” - -“Oh, I change my clothes occasionally. And this is my second class -summer—I’m on leave. Anything else you’d like to know?” - -“Sure—heaps!” - -“Well,” Bill drew a deep breath, “I was born an orphan at the age of -five, and until I was ninety-seven I could only go upstairs backward -with my hair parted on the side—” - -“Raspberries!” flashed back redhead. “Come on, who’s the other fella? -I’ll bet six bits his middle name is Mussolini!” - -“The other fella, as you so elegantly put it, is Chief Osceola, Grand -Sachem of the Seminole Nation and a senior at Carlisle. And -incidentally, neither Chief Osceola nor myself permit grubby little -schoolboys to get fresh when we’re around.” Bill shot out a long arm and -gathered in the urchin. “Will you scalp him, Osceola?” he inquired -solemnly. “Or shall I lay him across my knee and give him what he’s -asking for? Stop wriggling, you young ruffian, or you’ll get a double -dose!” - -“Please, Mister Bolton—I didn’t mean to be fresh—really, I didn’t!” The -youngster was all contrition now. - -“Then snap out of it, and answer _our_ questions!” - -“I will, sir, I will—” he broke off and stared up at Bill, awe and -amazement written on his round face. “Say!” he fairly shouted. “You must -be the two guys I read about in the newspaper. The ones that busted up -that gang of gunmen down in Florida a couple of weeks ago!” - -“What of it?” Bill released him. “That doesn’t give you license to show -off your bad manners, does it?” - -“Gee whiz! And to think I was trying to get fresh with a couple of real -men like you! I’m darned sorry—and I apologize, Mr. Bolton, and to you, -too, Chief Osceola.” - -“That’s all right, kid. No harm done,” laughed Osceola. “Quit stalling -and tell us something about yourself.” - -“Well, I’m Charlie Evans,” returned the boy, still awestruck at his -discovery of their identity. “My father is C. B. Evans. We live in -Boston, and this is our yacht, the _Merrymaid_.” - -Bill walked over to the divan and sat down, while Osceola leaned against -the arm of a chair. “Come over here, Charlie,” he invited, “and tell me -how it happens that we find you alone on this yacht. Chief Osceola and I -are on our way from Miami to New York. We sighted the _Merrymaid_ adrift -and evidently abandoned out here, so we naturally landed to -investigate.” - -“Gee, that was fine of you!” Charlie curled up on the couch beside him. -“But you see, I can’t very well tell you what happened, because I don’t -know!” - -“You don’t know?” Osceola’s voice sounded rather gruff. - -“Look here, Charlie,” cut in Bill. “This is a serious matter. We’ve got -to be on our way soon. You are wasting our time and your own.” - -Charlie flushed. “I ain’t kidding you, Mr. Bolton, really I’m not.” - -“But there must have been a crew and passengers aboard this ship. Do you -mean to say that they disappeared into thin air and you don’t know why -or how?” - -“Yes, sir, I do. You see, I went below to the trunk room after -breakfast. When I came on deck again, there wasn’t a soul in sight. I -searched the yacht, but you fellas are the first people I’ve seen since -I came up on deck.” - -“I reckon you’d better start at the beginning,” said Osceola. “I’ll ask -questions and you answer them. And maybe we’ll be able to get somewhere. -Suppose you tell us where this yacht was going and who were aboard her -at breakfast time?” - -“That’s easy,” returned young Evans. “We were out of Boston, bound for -Savannah. Dad had business there, so he took Mother and me and Uncle -Arthur along. Uncle Arthur is Mother’s brother, you know. The four of us -had breakfast together at eight o’clock, and—” - -“Woa, not so fast. I suppose somebody skippered this boat?” - -“That’s right. Captain Ridley is skipper. I forgot to say that he had -breakfast with us, too. And we carry a pretty big crew. I can’t tell you -how many without counting them, but I know all their names.” - -Osceola smiled at the boy’s earnestness. “Never mind the crew, now. What -happened after breakfast? I take it everything was running as usual up -to that time?” - -“Yes, that’s right, chief. Well, you see, after breakfast, I wanted to -practice that slow drop Harold Lane told me about. You see, I pitch on -our team. So I asked Uncle Arthur if he would catch for me. He said he -would, so we went out on deck—but say—Uncle Arthur can’t catch for nuts! -He muffed the very first ball, and it went overboard—” - -“You shouldn’t pitch balls,” interrupted Bill. “Strikes are what make a -pitcher.” - -“Who’s kidding now?” said Charlie delightedly. - -“Say,” Osceola broke in, “I’m cross examining this witness. Don’t listen -to him Charlie. What did you do after the ball was lost?” - -“I went into my cabin, but I couldn’t find another one there. Then I -remembered that I had one in my trunk—so I went below to get it. Well, -when I got the trunk open, I got interested in some things I found that -I didn’t know I’d brought with me—and I guess I stayed down there for -some time.” - -“About how long, do you think?” - -“Oh, something over an hour, maybe. I came across a book I like, and got -to reading it.” - -“Did you know the ship had stopped moving?” - -“Of course, but that was nothing. I mean, father often has her stopped -on a hot day, and goes overboard for a swim. I do, too, and so does -Uncle Arthur.” - -“I see—and when you came upstairs again—” - -“One says topside or above on shipboard,” suggested Bill, winking at -Charlie. - -“O-and likewise-K,” replied Osceola. “Not that it has a thing to do with -the matter in hand. Now, Charlie, when you came—on deck, you found that -everybody had vanished—that you were alone on board?” - -“Yes, sir. And believe me but I was some scared! I went all over the -ship, but even the cat had gone. And, well—I guess you men won’t tell on -a fella—I came in here, and I guess I cried some—” He ended -shame-facedly. - -“Of course you did! I would probably have done the same thing in your -place!” Bill encouraged him. - -Charlie looked relieved. “Gee whiz, but it was lonesome!” he exploded. -“I hung round a bit, didn’t know just what to do. Then I thought of -sending out a call for help. I know the International Morse Code. But -when I got to the radio room—someone had put the darn thing on the -fritz. Wouldn’t that jar yuh!” - -“Pretty tough!” agreed Bill. “What next?” - -“Well, I kind of nosed around. Thought Dad or Mother might have left a -note or something for me. I couldn’t find anything, though. Gosh, it was -so quiet! Then I made myself a couple of sandwiches and ate half a plum -cake I found in the pantry, and felt better. - -“After that, I hunted some more, but it wasn’t any use. I heard your -plane about that time. I didn’t know who you were, of course, so I -decided I’d better lay low until I could size up what kind of guys you -were. Oh, Mr. Bolton—can’t you find Mother and Dad for me?” Charlie’s -voice broke suddenly and he sounded very much like a lost small boy. - -Just then Osceola raised a warning hand. “Listen!” - -There came a rush of feet on deck. Before the three in the salon could -reach for revolvers, men with leveled rifles appeared at every porthole. - -“Stick ’em up and keep ’em there!” cracked a voice from the open -doorway, and a man in the smart white uniform of a ship’s officer strode -into the room. - - - - - Chapter III - MAN OVERBOARD - - -The man who entered so abruptly was a tall, heavy-set individual in the -early thirties. Blond as only the Scandinavians or North Germans are -blond, his very next words betrayed Teutonic origin. - -“So!” he sneered as the three kept their hands level with their ears. “A -boy and two half-grown men. Master Evans, and a pair of aviators, eh? -The one, we miss the first time. The others descend on us like manna out -of heaven,—I don’t think! Three more mouths to feed and no money in it -for anyone. _Donnerwetter, noch ein Mahl!_” - -“Nichts kom heraus, mahogany bedstead,” piped Charlie. The added danger -seemed to revive his waning spirits with a vengeance. “The same to you -and many of ’em, Dutchy. I know some more, too,” he went on proudly. -“Schweitzerkäse, frankfurters and getthe-Houtofhere! That last is the -longest word in the Heinie dictionary!” - -“What’s the shortest?” inquired Bill, who was enjoying this byplay. - -“Oh, I don’t know—but the one they say the quickest is ‘camerad.’” - -“_Halts ’maul!_ Shut up, I mean!” thundered the blond stranger. The -whites around the pupils of his light blue eyes became bloodshot with -anger. “I am master here,” he roared. “_Silence!_ I will have it!” - -Two sailors appeared in the doorway behind him. He wheeled about. -“Adolph, you will keep the prisoners covered. Hans, take their weapons -from them. And now,” he continued, when the three lowered their hands -after they had been searched, “you will tell me what names you go by.” - -Charlie sprang to his feet and made a stiff, military bow. “The dark -gentleman over yonder,” he said solemnly, “is traveling incognito. So -that you will not be confused by false appearances, I will breathe his -secret. He is no less a personage than His Majesty, George the Fifth! -Beside me on this couch is Mary, the Four-Fifths, and I am Herbert -Hoover!—Oh, Doctor, why so angry? You may call me Herbie if you’re -good!” He finished in falsetto, with rolling eyes toward Bill and -Osceola. - -“_Ruhig!_ Silence!” shouted the exasperated officer, while Bill and -Osceola were convulsed with laughter at his fury. “Hans—take this -devil-child on deck and keep him there until I come. If he offers more -insolence, give him a taste of your belt!” - -“Gosh, you can’t please the Doctor,” protested Charlie with an air of -injured innocence as he was led forth. “He asked for the go-by, so I -gave it to him.” - -The stranger waved him away. “Now, you two will tell me who you are,” he -commanded. “From American children one expects insolence—with you, it is -different. Your names at once, if you please.” - -“My name is Bolton.” Bill saw no reason for hiding his identity. - -“And I,” said his friend, “am Osceola, Chief of the Seminoles.” - -“So,” mused their captor. “The two young fellows that were mixed up in -the Shell Island business. _So!_” He pronounced the last word as though -it were spelled with a Z. Then for a minute or so he appeared lost in -thought. Neither Bill nor Osceola uttered a word. - -“So——It shall be done.” Apparently the blond man had arrived at an -important decision. “I am the Baron von Hiemskirk. And remember, both of -you—my word is the law. I am in command. You will earn your keep. _Ja_, -you will be put to work and it will be well to remember that my -discipline is that of the Imperial Navy. You will obey all orders—on the -jump!” - -“And the alternative?” Bill rose to his feet. - -The baron stuck a single eyeglass in his eye and stared at Bill with an -evil smile on his lips. - -“We are now about sixty miles off the coast of North America,” he said -coldly. “It is a long swim, my young friend. Come now—we will go on -deck.” - -He strode out of the room, and Bill and Osceola followed him, with a -look of mutual understanding. The sailor brought up the rear. - -Charlie called to them from the rail. “Say, look what I’ve found! That’s -what took Mother and Dad and everybody off of here while I was in the -trunk room. Hans says they’re going to take us too. I don’t care what -happens now, I’ll be with Dad and Mother—but it’s pretty tough on you -fellows! Say, you wouldn’t think these Heinies had brains enough to run -one of those things, would you?” - -He waved excitedly overside, and the two friends saw the long gray hull -and conning tower of a submarine moored beside the yacht. - -The baron, who had stopped to speak to a young officer, walked over to -the boy and caught him roughly by the shoulder. - -“Devil-child!” he roared in his deep bass. “I spoke to you regarding -insolence for the last time a short while ago!” He turned to the -officer. “Herr Lieutenant!” he commanded. “Take this boy forward and see -that he is well punished.” - -“The whip, Herr Baron?” - -“Ten lashes—yes—and at once.” - -“_Zum befehl_, Herr Baron!” He grabbed Charlie’s arm and yanked the -struggling youngster along the deck. - -Like a flash Bill darted after them. He caught up with the pair at the -gangway, and gripping the young officer by the collar, he jerked him -backward on to the deck. Then, as Charlie made a dash for Osceola, he -bent down and deliberately slapped the lieutenant’s face with the palm -of his open hand. - -“Before you try to maltreat that boy, perhaps it would be as well to -settle with me,” he said calmly, while along the deck came the click of -the sailors’ rifles. “That is,” he added, “if you’ve got the guts to do -it.” - -“_Schweinhund!_” cried the enraged officer, as he sprang to his feet. -Without an instant’s hesitation, he swung for Bill’s head. - -The useful art of self-defense is well taught at the Naval Academy, and -Bill had ever been a proficient pupil. He jerked back his head, dodging -the man’s fist by a hair’s breadth. Then as the other overbalanced, he -stepped in with a short-arm jab to his opponent’s kidneys. This he -followed up immediately with a powerful left hook to the point of the -jaw, and the Herr Lieutenant went crashing overside, through the ropes -of the gangway. There came the dull thud of his head as it struck the -metal side of the submarine, and he disappeared down the narrow strip of -water between the vessels. Immediately Bill dived after him. - -His lithe body cut the surface with hardly a splash, and he shot into -the cool green depths from his twenty foot dive with eyes wide open. To -right and to left dark blurs of the vessels’ hulls shadowed the -translucent green. No other objects met his searching gaze, so using a -powerful breast stroke, he forged further downward. All at once he saw -something grayish white below. His lungs were bursting with lack of air -and the heavy water pressure at this depth. It grew icy cold, but he -continued to strain onward, backing his muscles with an indomitable -force of will. - -The white spot beneath him was taking shape now—surely the linen uniform -of the unlucky lieutenant. Yes, there he was, sinking face down, arms -and legs spread-eagled and useless, the wind knocked out of him by the -double blow of Bill’s fists and the crash against the submarine side. - -Bill caught the sprawling, inert figure, with a cupped hand beneath the -chin. Instantly his legs and free arm got into action again, but heading -this time in the opposite direction. Up shot the drowning man and his -rescuer. Bill’s head was whirling, his faculties were leaving him. The -man would sink again if he lost his hold. Slipping the crook of his -elbow beneath the unconscious lieutenant’s chin, he held his head close -to his side. Would they never reach the surface—and air? What if his own -unprotected skull should strike the bulging curve of a vessel’s hull? -Sharp pain stabbed him between the eyes—he knew no more. - -Far away—fathoms above him—Bill heard a voice calling his name. He -seemed to be floating upward in a sea-green haze, but there was air at -last—heaven-sent air. - -“He’s coming round now,” said the voice, which sounded like Osceola’s, -and much nearer than before. “No wonder he went out—under water nearly -two minutes and a half! How’s the other fellow, Baron?” - -“Poor Fritz!” Surely this was the blond commander speaking and his voice -seemed much louder and closer at hand than that of the young chief. And -as the words grew more distinct, their meaning impressed itself on -Bill’s dawning consciousness. “Poor Fritz!” repeated the baron. “We’ve -got the water out of him now and he will live—but it will be a touch and -go for some time. The poor lad has a bad case of concussion. I can’t -tell whether his skull is fractured, but I don’t think so.” - -“He got an awful crack on the back of his head, but you can’t hold that -up against Bill Bolton,” returned Osceola. - -“Oh, no, my dear chap. I assure you I hold no grudge at all.” - -Something has happened, thought Bill, to alter Osceola’s status with the -Baron. - -“I wish you to know, my dear Chief, that both Fritz and I are sportsmen. -Blows were struck in fair fight. When Fritz hit the submarine, I could -have killed young Bolton without hesitation. But when he dived after my -cousin—I loved the lad. It was splendid—_colossal_!” - -“I’m glad you feel that way,” Osceola remarked. “Things were getting a -bit strained, I thought.” - -“Yes, yes, I know that. But I have had a terrible day, my friend. That -devil-child put my temper on edge. And a dozen wildcats are as nothing -to the boy’s mother when she found we’d left him behind. God be thanked, -that is over. I cannot let you and Bolton continue your journey at -present, but at least you will live well, and have an interesting time. -In saving the life of Fritz, you two have rendered me a service. Karl -von Hiemskirk does not forget such favors.” - -“Thanks for dragging me in,” laughed Osceola. “I didn’t do anything.” - -“Hah! You dived in after them while my men looked on like half-wits!” -bridled the Baron. “You brought these two unconscious fellows to the -surface! I call that a very great deal.” - -Bill heard him sigh, but although he was now fully awake, he kept his -eyes closed and listened attentively to the Baron’s next words. - -“The thing of great importance that is worrying me is that Fritz was -first pilot of my command. I, myself, am an aviator, a combat flyer, who -had the great honor to be a member of what you call the circus of the -unsurpassed Graf von Richthofen, of glorious memory.” - -Bill opened his eyes to find himself on the _Merrymaid’s_ deck. He sat -up and began to speak rapidly. “Richthofen was undoubtedly the greatest -air strategean who ever flew,” he declared, “they tell me that his -combat formations and the battle manoeuvers of his famous circus have -never been improved upon. Sorry I wasn’t old enough then to take a crack -at you myself—you must be a humdinger, Baron, when it comes to this -flying game! If you want to use my bus and friend Fritz is temporarily -out of the picture—why not fly her yourself?” - -Osceola put his arm about Bill’s shoulders, and the Baron bowed from the -waist. - -“Thank you, indeed, my dear young friend,” he said formally, “both for -your eulogy of my long-time-dead friend von Richthofen, and because, -after stunning my cousin, you had the courage and graciousness to save -his life at risk of your own.” - -“Oh, please don’t.” Bill colored a dusky red. “Or I shall have to pass -out a second time.” With the chief’s help he rose and held out his hand. -The Baron shook it heartily. - -“We will let our has-beens be never-wases.” - -“I couldn’t help overhearing what you said to Osceola when I was -regaining consciousness,” went on Bill. “So as long as you can’t see -your way clear to letting us go, I’ll do my best to be peaceable in the -future.” - -“Say nothing more about it, my boy.” The Baron fairly oozed urbanity. -“_Es tut mer sehr leid_, I mean, it makes me very sorry to have to -detail you chaps, but it is the fate of war.” - -Bill and Osceola looked their surprise. “War?” - -“I have to inform you that my command is at war with society. I can not -allow my liking for individuals to deter me from my aim.” - -“And what is that?” inquired Osceola. - -“We will talk of that later. Now, there is work to be done. Too much -time has been wasted already. I need an airplane pilot, Bolton, because -with my multitudinous duties, it is impossible for me always to handle -the controls. I will make you two what you Americans call a proposition. -You will fly where and when I tell you, Bolton. You will give me your -word of honor to do that and no more. The chief here will also be given -congenial duties. Obey my commands and you need not give your -parole—there is no escape except by air and that will be circumnavigated -by your word!” - -“And you can sure use big words, Baron,” observed a much subdued -Charlie, who had been silently taking in the conversation. - -“Perhaps,” the Baron smiled, “but if you will take my advice, such -things are better left unsaid. Your tongue has already got you and a -number of others into trouble today.” He turned again to Bill. “I am -awaiting your decision,” he said. - -“And—the alternative in this case?” - -“You and the chief will be kept prisoners until such time as I can -negotiate your ransoms.” - -Bill looked at Osceola, who nodded slightly. “All right, then, Baron, I -promise to fly your planes as you dictate, but I suspect that your war -is nothing more than hijacking on a big scale. And I’m hanged if I have -anything to do with that!” - -The Baron bowed. “It is a bargain. I will now conclude my work on this -vessel. Fritz has already been taken aboard the other craft, and when I -am through here, Chief Osceola will go in her with me and my men. You, -Bolton, will follow us with Charlie, in your amphibian.” - -“Aye, aye, sir,” returned Bill with Naval Academy crispness, now that he -had recognized the baron as his superior officer. “You will keep above -surface, I suppose, otherwise, I am likely to loose your ship.” - -“Oh, no, we won’t,” broke in Charlie the irrepressible. “He’s going in -the air!” - -“The air? Don’t be silly, kid—” - -“I’m not the silly one—” retorted the youngster. “I’m right, ain’t I, -Baron?” - -“That submarine is an invention of my own,” declared the commander. “The -boy speaks correctly. I shall _fly_ her.” - - - - - Chapter IV - VANDALS OF THE HIGH SEAS - - -An hour later, Charlie sat aboard Bill’s amphibian which now lay moored -to a sea-anchor a quarter of a mile to leeward of the _Merrymaid_. A -hundred yards from the plane, the gray submarine rocked gently to a long -Atlantic ground swell. Charlie, a pair of field glasses glued to his -eyes, focussed them alternately on the yacht and on the deck of the -submarine which was crowded with men. - -The object of all this interest was a group of three aboard the -_Merrymaid_—three men and a youth. Left on board the vessel with a boat -wherewith to make their escape, these men were to open the seacocks of -the fated ship. - -In the side of every vessel, somewhat below the waterline is a large -circular manhole, two or more feet in diameter into which fits a steel -plate or plug. The plate is fastened to the reinforced sides of the ship -by means of bolts arranged at intervals of a few inches around the -circumference of the hole. Into this plate fit large pipes which, -communicating with the sea, form an intake for salt water. This plug and -its manhole are together called the ship’s seacocks. - -Opening a ship’s seacocks is a feat of not a little skill and danger. -The nuts of the bolts which fasten the plate to its manhole must be -unscrewed in such a manner that the plate loosens suddenly and not -gradually, so that the sailor who opens it may work until the last -minute and then escape from the inrushing water. To do this, special -strategy is necessary. - -The men from the submarine went about the operation in the following -way: Early that morning when the _Merrymaid_ was first captured, some -men were sent down into her hold to begin preliminary work on the -seacocks. Two of these men carefully unscrewed one rusty nut at a time, -thoroughly greased its threads, and then screwed it back into place -again before loosening the next. While this was being done, the other -men unbolted the pipes leading into the seacock and removed all -obstructions in the way of hasty escape from its neighborhood. - -This preliminary work of greasing and loosening was done merely in order -that the seacocks might be in readiness for immediate opening without -loss of time should an enemy appear or other emergency require hasty -action. The seacocks thus greased and disencumbered of pipes and -impediments were then left in place, and the men returned to the -submarine. - -The men who had accomplished this work were now aboard the fated yacht -once more to finish the opening of her seacocks. With them were Bill -Bolton and the Baron. Bill, who had had never witnessed this particular -operation before, though heartily condoning the act, was deeply -interested. Knowing that he was a midshipman on summer leave from the -United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Baron von Hiemskirk permitted -him to remain as a responsible party. - -The Baron, a sailor and Bill stood on deck while another seaman named -Muller, a strong, heavy-faced fellow who made a specialty of this work, -climbed down to the seacock, equipped with a monkey wrench and a sledge -hammer. Around his waist was tied a rope, the other end of which was -held by the three above for use in emergency. - -Muller, under direction of the Baron, took off the nuts from every -second bolt in the circle. Being recently loosened and greased, this was -easily done. After he had gone completely around the circumference of -the plate, the plug was being held by only half its former number of -bolts. Beginning once more, the adroit seaman again removed every second -nut, from the remaining bolts. The plate was now held by only one-fourth -the original number of bolts. This process of halving was continued -until the plug was finally being held by only two bolts on diametrically -opposite sides of the circumference of the seacock. By this time, the -pressure of the water outside was meeting with so little resistance that -the plate was bending slightly inward, letting water spurt between the -rubber packing and the steel plate up into the hold. - -Muller, sweating in every pore, now thrust his wrench into his overalls -pocket, picked up his sledge, and called out: “Ready!” - -At his signal, the men on deck took in the slack of the rope so that if -necessary they could hoist the imperilled seaman up out of danger. - -Muller now lifted his sledge hammer, took accurate aim, and with a -single vigorous blow, smashed one of the two protruding bolts through -its nut and hole. As the plate did not fly loose, he let the heavy -hammer fall again, throwing all his strength into the blow, this time -upon the remaining bolt. With a dull explosion, the whole two-foot plate -flew loose, and a geyser of sea water gushed upward into the hold. - -Muller at once leaped for the ladder and, still holding the sledge, -clambered to safety. Had he slipped, or been washed away by the force of -the water, his comrades on deck would have fished him up by means of the -rope. - -By this time the yacht was rapidly filling. As the doors through all -compartments had previously been opened, the water coming through this -one seacock at once began flowing to all parts of the hold. The men on -deck were now in real danger, for a sudden listing of the vessel, or its -unexpectedly rapid sinking might mean their death. - -All, therefore, at once scrambled overside to their boat, the Baron last -of all, and pulled away as quickly as possible, lest they be sucked into -the vortex of the sinking ship. - -For a short space the _Merrymaid_ settled rapidly, giving the watchers -reason to expect her to go to the bottom within fifteen or twenty -minutes. Their expectations, however, were not realized, for the ship -soon began to rest at the same level. - -The Baron turned to Bill. “Doubtless air has lodged in the tops of -compartments and is imprisoned elsewhere. She must ultimately go down, -of course, but there is no telling how long it will take—and I am in a -hurry to get away.” - -“What are you going to do, use dynamite?” - -“Yes. We’ve got sufficient here in the boat, for such an emergency. -We’ll row back now, and get busy.” - -Dynamite was presently placed at the base of the ship’s two masts and -amidships, and the fuses lit. They then rowed swiftly away, and had -hardly reached a position where they would be out of danger, when the -explosion came. Three crashes, one after the other, shattered the sides -and decks of the vessel. The _Merrymaid_ was sinking rapidly. First her -bow filled; then the gallant yacht stood perpendicularly on her prow, -and slid with a rush out of sight. - -At the instant her funnel plunged under, a final tremendous explosion -took place, throwing a cloud of steam and water high into the air. A -moment later, only a vortex of oily, tossing water gave evidence that a -million dollar yacht had gone to the bottom. - -“It’s a dirty shame!” Bill spat the words without caring whether the -Baron took umbrage or not. - -“It is indeed,” that blond giant answered seriously. “But this is war, -remember. I cannot use her, still less can I afford to have her -discovered. Yes, it is a shame. Vandalism, if you like, but none the -less, a necessity.” The Baron shook his head, then went on pompously: -“An hour ago that splendid little ship might have been of great service -to mankind. Now she is no more. Let it be her epitaph that she was -fulfilling her destiny, with work well done. May the world say the same -of me when I have gone to the eternal reward.” - -Bill kept silent and managed to conceal his disgust. He did not -appreciate such philosophizing. Neither could he agree with the Baron’s -estimate of his own worth. His work might be well done, but in itself -piracy on the high seas could hardly be called more than a disgraceful -profession. Bill began to realize that the commander’s brain, although -active enough, was more than slightly warped. - -They rowed over the spot where the _Merrymaid_ had gone down, and looked -about for any stray bits of wreckage which might have floated to the -surface. They found none, so made for the amphibian at once. - -“You will wait until you see us take off before you do the same, Mr. -Bolton,” directed the Baron with a return of his superior-officer -manner, as Bill boarded the plane. - -“Aye, aye, sir. Any further orders?” Bill returned the military manner -with interest. - -“Yes. You will follow my craft as though you were number two of a -patrol. Land when I land, and taxi over for further instructions.” - -“Very good, sir.” - -“A pleasant flight, Bolton.” - -“Thank you, Baron. The same to you, sir.” - -The boat moved off in the direction of the submarine and Bill climbed -into his fore cockpit. Charlie was already in his place in the rear -cockpit, and Bill noticed that he seemed strangely quiet, almost sullen. - -“What’s eating you, old boy?” Bill turned round to face him, then added -kindly, “I don’t blame you for feeling low. It’s hard lines about the -_Merrymaid_. Made me feel rotten myself. Nastier piece of vandalism was -never committed. But you mustn’t take it out on me.” - -“Well, I thought you and the chief were my friends,” began Charlie -aggrievedly. - -“But we are—what makes you think we’re not?” - -“Oh, I know you saved me a hiding—and risked your life for that pirate. -That was a bully thing to do, but now you and Chief Osceola have joined -up with them and—” - -“How come—joined up with them?” - -“Why, didn’t I hear you, myself, tell the Baron you would work for -him—do exactly what he told you to do?” - -“So that’s it.” Bill’s laugh was without humor. “There’s no good reason -why I should explain my actions to you, but I like you, Charlie, and I’m -sorry for you into the bargain. Now, pin back your ears—” - -“Well, I’m listening!” - -“But, before I tell you what’s what, I want your promise to keep your -mouth shut!” - -Charlie produced a packet of gum. He tossed Bill a stick and began to -munch another. “Okay,” he said earnestly, his eyes on the older lad’s, -“let’s have it.” - -“I should think you might have guessed it—but neither Osceola nor myself -have gone in with these pirates. I gave the Baron my word to obey -orders—but only so far as they have to do with driving his planes. It -was either that or being locked up—and cutting out any chance there -might be to escape. It’s the same with Osceola. He saw my scheme quick -as winking—which is more than you did—but then, you’re just a kid, of -course.” Bill’s eyes twinkled as he saw the boy’s discomfiture, but he -went on more seriously. “The Baron is so sure of himself and his strong -organization that he has no fear that we two can do anything to hinder -his plans. But unless we’re allowed some freedom, don’t you see, Osceola -and I might just as well have given up before we started?” - -Charlie was profoundly interested and ashamed of himself. “Gee, I was a -pill, all right. But, Bill—do you really think the three of us could -break up the gang?” - -“Well, you never can tell till you try,” Bill answered. “First of all, -we must pretend to work in with this bunch of sea bandits—do our best -not to arouse their suspicions, you know. Then, when we learn more about -them and their ways of doing business, it will be time enough to start -planning on our own account.” - -“That’s right. And don’t you worry. I’ll keep quiet. I wouldn’t breathe -a word!” - -“You mustn’t, kid—not even to your dad and mother when you see them.” - -“Cross my heart—hope to die if I do, Bill.” - -“That’s all right, then. And always remember that it’s the three of us -against a great big organization. A single slip on our part—and well, so -far as we’re concerned, it would be just too bad.” - -“I’ll keep my promise, Bill. Any idea where these pirates have their -hangout? Where we are bound for now?” - -“I have not. Why?” - -“Some hideout on the coast, I suppose. Shouldn’t wonder if maybe it was -somewhere in Pamlico or Albemarle Sound. There used to be lots of -pirates in those waters long ago, before the Revolution, I mean. There’s -a book at home, tells all about them.” - -“Times have changed a lot since then,” mused Bill, “and piracy, too, I -reckon.” - -“Then you don’t think they’ve a base of some kind over there?” - -Bill was facing forward now, staring steadily out over the water. -“Something quite different, Charlie,” he muttered; and then in a sharp -tone that made the boy start—“So that’s the way they work it!” - -“Gee whiz!” Charlie craned his neck and gazed in the same direction. -“The submarine’s sprouting wings!” - - - - - Chapter V - THE TRANSFORMATION OF A SEA MONSTER - - -The two lads, Bill and Charlie, stared with undivided attention at the -astonishing spectacle. Two large fins which evidently had been lying -close to the submarine’s sides, were rising into the air. With a speed -that seemed remarkable these fins reached a vertical position. For a -moment they remained pointing straight toward the high blue arc of the -heavens. Then they swung outward, lowering horizontally from the ship’s -sides, to come to rest when level with the deck, and about five feet -above the surface of the water—a complete set of airplane wings. - -“Gosh, she’s a monoplane now!” exclaimed Charlie. - -“Wonder how they’ll produce a tail unit?” - -“You mean a rudder?” - -“Yes. That, together with a stabilizer, fin and elevator.” - -But before the words were well out of Bill’s mouth, the miracle -occurred. A large rudder lifted itself out of the water, and opening out -as it came to rest, seemed to sprout like a giant seabud into a complete -tail group. - -“Can she use the water propeller in the air?” Charlie kept his eyes -glued on the submarine. “It seems to me that would hardly be big enough -to fly with.” - -“Hardly. That outfit is the queerest engineering jumble I’ve ever seen. -But unless the Herr Baron can work absolute miracles, it will take more -than one motor and propeller to move her.” - -The submarine lay to windward of the amphibian. The lads therefore -obtained a stern view of the ship and it was difficult for them to see -exactly what was going on forward. - -Suddenly Charlie raised another shout. “Look, Bill, look! Here comes the -motor. Some jack-in-the-box, I call it.” - -“And there’s another one! And still another! -Gee-jumpin’-gee-roosalem—the blamed thing is coughing up motors like—” - -“Like a cat with the belly-ache,” suggested Charlie. - -“Inelegant, but apt. Let’s see, there are one, two . . . _five_ of -them!” - -“Some packet!” - -“Some packet is right. I’d pay admission to see this any day.” - -The reason for this excited dialogue had been, first, the raising of -that section of the deck between the two great wing sections until from -wing-tip to wing-tip, one continuous horizontal plane was formed. Next, -up through what was probably a hatch in this center wing section, though -of course invisible at that distance from the lads, appeared an airplane -motor. This rose on its own engine struts, slid to starboard along the -wing and came to rest. Another made its appearance and moved to -starboard in line with the first. The next two found places on the port -wing, and the last engine remained directly above the hatch which -probably closed with a sliding cover. Then the mechanics came topside, -through another hatchway, bearing propellers which were fitted to the -engines, fore and aft. - -“That’s the first time I’ve ever seen two propellers on the same -engine!” cried Charlie. “What’s the reason for it, Bill?” - -Bill turned round in his seat. “Each one of those engines, as you call -them, Charlie, is a double unit. In other words, two motors joined -together, one forward and one aft. There are ten propellers, because -there are ten motors in that line. The propellers forward are tractors, -those aft pushers. The _Dornier_, the big German DO-X passenger plane, -has the same arrangement of motors.” - -“Guess they must generate a heap of power?” - -“Plenty. But you need it to propel a heavy ship like that sub. By the -way, do you happen to know what they call her?” - -“The _Flying Fish_—one of the gobs told me.” - -“Say, where do you get that Navy stuff?” - -“Gobs?” Charlie chuckled. “Oh, I’ve got a sea-goin’ dad. He had a -U.S.N.R.F. commission during the war.” - -“That so? Great!” - -“You bet yer. Say, Bill, hadn’t you better get our own engine going? The -_Flying Fish_ will be taking off right away. She’s a regular monoplane -now.” - -Bill shook his head, and turned to face the submarine again. - -“They won’t take off for a few minutes yet. As she is, those wings will -never hold her weight in the air. And for another thing, she sets much -too low in the water to ever get off.” - -“But, see, Bill—she’s rising. She’s getting higher in the water all the -time.” - -“By Jingoes! She is, at that!” - -“How do they do it?” - -“Same method as a submarine helps to raise itself from the bottom. Water -is forced out of certain compartments and air pumped in.” - -“Gee, it’s a marvel! And look, there are short wings or fins, extending -from the hull under each wing. What do they need them for?” - -“Wing-strut supports, I guess. Yes, there come the men with the struts. -See how they are securing them from the wing sections to the fins below, -and shorter ones from the fins to the hull?” - -“Is that what you meant when you said that the wings of the _Flying -Fish_ wouldn’t hold her?” - -“That’s it. Without struts to support that spread, the wings would -surely crumple with her weight in the air.” - -“Well, I guess she’s all set for the take off now.” - -“Reckon she is. Yes, there go her motors idling! Hear ’em?” - -“What shall I do now?” - -“Strap on your helmet and your goggles. Then go forward and haul in our -sea anchor. When you get back to your cockpit, keep your hands off the -controls in there and adjust the headphone set hanging below the -instrument board. Some day, if we ever get out of this mess, I may give -you flight instruction, but not on this hop.” - -“Anything else?” - -“Yes. And this is important—for safety’s sake, remember. I’m skipper of -this craft. What I say goes—and goes with a bang. Savez?” - -“Yes, sir.” Charlie’s voice was sober and subdued. - -“O.K., then. Hop to it, kid, I want to get moving.” - -A very important Charlie quickly buckled the chin-strap of his helmet -and scrambled forward. He followed directions exceedingly well, -considering the fact that he had never been in a plane before. Once out -on the nose he pulled in the mooring line and the collapsible canvas -bucket known as the sea anchor, and carried them back to the rear -cockpit. There he stowed them away. Back in the pilot’s seat again, he -adjusted his goggles and the headphone set. Then he stood up, and -grasping the cockpit’s cowl, he leaned forward so as to watch Bill -manipulate the controls in the fore cockpit. - -From the time that he was a little tad of a fellow, Charlie had been -crazy to fly. At home, his bedroom was decorated with pictures of famous -flyers and their planes. He fairly ate up airplane stories and his book -shelves were crowded with literature on flying, although he found some -of the volumes too technical. Now that he had a chance to witness a -take-off at first hand, he wasn’t going to miss a single detail if he -could help it. - -Charlie knew that the take-off includes the handling of a plane from the -time the throttle is opened until the ship is in level flight directly -above the surface. He had also read somewhere that in order to leave the -ground or the water, it is necessary for the plane to have flying speed, -the minimum speed at which the lift of the wings will equal the weight; -for the object of the take-off is to gain this speed. The plane must -first be manoeuvered into an attitude which facilitates a quick increase -in speed. It must be held in this attitude while moving forward at an -increasing rate and must finally be taken off in such a way that it is -under full control from the instant it leaves the surface. He also knew -that _all take-offs must be made directly into the wind_. - -The _Flying Fish_ was already moving through the water, her ten engines -roaring like an express train, when Charlie saw Bill set their own motor -idling. Rudder and ailerons were placed in neutral and the amphibian -allowed to swing until it was headed directly into the wind. Then Bill -slowly but steadily opened wide the throttle. At the same time, the -youngster saw him pull the stick back in order to raise their bow out of -the water. This he knew was necessary, both to gain planing speed and to -keep the propeller out of the spray which might damage it. - -Six or eight seconds after opening the throttle, with the bow well up -and the amphibian gaining momentum every instant, Bill pushed the stick -all the way forward, and did so in order to raise the tail and depress -the nose. But as the plane was moving at some speed, the bow could not -be pushed down into the water. Instead, the speed at which they were -taxying gradually forced it upward until they were skimming the surface -on their step. Bill then eased the stick back to neutral and maintained -it there while speed was being gathered. Spray was dashing against -Charlie’s face and chest as they sped along. The sensation of traveling -at terrific speed was enormous. - -“Gee! This sure is great!” - -“Getting a kick out of it?” asked a voice in his ear, causing him almost -to lose his balance. Then he remembered the transmitter on his chest and -realized he had been talking into it. - -“I sure am, Bill. What’s the next thing you have to do?” - -“The next thing for _you_ to do, young feller, is to get back to your -seat and buckle on your safety-belt. If you are so keen to learn, I’ll -talk as I run this old crate into the air, and you watch what I’m doing. -Maybe that will keep you from trying to climb down the back of my neck.” - -“Thanks, Bill, that’ll be great. I’ll sit tight, honest I will.” - -“All right, then. We are skimming the surface on the step now, as you’ve -noticed. No more large movements of the controls may be made, as the -plane is now sensitive to them. I’m paying particular attention to the -lateral balance from this stage on.” - -Bill stopped talking for a moment, then went on again: - -“Remember this, Charlie. It’s important. _The plane must not be taken -off until speed adequate to give complete control has been attained._ -Any attempt on my part to pull it off prematurely will result in a -take-off at the stalling point, where control is uncertain. Now we’ve -gained flying speed, so I break her out of the water with a momentary -pressure on the elevators. That pressure was very slight and I eased it -at the moment of take-off. - -“When the plane left the water, its speed was only slightly above -minimum flying speed. Any decrease in this would naturally mean a stall. -Therefore, I’m keeping the nose level for six to eight seconds in order -to get a safe margin above the stalling point before beginning to climb. -Safety first always—when flying, Charlie. Now she’s all right, the -engine’s running smooth and sweet. So I pull my stick back gently, and -as you see, we’re leaving the water behind.” - - - - - Chapter VI - THE RAIDER - - -Half a mile or so ahead of Bill’s plane, the great sea monster, the -_Flying Fish_, leveled off at an altitude of twenty-five hundred feet, -and headed out on a northeasterly course. - -Bill continued to climb his amphibian until they too reached that -height, then he spoke to Charlie again. - -“Now that we’re high enough, I’ve got to make a right turn in order to -follow that ship. So I push my stick slowly forward, drop the nose to -level like this, and maintain it there throughout the turn. Next I give -her right aileron and increase right rudder considerably at the same -time.” - -“And we’ve gone into a bank. I see.” Charlie unconsciously leant toward -the raised wing. - -“That’s it. And now that I’ve tilted her far enough, I check the wing -with the ailerons, and at the same time ease the pressure on the rudder. -I maintain a constant bank, you see, and a constant pressure on the -rudder bar throughout the turn. - -“Now we are round to where we want to go, so I resume level flight by -applying left aileron and left rudder. The wings are level once more, so -I neutralize the ailerons and give her a normal amount of right rudder. -And we’re pointed in a direct line for the _Flying Fish_!” - -“Gosh, but there’s an awful lot to it,” muttered Charlie into his -transmitter. “Looks so simple and easy when you’re on the ground, -watching a plane flying. How do you ever remember it all?” - -“Oh, at first it’s a bit confusing, until you get the hang of the -thing—but it soon becomes second nature to do the right trick. When you -come to fly you’ll find that there isn’t time for slow thinking in the -air. In fact, as my instructor used to say, a flyer must develop -instinctive coordination between the sensory organs and the muscles.” - -“You can’t prove it by me!” - -“Well, it simply means that when flying a pilot must act quicker than he -can think.” - -“Humph! Like Dad does when he gets mad and gives me a walloping.” - -Bill laughed heartily. “Hair brush or slipper?” - -“Oh, I always get the hair brush. He can get a better grip on it. But I -get a choice at that—back or bristles.” - -“I should think that bristles might be the less unpleasant.” - -“So did I. Just once. Never again, though. I had to carry a pillow -around with me for a week after that session.” - -“If I,” remarked Bill, “had your imagination, Charlie, I’d be worth more -than John D. Rockefeller!” - -“Raspberries!” - -For a time they kept silence, unbroken save for the humming drone of the -engine. - -“I wonder where that hideaway is we were talking about?” Charlie said -after a while. - -“Well, it isn’t located on our coast, if we’re bound there now. This -plane is pointing straight for Northern Europe.” - -“Gee! Do you really think we’re going across—making a trans-Atlantic -flight?” - -“Not a chance, kid, with the gas we’ve got aboard this crate. If you ask -me, the _Flying Fish_ is heading for a mother ship of some sort. This -gang will have to operate from a steamer if they have no land base. Slap -on those sea glasses you were using and take a squint dead ahead beyond -the _Fish_—Smoke on the horizon, isn’t there?” - -“Sure is. Yes, I can make it out plainly now. Say, you don’t realize how -fast we’re traveling until you get a bead on something in the distance. -The ship is still hull down, but the smoke seems to be getting denser—” - -“I can see it now,” said Bill, giving the amphibian more altitude in -order to gain a better view. “That’s no single-stacker, or I’m a -landsman.” - -“You’re right—she isn’t! I can see—one—two—three—_four_ funnels! -Jingoes! She must be a whopper!” - -“I wonder,” muttered Bill, half to himself. - -“What? But I can see—” - -“Oh, I’m not doubting your word, Charles.” - -“What are you wondering about then?” - -“Remember the _Amtonia_?” - -“_Amtonia?_ Why, she’s the big British liner that was held up at sea a -couple of months ago!” - -“Yes. A freighter SOS’d and when the _Amtonia_ went to offer help, the -crew of the tramp forced the liner’s crew and passengers to swap -steamers. Then they made off with the big ship.” - -“Sure, I remember all about that. Harry Davis’ dad was on the _Amtonia_, -coming home from England, when it happened. It was in the papers but I -got the inside dope from Harry. His old man told him all about it.” - -“Dollars to a dead stick, you’ll be able to tell Harry Davis more about -the _Amtonia_ than he ever dreamed of, one of these days.” - -“You mean—that ship over there is the _Amtonia_?” - -“Exactly. See—she’s hove to now—and the _Flying Fish_ is nosing over for -a landing!” - -The two in the speeding amphibian saw the _Flying Fish_ descend in a -long glide to the surface of the ocean and taxi toward the great -steamer. - -“She’s the _Amtonia_, all right, all right!” said Bill. - -“Gosh, she’s big. What’s her tonnage?” - -“Twenty-five thousand tons, I think.” - -“Whew!—Say, listen, do you suppose Mother and Dad are on board her now?” - -“I shouldn’t be surprised if your Mother and Father and some other boys’ -papas and mammas, along with them.” - -“That is, unless business in the ransom line is bad.” - -“Which,” said Bill, “considering the number of passengers watching us -and the _Flying Fish_ from her decks—it isn’t. Shut up now, kid,” he -added, cutting his gun and pushing forward the stick. “We’re going down -and it sure would look rotten to nose into the drink with that gallery’s -eyes on us.” - -“Humph! And what about us in that case?” - -“Boston papers,” said Bill, “please copy!” - -Down they soared, straight into the wind to land with hardly a splash, -went skimming over the water for fifty or sixty yards and came to rest -just behind the _Flying Fish_. Charlie, at Bill’s bidding, flung out the -sea anchor. - -To port lay the _Amtonia_, now Baron von Hiemskirk’s traffic raider, and -neither lad was surprised to see that she was blatantly flying the flag -of piracy, a skull and crossed bones of white on a black field. - -Bill had no difficulty in recognizing the _Amtonia_. She was one of the -largest passenger ships afloat, and consequently hard to disguise. Her -camouflaged hull and stacks, painted in broad wavy stripes of grey-green -and black made it still harder to judge her length on the waterline. He -knew, however, that she must be quite as long as two city blocks, and -her many decks rose above the amphibian to the height of a ten-story -building. Her four gigantic funnels—so huge that the greatest locomotive -could have passed through one of them lengthwise without scraping—and -her tall masts, made her easily recognizable to the young midshipman. - -“Hello!” exclaimed Charlie, “there’s a gob on the _Flying Fish_ -signalling the liner. Gee, I wish I understood wigwag.” - -“If you did,” said Bill, standing up on the pilot’s seat and flapping -his arms like a semaphore, “you’d know he was signalling us and not the -_Amtonia_. For heaven’s sake, kid, button that lip of yours. I want to -get this message.” - -Bill then snatched up the helmet he had just doffed and clapped it on -again, buckling the flaps over his ears. Charlie watched proceedings -with interest that for once was wordless. Presently the sailor aboard -the _Flying Fish_ stopped waving his two red flags. Bill answered him -with his arms, and the man rolled up his flags and went below. - -Bill Bolton unbuckled the chin-strap of his helmet and turned toward the -rear cockpit. - -“Snap on that safety belt and put on your helmet again,” he ordered, -“and don’t take it off this time until I tell you to. We are going -aboard.” - -“Aboard what?” - -“The _Amtonia_, of course.” - -“But how can I go aboard that liner if I’m tied to this seat?” - -“Wait and see—I’m too busy to talk now—even if you’re not!” - -Bill got down, started the engine idling and commenced to haul in their -sea anchor. - -Charlie stood up in the rear cockpit and called to him. - -“Hey, Bill!” - -“Well, what is it now?” - -“How _are_ we going aboard if I’m to be tied up in this belt?” - -“Great jumping snakes!” exploded Bill, with a furious glance over his -shoulder. “Have you still got that safety-belt on the brain?” - -“No—around the middle!” - -“For a counterfeit two-cent piece with a hole in it, I’d throw you into -the Atlantic and let you swim aboard!” - -“Aw, please tell me, Bill!” - -“Well, if you must know each detail, we’re going aboard by way of the -electric crane—” - -“Aw, quit yer kidding—there ain’t any electric trains out here!” - -“Not train, bozo—_c-r-a-n-e_—hoist!” - -“Oh! an electric crane! Are they going to hoist us up?” - -“That,” said Bill, as he stowed away their mooring, “is the usual -procedure when cranes are used. Sometimes up—sometimes down—and—chew on -this one thoughtfully, for this is the point of the story: Sometimes -when the tackle slips on a haul, there is a tendency to slip sideways. -And then, little chatterbox, since it is this amphibian which is to be -hauled upward, and you who will be sitting in said amphibian—the -aforementioned safety belt is likely to prove mighty useful. _Now_ do -you savez?” - -“Yup. But my teacher usta tell me that a straight line is the shortest -distance between two points.” - -“And when,” replied Bill with a grin, “you want to make a home run, it -is absolutely necessary to touch all three bases and the plate!” - -“Oh, yeah? Well, I think it’s pretty tough when a feller can’t open his -mouth without bein’ told to pipe down every other minute!” - -“Cheer up, Charles. It’s a long worm—you know. And you’ve got this one -on his back with your chatter. The Baron said that this was war, and I, -for one, believe he’s right!” - -“And,” Charlie chortled, “Sherman said that war was—” - -“All that _and_ more. Nothing slow about you when it comes to pickup. -Well, there’s the crane showing topside. Reckon I’d better feed the old -girl a little more gas and mosey over there.” - - - - - Chapter VII - ABOARD - - -The _Amtonia_ had stopped her engines and now lay broadside on to the -gentle groundswell. Bill landed to leeward of the great ship, and taxied -the amphibian upwind to a point off her leeward quarter. Then he shut -off his motor and when the plane’s momentum carried her to within a few -yards of the hull, towering high above the little aircraft, he ordered -Charlie to fling out the sea anchor. Their drift, of course, was to -leeward, so the manoeuver brought them nose on to the ship’s side, -directly below the long arm of the hoist. - -In order that seaplanes may be taken aboard ships, flying boats are -provided with slings. Bill’s craft being an amphibian, was equipped with -retractible landing gear, operated electrically from the cockpits. But -inasmuch as the _Amtonia_ boasted no deck upon which an airplane might -land, the hoist was the only means available. - -A heaving line was cast to the amphibian as soon as her propeller -stopped, and made secure while Bill and Charlie worked like beavers to -secure the wing lines. That accomplished, the lads broke out the sling, -and after considerable trouble, passed it completely around the hull of -their craft, using spreaders to prevent crushing during the hoist -aboard. - -While they were working on these details, the hoisting hook was let down -to them and presently the sling was made fast to it. - -“Gee whiz! Look at the gallery now!” cried Charlie, staring up at the -line of faces along the deck rails of the steamer. “Say! there’s Dad—and -Mother! And there’s Uncle Arthur! See them up there, next to the top -deck! They’re waving to us! Hi, Dad! Hello, Mother! Hello, Uncle -Arthur!” - -“Swell,” was Bill’s preoccupied comment. “I’m glad you’ve found your -people, kid. But get into the rear cockpit now, and pipe down a bit, -please. This is a ticklish job and unless you keep quiet so I can do a -bit of talking to those guys on the ship, it’s likely to turn into a -first class accident instead of a reunion.” - -Charlie, only slightly abashed, subsided in his seat, but he kept on -waving frantically to his parents. - -Then a chief petty officer, who stood by the rail just below the arm of -the hoist, raised a megaphone to his lips. - -“Avast below!” he roared, showing a strong foreign accent. “Is that -sling secure, sir?” - -“All secure!” called back Bill. “But be sure your men keep the slack out -of our wing lines when you hoist us. I don’t want the plane to start -swinging.” - -“Aye, aye, sir. Are you quite ready, sir?” - -“All ready.” - -“Stand by to be hoisted, sir.” - -The officer raised a hand. There came a creaking of the sling as the -hoist hook caught up the slack, then very slowly the plane rose out of -the water on her upward journey. - -“Sit down and keep perfectly quiet, Charlie,” ordered Bill. “If we start -the plane see-sawing, there’ll be the dickens and all to pay.” - -Charlie did as he was told. “Don’t worry about me, skipper,” he answered -in a somewhat aggrieved tone. “It’s not me that’s raising all the row -now.” - -The passengers, or possibly they might better be termed prisoners on -board the liner, were waving handkerchiefs and calling greetings to the -boys. Any break in the monotony of ship life is always made the most of, -and Bill surmised that many of these people had been held on board the -liner for weeks. - -The plane in its sling went slowly upward, watched by the enthusiastic -gallery on the promenade deck. The hoist was situated far forward and as -the amphibian topped the bulwarks, it was swung aboard and deposited on -deck beside an open hatch. No more had she been landed and braced than -Charlie jumped out and raced off to seek his parents. - -Bill, in the meantime, had his hands full. It was explained to him that -inasmuch as the _Amtonia_ was not equipped for the carrying of aircraft, -the plane must be dissembled in order to permit its being stowed away in -the hold. A number of men were told off to assist him and for the next -couple of hours, he was busily engaged directing the work. Wing sections -were removed first and lowered through the hatchway. The tail plane came -next, and at the same time, the propeller was taken from the engine. -Last of all, lines were riven about the hull and made fast to heavy -fittings on the plane, such as engine bearers. Then the denuded hull was -hoisted from the deck and lowered nose first into the hold. Even then -Bill’s work was not completed, for it was necessary, of course, to -secure everything below against possible damage from the rolling or -pitching of the ship. - -Sandwiches and coffee were served to him by a steward, while he was -still on deck. He had sent his excuses when the captain had asked him to -lunch, as he felt it imperative that he stay with the men on the job. - -It was three-thirty before the work was finished to his satisfaction, -and with a petty officer as guide, he located the Baron in his cabin. -The _Amtonia_ had got under way again several hours earlier. Upon coming -topside, he saw that the ship was steaming into the north-east. Close in -their wake, the _Flying Fish_, once more a submarine, ploughed the -smooth surface of the ocean. - -When Bill entered the captain’s cabin, he found the Baron seated at his -desk, reading a paper which had just been handed him by the wireless -operator. - -“Stand by for a few minutes, Mr. Bolton,” he said, putting the note -aside. “Take a seat on the couch. I have need of you again.” - -Bill sat down while Baron von Hiemskirk went on talking to the operator. - -“Do your best to find out what other craft are in the vicinity and -report to me on the bridge as soon as possible.” He said this in German -which Bill understood but did not speak well. - -“Aye, aye, sir,” returned the man, saluted and departed. - -The Baron stood up, picked up his cap and turned to Bill who also rose. - -“All secure with the plane below?” - -“All secure, sir.” - -“Good. Come along then.” - -Together they passed through the thwartship passage and out on deck. -They reached the top deck of the superstructure by a steep stair and -went forward. From this deck another stair led to the bridge, where a -sailor with rifle and sidearms stood sentry. The man brought his gun to -“present” and both the Baron and Bill punctiliously returned the salute. -Long before this Bill had come to realize that strict naval discipline -was enforced to the letter aboard this pirate ship. - -Once they were on the bridge an officer came forward and saluted. - -The Baron said stiffly: “Commander Geibel—Mr. Bolton—in charge of flight -operations.” - -The Commander and Bill shook hands. - -“Has the lookout reported anything during the past quarter of an hour?” -inquired the Baron. - -“Not a thing, sir.” - -Commander Geibel and the others instinctively glanced toward the -foremast where about halfway to the top was located the ship’s first -lookout station. This station, Bill was to learn, always held an officer -and his assistant. Still higher up the mast in the crow’s nest, a -sharp-eyed seaman, especially trained to this service, kept a vigilant -scrutiny on the horizon. When the man in the crow’s nest discerned smoke -or haze which seemed to indicate a ship, he called to the men in the -lookout below. Instantly all glasses would be trained in the direction -he gave them, and the bridge would make ready to act upon the result of -their discovery. - -The Baron turned to Commander Geibel again. “We have just received a -wireless that the French liner _Orleans_ is about sixty miles to the -northward, steaming east. She carries the mails, you know, and a -capacity load of first class passengers. I think she will be worth -detaining.” - -“Decidedly so, sir.” - -“Make ready to stop the ship, if you please. Also signal the _Flying -Fish_ to prepare for a flight. While I am away, you will be in supreme -command, as usual.” - -“Very good, Herr Baron. Any further orders?” - -“No. You will maintain the usual routine. Good afternoon, Herr -Commander.” - -“May I wish the Herr Baron his usual success and a pleasant trip?” - -“Thank you, Herr Geibel.” The two shook hands. “_Auf wiedersehn!_” - -“_Auf wiedersehn_, Herr Baron! _Auf wiedersehn_, Herr Bolton.” - -“_Auf wiedersehn_, Commander.” - -They saluted. Commander Geibel stepped to the engine room telegraph and -the Baron with Bill at his heels left the bridge. - -“Come to my cabin. I want to say a few words to you.” - -Bill knew that Commander Geibel had given the order “All engines ahead -one-third.” So he was not surprised by the time they entered the -Captain’s cabin to find that the vibration from the ship’s propellers -had ceased. - -“You understand, Mr. Bolton,” the Baron said, “that we are about to -capture a trans-Atlantic liner?” - -“I understand that such is your purpose, sir.” - -“You are ready to obey orders—to pilot the _Flying Fish_ as we agreed?” - -Bill was silent for a moment. “And if I refuse?” he asked at last. - -“Then it will be my painful duty to place both you and Chief Osceola in -the brig and keep you there until we make port.” - -“Where is Osceola now?” - -“He is still aboard the _Flying Fish_. He is to act as your assistant. -You see, my dear fellow,” the Baron went on, his manner changing from -curtness to affability. “As a midshipman in the United States Navy, you -are too dangerous a person to allow you to mix freely with the other -passengers of this ship, unless—shall I put it frankly?—unless I have a -hold of some kind over you. Those people, wealthy men and women, or they -should not be here, are nevertheless but a flock of sheep. You and the -Chief proved in Florida that you were made of different stuff. Aboard -the _Merrymaid_, I gave you my reasons for the offer. What is your final -answer, now that you have had time to think it over?” - -Bill hesitated no longer. “I will fly the plane as agreed,” he said. -“But there, my duty to you and your organization ends.” - -“That satisfies me. I am glad to take your word as an officer and a -gentleman on this matter.” He rose from his chair and beamed at Bill. -“My organization is perfect, Mr. Bolton—perfect. You will have no chance -to escape—there is no where to escape to—but if you and your friend -should wish to try—you have my permission to do so!” - -Bill smiled, and said nothing. - -“Time to shove off now,” continued the Baron bruskly. “The boat will be -waiting for us.” - -They went overside by means of a ship’s ladder and were rowed over to -the _Flying Fish_. Her airplane engines were making their appearance -topside by the time they stepped aboard. For a few minutes Bill watched -them rise one by one, and slide on grooved tracks into place. At the -same time, he noticed that the decking just forward of the central motor -was moving upward to reveal itself as the roof of a glass-sided -structure about two feet high. - -“What’s under that?” he asked the Baron, “the pilot’s cockpit?” - -“Just so. Come below and we’ll inspect it.” - - - - - Chapter VIII - PIRACY - - -While they had been talking, Bill saw the conning tower lower itself -until it stood not more than a foot above the deck aft of the huge -wings. - -“This certainly is the most remarkable ship I’ve ever seen, or ever hope -to see,” he exclaimed as they descended into the hull through the -conning tower hatch. - -“I designed most of these gadgets before the close of the last war,” -replied the Baron in his usual pompous manner. “The armistice -interrupted my experiments and as there was no government that amounted -to anything in my country then, I kept the results of my work for -myself. Some little time ago, speculation in your American stocks gave -me sufficient capital to build that ship with added improvements. Now I -am cashing in on her.” - -The Diesel engines were drawing air from an intake valve just under the -small bridge as they dropped into the control room where Bill and the -Baron studied the charts for a while, and he was given the course he was -to fly. They passed through the battery room where the walls were lined -with the crews’ bunks and into the pilot’s glassed-in cockpit. - -“Hello!” Osceola beamed at them from one of the pilot’s seats. “It’s -sure good to see you again, Bill, old boy. How do you do, Baron?” - -The Baron was annoyed. - -“It is customary aboard my ships for a superior officer to receive a -salute when spoken to. And the salute should be rendered standing.” - -Osceola smiled, stood up, clicked his heels together and brought the -fingers of his right hand smartly to the edge of the soft helmet he -wore. - -“Thank you.” The Baron punctiliously returned the salute. “Good -afternoon, Chief.” - -Then he turned his back on the young Seminole and spoke again to Bill. - -“When the buzzer rings in here, Mr. Bolton, you will start idling your -engines and take off as soon as possible immediately afterward. You know -your course and you have instructions with regard to landing. Further -orders will be sent to you should I consider them necessary.” - -“I understand, sir,” said Bill. - -Both young fellows saluted. The Baron returned their salutes and left -the cockpit, sliding the door to behind him. - -“Gosh!” exploded Osceola. “That lad gives me the jim-jams with his -confounded bowing and saluting. I’ll turn into a Prussian Yunker myself -if we don’t get out of this soon!” - -“Reckon you weren’t cut out for a Naval man,” laughed Bill, “I admit -I’ve had my fill of that stuff at the Academy, but the Herr Baron -certainly goes the whole hog. Let’s see what kind of a crate I’ve got to -run,” he mused—“ten motors—dual control—aeromarine inertia starter!” - -He studied the layout thoughtfully and glanced at the instrument board. -Then he turned to Osceola again. - -“Thank heaven, they’ve fitted this bus with the wheel and column type of -control. The clever bird has stolen some of the Fokker features. That -worm gear, operated by a crank and shaft from the pilot’s seat to adjust -the stabilizer in flight proves it.” - -“Maybe,” grinned his friend. “That’s all Greek to me. The joke of it is -that these bozos think I understand—that I’m an aviator like you!” - -“Well, I’ve given you some pointers, haven’t I? You ought to recognize a -few of these gadgets.” - -The Chief snorted. “_Few_ is right. Your amphibian is one thing—but this -bus is fitted out like the engine room of an ocean liner!” - -Bill laughed and picked up a soft helmet. - -“Ever been in one?” - -“An engine room?” - -“Yes.” - -“Not yet—and I hope never.” - -“I thought so. Well, Mr. Assistant Pilot, get into your seat and look -pretty. I’ll do the work. Confound, there goes the buzzer!” - -He slipped into his seat and his hand sought the inertia starter. With -her multiple engines roaring in deafening crescendo, the _Flying Fish_ -leapt through the water and was jerked onto her step, quite as easily as -the smallest seaplane. A few seconds later she was in the air, nosing -upward into the ether. - -Bill ran her up to thirty-five hundred feet, leveled off, did a sharp -bank to port, then straightened out once more and spoke to Osceola. - -“Some bus! Runs like a ladies’ wristwatch.” - -“Aren’t you keeping pretty low?” - -“There’s no sense climbing higher. The skipper wants to get there in a -hurry.” - -“Er—you know this is rank piracy?” - -“I do, Osceola. But it’s a long chance—and a darned sight better for our -plans than being cooped up in the brig. If I wasn’t driving this plane, -the Baron would be. Friend von Hiemskirk is so sure of himself he says -that we have his permission to escape—if we can. I’d like to give him a -run, you know.” - -“Yes, nice of him, isn’t it? Still, we got away from the Shell Island -gang, didn’t we?” - -“Sure did—and put those guys in a place where they belong.” - -“Well, I’m entirely willing to try it with this bunch—but between you -and me, I’m almost inclined to agree with the Baron—I don’t think we’ve -the ghost of a show.” - -“Maybe not. But we’ll make a good stab at it, just the same. First of -all, we’ve got to know how they work their game. That’s the principal -reason why I took over this job. It’s not only escape I’m after, but -it’s busting up this organized piracy, as well.” - -“Ambitious, aren’t you?” - -“Well—hello! there’s smoke on the horizon!” - -“Oh, yes, I see it. Dead ahead. Think she’s the ship we want?” - -“Hope so. We’re following the course. Herr Pomposo plotted it himself, -so he can’t strafe us if it isn’t.” - -Osceola clapped a pair of glasses to his eyes and studied the distant -smudge of black that was curling up a blue horizon. - -“Three funnels. Looks like a pretty big ship—and she sure is moving -along.” - -“The _Orleans_ is a three-stacker. Also, she’s plenty big and fast. Push -that button on the instrument board marked ‘C.R.’, will you?” - -Osceola complied. “What’s C.R. mean?” - -“Control room. I want to let his high-mightiness know we’ve sighted his -prey.” - -“This,” said Osceola, “begins to get exciting.” - -“It will,” said Bill, “get a good deal more exciting than we bargained -for unless you pipe down, old man. There’s some ticklish business ahead -of us and I can’t afford to crack it. Now—get these instructions, and -get ’em right. That handle yonder works the bomb release. When I say the -word, take hold of it—but don’t pull until I tell you to.” - -“But—Bill!” protested the Seminole. “You surely aren’t taking orders -from von Hiemskirk or anyone else to bomb that liner!” - -“Not if I know it,” Bill answered curtly. “Get your mind on the job. -When I say NOW—you pull. Not one instant sooner, or an instant later. -It’s a matter of life and death—so be careful.” - -“Trust me,” said his mystified friend, lifting a nervous gaze to stare -at the great steamer they were approaching so swiftly. - -The _Orleans_ was a beautiful sight; a racing greyhound of the seas, -tearing through a glassy ocean, bound for Europe with mail and -passengers. - -The _Flying Fish_ came upon her from the south. As he drew nearer the -leviathan, Bill decreased the plane’s altitude to a meager five hundred -feet. Below the belching funnels he could see passengers and crew -crowding the starboard rails, for even the most _blasé_ traveler is -still thrilled by the sight of an airplane in mid-ocean. - -The great plane circled the ship. Then Bill dropped behind for a moment, -did a flipper turn to port, levelled off and came racing up from the -rear. When the _Flying Fish_ was directly over the steamer’s stern, Bill -spoke to Osceola. - -“Get ready!” he said. - -“Good Lord! You can’t do it, Bill. It’s murder!” - -“Shut up—and obey orders!” commanded his pilot. “This is my funeral—not -yours.” - -Osceola grasped the bomb release, his brain whirling in consternation -and confusion. - -Slowly they forged ahead, over the stacks, the foremast, the bow, and on -until they had gained a lead of possibly two hundred yards on the -_Orleans_. - -“NOW!” - -Back came Osceola’s hand, yanking the handle and at the same time Bill -banked the plane in a sharp left turn. Osceola descried an object -darting seaward beneath them. He glimpsed it strike the water and a -geyser shot upward in front of the racing liner. Then as the _Flying -Fish_ came about and landed, he saw that the _Orleans_ was slowing down. -By the time their own craft was moored to a sea anchor, the liner’s -propellers no longer turned and she lay like a “painted ship upon a -painted ocean.” - -Both lads stripped off their headgear as the Baron walked into the -cockpit. - -“I am about to board the _Orleans_,” he stated in that overbearing tone -that was so irritating to Osceola. “You young gentlemen will accompany -me. We leave directly. Once aboard, it will be your duty to make note of -the quantity of gasoline and lubricating oils carried by the liner and -render a report to me. I shall probably be found in the First Class -dining salon, where passengers will be interviewed. Come now, it is time -we were off.” - -When Bill and Osceola came out on deck they saw that a three-inch gun -had been brought topside and was trained on the _Orleans_. Signals had -evidently passed between the _Flying Fish_ and the liner, which lay -motionless a few hundred yards off their port quarter. Even as the -boarding party, armed to the teeth, stepped into a small launch, a -gangway was let down from the side of the leviathan. - -The journey across took but a very few minutes. Bill had only time to -note that the _Orleans_ no longer flew her colors and that the decks -were still crowded with passengers, when the seaman in the bow of their -launch caught the grating at the bottom of the steep flight of steps -with his boathook. - -The Baron immediately sprang onto the grating and, followed by another -officer, Bill, Osceola and four seamen bearing rifles, mounted the -gangway. The launch in the meantime hastened back toward the _Flying -Fish_ to pick up another load of men. - -An indignant officer, whose uniform proclaimed him to be the ship’s -captain, met them as they stepped on deck. - -“This is an outrage!” he thundered, addressing the Baron. “By what right -do you threaten my ship and board her?” - -Von Hiemskirk smiled cynically at the scowling captain, and bowed, -including the row of ship’s officers and men who stood close behind him, -in his salutation. - -“You make a mistake, Captain,” he replied affably, “when you say ‘my -ship.’ Allow me to inform you that she is no longer yours—but mine—by -right of conquest!” - -“But this is—piracy!” - -“I am glad,” said the Baron, “that you realize the fact.” He changed his -tone abruptly. “Permit me to inform you also that unless my orders are -obeyed—obeyed on the instant,—it will be my unpleasant duty to sink this -ship.” - -A man in the uniform of the ship’s wireless operator pushed his way -through the crowd of protesting passengers and saluting the _Orleans_ -captain, whispered a few words in his ear. - -“No secrets,” snapped the Baron. “Operator, what message have you -brought?” - -It was now the captain’s turn to smile. - -“I will answer your question,” he returned. “We have been in touch with -the United States Cruiser _Stamford_. At the present moment, she is -steaming at full speed to this spot!” - - - - - Chapter IX - THE BARON’S METHODS - - -Baron von Hiemskirk roared with laughter. “Splendid, Captain—splendid! -To use an American expression, Herr Captain—we pirates are not always as -dumb as we may look. I know all about that warship. It will take her -five hours, fast steaming, to reach this ship.” - -He turned his back contemptuously on the furious skipper and walked to -the rail. A glance overside told him that the launch, crowded to the -gunwales with more men from the _Flying Fish_ was nosing the landing -stage below. He again approached the choleric officer. - -“I now take over this ship. Order your crew to the forecastle and your -officers to their cabins. You and I, my friend, will repair to your -quarters. I want to look over your ship’s papers.” - -By this time the second boarding party reached the deck, and commands -snapped from the Baron like reports from a machine gun. - -Accompanied by an armed seaman from the _Flying Fish_, Bill and Osceola -followed the chief commissary steward below. The man had been told off -for the duty by the Baron, with a promise that if there were any -complaints upon their return, he would be shot. On second thought, he -had expanded Bill’s orders. - -“You will attend to the oil and gas,” he said, “and in addition, you -will commandeer all stores leaving two days’ crews’ rations for the -passengers. Break out what men you need and get the supplies to this -deck on the port side. And just as quickly as possible, Mr. Bolton.” - -“Aye, aye, sir.” - -Arrived at the chief steward’s office, he was amazed to learn from the -man’s lists the vast amount of eatables carried by the liner. - -“Gosh, there’s everything here from caviar to oatmeal!” - -“Well, orders are orders,” said Osceola. “While you’re deciding what to -take and what to leave, I’ll get hold of the crew and meet you below in -the storerooms.” - -“Right-o! I’ll be with you in a jiffy. I hate to have to do this, but if -we don’t make a clean job of it, you and I will finish out this cruise -in the well-known brig!” - -For the next few hours, both lads worked like beavers superintending the -transportation of supplies. Leaving Osceola in charge below, Bill went -up to the deck where the boxes, barrels and crates from the storerooms -were being stacked by members of the captured liner’s crew. The _Flying -Fish_, now transformed into her guise of submarine, came along side, a -hoist was brought into use and the provisions lowered to her. - -It soon became evident that the underseas boat’s cargo capacity would -take but a fraction of the plunder, so Bill ordered the _Orleans’_ -lifeboats to be lowered. One by one, these were loaded. The first boat -to receive its quota of goods was secured to the _Flying Fish_ by a -tow-line, and the bow of each succeeding lifeboat made fast by a line to -the stern of the one ahead. When the last load of crates was being -lowered overside, Bill found Osceola at his elbow. - -“That tears it, I reckon. Good plan that—using the boats. I wondered how -you were going to load all that stuff in the _Flying Fish_.” - -“I hated to do it,” admitted his friend, “but now that the _Orleans_ is -practically without provisions, she will have to return to New York, and -she can make port in less than twenty-four hours. With this fine -weather, there’s little or no danger of the passengers needing the -boats.” - -“What are we to do now?” asked Osceola. - -“Report to Herr Baron, I reckon.” - -Bill hailed one of the submarine’s petty officers who was herding the -crew back to their quarters. - -“Do you know where we’ll find Baron von Hiemskirk?” - -“He is in the main dining salon, sir.” - -“Come along, Osceola,” said Bill. “He must be pretty nearly finished -with his own particular job. I hope so, anyway. If that cruiser shows up -and we’re caught—well, it will take a lot of explaining to justify our -part in this. The chances are, I’d be handed my discharge from the Navy, -if nothing worse.” - -Osceola nodded gloomily and the two made their way along an almost empty -deck to the main companionway. - -“I wonder where the passengers have disappeared to,” mused the young -Seminole, as they descended the broad staircase. - -“They’ve probably been sent to their cabins for the time being. If my -guess is a good one, the big boy is at present engaged in robbing the -entire first class of their valuables.” - -“It’s certainly a bad bit of work, Bill.” - -“Gee, I know it. But some day we may be able to get even with this -polite pirate. Just now all we can do is to smile and take orders.” - -They found the Baron seated at the head of the captain’s table. An angry -gentleman, his wife and two pretty daughters, under guard of a seaman, -stood before him. - -“Mr. Rodney Conway and family, of New York.” The Baron glanced at a list -he held. “I am glad to say that this little interview will conclude my -business aboard the _Orleans_.” - -“Look here!” cut in the passenger. “This whole thing is preposterous! -Why, your men have ransacked our cabins and stolen nearly everything of -value we have with us. If, as you seem to be, you are German citizens, I -shall certainly make a complaint in person to the German ambassador, -when this ship lands us in England!” - -The Baron von Hiemskirk smiled, but the smile was not a pleasant one. “I -do not recognize the present German government,” he said sneeringly, -“and it also may interest you to know that they are quite as keen to -apprehend me and put a stop to my business ventures as you are. -Furthermore, Mr. Conway, you and your family are not going to -England—not by this ship.” - -Mr. Conway started visibly. Then he drew himself up: “I do not care for -myself—but I must beg of you to spare my wife and daughters—” - -The Baron put up a restraining hand. “There is no cause for alarm, Mr. -Conway. Unless, of course, you prove to be unreasonable. Who’s Who tells -me that you are president of the Western Hemisphere Bank in New York -City, and that you are on the board of directors of other important -financial institutions. Now, there will be a small matter of ransom to -go into before we part company. At present, time presses. You and your -family will go for a cruise with me—an agreeable one, I trust—until this -business of ransom can be attended to. You will go on deck with this -seaman now. Your cabin baggage has already left the ship. That will be -all, I think.” He stood up in dismissal, and bowed. - -“Good afternoon,” he beamed, “and bon voyage!” - -The Conway family, under guard, left the salon. Baron von Hiemskirk -beckoned to Bill and Osceola who had been silent witnesses of this -charming scene. - -“I have to report, sir,” said Bill at once, “that the supplies have been -placed aboard the _Flying Fish_ and the lifeboats. They are now ready -for transport to the _Amtonia_.” - -“Thank you, Mr. Bolton, and you, too, Chief. I was certain that I could -trust you with the job. That was a good idea to use the lifeboats. If a -heavy sea had been running the greater part of the stuff must have been -left behind.” - -“I should think,” said Osceola, “that you would have brought up the -_Amtonia_ and placed the stuff aboard her direct.” - -The Baron smiled goodhumoredly. “Mr. Bolton can you tell him my reason -for not doing so? I am not really a blood-thirsty person by nature, -Chief.” - -“Baron von Hiemskirk does not wish vessels like the _Orleans_ to know -that the _Amtonia_ is in his service, Osceola.” - -“But what has bloodthirstiness got to do with it, if I may ask?” - -Bill answered this too. “I suppose the Baron feels it would be necessary -to sink such vessels whose crews or passengers guess his secret. Am I -right, Sir?” - -“Quite, Mr. Bolton. That warship, for instance, will arrive here in an -hour or so. All that she can learn from those left aboard this ship is -that the _Flying Fish_ and the _Orleans_ boats have departed in such and -such a direction—which, of course, will not be the one they will -eventually take.” - -“But won’t they wireless that news to the _Stamford_ just as soon as we -leave the ship?” inquired the Chief. - -“Nobody,” replied the Baron gently, “will use the wireless after we -leave, for the simple reason that this ship’s wireless will not be in -working order. Now we will go on deck.” - -He led the way up the staircase without speaking further. At the -entrance to the companionway, they were met by one of the Baron’s men. - -“Beg to report, sir, that all decks have been cleared. Passengers and -crew are locked in their cabins. The fires have been drawn and the -wireless has been put out of commission.” - -“Good. We shall shove off at once.” - -The officer preceded them toward the gangway where a squad of armed -seamen were drawn up. - -“By Jove!” cried Osceola. “What’s become of the _Flying Fish_? She’s -disappeared. Surely she can’t have submerged and carried the boats down -with her.” - -“No such luck,” muttered Bill sotto voce. “There she is, with her -blooming boats in tow, off to the westward. She probably got underway -about the time we went below. What’s the matter, Osceola? You seem to be -in the dumps.” - -“Well, I hate this work we’ve been doing, that’s all, Bill. Unless we -can act pretty soon—do something to stop this robbing of innocent -people, I’ll be so low, I’ll have to reach up to touch bottom!” - -“Gosh, I’m with you. I could hardly keep quiet when that interview with -the Conways took place. But tonight, we’ll talk. Keep smiling now—here -we are at the gangway. Gee, we’re swiping the _Orleans_ launch! I -wondered how we were going to get back to the _Amtonia_.” - -“These guys,” said Osceola disgustedly, “snatch everything that’s loose. -What’s nailed down they pull up and charge the owners for the nails!” - -Following the Baron, who was conversing with an officer, they went down -the steps of the gangway, and took seats in the waiting launch. - - - - - Chapter X - BILL STARTS IN - - -The launch, a highpowered craft, soon caught up with the submarine and -its string of loaded lifeboats. Darkness had fallen before the little -flotilla reached the mothership, but the plunder was quickly taken -aboard, and the lifeboats were sunk. Within an hour of their arrival, -the _Amtonia_ with her submarine pilot-fish were heading into the -northeast again. - -The two lads were given a large, comfortable cabin together, where they -found the baggage from their amphibian had been stowed. They had just -taken a shower in the luxuriously appointed bathroom off their cabin, -when there came a knock at the door. - -“The Captain’s compliments, sir,” said the steward when Bill opened to -him, “and will you gentlemen dine with him and his officers at eight -thirty in the Palm Garden? He asks me to inform you, sir, that you will -find uniforms in your closet. He begs that you will not wear civilian -clothes while aboard.” - -“Thank Baron von Hiemskirk on behalf of Chief Osceola and myself. We -shall be glad to join the officers’ mess at half past eight. We shall -also put on the uniforms he has provided, although I must say that -nothing looks worse than a uniform one hasn’t been fitted for!” - -“Beg pardon, sir, but the tailor has already altered the uniforms. He -took measurements from the suits in your bags. He and his men are -working on more of them tonight. He tells me that they will all be -finished soon.” - -“Thank you,” said Bill. “That will be fine. By the way, where is the -Palm Garden?” - -“Off A deck, sir. Thank you, sir.” He was gone. - -“Well,” grinned Bill, “some system they have aboard this packet!” - -“You said it. Too much system to suit me, Bill. We’re likely to come a -bad cropper when we buck it.” - -“You know the adage about crossing bridges before you have to, Osceola. -Let’s get into these uniforms. It’s nearly time for mess and I’m hungry -enough to chew rubber.” - -The uniforms proved to be made of white duck, and the lads found their -names stitched inside the blouses. An officer’s cap and pair of white -canvas shoes went with each suit. To their further surprise, they found -that all these articles fitted them exactly. - -“Gee!” exclaimed Bill, as he saw the two gold stripes on his black -shoulder straps. “This is promotion with a vengeance! When I woke up -this morning, I was only a midshipman. Tonight I’m a full lieutenant! -What’s the Baron made you, big boy?” - -“I’ve got a broad stripe like yours, Bill, and a narrow one. I suppose -that rates me something—but what, I don’t know!” - -“That’s the insignia of a lieutenant j.g.” - -“And what’s the j.g. mean?” - -“Junior grade. A j.g. ranks with a first lieutenant in the army.” - -“And you, with your two broad stripes rank with an army captain, I -suppose, and you’re my superior officer on board here, I take it?” - -“Right. Only we say full stripes, not broad stripes. In Navy parlance, -I’m a two-striper, and you are a one-and-a-half striper.” - -“Sounds to me like a convict gang,” laughed the Seminole, as he buttoned -up his blouse. “Well, if you’re ready, I am.” - -“Don’t forget your cap,” Bill reminded him. “Strictly speaking, no naval -officer is in uniform without it.” - -“Pirate officer, you mean,” grunted Osceola as they entered the -corridor. “Last time we were kidnapped and lacked all this luxury, but -at least what clothes we wore were comfortable. I feel as if somebody -had laced me into a tight corset.” - -“You’ll feel better after dinner.” - -“Maybe. If the buttons hold!” - -Together they mounted the stairs to A deck. A few of the _Amtonia’s_ -passengers were lounging about on deck. They paid not the slightest -attention to them, in fact, Bill noticed that their indifference was so -marked that it could not be other than studied. - -Then a voice spoke behind them. “Hello, men!” As they turned, Charlie -joined them. “I wanted Father to meet you,” he said, rather -breathlessly, “but he says you’ve joined the pirates, and— But you -haven’t, have you?” - -Osceola looked down at him quizzically. “Only pro tem!” - -“Gee, what does that mean? I wish you’d talk American.” - -“If I spoke my own language, which is real American, youngster, you -wouldn’t understand me any better.” - -Bill grinned. “Pro tem means for the time being,” he said. “But I’d -better tell you, Charlie, that the Chief is feeling low tonight, so -don’t get fresh. He’ll tomahawk you one of these days if you don’t look -out!” - -“Oh, yeah?” Charlie seemed unimpressed by this dire threat. Then his -tone changed suddenly. “Please, Bill,” he whispered eagerly, “let me be -a pirate, too. Gee, it would be such fun. Can’t I?” - -Both Bill and Osceola burst into a shout of laughter. “But how about -your Dad?” asked the Seminole. - -“Well, what about him?” - -Bill shook his head. “Talk like that to him, and he’ll be offering you -the choice of back or bristles!” - -“Aw, cut it out! I’m serious, Bill. Please let me be a pirate!” - -“I’ll think about it, Charlie.” Bill took him by the arm and moved over -to the rail. “But I do want you to do something for me,” he said in -lowered tones. “You must keep it entirely to yourself, though. If you -mention it to a single soul, you’ll get us all into a heap of trouble.” - -“I won’t—honest, Bill. I’ll shut up like a clam! What is it?” - -“All right then, I’ll trust you. I want you to make friends with the -wireless operators. There are two of them. Find out when they relieve -each other, whether the door is kept locked—in fact, find out everything -you can—without making them suspicious. Got that?” - -“You bet. Take it from me, they’ll never guess what I’m after!” - -“Attaboy! Do you know where our cabin is?” - -“No.” - -“Well, it’s number 126 on the deck below, starboard side.” - -“I can find it.” - -“Good. Come there at eleven tonight, and report what you’ve found out.” - -“I’ll be there with bells on.” - -“Now be careful that nobody sees you come to our door. It won’t be -locked—we’ll be there. Just open it and come in.” - -“All right, Bill. You can trust me.” - -“That’s all, so cut along now, and remember, eleven sharp. We’ve got a -date for dinner, and I’m afraid we’re going to be late as it is. So -long, Charlie.” - -“So long, Bill. So long, Chief.” - -Charlie raced away, intent on the importance of his trust and his two -friends hurried toward the Palm Garden. - -They found the Baron and his officers awaiting them in the foyer of the -restaurant. The Baron beamed approval on their uniforms and introduced -them to the members of the group they had not already met. These -gentlemen each bowed from the waist and shook hands with continental -formality upon being presented. The Baron spoke a few words, and then as -the single stroke of the ship’s bell clanged, the chief steward appeared -in the doorway. - -“Dinner is served, Herr Captain.” - -The Baron leading, they went into the restaurant. The meal which they -sat down to proved to be a long, sumptuous affair of many courses. Every -delicacy, in and out of season, was served. Evidently the Baron believed -in living well—on other people. Both lads did full justice to the -banquet. Muffled strains of the ship’s orchestra, hidden behind palms, -lent gaiety to the atmosphere, but could not cut through the rigid -formality of their companions’ demeanor. - -It was after ten thirty by the time they left the table and went out on -deck. The stars were like jewels flashing in the great inverted bowl of -night. The dark water gleamed quiet as a mill-pond, reflecting the -slender crescent of a new moon that had just appeared above the horizon. - -The Baron puffed a long cigar while he conversed at his ease in a deck -chair. - -“This voyage,” he remarked complacently, watching the red ash glow on -the end of his cigar, “is becoming quite a successful undertaking. A few -more months and we can well afford to retire, and go our own ways.” - -“But surely, Herr Baron, you are not contemplating ending this splendid -venture?” It was the Chief Engineer who spoke. - -“We must not try providence too far, Bauer. To date, this ship is a -mystery to the world at large, it is true. But we have already created -some stir. Personally, I consider it a positive compliment that the -navies of the world are seeking us out to destroy us!” - -“It must,” Bill remarked, “afford you a good deal of satisfaction, as -well as profit, Baron.” - -He was becoming restive. It was nearing eleven o’clock. The cabin door -was locked and Charlie could not get in. But how to break away without -arousing the Baron’s suspicions, he could not see. - -That gentleman puffed contemplatively for a moment or two. - -“Yes, you have it right, Mr. Bolton,” he observed at last. “Pleasure and -profit. Outside of the vast sums in money and jewels we have taken from -captured liners, you perhaps do not realize that we have more than two -hundred very wealthy people as passengers. Their ransoms, at the lowest -estimate will run well over a million dollars apiece. Yes, this is a -most profitable business, Mr. Bolton. But of course, a most dangerous -one. We must not practice it for too long a time.” - -“Herr Baron,” Bill leaned forward in his seat, and smiled his most -engaging smile, “neither Chief Osceola nor I have had the opportunity -this evening to thank you for your consideration in the matter of our -cabin and the uniforms you have provided us.” - -“Yes, indeed, Baron,” Osceola seconded him and threw the stub of his -cigarette over the rail. “Very kind of you, I must say.” - -“Oh, do not mention it, my dear fellows.” The Baron was joviality -itself. “Those are small matters and easily attended to.” - -“But we appreciate your wish to make us comfortable.” Bill rose, and -Osceola followed his example. “And now, sir, we will say good night. It -has been a long day and a busy one.” - -“Good night, my young friends,” beamed von Hiemskirk. “Pleasant dreams, -and _auf wiedersehn_ until tomorrow.” - -Everyone stood up and saluted and the lads marched off toward their -cabin. Osceola was unlocking the door, when a stealthy figure appeared -from out the shadows of a cross passage, and Charlie slipped into the -room with them. - -“Gee, I thought you were never coming,” he said, as Bill switched on the -light. - -“Sorry, Charles, so did we! Have you got any news?” - -“Plenty, Bill. I—” - -His words were cut short by a crash of gunfire from above. For an -instant they stood listening to the thunder of the gun, then Bill broke -their constrained silence. - -“We’ll have to postpone our talk, Charlie, worse luck. There’s something -doing out there, all right, and it’s up to the Chief and me to hustle up -on deck pronto.” - -Without further parley the three caught up their caps and ran out of the -cabin. - - - - - Chapter XI - DANGEROUS BUSINESS - - -The lads encountered a crowd of nervous and excited passengers on the -stairs and were swept up with them and out on deck. By common instinct -the flow was toward port. A few hundred yards away, the lights of a -steamer, parallel with them, could be discerned. Signals were flashing, -bells clanging, and the clamor of the startled passengers pressing the -rail was deafening. - -Bill gripped Osceola’s arm. “Let’s get out of this bedlam,” he shouted. -“The skipper is sure to be on the bridge—come along!” - -Diving across the ship they ran forward on the opposite deck and up the -stair to the bridge. Baron von Hiemskirk stood with a pair of night -glasses trained on the stranger across the water. Near him a group of -white uniformed ship’s officers conversed in whispers. He lowered the -binoculars as Bill and Osceola approached and rendered them a stiff -salute. - -“Good evening again, gentlemen. Thank you for your promptness. Chief -Osceola, I want you and Lieutenant Schneider to go aft and quiet that -rabble. Explain to the passengers that there is no cause for alarm. Tell -them also in my name that unless they go at once to their cabins, they -will be sent there forcibly.” - -Osceola and the Lieutenant saluted and departed on their errand. - -“Now, gentlemen,” continued the Baron, “as several of you already know, -I have been aware for some time that we were overhauling that ship we -see out there. Had she obeyed our signals and those of the _Flying -Fish_, there would have been no need to waste shell fire on her. You -will be interested to learn that she is the _Blake_ of Cardiff, loaded -with twenty-five hundred tons of coal—enough to keep us going for a week -at good speed, or two weeks at low speed. Tomorrow morning, we will -start coaling, and for the next few days, every one of us will be -especially busy. Those of you who are not on duty, will please me by -turning in at once, and getting a good night’s rest. Good night, -gentlemen.” - -Back in his cabin, Bill undressed and got into bed. He was lying there, -with the lights burning, thinking over the day’s events, when Osceola -came in. - -He tossed his cap on the lounge, and began to unbutton his blouse. -“Well, we got the sheep herded into their respective barns. Did you find -out anything about that ship?” - -Bill told him what the Baron had said. “Filthy business, coaling,” he -ended with a yawn. - -“It will be interesting to find out how they work it at sea, especially -when we’ve got at least one warship on our trail.” - -“I don’t think the Baron’s worrying about the _Stamford_. We’ve changed -our course at least twice in the last few hours. It’s a big ocean, -Osceola.” - -“Guess so. And some queer people on it. The noble Baron makes me laugh. -He’s probably the greatest thief unhung, yet he purposely chatted with -us and the other officers after dinner, on the side of the deck away -from this collier, so that we would go to bed early and get a good -night’s rest.” - -“He’s an odd beggar, all right,” yawned Bill. “Switch off the light, and -hop into that bed of yours, big boy, or I’ll be talking in my sleep.” - -A steward called them at five next morning. By five-thirty they had -dressed in uniform cap and dungarees, breakfasted and were out on deck. -The collier was now steaming slowly alongside the big liner. The ships -were kept together by a hawser across the lips of the _Amtonia’s_ bows, -supplemented by a few lines across her poop; and a speed of two miles an -hour was being maintained by both vessels. This kept their noses -together. It also gave them a certain steadiness in the choppy sea that -ran this morning. Above all, it kept the pirate ship constantly -prepared, steamed up in readiness to dash away in case an enemy cruiser -appeared. The lads noted that at each of the cables which held the -vessels together, a man was stationed, ax in hand, to cut the strands -should the emergency arise. - -Bill and Osceola soon found that preparations for coaling on the high -seas had already been made. Through the decks of the _Amtonia_ the -carpenters had cut large circular holes, one directly beneath the other. -In these openings, ship’s ventilator tubes were at that moment being -inserted. They were then spliced together in such a manner that coal -dumped on to the deck merely had to be pushed into the tubes to slide -swiftly down into the bunkers. - -Three temporary derricks had been erected, one fore, another amidships, -and one aft, all electrically equipped. Bill was presently put in charge -of the fore derrick, while Osceola crossed over to the collier, where he -helped to superintend the loading of sacks and baskets with coal. These -when filled were transferred from the _Blake’s_ derricks to those of the -liner, in midair. The coal was then unloaded on the _Amtonia’s_ deck and -shoveled into the tubes by the crew. - -As the sun grew higher, the weather became increasingly hotter. So hot -was this work of coaling that the men were soon working clad only in -pantaloons, cut short like boys’ trousers, or even in tights. There were -no feminine eyes about, for all passengers were being kept below, so -that occasionally the scanty loincloths were cast aside and the men -worked naked. Covered from head to foot with sweat and coal dust, they -soon looked like gangs of negroes. The officers fared quite as badly, -for, though they were spared manual labor and so did not discard their -uniforms, they soon became as grimy as the men and fully as -uncomfortable. - -Work was carried forward night and day, in alternate watches. To Bill it -became a nightmare of heat and sweat and coal dust. The ship, usually so -immaculate, took on the appearance of a coalyard, and the fine black -dust filtered into even the remotest nooks and crannies. When relieved -of duty, the black counterpart of that smart young Lieutenant Bolton -would satisfy his hunger at a buffet, get under a shower and then to -bed. Here, between coal dust coated sheets, he would snatch a few hours -sleep—then hurry above for his next trick at the derrick. He began to -find out that the life of an officer aboard this pirate craft was not -the bed of roses it had first appeared to be. As Osceola worked and ate -and slept on board the _Blake_, the two saw nothing of each other. - -Late in the afternoon of the third day, the last of the twenty-five -hundred tons of coal was transferred and shovelled down the chutes. Bill -saw to the taking down of his derrick and then went below to his cabin, -thankful that the dirty job had come to an end. He was getting out of -filthy clothes when Osceola walked in. - -“Coolheavers ahoy!” he greeted. “I’m one black warrior, if you ask me.” - -“And I’ve had pleasanter jobs.” - -“Oh, you’ve had a nice, comfortable deck to work on,” returned the -Chief, diving into the bathroom. “You’ve nothing to complain about. I -haven’t had these clothes off since the day before yesterday! Been -working down in the hold of that collier at a temperature that blew the -top off our thermometer.” His voice was drowned by the sound of the -shower. - -“That is tough! I missed you, old fellow. Where did you sleep?” - -“Where did I sleep!” spluttered the Chief. “Not in a downy white bed -like you—you son of luxury! I slept, or rather, I tried to sleep in a -ship’s hammock!” - -Bill chuckled, and began to unlace his shoes. “Pretty difficult to -navigate until you get on to them. Hard to get into—” - -“Harder still to stay put when you’re once in the darned thing! -Gosh-all-hemlock, this water is sure a sweet, cool dream, of Paradise! -Let me tell you that my hammock had to be slung between-decks—iron -decks, at that. Sleep! I’ve forgotten what it is. Every time I moved in -that hammock, the confounded thing dumped me onto that dirty iron deck -with a jar that nearly split my head! Push that bell for a steward, -please. I want food and plenty of it, and I’m going to eat it in my -comfortable bed. Then, I’m going to sleep _and_ sleep until tomorrow -morning.” - -“Oh, no, you’re not,” said Bill. - -“And who says so?” - -“Have your supper, by all means, and have it in bed if you like—but you -and I have a date.” - -“Date nothing! Keep it yourself. I’m only a poor Indian pirate. Neither -am I popular with first class passengers.” - -“Perhaps not—but this date isn’t with a passenger.” - -“Who then?” - -“Have you forgotten the wireless operator?” - -“Gosh! Do you have to pull that stunt tonight? I’m half dead.” - -“So are a few other people. That’s why I’m going to pull it off tonight. -Snap out of it, old man. The fortunes, if not the lives of a lot of -people depend on what we’re able to accomplish.” - -“Well, what are we going to do? You never have spilled that plan of -yours. Not to me, anyhow.” He came into the cabin, drying himself with a -bath towel. - -“You order your chow,” suggested Bill. “If you haven’t used all the hot -water aboard ship, I want to get under that shower myself. When I’m -dressed and you’re in your right mind, I’ve got to hunt up Charlie and -see what he’s found out. We’ll be back later and I’ll explain the job in -detail.” - -He disappeared into the bathroom, closing the door after him to cut -short further argument. It was after seven o’clock by the time Bill was -dressed and ready to go on deck. He knew that Charlie would be in the -passengers’ dining salon, and that was out of bounds for the ship’s -officers. So leaving Osceola attending to a substantial dinner in bed, -he went above to the Palm Garden, where the officers’ mess was held. - -It was not a talkative crowd at dinner that evening. Every man at the -table was dog tired and conversation flagged in consequence. The meal -with its many courses seemed interminable to Bill. When at last it was -over, he excused himself, while the others were smoking cigars and -sipping liqueurs and went in search of young Evans. - -Weary sailors were hard at work with hose and swabs on the promenade -deck, getting rid of the accumulated grime of the coaling. Bill took a -turn round to the opposite side of the ship, where he encountered a -similar gang at work, but found no passengers about. Charlie was not in -the smoking room. Eventually he found him, listening to the orchestra, -which was playing in the lounge. - -Without appearing to recognize the youngster, he caught his eye as he -sauntered past, surreptitiously crooked a finger and went down to his -cabin. There he found Osceola fast asleep in his bed, with all lights -burning. He was wondering whether he should wake him then and there, or -let him sleep, when Charlie softly opened the door and entered. - -Bill put a hand up for silence, and led him into the bathroom. “Better -let the poor Chief get some rest,” he said, closing the door. “He’s been -going it night and day aboard that collier. He needs the sleep.” - -“Well, I don’t, that’s a cinch! We’ve been kept off the decks ever since -you fellows started coaling, and sleep was the only thing left to do. -Say—did you see the _Blake_ go down?” - -“No. I was sure they’d sink her, though, for the Baron told me he was -going to take her captain and crew aboard the _Amtonia_ and dispose of -her as soon as we got her coal. When did it happen?” - -“Just before dinner—about quarter to seven.” - -“I was cleaning up in here then.” - -“Well, I got a peach of a view from the smoking room windows, with Dad’s -field glasses. They cut the ropes and she drifted away from us. It -wasn’t five minutes later, when she gave a great lurch and went down bow -first. It certainly is a crime, the way the Baron sinks good ships. I -guess he had dynamite planted on board just like he did with the -_Merrymaid_.” - -“Very likely. But there’s nothing we can do about it, Charlie. Not yet -awhile. But tell me, what have you found out about that wireless room?” - -“Well, since that first evening when we captured the _Blake_, I haven’t -been able to get up there. But I did manage to get in soon after the -gunfire that night. I copped a couple of Dad’s cigars and gave ’em to -the guy who was on duty. These Heinies are a leadpipe cinch to kid. He -isn’t such a bad guy at that—showed me the whole business—everything he -had. I began to think he’s a swell fellow even if he is a pirate. I got -a book on telegraphy out of the library and I’ve been boning up on the -Morse Code ever since. That and sleeping. Say, I bet I could send a -message now. Receiving’s not so easy, though.” - -“Never mind that—” - -“But I’m sure I can, Bill—” - -“All right—I believe you—but lay off it. I want the dope first. How many -operators does this ship run to? Did you find that out?” - -“Yep. There’s three of ’em.” - -“How long are their watches?” - -“Four hours each. But sometimes they’re on for eight hours.” - -“What do you mean?” - -“Well, there are two on duty daytimes—” - -“Never mind that either—I’m not interested in their complete schedule. -How many operators are in the wireless room now?” - -“Only one. He’s doing his trick from eight till midnight.” - -“Good. Now we’re getting somewhere. How about from midnight on?” - -“Another guy comes on duty then.” - -“For how long?” - -“Till eight in the morning.” - -“He’s alone all that time? Are you sure?” - -“Yes. The other two lads relieve him then.” - -“Do you know the operator who will go on at twelve tonight?” - -“Well, I’m not sure. They vary their watches, you know.” - -“I suppose it doesn’t matter,” Bill said to himself. “Tell me, is the -door kept locked?” - -“No, but they generally keep it shut.” - -“Does the night operator sit facing it?” - -“No. His back is toward the door.” - -“Then that window in the wireless house must be to his right when he’s -sending or receiving?” - -“Yes, and it’s sure to be open now.” - -“Thanks, Charlie. You’ve done splendidly. Run along to bed now. Osceola -and I will attend to your friend later.” - -Charlie’s face fell. “Aren’t you going to let me in on this?” he -pleaded. “Oh, Bill, gee—I did all the work and you two are going to have -all the fun!” - -“Not much fun about it.” Bill grinned and was silent for a minute. -“Well, I reckon we can use you. But you must remember that this is a -very serious and dangerous business, Charlie. If anything goes wrong, -von Hiemskirk is quite likely to have us shot out of hand. You’ll have -to obey orders to the letter, and take no chances.” - -“All right, Bill, of course, I will.” - -“Okay. Then go to your cabin and turn in. And be back here at one -o’clock sharp.” - -Charlie’s face was transformed with joy. “Thanks, Bill!” - -“Run along now,” directed the older lad. “I’ve got a lot to do before -then. And be sure nobody sees you going or coming.” - -“They won’t!” promised the youngster. “Say, are we going to shoot this -operator?” - -“Certainly not, you bloodthirsty wretch. None of us will have guns. -Neither Osceola nor I have one.” - -“What _are_ we going to do then?” - -“Obey orders, kid. Get out of here now—I’m busy!” - - - - - Chapter XII - THE JOB - - -When Charlie had gone, Bill glanced at his wrist watch. It was just ten -minutes to nine. With a sigh of satisfaction, he picked up his cap. -Then, snapping off the electrics in the bathroom and the cabin, he, too, -went out. - -It had been impossible for him to make preparations for this venture of -his since its inception at the beginning of the week. As he went out on -deck and forward toward the bridge, he could hardly believe that no -longer ago than Monday morning, he had been flying his amphibian north -to New York, with Osceola as passenger. Then had come the _Merrymaid_, -and capture by these pirates, their flying submarine and the raider, -this huge liner whose decks he was walking. That afternoon had come the -_Orleans_ affair; in the evening the collier _Blake_ had been taken. -Tonight, only Thursday. After the monotony of three days’ coaling, the -adventures of Monday seemed far away, except when he stopped to realize -that ever since then he had had no leisure whatsoever to develop his -plan. - -“Good evening, sir.” The guard at the foot of the stair that led to the -bridge saluted, and Bill came back to the actual present with a start. - -“Good evening, Schmidt.” He returned the man’s salute, and recognized -him as one of his derrick’s crew. “You look so spick and span I didn’t -know you at first glance.” - -“Thank you, sir.” Schmidt smiled, keeping his rifle at present. “And I -feel a good bit more comfortable this way, sir. Coaling is filthy work, -Lieutenant.” - -“Nothing dirtier.” Bill nodded and passed on up the stairs. - -Above he found Lieutenant Schneider pacing slowly up and down. “Good -evening,” said Bill. “Mind if I join you for a few minutes?” - -“I shall be honored, Herr Lieutenant,” returned the officer. “An -unlooked-for pleasure. A beautiful night, is it not? But I surmised that -like the rest of the mess you turned in directly after dinner.” - -“I admit I’m tired,” Bill went on chattily, “quite as tired as the other -chaps, after the grind of the last few days. Chief Osceola was -completely done up. Had his dinner in bed, and I found him sound asleep -when I went below.” - -“Don’t speak of bed,” grumbled the officer. “I wish I were there now. It -is just my luck to be on duty tonight.” - -“I found the cabin hot and stuffy, so I thought I’d come up for a breath -of air before turning in. Heading more to northward, since we sank the -_Blake_, I see.” - -“Yes, the course is nor’nor’east now. Captain von Hiemskirk is heading -the ship for the transatlantic passenger ship lane.” - -“We don’t seem to be in any hurry, Lieutenant.” - -“No, our speed is only sixteen knots. Everybody needs a rest, and the -Herr Baron, being a wise man, is saving coal.” - -“It sounds foolish of me, a ship’s officer, to admit it, but I honestly -have only the haziest idea of our position now.” - -“I don’t wonder at that,” laughed Schneider. “The way we changed our -course during the past week would make a snake break its back. At noon -today we were in latitude 38 degrees north, longitude 62 degrees -west—and we aren’t far from there now at the rate we’ve been steaming.” - -“Mm—I thought we were much farther east,” remarked Bill, and then -changed the subject. - -As he had now gained the information he wanted, he chatted for ten -minutes more with young Schneider, then, wishing him good night, went -below to his cabin. - -Here he set the tiny alarm on his watch for twelve-thirty. From the -closet, he brought forth a civilian suit of his own, and one of -Osceola’s. These, together with two pairs of tennis shoes and two soft -felt hats that he found in their bags, he placed on the lounge. Again he -dug into the bottom of a kit bag and pulled forth a coil of rope, two -monkey wrenches and a flashlight. Placing these conveniently near the -clothing, he began to undress. Osceola still slept the sleep of -exhaustion. Without awaking him, Bill crept into his bed and turned off -the light. - -It seemed but a moment or two later, though in reality three hours had -crept away, when the tinkle of his alarm bell brought Bill back to a -sleepy realization of the job before him. He switched off the alarm and -sat up in bed. Osceola’s voice cut the throbbing drone of the ship’s -machinery. - -“What’s the big idea?” - -“Time to get on the job,” Bill murmured in a low tone. “Had you -forgotten it? Don’t turn on the light.” - -“No, I hadn’t forgotten. You said something about working out a plan of -yours tonight. But can’t we put it off for twenty-four hours? I’m -bleary-eyed, I’m so tired.” - -Bill got out of bed. “So is everybody else aboard this packet. And -that’s why we’re pulling it off tonight.” - -He tossed Osceola’s clothes on to the chief’s bed. “Here’s an old suit -of yours—get into it.” - -“Oh, if you say so—” yawned his friend. “What are we going to do with -those wrenches? Crack the Baron’s safe?” - -“What a pair of eyes you’ve got! I’d forgotten you could see in the -dark. No, you big galoot, this is not robbery you’re in for now. We’re -going to tie up the wireless operator. I want to do some broadcasting on -my own.” - -“So that’s the way the wind blows!” Osceola, fully awake now, was -pulling on his trousers. “I have to hand it to you, boy, when it comes -to action—you act!” - -“Come on—I know it’s risky business, but if we’re ever going to break up -this nest of pirates, we’ve got to have help.” - -“You’re going to wire our position to that cruiser who was on our trail -Monday?” - -“And to whomever else it may concern—yes, that’s the idea!” - -Osceola grunted. “And what is the Herr Baron going to be doing to us -while the cruiser is trying to catch us?” - -“Not a blooming thing, if the wireless man doesn’t spot who we are. I’ve -got a couple of handkerchiefs cut with slits for eyeholes. We can drape -them over our lovely features just like real thugs, when we get on -deck!” - -“Swell!” responded his companion. “Gimme one of those wrenches. I’m all -set if you are.” - -Bill glanced at the luminous dial of his watch. “We’ll give him three -minutes.” - -“Give who three minutes?” - -“Charlie’s coming with us.” - -“What? Not that crazy kid! He’s sure to gum the show.” - -“No, he won’t. And we need a lookout, Osceola. The youngster worked like -a hero, getting dope about the wireless routine. I know it’s a -responsibility to let him take the risk—but the chap was so keen on -being in at the death—I simply hadn’t the heart to refuse him.” - -“Well, so long as this is your party, I’ll say no more about dragging -Charlie into it. But I’d hate to be you if his mother finds out what -you’ve let him in for.” - -A crack of light appeared under the door, and Charlie opened it, slipped -inside and closed the door behind him. - -“Here I am,” he whispered. - -“Not really,” Osceola whispered back, “why, I thought it was Christmas -Eve and Santa Claus had come to fill my stocking!” - -“Try the other side of your bed when you get up next time, Chief,” -Charlie snickered. “Why the grouch? Don’t lose your nerve. If anybody -tries to hurt you, I’ll put salt on his tail.” - -Osceola laughed good-humoredly. “You young scamp, if you don’t cut the -comedy and do what you’re told tonight, you’ll think you’ve had salt -rubbed on yours, along with the hiding you’ll get from me.” - -“Thar she blows! thar she blows!” teased Charlie. “What a whale of a guy -you are, Chief!” - -“Pipe down—both of you!” commanded Bill. “You make more noise than an -old maid’s tea party. What do you want to do—wake up the ship?” - -“Well, let’s shove off then,” said Charlie in a lower tone, and started -for the door. - -Bill caught his arm. “Not that way,” he warned. “The ports to this cabin -are regular windows, and we’re going out through them. There’s less -chance of being seen.” - -“Shall I lock the door?” asked Osceola. - -“No. If we’re able to pull this off, it will be a case of speed in -getting back here. The door may be handier then. Come on—mum’s the word. -I’ll go first—” - -He stepped onto the window seat. A moment later he was through the broad -porthole, and out on deck. Not a soul was in sight. A nod to Osceola -brought the Chief to his side and they waited until Charlie reached the -deck. - -With Bill in the lead, they walked swiftly forward until they came to -the open stair leading up to the boat deck. Motioning caution, Bill went -silently up the rubber-coated treads with the others close behind. He -knew that once above, they would be in plain sight of the bridge. -Therefore, before reaching the stairhead, he dropped to his knees and -crawled up to the deck level, careful to keep his head below the -skyline. Then, turning back to Charlie, he drew the boy’s head close to -his lips. - -“I want you to stay here!” he whispered. “If anyone comes off the bridge -and makes for this stair, run down to the deck below and get out of his -way. When he’s gone, come back here. If anyone comes up the stair, crawl -into the shadow of that lifeboat. If you see anybody at all going toward -the wireless house, whistle twice and beat it back to your cabin, no -matter what occurs. Got it clear, now?” - -Charlie, tense with excitement and proud of the responsibility given -him, nodded mutely. Then he moved to one side while Osceola slipped past -him, to lie beside Bill. - -Diagonally across the deck from the stairhead aft of the ship’s second -funnel was a small superstructure, the little wireless house. Light -shone through the open window at the forward end of the structure. -Charlie, who had never seen an Indian travel over an open space when the -red man didn’t wish to be seen, was surprised to see Bill and Osceola -move forward flat on their stomachs. With the sinuous, wriggling motion -of snakes, the two slid across the starlit deck. In a few moments he -lost sight of them in the shadow of the ship’s great funnel. - -“Gee,” he thought. “That sure is some stunt. Some day I’ve got to get -one of those guys to show me how they do it.” - -In the obscurity of deep shadow, the two plotters got to their feet and -adjusted their masks. - -“Can you see all right?” whispered Bill. “I wasn’t sure about the -eyeholes.” - -“I can see. What next?” - -“Get that lad in the wireless house from the window. I’ll take the -door.” - -“Okay. Good luck!” - -“Good luck to you. I’ll wait until I hear you speak.” - -“I get you.” - -Keeping always within the shadow cast by the big stack, and careful to -avoid the broad ray of light from the open window, Osceola glided -swiftly toward his goal. - -The blond young man who sat at the open window, dozing, with a magazine -in his lap, awoke with a start. - -“Stick up your hands and keep them there!” muttered a low voice. - -Just outside the window, the dazed operator saw a white-faced blur in -the darkness. The grim figure behind the mask held a black object -pointed directly at his head. - -Like most North Germans, the wireless expert was a sensible young man. -He held up his hands. - - - - - Chapter XIII - RESULTS - - -The _Amtonia’s_ wireless operator heard the door at his back open and -shut. - -“Stand up!” ordered a harsh voice. - -The man obeyed immediately, his magazine slipping to the floor. He did -not turn to look at this second speaker. The shiny black object in the -hand of the ominous figure outside the window held his eyes like an -electric magnet. - -The chair in which he had been dozing was whisked away. Strong hands -gripped his wrists, brought his arms downward. With a speed and -thoroughness that bespoke nautical experience, a rope lashed his arms -behind his back, first at the elbows and then at the wrists. - -Next, a cloth was bound over his eyes. A gag, made of a rolled-up -handkerchief was stuffed in his mouth and fastened by a band of cloth -tied at the back of his head. He felt wads of cotton being placed in his -ears and his ankles were then strapped together. He was grasped by the -shoulders, caught round the knees and lifted to a narrow couch where a -cushion was slipped under his head. Deaf, dumb and blind, he -nevertheless knew that he lay on the locker which ran along the farther -side of the room. He also knew that locker to be little more than a -narrow shelf, and at least four feet from the floor. If he moved an -inch, he’d get a tumble. He therefore lay still and tried to imagine -which of the passengers he had to thank for his present predicament. - -“I reckon he’ll do,” said Osceola, studying the bound figure on the -locker. “It’s lucky he didn’t try to put up a fight. Things might have -got messy.” - -“Would you have, in his place?” Bill was taking in the details of the -room and spoke rather absently. - -“No—can’t say I would. The poor beggar was scared stiff. That wrench -stunt was a happy thought. In the darkness, I guess it passed darned -well for an automatic!” - -“Say, look at the map on the wall over there. These lads certainly have -a system!” - -“What are those colored pins stuck all over it supposed to be—ships?” - -“Yes. Ships within a radius of several hundred miles that have been -sending out radio messages.” - -“But how does he do it?” - -“Oh, I guess our little operator is clever all right. I’m no wireless -expert and there are a lot of gadgets in here that I don’t understand. -Undoubtedly they’re delicate instruments by which the operator is able -to determine the approximate distance and direction of any ship sending -out messages. You see, he keeps this map constantly before him, charted -with the probable positions of ships. He changes the pins when his new -readings seem to be in error. This is how the noble Baron knows exactly -what is going on in his neighborhood. Just as if he were looking down on -the sea from the moon with a telescope!” - -“That list up there beside the chart is the key to the colored pins, I -suppose.” - -“Sure. There’s the _Stamford_.” Bill pointed to a gray pin. “Well, -here’s where I get busy. The sooner that cruiser is put wise to our -position, the better.” - -“But how did you find out where we are?” Osceola looked his surprise. -“When have you had a chance to shoot the sun? Do you keep a pocket -sextant up your sleeve? Or are you just guessing?” - -“Nothing like that. A sight must be taken when the sun reaches it’s -highest point. I got the dope tonight from Schneider. While you were -asleep, I went on the bridge and got him to give me our position this -noon.” - -“But that’s more than twelve hours ago!” - -“Certainly. But I also found out the speed and direction we’ve been -steaming this afternoon and evening. Where we are now is a simple sum in -arithmetic.” - -“I know, but—” - -“Gee, fella, when we’re out of this mess, I’ll take a week or two off -and go into detail. But right now, I’ve got to raise the _Stamford_!” - -He sat down in the chair before the sending apparatus and adjusted the -earphones. Then his left hand sought the sending key and the room was -filled with the crash and snap of electric discharges. - -Osceola took up a pencil and pad from the table. For a moment he -scribbled, then placed the written sheet in front of Bill. - -“Go easy!” the message read. “You’ll wake up the whole ship!” - -Bill smiled and shook his head. He was sending call after call out for -the _Stamford_. In his right hand he held a pencil. Presently Osceola’s -note was passed back with a few lines scrawled below his own. - -“Don’t worry. These fellows are continually sending out fake messages in -order to gain information from other ships. I’ve heard them. If nothing -was sent during this watch, somebody on the bridge would be sure to -smell a rat.” - -Osceola drew up a chair and sat down. Fascinated, he watched Bill’s left -hand pressing the sending key, calling—calling—calling. The young -Seminole’s education had been academic, not scientific, and his -knowledge of radio was only rudimentary. Although the International -Morse Code of dash-dot letters was as much of a mystery to him as it is -to the average layman, he soon realized that his friend was sending out -the same short message over and over again. - -Suddenly Bill lifted his hand from the key. He smiled at Osceola, nodded -and commenced to write hurriedly on the pad before him. The Seminole -leaned over and watched intently. - -“This is the _Stamford_. Who calls?” he read. - -Again Bill’s supple fingers pressed out an answer—a long one this time. -And for the next fifteen minutes the crash and crackle of an electric -storm reverberated through the room. - -Presently he stopped. - -“You raised the cruiser, I take it.” Osceola only half stifled a yawn. - -“I did that, old sport!” Bill was delighted with his success. “Got all -the dope over in great style. Told the operator aboard her who I was and -a short story of our capture. Dad probably thinks we were both lost at -sea, you know. The _Stamford_, will relay a message, assuring him of our -safety. Then I tapped out details of this ship, the _Flying Fish_, their -crews and armament. Last of all I gave our position, course and speed. -By this time, she and some other craft of Uncle Sam’s are making tracks -for us.” - -“You’re sure a right smart feller, Bill.” - -Bill laughed. “I agree with you, Big Chief.” - -“About when do you reckon they’ll catch up with us?” - -“Sometime tomorrow—or, rather, this afternoon. And then—boy, oh, boy! -There will be one sweet little rough house!” - -“There’ll probably be one aboard this sweet little packet as you call -her, before that,” prophesied the Seminole. - -“How come?” - -“The Herr Baron is sure to raise an awful stink when he finds that lad -on the locker!” - -“We should fret over that. We’ll both be sleeping the sleep of the just -long before that time!” - -“Well, I vote we get out of here and right now. This ain’t a healthy -place for either you or me. And say, I’m dead enough to go to sleep -under an ice-cold shower!” - -“Wait a minute. We don’t want to leave any clues. Grab that paper I was -writing on, will you?” - -As he talked. Bill was busily engaged in undoing nuts and screws which -he stuffed in his pockets, snapping wires and playing general havoc with -the radio apparatus. - -“Smash that line of glass jars on the shelf with your wrench,” he added, -bringing his own down on the sending key with a crash. “There isn’t -going to be any radio business aboard the _Amtonia_ when our friends -arrive, if I can help it!” - -“What’s to stop the _Flying Fish_ getting wise with their wireless?” -inquired Osceola, who was systematically wrecking everything within -reach. - -“Oh, they haven’t much of a wireless outfit aboard the sub. This bunch -of junk in here was the one that counted.” - -“Bunch of junk is right—” Osceola stopped short. - -He stood facing a small mirror that hung on the wall above the wet cells -he had just destroyed. Reflected in the small oblong he saw the door to -the deck open slowly—and Baron von Hiemskirk walked into the room. - -“So!” he exclaimed harshly. “Passengers—mutiny!” - -He got no further. As Osceola jumped for the switch to snap off the -light, Bill dived through the air, tackling the commander just above his -knees. There came a crash as the Baron’s head hit the deck—then -darkness. - -Osceola ran to the doorway. The Baron lay prone. Bill was bending over -him. - -“Nine—ten—out!” said that young gentleman rather breathlessly. “Grab his -legs, big boy. We’ll move him inside. It’s a little too public out here -for comfort.” - -Together they carried the big man into the wireless house and deposited -him on the floor. - -“Here’s a bight of rope,” said Bill, switching on the light again. “Tie -up his ankles—I’ll attend to his wrists.” - -“Shall we gag him?” - -“No, he’s breathing pretty hard. Slight concussion, probably. The back -of his head hit the decking an awful crack. I don’t want him to choke to -death.” - -Osceola finished lashing the Baron’s legs together and stood up. “He’s a -right powerful brute. Got a pair of legs like tree-trunks. Say,” he -began to laugh, “I didn’t think our job would be done up as brown as all -this tonight! That was a swell tackle of yours. The longer he’s out the -better pleased I’ll be. That guy has never made a hit with me. I’m only -sorry I didn’t get a crack at him. If you’ve got an extra wipe, pass it -over. A blindfold won’t stop his breathing, and there’s no need for him -to know where he is when he wakes up.” - -“Okay. I’ve unhooked the collar of his blouse,” Bill said, surveying -their captive critically. “He’ll do. Give me a hand with the other guy, -now. I’m going to take out his gag and give him a drink.” - -“Going to leave it out?” - -“Sure, I’m no inquisitor!” - -“But how about it when the pair of them start yelling for help?” - -“With the door and window shut, this place is pretty well soundproof. -Anyway, the Baron isn’t likely to kick up much of a row—not for a couple -of days yet, if I know the signs. The operator couldn’t hear him if he -did. I’m leaving the cotton in his ears. Make it snappy—I want to beat -it while the going’s good.” - -A few minutes later, two dark figures crossed the boat deck to the -stairhead, ran lightly down and after climbing into their cabin by way -of the open port, hurriedly undressed in the dark. - -“By Jove!” Osceola paused in the act of removing a shoe. “I wonder what -became of Charlie?” - -“Oh, I guess he’s all right. I told him to vamoose if it looked like -he’d get caught. He’s probably sound asleep in his bunk by this time.” - -“Hope so. He’s a sassy brat, but I wouldn’t want him to get into trouble -with the lads who run this ship. They’re likely to turn nasty when they -find their beloved Baron has cracked his nut.” - -“Charlie,” said Bill, “is quite capable of taking care of himself. Put -away those clothes you were wearing. If anybody comes snooping round -here looking for clues, those civvies would give us away. I’m pretty -sure His Nibs didn’t recognize us. I ducked my head and the brim of my -hat threw my face in shadow. You had your back turned. Too bad, though, -we’d pocketed our masks—” - -“Confound!” Osceola sprang for the door. “I’ve got to go up there -again!” - -“But what on earth for? Leave well enough alone, guy.” - -“I’ve got to—it’s those handkerchiefs of yours, Bill.” - -“The ones we used as blindfolds? By gosh, you’re right.” - -“Of course I am. And we were idiots not to remember that all your wipes -are initialled! Well, that was a bloomer we both made.” - -Bill crawled into bed, and pulled up the sheet. - -“Oh, no, we didn’t,” he retorted sleepily. - -“How come?” - -“Har-har! Had you goin’, didn’t I? Why, I changed the one on the -wireless lad—found two in the Baron’s pockets, y’ see. The one you used -on him was his own—the other’s on his little roommate!” - -“Well, I’m a son-of-a-seacook! That’s a good one. I wonder if the rest -of the bunch will figure that ‘they done it all themselves’? Smart work, -Bill. You’re as full of ideas as Martinengo’s ship’s biscuit was of -weevils!” - -“Right the first and last time. Now shut up! I’m asleep.” Bill turned -over, his back to the room, and buried his face in his pillow. - - - - - Chapter XIV - TROUBLE AHEAD - - -“Isn’t that someone pounding the door?” - -“You tell ’em!” sleepily suggested the chief, covering his face with a -pajamaed arm to shut out the morning light. - -“Oh, Lord!” Bill groaned and crawled out of bed. He glanced at his wrist -watch. It was exactly seven-thirty. - -He unlocked the door and a steward clicked his heels together and stood -at attention. - -“Well?” growled Bill. - -“Commander Geibel’s compliments, sir—and will the gentlemen be good -enough to meet him at half past eight in the executive office for -officers’ conference.” - -“Right-o. Give Commander Geibel our compliments—and say we’ll be there.” - -“Thank you, sir.” - -Bill shut the door, and looked over at Osceola. The chief was fast -asleep again. Bill went into the bathroom, where an ice-cold shower -worked wonders. When he returned to the cabin after a strenuous rub with -a rough towel, he carried a dripping sponge with which he scientifically -massaged Osceola’s face. - -“Hey there! Cut it out!” The chief sprang from his bed as though he had -had an electric shock. - -“What’s the huge idea?” he stormed. - -“The Exec.” said Bill, “wants to see us at eight-thirty sharp. It is now -seven-forty-four. And we both want breakfast, I expect. Get under a -shower and you won’t feel so crabby.” - -“Um!” Osceola was considerably subdued by this news. “Think he smells a -rat?” - -“Oh, not a chance, so far as we’re concerned. We’d be in the brig by -this time if he did!” - -“Good enough!” yawned Osceola, scowling furiously as he stretched the -kinks out of his powerful arms. - -“Hop to it, then. I’m nearly dressed—and I’m hungry enough to eat -shoe-leather.” - -“All right, all right—don’t lose your shirt over it. I’ll be with you in -a jiffy.” The bathroom door slammed and again came the sound of rushing -water as the shower was turned on. - -At eight-thirty sharp the two lads found Commander Geibel seated at his -desk in the Executive Office, and took their places among the other -ship’s officers. There was none of the joviality which usually preambled -these meetings. The _Amtonia’s_ commissioned personnel seemed utterly -mute this morning. Instead of the accustomed good-natured chaff, the -various officers merely nodded to each other as they took their places -and sat down. Bill noticed that all wore expressions of deep solemnity, -yet the atmosphere of the cabin was charged with a current of tense -excitement. - -The nautical clock on the wall struck one bell. Commander Geibel, who -had been studying papers on his desk blotter, came to life. - -“Gentlemen—” he leaned forward, one hand on the papers before him, “I -have here the report of first assistant wireless operator, Miller. Had I -not seen Miller when he was first found with our beloved captain, I -could not have believed this outrage possible. We, who have prided -ourselves on the most efficient and strict discipline maintained on this -ship, can no longer be proud. As a number of you gentlemen already know, -at about one o’clock this morning, two passengers who were masked -overpowered Miller in the wireless room and wrecked the premises. While -these vandals were at work, the Herr Captain, Baron von Hiemskirk, -entered the room, where these ruffians surprised him.” - -“Pardon, sir,” interrupted the ship’s first lieutenant, -Lieutenant-Commander Beerman. “It is rumored that the Herr Baron is -seriously injured. Will you be good enough to ease our minds concerning -the Herr Baron’s condition? I understand that he was knocked -unconscious.” - -“That is so, Herr Beerman. I regret to tell you gentlemen that he is -still unconscious, and may continue in that state for a day or two. -Doctor Thierfelder diagnoses his condition as concussion—a slight -concussion only, I am thankful to say. The Herr Doctor, who is with him -now, believes that Baron von Hiemskirk received a blow from a blunt -instrument. Luckily, his service cap partially protected his head. With -care, and no complications, our Captain will probably be able to get -about again within a week.” - -“May I ask,” inquired Bill, “what punishment has been meted out to the -perpetrators of this dastardly crime?” - -“I am sorry to say that they have not been apprehended, Lieutenant.” - -“But I thought you spoke of two passengers, Herr Commander?” - -“Miller states that the two men were dressed in civilian clothes. One of -them at least had a revolver with which he menaced the operator, while -the other bound him. As you know, every passenger, upon boarding this -ship, was searched and his luggage thoroughly inspected for arms. -Another search of their cabins has been made this morning. No weapons of -any description have been found.” - -Lieutenant Schneider caught the Commander’s attention. “I was on the -bridge while this crime was being committed. During that time, I am -certain that messages were radioed from the wireless room.” - -“A very important fact, Herr Schneider, and one confirmed by Miller. Due -to the cotton that had been placed in his ears, he was unable to -decipher anything, but he is convinced that one or more messages were -sent.” - -“Could we not ascertain who among the passengers is capable of sending -such messages?” It was the Chief Engineer who spoke. - -The Executive Officer shook his head. - -“Of course all possible suspects will be questioned,” he said. “I doubt, -however, if we can learn much. Fifteen of our passengers are yacht -owners. Three more are high executives of broadcasting corporations. Any -of these men may understand wireless. On the other hand, all of them -will probably deny it. But this is not so important. Outside of -broadcasting a description of this ship, they can have sent little or no -information, as they have no possible means of ascertaining the ship’s -position. I must urge you all, nevertheless, to be more than ever on the -alert. Now, one thing more, and we may go to our various duties.” - -The Executive Officer cleared his throat and proceeded. - -“Baron von Hiemskirk keeps muttering over and over in his delirium, ‘_Er -ist einer Footballer_’—‘He is a football player—.’ These words may mean -nothing; on the other hand, they may be the means of identifying his -assailants. Until our beloved Captain regains his reason, nothing can be -done about it. Thank you, gentlemen, for your interest and attention. I -bid you all goodmorning.” - -The meeting dispersed, the officers going their several ways. Bill and -Osceola, having no duties to perform, strolled around the promenade -deck. - -“It is to be hoped that our beloved Captain does not regain his reason -until this ship has been captured by the battleships on her trail,” -muttered Osceola to Bill, mimicking the Executive Officer’s formal -manner of address. - -Bill nodded thoughtfully. “You said a mouthful, boy. I’m afraid you and -I will be in for it good and plenty if he wakes up beforehand. That -bunch we just left are a dumb crew. But there are no flies on the -skipper. He had our histories down pat from the newspapers when we met -him on the _Merrymaid_. He’s sure to know you play on Carlisle and that -I’m on the Navy eleven. What with our previous record, so to speak, in -the way of cleaning up dirty messes, that guy won’t miss any bets. We’ll -be judged on suspicion if nothing else.” - -“I wonder why Charlie didn’t warn us that the Baron was making for the -wireless house?” - -“Probably didn’t get a chance. If the kid had been caught, we’d have -heard of it before this. Schneider told me that all passengers are being -confined to their cabins, so we won’t see him today. Charlie and his -doings don’t worry me just now—but the weather does!” - -“What’s the matter with the weather?” - -“See that haze over there to the northward? We’re steaming into fog.” - -“You think that even if the _Stamford_ catches up to within firing -distance we might be able to elude her after all?” - -“That’s the big idea. In about half an hour we won’t be able to see ten -feet over the side.” - -“Well, maybe we’ll run through it by this afternoon. The _Stamford_ -won’t catch up to us for some hours yet.” - -“Maybe so,” replied Bill. “We’ve done all we could, anyway. From now on, -the job’s up to the Navy.” - -“Hello!” cried Osceola, as they swung round the end of the -superstructure and into the long stretch of deck on the port side. “Look -off yonder! What do you make that out to be?” - -Bill shaded his eyes. The glare of the smooth ocean was dazzling in the -sun. Away to the northeast a ship was nosing out of fog banks that lined -the northern horizon. - -“That looks to me mighty like a warship!” said the chief excitedly. “She -certainly is humping it, brother. But I thought the _Stamford_ was to -the south of us—and when she came, she’d come from behind!” - -“You’ve certainly got a pair of eyes—and she certainly _is_ a warship. I -can’t make her out very well at that distance, but she looks to me like -a first class cruiser of the Plymouth type. Dollars to ditchwater the -_Stamford_ wirelessed her! She’s heading for us all right, all right. -Oh, boy—there’s going to be something doing aboard this packet in two -shakes of a lamb’s tail!” - -“Thar she blows!” sang out the chief, as the gong and bugle sounded for -action. - -“And it’s quite time you and I beat it for our battle stations. -Everything is being made ready for attack. If we’re late, it won’t look -so good.” - -Osceola stopped and stared at Bill. “Don’t tell me that you, a -midshipman of the United States Navy, are going to help these bum -pirates fight one of your own battleships!” - -Bill looked at him and laughed. “Some patriotic little flagwaver, aren’t -you,” he jeered. “No, Herr Junior Lieutenant, I do not intend to shoot -at the _Plymouth_ or the _Reading_, or whatever’s the name of that -cruiser. Have you never played hare and hounds, Big Chief? Well, this -time, you and I and everybody on board are hares. Those two 117-mm. guns -forward, and the two on the poop are all right for scaring passenger -liners and bringing unarmed merchant-men to haul down their colors. But -they haven’t the caliber or the range of three-quarters of the guns -aboard that cruiser. This is going to be a race—not a battle! Beat it!” - - - - - Chapter XV - THE CHASE - - -By the time Bill reached his station on the poop, the quiet routine -aboard the liner had given way to activity. The _Amtonia_ was awake to -the heat and fever of desperate life. - -Lieutenant Schneider, who was in command of the gun, seized Bill’s arm. -“Bolton!” he cried, “look there—she’s changed her course! She’s going to -head us off!” - -Shading his eyes with his hand, Bill strained them toward the northern -horizon. The great molten surface of the sun was already half -obliterated by the spreading bank of fog that turned the sea to dull -amethyst. - -“I doubt it,” he replied. “If that fog keeps increasing, the visibility -will soon be too poor for the cruiser to get our range.” - -“There is Commander Geibel on the bridge. The ship is in good hands—that -is a blessing!” Lieutenant Schneider’s tone betrayed his excitement. - -“We’re sheering off to starboard—” said Bill. “That’s good news. It’s -going to be a close thing, just the same.” - -Schneider jumped on the rail and leaned outward in order to get a better -view of the forward end of the ship. - -“The Exec. has left the bridge!” he cried. “What’s happened now?” - -“Calm down! He’s probably run down the steps and crossed that gangway to -the foremast. Yes, there he is! See him? He’s climbed up to the lookout. -Gosh, that lad’s got a voice. You can hear him bellowing orders all over -the ship, I’ll bet.” - -“He’s a good officer,” admitted the Lieutenant, getting off the rail. -“Too bad the Herr Baron is not able to take command. He would use the -_Flying Fish_ to get us out of this mess.” He pointed to the submarine -racing along off their starboard quarter. “_Donner und Blitzen!_ I -believe she is going to submerge!” - -“The very best thing she could do, under the circumstances,” Bill -asserted. “What would you have her do—head over yonder and let go a -torpedo?” - -“Wasn’t she built for that kind of thing?” Lieutenant Schneider’s tone -was still nettled. - -“Perhaps she was, but not in a position of this kind. That cruiser would -blow her out of the water before she got near enough to make a torpedo -effective!” - -“If that’s the case, why don’t you go aboard her and get busy with her -in the air?” - -“And stop both the _Flying Fish_ and ourselves while a boat is being -lowered and I am ferried over to her? Even if the _Amtonia_ was able to -get away, the _Flying Fish_ would be blown to pieces long before she was -ready to take off. Weren’t you in the merchant service before you -shipped aboard this raider?” - -“I was—but why?” - -“Commander Geibel was an officer in the Imperial German Navy. He fought -through the war. I’ve never been in action before, but I’ve had a couple -of years at the U. S. Naval Academy and I know that our Commander is -doing the one thing possible to save his ships.” - -“Then I suppose you think it a waste of time and effort for us to be -manning the guns?” - -Bill laughed good-naturedly and clapped the incensed lieutenant on the -shoulder. “Let’s not fight about it. Clearing for action and manning the -guns is okay. It’s splendid discipline and helps the morale of the crew. -But you know just as well as I do, Schneider, that if we win out, coal -will do it, not gunpowder.” - -“I’m sorry,” apologized the German, and offered his hand. - -Bill took it, feeling rather silly. - -“Here it comes!” he cried a moment later, as a white cloud of smoke -enveloped the cruiser’s forward turret. - -“Missed!” exclaimed the lieutenant. “I can’t hand your compatriots much -on their shooting, Bolton. That shot didn’t come within a thousand -meters of the ship.” - -“That was just meant as a warning,” explained Bill. “Those gunners know -they aren’t yet within range of this ship. It’s the next five minutes -that’s going to tell the tale.” - -Lieutenant Schneider studied the battleship through his sea glasses. -“She’s steaming more to the eastward,” he remarked sharply. - -“And we’ve sheered off a point or two. The fog’s coming our way—and -coming fast. It’s getting darker by the minute. The sun’s almost washed -out. Gosh, this is better than a horse race. Doesn’t it give you a -thrill, Schneider?” - -The young officer grimaced. “Not the kind of thrill I enjoy, thank you. -If that cruiser suddenly blew up, I shouldn’t weep. There—she’s firing -again. Oh, if our guns could only carry over to her!” - -This time the projectile struck the water a bare twenty yards ahead of -the speeding liner. So close was it that those aboard the _Amtonia_ felt -the spray from the geyser that shot skyward. - -“We’re within their range, now, that’s a cinch!” Bill said calmly. - -“Do you think they’ll hull us, knowing that there are passengers aboard, -Bolton?” - -“They’re sure to, unless Commander Geibel puts on the brakes. It’s his -responsibility, not theirs. That last shot was an order to stop. The -Commander is paying no attention to it. He’s evidently decided to take -the risk. You can’t blame him. Give us another minute and we’ll be in -the fog. Those prisoners below-decks, or passengers, as you call them, -will have to take their chance with the rest of us—” - -There came a terrific crash which jarred the ship from end to end. Every -man of the gun crew was thrown to the deck. For several seconds the -_Amtonia_ trembled like a live thing in agony. Her speed slackened -materially. But before the dazed men could scramble to their feet, she -was blanketed in a protecting cloak of fog. Bells rang, men shouted -orders, and the wounded ship swung round to the northwest with a -suddenness that sent her over at a sharp angle while the crew went -rolling into the starboard scuppers. - -There was no more firing from the cruiser. The race, for the time being, -was over. - -“That,” said Bill, as he picked himself up, “is what I call a direct -hit.” - -“Don’t I know it!” stormed Schneider. “If my knee isn’t fractured it’s -no fault of this deck!” He limped over to the rail and leaned against -it. “Thanks be to Neptune for this fog—that’s a blessing, if nothing -else is!” - -“Never mind,” chaffed Bill. “When the skipper wakes up he’ll pin an iron -cross on you. First casualty, you know. Wounded in the line of duty and -all that—which reminds me,” he went on more seriously, “that there are -likely to be other casualties aboard. That shot struck somewhere aft, if -I know anything about it.” - -“Look here,” said Schneider. “I’ve got to remain with the gun crew until -we’re released from this duty. Suppose you go forward. See the -Commander, if you can. If he’s not on the bridge, speak to whoever is in -charge, and find out what the damage is. The ship is no more than -limping along now. I’m sure there is serious trouble somewhere. Tell the -Commander I’m standing by with these men and if extra help is needed, -they can get busy at once. There’s nothing to do here. Oh, I forgot to -say—give him my compliments. My knee is paining me so, I can hardly -think!” - -“Don’t worry,” chuckled Bill. “I won’t disgrace you. Bye-bye. I’ll fetch -some liniment from the dispensary on my way back, if I can.” - -He touched his cap and ran forward. - -En route he met several parties of men hurrying toward companionways, -but without stopping to question them, he made his way with all possible -speed to the steps which led to the bridge and raced up. There he -encountered Lieutenant Commander Hoffman, the navigation officer. He -came to attention three paces in front of the frowning officer and -saluted him. - -“Lieutenant Schneider’s compliments, sir,” he said crisply. “The -lieutenant wishes to know if his gun crew can be of service to you. He -knows, of course, that the ship was hit, but so far has received no -further information or orders.” - -“Thank Lieutenant Schneider for me,” the officer replied with all the -ramrod formality of the Imperial German Navy. “Say to him that the -schwein-dog cruiser shot off one of our propellers. What other damage -has been done, I have not as yet ascertained, but I believe it to be of -a minor character. Commander Geibel has gone below to investigate. Until -he returns, it will be well for the Lieutenant to stand by with his gun -crew and await orders.” - -“Aye, aye, sir.” Bill had been standing rigidly at attention while Herr -Hoffman discoursed. His first salute had been of the type that any Navy -Man would term “seagoing,” but into his parting gesture, he put all the -snap that only an Annapolis Midshipman is capable of. Turning smartly on -his heel, he ran lightly down the steps. - -“Perhaps that will hold him for a while,” he muttered, making for a -companionway. “Discipline is discipline, but that guy talks as if you -were bilge under his feet, the pompous, hard-boiled egg! Dollars to -ditchwater that pirate was either a C.P.O. or a Warrant when the -Dutchmen had a Navy. That kind are always the snootiest when they’re -sprouting gold stripes!” - -Which was gross libel, as it happened, but it soothed Bill’s feelings, -and he found himself whistling Yankee Doodle as he ran down to the -ship’s dispensary. - -“Lieutenant Schneider got a crack on the knee,” he told the mate in -charge. “Got a bottle of liniment handy?” - -“There’s enough stuff here to stock a hospital, sir. If the Lieutenant -is willing, I’ll go with him. All I’ve done on this voyage is to hand -out medicine and hold basins for seasick women. It will be a real -pleasure, if my officer permits. Herman can look after the shop.” - -“Your officer permits, all right,” laughed Bill. “Grab your bottle, -Jack, and come along.” - -“Thank you, sir,” beamed the man. He picked up a large black bag and -heaving it to his shoulder, strode down the passage after Bill. - -Back on the poop, Bill found Osceola talking to Lieutenant Schneider, -who seemed in considerable pain. While the dispensary’s man brought out -liniment and gauze and began to ease the young German’s suffering, Bill -delivered Lieutenant Commander Hoffman’s message. Then the two friends -moved over to the rail. - -“I’ve just come up from the engine room,” said the Seminole. “There was -a good deal of confusion below when the propeller was shot off, and the -engines were racing and all. Things have quieted down a bit now. The -chief told Geibel that the propeller was taken off clean as a whistle. -He went down the shaft-tunnel and found she was leaking a little through -the stuffing-box, but nothing to write home about. His men are attending -to that and we’re running on the other propeller now. Nobody hurt, I’m -glad to say.” - -“I don’t think the Commander will try to have another fitted onto the -shaft while we’re at sea,” remarked Bill. - -“No. That’s why I looked you up as soon as I could. I heard him tell the -chief engineer that it was his intention to make at once for their base. -They didn’t go into detail, but from what they said I guess it’s an -almost landlocked harbor on the Maine coast.” - -“That’s news,” declared Bill. “Good news! Once we’re in touch with land -our chances of escape will be a thousand percent better. Hello—” he -broke off, “what are these chaps up to?” - -Six seamen, armed with rifles, a Chief Petty Officer and Lieutenant -Brinkerhoff, whom they both knew slightly, were advancing along the deck -toward them. - -“Lieutenants Bolton and Osceola,” said the officer stiffly, “you are -hereby placed under arrest.” - -Bill’s eyebrows shot up. “And by whose orders—may I ask?” - -“By order of the Herr Baron von Hiemskirk,” thundered the officer. “You -gentlemen will come with me at once, if you please!” - - - - - Chapter XVI - PRISONERS - - -The seamen closed in about Bill and Osceola and they were marched off, -walking side by side. - -“Our noble Captain has evidently waked up,” said Bill in an undertone to -his friend. “Here’s where we catch it, good and plenty!” - -“You think then that he did recognize us last night?” Osceola’s voice -was lowered to a whisper. - -Bill nodded. “One or both of us. We can’t deny it, you know. He’d only -make it the worse for those innocent suspects Geibel was talking about.” - -“What do you suppose he’ll do?” - -“Shoot us—very likely.” - -“But, Bill—” - -Lieutenant Brinkerhoff’s acid voice cut him short. “My orders are that -you gentlemen will refrain from all conversation. You will be good -enough to obey.” - -Bill shrugged and Osceola nodded his acceptance of this dictum. They -moved forward in silence. - -With the ramrod form of Brinkerhoff leading the way, the little -procession filed along the decks until they reached the captain’s cabin. -Here the lieutenant knocked, then entered, closing the door. - -Presently he reappeared and beckoned them inside. Bill noted that two of -the armed seamen followed them over the threshold. Apparently the -wounded captain was taking no chances of further assault. - -They found Baron von Hiemskirk propped up in bed with a pile of pillows -at his back. Around his head was a linen bandage. He looked pale and ill -and seemed to be in some pain. Seated beside the bed Commander Geibel -watched him devotedly, and at the foot stood the ship’s doctor. - -At a sign from Brinkerhoff, the lads approached the sick man. He opened -his eyes and looked at them with a keen, appraising glance. - -“So—my young friends,” he sneered. “You couldn’t leave well enough -alone, but must try to interfere with the excellent routine of my ship, -eh?” - -“When you captured us last Monday,” said Bill, “and we had our chat -aboard the _Merrymaid_, I warned you that we would do our best to make -things hot for you and your crew if you insisted upon our working for -you. I believe you understood my warning. At that time you said that -your system was perfect. And that we were at liberty to do what we could -to disrupt it so long as we attended to the duties given us.” - -“Ah! So you do not deny wrecking the ship’s wireless last night, and -sending messages to enemy warships? Not to mention your attack upon my -person—and the vast amount of trouble your disgraceful conduct has -caused my officers and crew today?” - -“No, we do not deny it,” Bill asserted steadily. “Chief Osceola and I -did exactly what you describe. But believe me when I say that it was no -part of our plan that you should be injured. You have been courteous to -us on board here. We both regret your—accident.” - -“Thank you. But that does not alter the rest of it.” - -“No. My duty as an officer of the United States Navy is to break up your -pirate organization by any means in my power.” - -“And my duty, as Captain of this ship, is to have you both executed for -mutiny. You are aware of that, of course?” - -“I want to tell you, Baron,” Bill continued earnestly. “That I alone am -to blame. It was my plan and only mine. Chief Osceola worked under my -orders throughout.” - -Osceola took a step forward. “Oh, cut out all this formality!” His dark -eyes flashed, first on the Baron and then on Bill. “And don’t you try -taking all the blame yourself. I’m just as guilty as you are. What’s -more, you know right well that if I’d had my way I’d have thrown that -Hun welcher over the rail instead of bothering to tie him up!” - -“Be quiet, Osceola,” warned his friend. “I’m running our end of this -show.” - -“Not now, you’re not—by a darn sight, Bill! I’ve got a few words to say -to the captain myself. Baron von Hiemskirk,” he turned to the big man on -the bed, “do you realize that if you have us murdered, you put a rope -around your own neck and the necks of every one of your officers and -crew?” - -“One has to catch his fish before eating it,” said von Hiemskirk. - -“True. And every warship on the Atlantic has a description of this -particular fish by now. Are you egotist enough to believe that you can -buck the Naval forces of the world and get away with it? Don’t tell me -that you, who have made an enemy of all society by your racketeering and -piracy, spare crews and passengers of captured ships through any motive -of kindness! You are afraid to send them to the bottom. Why? Because, -Herr Baron von Bluff, you are afraid to kill them! You know the penalty -for murder—you have funked it every time.” - -“Ah! But not this time, young man. Secrets have a way of leaking out -aboard ship, I admit. But in your case we shall take no chances -whatever. In a day or two, you will be removed from the _Amtonia_ and -disappear completely and effectually, far from the haunts of men.” - -“If,” said Bill, “you think you will be any safer in the state of Maine -than you are on the high seas—” - -The Baron started up in bed. “And what do you know about the state of -Maine?” he thundered, visibly perturbed. - -“Only what I broadcasted last night,” grinned Bill. “As you remarked -just now, ‘secrets have a way of leaking out on shipboard.’ You have -implicit confidence in your officers and crew of course. Did it never -occur to you that there might be a traitor amongst your devoted band?” - -“Away with them!” shouted the Baron, now thoroughly angry. - -“Just one moment—may I say a few words?” - -The Baron was the type of bully who loves to see a victim cringe. From -the young Seminole’s tone, he was sure the lad was frightened, and that -he would beg for his life. - -“Make it short. What is it you want to say?” - -“Only this, sir. With such a captain, the Jolly Roger is no longer a -fitting ensign for this ship. May I, in all humility, suggest that -instead of a white skull and crossed bones on a black field, you -substitute a lollipop? A green one would be appropriate—and floating on -a broad field of bright yellow!” - -“T-take them away!” stuttered the Baron, purple with rage. - -As they were hustled along the passageway, they could hear him hoarsely -shouting invective after them. But as his further rantings were in -German, Osceola understood not a word of it. - -“What’s he saying?” - -“Plenty,” murmured Bill. “It would make me blush to tell you.” - -As the brawny seaman who had Osceola by the arm, reminded him of the -order for silence, Osceola merely chuckled. But he continued to do so -until they were far below the waterline in the very bowels of the ship. - -Eventually they came to a long passage running fore and aft. Electric -bulbs in the ceiling brightly lighted the corridor on either side of -which doors opened into tiny cabins, evidently the quarters for stewards -and the ship’s petty officers. Half way down a steel-barred gate blocked -this passageway from floor to ceiling. Before it lounged an armed -sentry. - -The man straightened to attention as the party approached. Brinkerhoff -presented a paper which he read carefully. - -“Very good, sir,” he pocketed the order and saluted. “All cells are -full, sir, except the first on the right. Better stick them in there.” - -He unlocked the gate while the Lieutenant pushed Bill and Osceola into -an empty cell. Without a word the officer slammed shut the door. The -gate clanged and they were left together in their prison. - -The cell boasted no illumination of its own. What light and ventilation -there was came through the door, which, like the gate in the passage, -was constructed of crossed bars of steel. It was no more than a -cubby-hole. There were two narrow bunks, one above the other on one -side; across from these, a washbowl and toilet. There was no other -furniture. Both the cell and the corridor were terribly hot and stuffy. - -“Well, this isn’t so bad, I’ve had worse quarters,” Bill remarked -philosophically. “When the Baron took over this ship and needed a -special brig for his prisoners, he slapped that gate into the passageway -and put others in place of the doors to these cabins. The sidewalls are -of wood. If we had some tools, it wouldn’t be such a job to get out of -here.” - -“Humph! but we haven’t any! And _if_ we had, and could cut our way -through into the next cabin, outside the gate, where would we go from -there?” - -They were speaking in whispers, for the sentry outside the gate was only -a yard or so from their door. - -“Well, we’ve been in worse fixes. This will take some thinking out,” -answered Bill. - -“Worse fixes?” Osceola’s shoulders moved impatiently. “I doubt it.” He -sat down on the edge of a bunk. “Just because these bozos have been more -or less polite, don’t get the idea they aren’t dangerous customers. That -Baron means to put our lights out. You got him worried when you sprung -that Maine story on him, and I purposely got him just as angry as I -could.” - -“What was your big idea?” - -“Why, I figured that when he thought it over later, it would lead him to -believe we really did have something up our sleeves—some certain means -of rescue or escape. A big bully like he is would reason that we’d never -have the nerve to bait him otherwise.” - -“You think it may help to postpone the—er—evil day?” - -“I am hoping so. If I size that guy up right, he’ll make watchful -waiting his cue for a few days anyway. He’ll want to see if anything -really happens before he puts his own head into a noose.” - -“And _when_ nothing happens, we’ll be put on the spot for that same -reason!” - -“Tomorrow’s always another day, Bill. Say, you’re not up to your usual -form this morning. I’ll bet you got no sleep last night. You’d better -turn in now and take a siesta.” - -“I’ll do that soon, Osceola. But I’m interested in our fellow prisoners. -You know, we’re lucky—our one consolation is that there wasn’t room in -this dump to separate us.” - -“You bet.” Osceola yawned and standing up, stripped down to a pair of -shorts. “I’ve got the dope on those lads,” he said, as he climbed into -the upper berth. “I heard Geibel telling the Chief Engineer that he’d -jailed all the suspects on the wireless business. We’re down here with a -bunch of multi-millionaires. Does that make you feel any better?” - -“It certainly does!” - -“How come?” whispered the chief from his bunk. - -“Why, don’t you see? With all the gaff we gave the Baron, he’ll suspect -we’re in cahoots with one or more of them—and keep them down here, where -they can’t help us.” - -Osceola grunted. “You’ve sure got it in for the poor money kings—what -have you got against ’em?” - -“Gosh, you’re thick!” snorted his friend. “So long as they fill the -cells we’ll be together. It’s a heap easier for us to get out of _one_ -cell, together, than it would be to get out of two, separately!” - -“Boy, you’re talking in circles. We now arrive at the fact, once more, -that we have no tools with which to get out! Take my advice and snatch a -nap. You need it worse than I do, and this little Indian is going -shut-eye right now!” - - - - - Chapter XVII - CHARLIE’S NOTE - - -For the next couple of days, Bill and Osceola sweated in their hot-box -of a cell. What with the heat, the lack of proper ventilation, and the -uncertainty of their fate, both lads sank into a state of mind that -bordered on despondency. - -The monotony of their existence was broken but three times a day, when -meals were brought to the prisoners’ cells by a steward. The man was -invariably accompanied by the armed sentry, who acted as turnkey. - -There appeared to be no possible means of escape. Day and night the -electric lights in the passage beyond the steel bars burned brightly. -The sentry outside the gate was relieved by another seaman every four -hours, with the change of watch. With nothing to read, nothing to do, -the lads spent most of their time lying in the bunks or taking turns -pacing the narrow confines of their cell. - -Sunday night, shortly after ten o’clock the tremble of the ship’s -engines stopped. The lads guessed that the _Amtonia_ had reached her -destination at last. Half an hour later they heard the sentry speaking -to someone in the passage just beyond the gate. Although the -conversation was carried on in German, Bill was able to get the gist of -it. - -“What’s the matter, Hans?” inquired the sentry. “Aren’t you going ashore -with the rest of the boys?” - -“Not me,” replied Hans. “I’ve got to start swabbing out bathrooms at -four o’clock.” - -“Well, I’m going,” the sentry declared, “just as soon as Otto relieves -me at midnight. It isn’t often we have the chance to stretch our legs -ashore and have a good time.” - -“If your idea of a good time is to swill American homebrew in a -speakeasy, it’s not mine,” the other retorted. “I’m from Munich, I am. -Good brown Lionsbrew for me. I can’t stomach the stuff they sell you on -this side. Anyway, I’ve been on my feet all day long. My legs get all -the stretching they want aboard this ship. I’m tired—good night!” - -The lads heard the door of the cabin next to them slam shut as Hans went -to his well-earned rest. - -“That,” laughed Bill, “is the first bit of comedy I’ve heard since we -landed aboard this blooming pirate. That Heinie’s a sensible man. We -might as well turn in, too. Tomorrow, I suppose, they’ll take us ashore -and stand us up against a stone fence. I for one don’t want to think any -more about it than I have to.” - -“Keep on talking—don’t stop!” said Osceola in a low voice. “Either Hans -or someone else next door is scraping on his side of the wall. I’ll try -to find out what it’s all about.” - -Bill nodded and immediately launched into a long account of the Army and -Navy football game in which he had played the previous fall. Meanwhile -Osceola climbed into the lower bunk, and lying flat, pressed his ear -against the wooden partition which separated their cell from the -bath-steward’s cabin. - -The slight scraping continued and presently the sharp-eyed Seminole saw -the point of a knife appear through a board. The slit slowly widened, -and a folded piece of paper was pushed halfway through. Osceola grabbed -it and scanned the writing that covered both sides. He passed it to -Bill, who accomplished the difficult feat of reading it while continuing -his story of the football game. The handwriting, though tiny, was -unformed and he guessed at once that the message was from Charlie. It -ran: - - “Dear Bill—Hans is my bath stewward. He is O.K. Have promissed Dad - will make him rich for life if he helps you and the cheif. He will cut - through the boards to your cell. Hang your blankits down over the edge - of your upper bearth so as to deden sound. He will push through - another knife so you can do some cuting. I think the other one better - talk or sing or something so the centry can’t here you cuting. If you - get away take Hans to. His name will be mud after this on board the - _Amtonia_. - - “Yours truley, - “Charles Evans.” - -Bill smiled broadly as he pocketed the boyish, misspelled note. Then, -still keeping up his endless monologue anent football, he hung the -blankets, forming a curtain which completely shut in the lower bunk. -Osceola was already at work with a knife that Hans had passed through -the opening. - -Bill continued to talk for the next twenty minutes, but then he pulled -aside one corner of the blanket. The bunk was like a bake oven. Osceola -was sweating from every pore. - -“My turn now. Come out, and don’t forget to talk.” - -Osceola handed the knife to Bill, grabbed his clothes and slipped out of -the bunk. - -Immediately Bill climbed in and divested himself of the underclothes he -wore. Because of the heat, neither of the lads had been clothed in more -than their undershirts and shorts since their incarceration. As the -blanket dropped back into place, he heard Osceola begin a recital of -some hunting trip he had taken down in the Florida everglades. He was -surprised to find how the double blankets deadened the sound of his -friend’s voice. - -It was pitch dark in the bunk. He was just beginning to wonder exactly -where he should get to work when a light appeared through two parallel -slits in the wall-boards. These, he saw, were about three feet long and -perhaps a foot and a half apart. From the cabin beyond the voice of Hans -came in a sibilant whisper. - -“If the Herr Lieutenant will be good enough to start cutting across the -boards from the bottom of one slit to the bottom of the other? I shall -work on the top end. It is not necessary to tell the Lieutenant not to -press too hard with his knife. The sound of splintering wood can be -heard in the passage. There is no need to disturb the sentry—just yet.” - -Bill heard the steward chuckle. Then, except for the very slight sound -of the knives as they cut across the grain of the wood, no other came to -his ears save the low mumble of Osceola’s voice beyond the blankets. - -It was hard work and tedious, slicing across the grain of the boards. -The heat made Bill dizzy, and he stopped frequently to wipe away the -sweat that streamed down into his eyes. After what seemed an endless -age, Hans spoke again. - -“I have cut through to the farther slit, sir. Will the Herr Lieutenant -be good enough now to place the palm of his hand against the piece that -is to come out? There must be no cracking of the wood when we remove -it.” - -“Okay,” whispered Bill. - -Less than five minutes later, he completed his job. Hans took the panel -they had cut from the wall and switched off the light in his cabin. - -“Stand by,” said Bill. “We’ll be with you just as soon as I can get a -drink and put on my clothes.” - -“Very good, sir,” returned the man, and Bill climbed out of the bunk. - -He went at once to the washbasin where he rinsed out his mouth and drank -a few swallows of the tepid water. A quick sluice and a rubdown -followed. Then he got quickly into his white linen uniform. Osceola, who -was already dressed, spent the time in taking down the blankets, folding -them and tossing them onto the upper berth. Far down the passageway they -heard a bell tinkle eight times. - -“Midnight,” said Bill, in a low tone. “Yes, there’s Otto, relieving our -weary sentry at last. We’ll give him five minutes to vamoose, then we’ll -get out of here.” - -That seemed the longest five minutes of their lives. They kept their -eyes glued on the luminous dials of their wrist-watches. - -“Time’s up!” said Bill at last. - -“To the second,” was the Seminole’s sole comment. One after the other -they got into the lower berth and squeezed through the opening in the -wall. - -“What’s the plan now, Hans?” Bill whispered in the darkness. - -“With permission, sir, I will go into the passage and talk to Otto, who -is on watch now. I will leave the cabin door ajar, sir, and as soon as -his back is turned, it will be well if the gentlemen come out and—” - -“Scrag him,” Bill supplied. - -“That’s it, sir. Here are four pieces of rope and a gag. That ought to -be enough to keep Otto quiet. Will the gentlemen please take me with -them,” he asked somewhat diffidently, “when they leave the ship?” - -“You bet we will!” said Osceola. “Only don’t be so darned polite. You -make me nervous. Cut along now, we’ll attend to Otto just as soon as you -get him facing the right way.” - -“Very good, sir. Thank you, sir.” - -Hans opened the door and went out, leaving it slightly ajar. From the -shadows beside it, the lads saw him approach the sentry, who lounged on -a stool by the gate. - -“Too hot in there to sleep,” remarked Hans. “I’m going above to catch a -breath of air.” - -“Wish I could!” The sentry placed his rifle against the wall. “This ship -is an oven below-decks. Practically the whole port watch has gone -ashore. Just my bad luck to be stuck down here.” - -“Look at the size of that rat!” exclaimed the steward, pointing down the -prison corridor. - -“Where?” Otto swung round toward the barred gate. - -Hans immediately caught up the rifle and pressed the muzzle against the -man’s side. “One peep out of you,” he muttered, “and I’ll give you a -bellyful!” - -Otto stared at him dazedly. Before he could decide whether or not to -make a move, Bill thrust the gag in his mouth, while Osceola caught his -wrists and lashed them fast behind his back. - -It took only a moment longer to tie up his ankles. Otto was laid on the -floor, and with Hans in the lead and carrying the rifle, the three -hurried down the passage away from the gate. - - - - - Chapter XVIII - THE FLYING FISH PLAYS ITS PART - - -Hans led them up through the galleys and pantries into the First Class -Dining Saloon without encountering a single soul. They went boldly up -the main staircase to the promenade deck, which seemed deserted. A small -figure hiding in the shadows ran up to them, and Charlie gripped his -friends’ hands. - -“Never mind the thanks,” he whispered. “We’ve got to work fast. There’s -an armed seaman at the gangway head. We must quiet him first. Then we’ll -take the ship’s boat that’s moored below.” - -“Okay, boy.” - -Without another word, Bill walked up to the gangway sentry, who -immediately brought his rifle to the present. - -“There’s rust on that barrel,” growled Bill and held out his hand. “I -can see it even in this light.” - -“But—but I think,” stammered the sentry, “that my officer is mistaken!” -He passed over the gun without suspicion. - -Immediately afterward, he found himself in the same dilemma Otto had -encountered ten minutes earlier. Tied up and gagged with a handkerchief, -he was deposited behind a pile of deck chairs. - -His captors wasted no further time. They ran down the gangway and piled -aboard the skiff moored to the grating. Hans got out the single pair of -oars, Osceola unloosed the painter, and Bill, who seated himself beside -Charlie in the stern, steered their small craft away from the ship. -There were men on the _Amtonia’s_ bridge but they received no hail to -return. - -Bill looked about. Although there was no moon, the brilliant starlight -gave ample light for him to size up his surroundings. He found that they -were floating in a large cove or harbor almost landlocked. The body of -water was eggshaped; perhaps a mile long by half that distance in width. -The shores were rocky, with black patches of sandy beach. Beyond grew a -dense forest, except at one end of the bay, where twinkling lights -marked a small settlement. The outlet to the ocean was narrow, and -guarded by high cliffs. It was a perfect retreat for the Baron and his -pirates. - -Charlie piped up in his boyish treble. “The _Amtonia’s_ absolutely -hidden by those heads from any ship passing up or down the coast. The -harbor entrance makes a right-angled turn half way to the sea. I heard -Lieutenant Brinkerhoff say that a warship passed the mouth, going west, -about eleven-thirty. The lookout on the head signalled in. Brinkerhoff -was laughing about it, I guess it made him feel good.” - -“Well, his break is ours now,” declared Bill. “And there’s another one -for us!” - -He pointed to where the _Flying Fish_ lay moored, with her wings spread, -a few hundred yards away. - -“It’ll be hot as Tophet in her hull tonight! Row on, Hans. We’re going -over there to pay a visit. By the way, does anyone know exactly where we -are?” - -“Yes, sir,” replied the man, “this harbor is on the coast of Maine. -Washington County, I think, sir—not very far from Englishman’s Bay.” - -“Good enough! What are those lights yonder?” - -“You might call that our private Navy Yard, sir. It’s the Baron’s shore -base. He keeps a crew on duty there, while the ships are at sea. There -are storehouses, a machine shop, the men’s quarters and a store. It’s -ten miles back to the railroad. He owns all the shore acreage -hereabouts. A high wire fence shuts in the property from all outsiders. -There are one or two big estates up and down the coast, but the nearest -house is a good three miles away.” - -“How are the roads?” - -“There’s no road along the coast, sir. The one from the base runs back -to the little town on the railroad. It’s in very bad condition, sir. -There is no other way out.” - -“Thank you, Hans. You’re a treasure-house of local knowledge.” - -“Thank _you_, sir. May I make a suggestion?” - -“Fire away.” - -“My brother, August, is deck watch aboard the _Flying Fish_, sir. -Usually, in port, only one man is kept aboard her. August does not like -this life. Like me, he was shanghaied into it. Once with this outfit, -there is no getting away, unless by a miracle, like tonight, sir. August -speaks no English. May I ask him to join us?” - -“By all means, Hans. It will save a lot of trouble. Offer him what Mrs. -Evans said she would give you. I will see that it is paid.” - -“Very good, sir. Thank you, sir.” - -They were close to the converted submarine now. On the narrow deck, -abaft the motors a man was seated on a camp chair, smoking. He stood up -as the boat approached. - -Hans hailed him and for several minutes the two brothers hurled harsh -gutturals at each other. Bill guessed them to be speaking a low Bavarian -dialect of German. He failed to understand a single word of what they -said. - -“He wants me to thank you—he will come,” Hans asserted presently. - -“What a polite family you are—” chuckled Bill. “Let’s get aboard.” - -Fifteen minutes later those officers and men who had remained on deck -aboard the anchored pirate ship were astonished to see the _Flying Fish_ -taxi down the harbor and take the air. A few seconds later her tail -lights disappeared into the dark beyond the headlands. Aboard the -_Amtonia_ orders were shouted, bells clanged, and presently the whining -howl of her siren awoke the echoes of the night. - -Half an hour passed. Bill, at the wheel of the _Flying Fish_, leaned -forward, his eyes focussed on a pinpoint of light far below and about -ten miles ahead of the speeding airplane. - -“There she is on a bet,” he said to Osceola, who was in the other -pilot’s seat. - -“You mean the warship Charlie told us about? What makes you so sure?” - -“I’ve got a hunch, that’s all. Anyway, nothing but a fishing boat or one -of the little steamers that put in at the small seaports along this part -of the coast would be so close to shore. That’s a big ship out there. I -think I’m right about her.” - -Bill’s hunch was correct, as the two in the cockpit presently saw. - -“It’s the _Stamford_, or her twin!” he declared. “Uncle Sam sure is on -the job!” - -Catching up with the cruiser, he circled her three times. Then the -_Flying Fish_ darted ahead, landed and came to rest half a mile beyond. -By the time the warship hove to beside them, Bill had a sea anchor out -and was waiting on the heaving deck. He held a megaphone in his hand. -Beside him, staring at the big cruiser, stood Osceola, Charlie, Hans and -August. - -“What craft is that?” came a hail from the warship’s bridge. - -“The convertible submarine-seaplane, _Flying Fish_, Midshipman William -Bolton in command,” Bill yelled back. “She was part of von Hiemskirk’s -pirate outfit. She belongs to Uncle Sam now. We captured her less than -an hour ago. Are you the _Stamford_?” - -“You’ve guessed it!” spoke a jubilant voice. “Commander Brown speaking,” -it went on, “are you the chaps who sent out that wireless?” - -“Yes, sir.” - -“Congratulations, Mr. Bolton. Where is the _Amtonia_?” - -“At anchor in a small harbor a few miles up the coast, sir. One of her -propellers was shot off in the scrap the other day. She hasn’t got steam -up, or didn’t have, when we left—so I guess she’s still there.” - -“Good! Take off at once and lead us to her.” - -“Aye, aye, sir. There’s plenty of water but the channel to the harbor is -a narrow one between twin heads. You’ll have to be careful.” - -“Thank you, Mr. Bolton. Any other suggestions?” - -“Yes, sir. Please wireless to the state constabulary to guard the road -from Twin Head Harbor to Clayton. That’s the only way von Hiemskirk and -his crew can escape by land.” - -“We’ll attend to it at once,” said the Commander. “Cut along now. We’ll -follow you, so don’t get too far ahead.” - -“Aye, sir,” said Bill, and sent Hans forward to haul in the sea anchor. - -The first pale rays of summer dawn were brightening sea and land when -the _Stamford_ navigated the entrance between Twin Heads and pushed her -wicked snout into the harbor. At the same instant, Bill landed the -_Flying Fish_ on the calm water. - -Through the cockpit windows Bill saw that the _Amtonia_ was raising her -anchors. - -“Von Hiemskirk was all set to run for it,” he said to the chief. - -“But he wasn’t quite quick enough,” grinned Osceola. “Next stop, -Atlanta, for that bunch. There’s mighty little pirating to be done in a -federal prison!” - -“They’re hauling down the Jolly Roger!” cried Bill. “Well, that cuts it. -Somebody will be sending a boat over here after awhile. Let’s see if we -can rustle some chow in the meantime. I’m starved!” - -The boat came alongside shortly after the five aboard the _Flying Fish_ -had finished doing justice to a very substantial breakfast. And all five -were on deck when the ensign in charge came over the side. - -“Mr. Bolton?” inquired the young officer, as Bill stepped forward. - -“Himself,” smiled Bill. - -“I’m Pierce, of the _Stamford_.” The two shook hands. - -“Commander Brown’s compliments,” he continued after Bill had introduced -the quartet, “he wishes you to come aboard the _Amtonia_. We wirelessed -the news, of course, and have just received a message of thanks -addressed to you, signed by the President. You are to go to Washington, -just as soon as this business here is cleaned up. In fact, the President -wants to meet the five of you.” - -“I bet Bill will get the Congressional Medal!” shrilled Charlie. - -“I shouldn’t be surprised,” smiled Pierce. “Gosh!” he exploded, “this is -a big thing you fellows have put over!” - -“But Bill was the brains of it,” said Osceola. - -“Without everybody’s help,” said Bill, “we never should have pulled it -off.” - -“Cut the argument,” laughed Ensign Pierce. “The skipper is waiting, and -so are several hundred delighted passengers.” - -“That’s just it,” protested Bill, “I’d rather be shot than face that -mob!” - -“_Not me!_” said Charlie. “Gee, it’ll be swell! Because I was the -youngest on board, everybody took pleasure in jumping on me. Now I can -tell them all where to shove off! Let’s go!” - - - THE END - - -Those who read and enjoyed this book and the one preceding it, (_Bill -Bolton—Flying Midshipman_) will want to read the next of this series, -_Bill Bolton and The Hidden Danger_. - - - - - Transcriber’s Notes - - ---Copyright notice provided as in the original—this e-text is public - domain in the country of publication. - ---Silently corrected palpable typos; left non-standard (or amusing) - spellings and dialect unchanged. - ---In the text versions, delimited italics text in _underscores_ (the - HTML version reproduces the font form of the printed book.) - - - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Bill Bolton and the Flying Fish, by -Noel Everingham Sainsbury, Jr. - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BILL BOLTON AND THE FLYING FISH *** - -***** This file should be named 63394-0.txt or 63394-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/6/3/3/9/63394/ - -Produced by Al Haines, Stephen Hutcheson & the online -Distributed Proofreaders Canada team at -https://www.pgdpcanada.net - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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clear:both; font-variant:small-caps; } - .toc dt.sct { text-align:right; clear:both; font-variant:small-caps; margin-left:1em; } - .toc dt.jl { text-align:left; clear:both; font-variant:normal; } - .toc dt.scc { text-align:center; clear:both; font-variant:small-caps; text-indent:0; } - .toc dt span.lj { text-align:left; display:block; float:left; } - .toc dt.jr { font-style:normal; } - .toc dt a span.cn, .toc dt span.cn, dt span.cn { width:3.5em; text-align:right; margin-right:.7em; float:left; } - dt .large {font-weight:bold; } - -.clear { clear:both; } -.htab { margin-left:8em; } - /* MAXWIDTH FOR JUVENILE BOOKS */ - p, blockquote, li, dd, dt, div.bcat, pre { text-align:justify; margin-right:auto; margin-left:auto; } - p, li, dd, dt, div.bcat, pre.internal dl { max-width:25em; margin-right:auto; margin-left:auto; } - p.csmall { max-width:31em; } - p.csmaller { max-width:42em; } - p.csmallest { max-width:40em; } - blockquote { max-width:23em; } - div.verse { max-width:25em; margin-right:auto; margin-left:auto; } - div.bq { margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto; max-width:23em; } - - /* book advertisements */ - div.bcat dl dd { margin-left:4em; max-width:21em; } - div.bcat dl dt { text-indent:-2em; margin-left:2em; } - p.bkad {font-size:125%; font-weight:bold; margin-top:2em; max-width:20em; margin-right:auto; margin-left:auto; } - p.bkpr {font-size:90%; } - p.bkrv { } - dl.blist dt { margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; } - dl.blist, dl.biblio { margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto; max-width:25em; } - - dl.int { margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto; max-width:25em; } - dl.int dt {margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; } - dl.int dd {margin-left:2em; } -</style> -</head> -<body> - - -<pre> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Bill Bolton and the Flying Fish, by -Noel Everingham Sainsbury, Jr. - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Bill Bolton and the Flying Fish - -Author: Noel Everingham Sainsbury, Jr. - -Release Date: October 6, 2020 [EBook #63394] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BILL BOLTON AND THE FLYING FISH *** - - - - -Produced by Al Haines, Stephen Hutcheson & the online -Distributed Proofreaders Canada team at -https://www.pgdpcanada.net - - - - - - -</pre> - -<div class="img"> -<img class="cover" id="coverpage" src="images/cover.jpg" alt="Bill Bolton and the Flying Fish" width="500" height="789" /> -</div> -<div class="box"> -<h1>BILL BOLTON -<br /><i><span class="smallest">and the</span></i> -<br /><i>Flying Fish</i></h1> -<p class="center"><span class="small">BY</span> -<br /><span class="sc">Lieutenant Noel Sainsbury, Jr.</span></p> -<p class="center"><span class="small"><i>Author of</i> -<br />Bill Bolton, Flying Midshipman -<br />Bill Bolton and the Flying Fish -<br />Bill Bolton and Hidden Danger</span></p> -<p class="center"><span class="large">★</span></p> -<p class="tbcenter">THE GOLDSMITH PUBLISHING CO. -<br /><span class="smaller">CHICAGO</span></p> -</div> -<p class="center small"><span class="sc">Copyright, 1933</span> -<br /><span class="sc">The Goldsmith Publishing Company</span> -<br />MADE IN U. S. A.</p> -<p class="tbcenter"><i>To</i> -<br /><span class="sc">Philip Malseed</span></p> -<p class="center"><i>grandson of a Marine Engineer, and who may become one himself some day</i>.</p> -<h2>CONTENTS</h2> -<dl class="toc"> -<dt class="jr"><span class="jl"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span></span> <span class="small">PAGE</span></dt> -<dt><span class="cn">I </span><a href="#c1"><span class="sc">The Derelict</span></a> 15</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">II </span><a href="#c2"><span class="sc">Surprised</span></a> 30</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">III </span><a href="#c3"><span class="sc">Man Overboard</span></a> 42</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">IV </span><a href="#c4"><span class="sc">Vandals of the High Seas</span></a> 58</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">V </span><a href="#c5"><span class="sc">The Transformation of a Sea Monster</span></a> 72</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">VI </span><a href="#c6"><span class="sc">The Raider</span></a> 84</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">VII </span><a href="#c7"><span class="sc">Aboard</span></a> 96</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">VIII </span><a href="#c8"><span class="sc">Piracy</span></a> 109</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">IX </span><a href="#c9"><span class="sc">The Baron’s Methods</span></a> 122</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">X </span><a href="#c10"><span class="sc">Bill Starts In</span></a> 133</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">XI </span><a href="#c11"><span class="sc">Dangerous Business</span></a> 146</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">XII </span><a href="#c12"><span class="sc">The Job</span></a> 163</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">XIII </span><a href="#c13"><span class="sc">Results</span></a> 176</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">XIV </span><a href="#c14"><span class="sc">Trouble Ahead</span></a> 190</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">XV </span><a href="#c15"><span class="sc">The Chase</span></a> 202</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">XVI </span><a href="#c16"><span class="sc">Prisoners</span></a> 215</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">XVII </span><a href="#c17"><span class="sc">Charlie’s Note</span></a> 228</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">XVIII </span><a href="#c18"><span class="sc">The Flying Fish Plays Its Part</span></a> 239</dt> -</dl> -<div class="pb" id="Page_15">15</div> -<h1 title="">Bill Bolton and The Flying Fish</h1> -<h2 id="c1"><span class="h2line1"><span class="sc">Chapter I</span></span> -<br /><span class="h2line2">THE DERELICT</span></h2> -<p>“There’s something wrong over yonder, -Osceola.”</p> -<p>“Where, Bill? What are you talking -about?”</p> -<p>The young Seminole chief spoke from the -rear cockpit of Bill Bolton’s two-seater amphibian, -into the transmitter of his headphone -set. Bright August sunshine painted a calm -Atlantic brilliant blue two thousand feet below -the speeding airplane. Cirrus clouds like fleecy -wisps of carded wool flecked a light blue sky -which melted into the sea on the unbroken circle -of their wide horizon. Since passing Cape -Hatteras Light Ship flying north a quarter of an -hour before, neither lad had seen a single thing -to relieve the monotony of an empty ocean.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_16">16</div> -<p>“I thought my eyesight was better than -average,” Osceola continued, scanning the -horizon, “but I don’t see a blessed thing.”</p> -<p>“It’s more habit than good vision—spotting -something at sea,” returned Bill from his place -at the controls. He clapped a pair of field -glasses to his eyes. “There’s a single stacker off -our starboard quarter. She’s almost hull down -to the horizon. I’ve been watching her off and -on for the past five minutes, and I’ll swear -she hasn’t moved an inch. What’s more—the -glasses don’t show the slightest sign of -smoke.”</p> -<p>“I can make her out now. Think she’s worth -while investigating?”</p> -<p>“Yes, I do. There’s something queer about -that ship.”</p> -<p>“Why not investigate then?”</p> -<p>“That’s my idea. The people on board may -be in a bad way. It’s our duty to be of help if -we can.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_17">17</div> -<p>“I’m with you, but—how about the time, -Bill? You father expects us in New York this -afternoon.”</p> -<p>Young Bolton banked to starboard, then -neutralized his ailerons when the plane’s nose -was headed toward the dot on the horizon.</p> -<p>“The airline distance between Miami and -New York City is one thousand and ninety-five -miles,” said Bill, applying a normal amount of -right rudder to offset the torque. “We’re a good -deal better than half way now, and we’ve made -swell time with this light wind on our tail all -the way. Don’t worry, you’ll see the Statue of -Liberty before they turn the floodlights on her -tonight.”</p> -<p>“Okay. Your father is such a grand guy—he’s -been so wonderful to me and my people -ever since we cleaned up that Martinengo -gang—I’d hate to disappoint him. And especially -so now when he is giving me this trip -north.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_18">18</div> -<p>“I savvy,” Bill replied. “I’m pretty fond of -Dad myself—but he’d be the last person in the -world to suggest we pass up anything like this, -you know.”</p> -<p>He brought the glasses to his eyes again and -stared through them for a full minute without -speaking.</p> -<p>“The nearer we get, the queerer she looks,” -he muttered finally.</p> -<p>“Some kind of a yacht, isn’t it?”</p> -<p>“It is. And a whopping big one. But that’s -not the point, Osceola. She’s not moving, yet -she hasn’t broken out her breakdown flag at the -fore. She isn’t even flying her colors.”</p> -<p>“I can’t see anyone on board.”</p> -<p>“Neither can I—and still, if she was -abandoned after sunset yesterday when her -colors had been hauled down, why doesn’t she -show her three red lights in vertical line—that’s -the sign of a ship not under control?”</p> -<p>“Some mystery!”</p> -<p>“I should say you’re right, Osceola. And -what’s more, I don’t like it—not one little bit.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_19">19</div> -<p>Bill banked until the amphibian was headed -into the teeth of the light breeze. With the -wings level once more, he closed the throttle -and pushing his stick forward, sent the plane -into a normal glide. At an altitude of about -twenty-five feet, he began to break the glide -with a slow backward movement of the stick. -With expert precision he gradually decreased -their gliding angle until they were in level flight -with the bottom of the hull perhaps a foot above -the water. Although the plane was steadily -losing speed he did not yet permit his craft to -make contact; but continued to pull back the -stick gradually raising the nose and depressing -the tail.</p> -<p>Like every other trained aviator he knew that -as a plane approaches the stalling point, its nose-heaviness -increases sharply and the stick must be -pulled farther back to compensate for this. -When his point of stall was reached, Bill pulled -the stick fully back, completing the stall. The -step of the hull made contact. There was no -rebound. For an instant, the plane skimmed the -surface, then floated forward. A few yards to -windward lay the yacht, broadside to the gentle -ground swell.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_20">20</div> -<p>Bill ripped off his headgear.</p> -<p>“Slap your feet on the pedals, Osceola,” he -called. “Keep her headed for that gangway -amidships. She’ll fetch it all right!”</p> -<p>Without waiting for a reply, he caught up a -looped mooring line and climbed out of the -cockpit. An instant later he stood on the heaving -grating, with the taut line wound about his -arm.</p> -<p>“Come aboard!” he shouted. “Make it -snappy, will you? This ship’s rolling like a -drunken sailor!”</p> -<p>The agile Seminole landed beside him and -the two lads ran swiftly up to the deck.</p> -<p>“Looks deserted, all right,” Bill eyed Osceola, -while he played off the line to the plane, -then made it fast. “Packed your gat, I hope?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_21">21</div> -<p>The young Chief grinned, and nodded emphatically. -“You bet.” He produced an automatic -from its holster below his left armpit. “I -do everything except sleep with this since the -Shell Island mixup.”</p> -<p>Bill nodded. “Me too, old man. From the -lay of the land, we’re alone on this craft. Still, -you never can tell. There’s something uncanny -about a sea mystery——”</p> -<p>“She’s a swell ship.” Osceola motioned -toward the polished brass and mahogany. -“Some rich man’s plaything, I guess. Must -have cost a pretty penny.”</p> -<p>“And she must have carried a large crew. I -wonder where everybody disappeared to! I -don’t know how you feel, but this ship gives me -the creeps.”</p> -<p>“I’m glad I’ve got my gun.” Osceola released -the safety catch.</p> -<p>“Well, we can’t stand here all day,” declared -Bill. “Let’s take in the engine room first. -There can’t be a leak. She’s too high in the -water.”</p> -<p>“How do we get down there?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_22">22</div> -<p>“The thwartships passage forward of the -main companionway is probably what we’re -looking for. Let’s go see.”</p> -<p>Bill entered the passage with Osceola at his -heels.</p> -<p>“Captain’s and chief engineer’s quarters,” -said Bill, glancing through the open doorways -on either hand.</p> -<p>“And everything is in apple-pie order,” -added Osceola.</p> -<p>Bill stepped inside the captain’s cabin and -began to rummage, pulling out drawers at the -small desk and bureau. “Strange,” he murmured, -“—not a sign of it.”</p> -<p>“What are you looking for?” Osceola sat -down on the captain’s bunk.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_23">23</div> -<p>“Not being a sea-faring man yourself, you -probably don’t quite realize <i>how</i> darned mysterious -this business is.” Bill slammed a drawer -shut in disgust and turned toward his friend. -“This ship has no name!” he exploded. “Oh, -she had one, all right. I spotted the marks on -the hull, under a fresh coat of paint where the -metal lettering had been—even before we came -overside. And her boats, lifebuoys and belts are -gone. I thought I would find the logbook or -some of her ship’s papers in the skipper’s cabin—but -I’ve drawn a blank. There isn’t the -merest scrap of paper.”</p> -<p>“And yet,” remarked Osceola thoughtfully, -“the lads who had these cabins left in a hurry. -I may be what you Naval Academy midshipmen -call a landlubber—but I can see that they left -their clothes behind.”</p> -<p>Bill’s eyes crinkled. “Right you are. Let’s -go below now. I don’t think Sherlock Holmes -could dig any more dope out of these cabins.”</p> -<p>A steep stair further along the passage led -down to a roomy forecastle, which, like the -cabins above, they found empty. Next to the -bunkroom were a crew’s mess, lazarette and -galley—likewise deserted.</p> -<p>“Look here, Bill!” cried the Indian, lifting -a lid from the cook range.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_24">24</div> -<p>Bill bent over and was astonished to see the -red bed of glowing coals. “Well, I’ll be doggoned! -That fire has hardly burned down at -all.”</p> -<p>“Somebody has put coal in that range less -than three hours ago. I don’t know anything -about ships, but fires are another matter.”</p> -<p>“This yacht seems to be the original question -mark,” said Bill gloomily. “But in spite of it, -we do know three things.”</p> -<p>“That the people on board left in a hurry, -and left not more than a couple of hours ago.—What’s -the third?”</p> -<p>“Why, that they were so keen on hiding the -name of this craft that they either destroyed or -took with them everything that could identify -her.”</p> -<p>“Yes, that’s so. It sure is confusing. Everything -was all right on board at breakfast time, -too.”</p> -<p>“How do you fathom that one?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_25">25</div> -<p>Osceola took up a large bowl from a table-rack. -“Taste that.” He pointed to a cream-colored, -doughy mass in the bottom.</p> -<p>Bill dipped in a forefinger and brought it to -his mouth. “Wheat cakes!” he exclaimed. -“You’ve got it. The cook doesn’t feed the men -wheat cakes knowing the ship is going to be -abandoned shortly. They’re too much trouble -to make in a rush.”</p> -<p>“Exactly!” Osceola looked pleased.</p> -<p>“I always knew you Carlisle lads were a wide-awake -bunch,” grinned Bill. “Anything more, -Mister Holmes?”</p> -<p>“Yes, there is, big boy—even if they do turn -out real live kidders at Annapolis! I don’t -know what time the ship was abandoned, but the -cook left this kitchen—”</p> -<p>“Galley—” corrected his friend, with a wink.</p> -<p>“The cook left this <i>galley</i>—” Osceola continued, -“shortly after breakfast.”</p> -<p>“And how—”</p> -<p>“Well, you see, he’d washed the griddle—it’s -hanging up over there—”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_26">26</div> -<p>“But he hadn’t got to this bowl yet, or those -other dirty dishes on the table—” Bill broke in.</p> -<p>“For the first time in history,” said Osceola -suavely, “Midshipman William Bolton, U.S.N., -Second Class, and all the rest of it, shows a -decided glimmer of almost human intelligence! -‘Sing ho, the jolly maiden and the tar’—or -words to that effect . . .”</p> -<p>Bill saluted. “And seeing there’s no maiden, -the tar suggests we beat it out of here before the -famous Seminole Chief goes completely nerts! -That door across the passage is marked ‘Engine -Room—Keep Out.’”</p> -<p>“And so, naturally, we’ll go in,” laughed Osceola, -and leaving the galley, he swung open the -door.</p> -<p>The two stepped onto a metal grating. A steel -ladder led down to the floor of the engine room -ten feet below.</p> -<p>“You wait here while I have a looksee,” suggested -Bill, and he ran lightly down the ladder.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_27">27</div> -<p>From his stand on the grating, Osceola -watched him make a hurried inspection of the -main engines. “Diesels,” he called up, “they -are certainly big ones—but there’s not a blooming -thing wrong so far as I can see.”</p> -<p>He stayed below for about ten minutes, then -joined Osceola above. “The machinery’s all -in running order,” he began.</p> -<p>The young Indian suddenly raised a hand to -his lips, cutting Bill short. He tiptoed across -the grating and into the passage, and presently -beckoned Bill forward, cautioning silence.</p> -<p>“There’s somebody on deck!” he whispered. -“He walked across that passage one flight up -just now, and went on deck over on the side by -the captain’s cabin.”</p> -<p>“You certainly have a pair of ears,” murmured -Bill. “I never caught a sound. Are you -sure it wasn’t a cat or a dog that got left behind?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_28">28</div> -<p>“Dog nothing! My ancestry and early upbringing -have been more or less of a hindrance -in this white man’s country—but when it comes -to distinguishing sounds, Bill, I’m one hundred -per cent. Those were the footsteps of a human -being. He knows we are down here, whoever -he is—and he doesn’t want us to know he’s -aboard, or he’d have come into the open long -before this.”</p> -<p>“Well, let’s get after him then, and find out -why he’s hiding.”</p> -<p>“Right. But let me go first. I’ve had more -experience in tracking than you. Better take -off your shoes. This is a ticklish business and -it’s more than likely he’s armed.”</p> -<p>Osceola waited until Bill was in his stocking -feet with his shoes tied together and hanging -about his neck. Then he passed up the stair to -the passage that led to the deck like a stealthy -shadow, with the young aviator at his heels.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_29">29</div> -<p>After pausing to make sure the way was clear, -the two went out on deck. Osceola seemed at a -loss for an instant, then started aft, motioning -Bill to follow. He walked with his body bent -forward so as to keep below the level of the -deckhouse portholes, and darted into the main -companionway. Then without the slightest -hesitation he entered a large cabin on his right, -evidently the main salon. For a moment, he -gazed about, then he sprang back into the passage, -pushing Bill ahead of him.</p> -<p>While his friend watched, Osceola did a peculiar -thing. He dropped to the floor and -wormed his way along the passage wall until he -could peer round the open door. His hand, with -the automatic revolver in it, came forward, and -trained the gun on someone within the room.</p> -<p>“You’re covered,” he said in his deep voice, -“come out from under that couch—and come -pronto! <i>Or I’ll fire!</i>”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_30">30</div> -<h2 id="c2"><span class="h2line1"><span class="sc">Chapter II</span></span> -<br /><span class="h2line2">SURPRISED</span></h2> -<p>Bill didn’t care to be thrust out of danger’s -way by Osceola. He stepped into the open doorway, -his revolver leveled. At the far end of the -yacht’s salon, taking up the entire space across -the rear wall, stood the couch. It was so low -from the floor that he wondered not only how -a human being could squeeze beneath it, but how -Osceola could possibly have known that anyone -was hidden there.</p> -<p>“Come on! Get out of that!” growled the -Seminole. “And come out feet first, or you’ll -stop a bullet before you leave the floor.”</p> -<p>“Please don’t shoot!” cried a high-pitched, -muffled voice. “I’m—I’m coming!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_31">31</div> -<p>A pair of rubber soled sneakers appeared from -beneath the couch, soon followed by two stockinged -legs. Then while the two friends stared -in amazement a boy of possibly twelve years -wriggled forth and got to his feet. He was a -round-faced, red-headed youngster in khaki -shorts and outing shirt, and across his nose and -one side of his face he bore a great smudge of -black coal-dust. He looked hot and badly -rumpled, but did not appear to be frightened -in the least; on the contrary, he was -bursting with rage, and began to hold forth -immediately.</p> -<p>“Look here, you!” he piped in his ridiculous -treble, both hands thrust into trouser pockets -and balancing on the balls of his feet against the -roll of the ship. “What are you fellas doin’ -here? Whose yacht do you think this is, anyway?”</p> -<p>Bill and Osceola broke into roars of laughter -and holstered their automatics.</p> -<p>“That’s exactly what we want to know, young -bantam-cock!” gasped Bill, when he could -speak.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_32">32</div> -<p>“Tell us all about it, bub,” seconded the chief. -“We aren’t going to hurt you.”</p> -<p>For a full minute the boy stared at the two -young men.</p> -<p>“Say!” he exploded. “You fellas don’t look -like pirates!”</p> -<p>“Pirates?”</p> -<p>“Hijackers, then, or whatever you call ’em.”</p> -<p>“What <i>do</i> we look like?” asked Osceola, -smiling.</p> -<p>The boy looked puzzled. “You came in a -plane—I saw you land—but you talk like college -men.”</p> -<p>“Remarkable perception—” The chief -winked at Bill.</p> -<p>“Oh, quit your kiddin’—who are you guys, -anyway?”</p> -<p>Bill shook his head. “Who are <i>you</i>, and what -are you doing here?”</p> -<p>“I asked you first,” stubbornly insisted the -youngster.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_33">33</div> -<p>“All right, then,” laughed Bill. “My name -is Bolton, and I’m ‘commonly known as Bill.’”</p> -<p>“A college man?”</p> -<p>“Midshipman at the Naval Academy.”</p> -<p>“You aren’t in uniform,” said the boy doubtfully. -“How do you happen to be here?”</p> -<p>“Oh, I change my clothes occasionally. And -this is my second class summer—I’m on leave. -Anything else you’d like to know?”</p> -<p>“Sure—heaps!”</p> -<p>“Well,” Bill drew a deep breath, “I was born -an orphan at the age of five, and until I was -ninety-seven I could only go upstairs backward -with my hair parted on the side—”</p> -<p>“Raspberries!” flashed back redhead. “Come -on, who’s the other fella? I’ll bet six bits his -middle name is Mussolini!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_34">34</div> -<p>“The other fella, as you so elegantly put it, -is Chief Osceola, Grand Sachem of the Seminole -Nation and a senior at Carlisle. And incidentally, -neither Chief Osceola nor myself permit -grubby little schoolboys to get fresh when we’re -around.” Bill shot out a long arm and gathered -in the urchin. “Will you scalp him, Osceola?” -he inquired solemnly. “Or shall I lay him -across my knee and give him what he’s asking -for? Stop wriggling, you young ruffian, or -you’ll get a double dose!”</p> -<p>“Please, Mister Bolton—I didn’t mean to be -fresh—really, I didn’t!” The youngster was -all contrition now.</p> -<p>“Then snap out of it, and answer <i>our</i> questions!”</p> -<p>“I will, sir, I will—” he broke off and stared -up at Bill, awe and amazement written on his -round face. “Say!” he fairly shouted. “You -must be the two guys I read about in the newspaper. -The ones that busted up that gang of -gunmen down in Florida a couple of weeks -ago!”</p> -<p>“What of it?” Bill released him. “That -doesn’t give you license to show off your bad -manners, does it?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_35">35</div> -<p>“Gee whiz! And to think I was trying to -get fresh with a couple of real men like you! -I’m darned sorry—and I apologize, Mr. Bolton, -and to you, too, Chief Osceola.”</p> -<p>“That’s all right, kid. No harm done,” -laughed Osceola. “Quit stalling and tell us -something about yourself.”</p> -<p>“Well, I’m Charlie Evans,” returned the -boy, still awestruck at his discovery of their -identity. “My father is C. B. Evans. We live -in Boston, and this is our yacht, the <i>Merrymaid</i>.”</p> -<p>Bill walked over to the divan and sat down, -while Osceola leaned against the arm of a chair. -“Come over here, Charlie,” he invited, “and -tell me how it happens that we find you alone -on this yacht. Chief Osceola and I are on our -way from Miami to New York. We sighted -the <i>Merrymaid</i> adrift and evidently abandoned -out here, so we naturally landed to investigate.”</p> -<p>“Gee, that was fine of you!” Charlie curled -up on the couch beside him. “But you see, I -can’t very well tell you what happened, because -I don’t know!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_36">36</div> -<p>“You don’t know?” Osceola’s voice sounded -rather gruff.</p> -<p>“Look here, Charlie,” cut in Bill. “This is a -serious matter. We’ve got to be on our way soon. -You are wasting our time and your own.”</p> -<p>Charlie flushed. “I ain’t kidding you, Mr. -Bolton, really I’m not.”</p> -<p>“But there must have been a crew and passengers -aboard this ship. Do you mean to say -that they disappeared into thin air and you don’t -know why or how?”</p> -<p>“Yes, sir, I do. You see, I went below to the -trunk room after breakfast. When I came on -deck again, there wasn’t a soul in sight. I -searched the yacht, but you fellas are the first -people I’ve seen since I came up on deck.”</p> -<p>“I reckon you’d better start at the beginning,” -said Osceola. “I’ll ask questions and you answer -them. And maybe we’ll be able to get -somewhere. Suppose you tell us where this -yacht was going and who were aboard her at -breakfast time?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_37">37</div> -<p>“That’s easy,” returned young Evans. “We -were out of Boston, bound for Savannah. Dad -had business there, so he took Mother and me -and Uncle Arthur along. Uncle Arthur is -Mother’s brother, you know. The four of us -had breakfast together at eight o’clock, and—”</p> -<p>“Woa, not so fast. I suppose somebody -skippered this boat?”</p> -<p>“That’s right. Captain Ridley is skipper. -I forgot to say that he had breakfast with us, too. -And we carry a pretty big crew. I can’t tell -you how many without counting them, but I -know all their names.”</p> -<p>Osceola smiled at the boy’s earnestness. -“Never mind the crew, now. What happened -after breakfast? I take it everything was running -as usual up to that time?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_38">38</div> -<p>“Yes, that’s right, chief. Well, you see, after -breakfast, I wanted to practice that slow drop -Harold Lane told me about. You see, I pitch on -our team. So I asked Uncle Arthur if he would -catch for me. He said he would, so we went -out on deck—but say—Uncle Arthur can’t catch -for nuts! He muffed the very first ball, and it -went overboard—”</p> -<p>“You shouldn’t pitch balls,” interrupted Bill. -“Strikes are what make a pitcher.”</p> -<p>“Who’s kidding now?” said Charlie delightedly.</p> -<p>“Say,” Osceola broke in, “I’m cross examining -this witness. Don’t listen to him Charlie. -What did you do after the ball was lost?”</p> -<p>“I went into my cabin, but I couldn’t find -another one there. Then I remembered that I -had one in my trunk—so I went below to get -it. Well, when I got the trunk open, I got interested -in some things I found that I didn’t -know I’d brought with me—and I guess I stayed -down there for some time.”</p> -<p>“About how long, do you think?”</p> -<p>“Oh, something over an hour, maybe. I came -across a book I like, and got to reading it.”</p> -<p>“Did you know the ship had stopped moving?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_39">39</div> -<p>“Of course, but that was nothing. I mean, -father often has her stopped on a hot day, and -goes overboard for a swim. I do, too, and so -does Uncle Arthur.”</p> -<p>“I see—and when you came upstairs -again—”</p> -<p>“One says topside or above on shipboard,” -suggested Bill, winking at Charlie.</p> -<p>“O-and likewise-K,” replied Osceola. “Not -that it has a thing to do with the matter in hand. -Now, Charlie, when you came—on deck, you -found that everybody had vanished—that you -were alone on board?”</p> -<p>“Yes, sir. And believe me but I was some -scared! I went all over the ship, but even the -cat had gone. And, well—I guess you men -won’t tell on a fella—I came in here, and I guess -I cried some—” He ended shame-facedly.</p> -<p>“Of course you did! I would probably have -done the same thing in your place!” Bill encouraged -him.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_40">40</div> -<p>Charlie looked relieved. “Gee whiz, but it -was lonesome!” he exploded. “I hung round -a bit, didn’t know just what to do. Then I -thought of sending out a call for help. I know -the International Morse Code. But when I -got to the radio room—someone had put the -darn thing on the fritz. Wouldn’t that jar -yuh!”</p> -<p>“Pretty tough!” agreed Bill. “What next?”</p> -<p>“Well, I kind of nosed around. Thought -Dad or Mother might have left a note or something -for me. I couldn’t find anything, though. -Gosh, it was so quiet! Then I made myself a -couple of sandwiches and ate half a plum cake -I found in the pantry, and felt better.</p> -<p>“After that, I hunted some more, but it -wasn’t any use. I heard your plane about that -time. I didn’t know who you were, of course, -so I decided I’d better lay low until I could size -up what kind of guys you were. Oh, Mr. Bolton—can’t -you find Mother and Dad for me?” -Charlie’s voice broke suddenly and he sounded -very much like a lost small boy.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_41">41</div> -<p>Just then Osceola raised a warning hand. -“Listen!”</p> -<p>There came a rush of feet on deck. Before -the three in the salon could reach for revolvers, -men with leveled rifles appeared at every porthole.</p> -<p>“Stick ’em up and keep ’em there!” cracked -a voice from the open doorway, and a man in the -smart white uniform of a ship’s officer strode -into the room.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_42">42</div> -<h2 id="c3"><span class="h2line1"><span class="sc">Chapter III</span></span> -<br /><span class="h2line2">MAN OVERBOARD</span></h2> -<p>The man who entered so abruptly was a tall, -heavy-set individual in the early thirties. Blond -as only the Scandinavians or North Germans -are blond, his very next words betrayed Teutonic -origin.</p> -<p>“So!” he sneered as the three kept their hands -level with their ears. “A boy and two half-grown -men. Master Evans, and a pair of -aviators, eh? The one, we miss the first time. -The others descend on us like manna out of -heaven,—I don’t think! Three more mouths -to feed and no money in it for anyone. <i>Donnerwetter, -noch ein Mahl!</i>”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_43">43</div> -<p>“Nichts kom heraus, mahogany bedstead,” -piped Charlie. The added danger seemed -to revive his waning spirits with a vengeance. -“The same to you and many of ’em, Dutchy. -I know some more, too,” he went on proudly. -“Schweitzerkäse, frankfurters and getthe-Houtofhere! -That last is the longest word in -the Heinie dictionary!”</p> -<p>“What’s the shortest?” inquired Bill, who -was enjoying this byplay.</p> -<p>“Oh, I don’t know—but the one they say -the quickest is ‘camerad.’”</p> -<p>“<i>Halts ’maul!</i> Shut up, I mean!” thundered -the blond stranger. The whites around -the pupils of his light blue eyes became bloodshot -with anger. “I am master here,” he roared. -“<i>Silence!</i> I will have it!”</p> -<p>Two sailors appeared in the doorway behind -him. He wheeled about. “Adolph, you will -keep the prisoners covered. Hans, take their -weapons from them. And now,” he continued, -when the three lowered their hands after they -had been searched, “you will tell me what names -you go by.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_44">44</div> -<p>Charlie sprang to his feet and made a stiff, -military bow. “The dark gentleman over -yonder,” he said solemnly, “is traveling incognito. -So that you will not be confused by false -appearances, I will breathe his secret. He is -no less a personage than His Majesty, George -the Fifth! Beside me on this couch is Mary, -the Four-Fifths, and I am Herbert Hoover!—Oh, -Doctor, why so angry? You may call me -Herbie if you’re good!” He finished in falsetto, -with rolling eyes toward Bill and Osceola.</p> -<p>“<i>Ruhig!</i> Silence!” shouted the exasperated -officer, while Bill and Osceola were convulsed -with laughter at his fury. “Hans—take this -devil-child on deck and keep him there until I -come. If he offers more insolence, give him a -taste of your belt!”</p> -<p>“Gosh, you can’t please the Doctor,” protested -Charlie with an air of injured innocence -as he was led forth. “He asked for the go-by, so -I gave it to him.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_45">45</div> -<p>The stranger waved him away. “Now, you -two will tell me who you are,” he commanded. -“From American children one expects insolence—with -you, it is different. Your names at once, -if you please.”</p> -<p>“My name is Bolton.” Bill saw no reason -for hiding his identity.</p> -<p>“And I,” said his friend, “am Osceola, Chief -of the Seminoles.”</p> -<p>“So,” mused their captor. “The two young -fellows that were mixed up in the Shell Island -business. <i>So!</i>” He pronounced the last word -as though it were spelled with a Z. Then for -a minute or so he appeared lost in thought. -Neither Bill nor Osceola uttered a word.</p> -<p>“So——It shall be done.” Apparently the -blond man had arrived at an important decision. -“I am the Baron von Hiemskirk. And remember, -both of you—my word is the law. I am in -command. You will earn your keep. <i>Ja</i>, you -will be put to work and it will be well to remember -that my discipline is that of the Imperial -Navy. You will obey all orders—on the -jump!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_46">46</div> -<p>“And the alternative?” Bill rose to his feet.</p> -<p>The baron stuck a single eyeglass in his eye -and stared at Bill with an evil smile on his lips.</p> -<p>“We are now about sixty miles off the coast -of North America,” he said coldly. “It is a long -swim, my young friend. Come now—we will -go on deck.”</p> -<p>He strode out of the room, and Bill and Osceola -followed him, with a look of mutual -understanding. The sailor brought up the rear.</p> -<p>Charlie called to them from the rail. “Say, -look what I’ve found! That’s what took Mother -and Dad and everybody off of here while I was -in the trunk room. Hans says they’re going to -take us too. I don’t care what happens now, -I’ll be with Dad and Mother—but it’s pretty -tough on you fellows! Say, you wouldn’t think -these Heinies had brains enough to run one of -those things, would you?”</p> -<p>He waved excitedly overside, and the two -friends saw the long gray hull and conning tower -of a submarine moored beside the yacht.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_47">47</div> -<p>The baron, who had stopped to speak to a -young officer, walked over to the boy and caught -him roughly by the shoulder.</p> -<p>“Devil-child!” he roared in his deep bass. “I -spoke to you regarding insolence for the last -time a short while ago!” He turned to the -officer. “Herr Lieutenant!” he commanded. -“Take this boy forward and see that he is well -punished.”</p> -<p>“The whip, Herr Baron?”</p> -<p>“Ten lashes—yes—and at once.”</p> -<p>“<i>Zum befehl</i>, Herr Baron!” He grabbed -Charlie’s arm and yanked the struggling youngster -along the deck.</p> -<p>Like a flash Bill darted after them. He -caught up with the pair at the gangway, and -gripping the young officer by the collar, he -jerked him backward on to the deck. Then, -as Charlie made a dash for Osceola, he bent -down and deliberately slapped the lieutenant’s -face with the palm of his open hand.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_48">48</div> -<p>“Before you try to maltreat that boy, perhaps -it would be as well to settle with me,” he -said calmly, while along the deck came the click -of the sailors’ rifles. “That is,” he added, “if -you’ve got the guts to do it.”</p> -<p>“<i>Schweinhund!</i>” cried the enraged officer, -as he sprang to his feet. Without an instant’s -hesitation, he swung for Bill’s head.</p> -<p>The useful art of self-defense is well taught -at the Naval Academy, and Bill had ever been -a proficient pupil. He jerked back his head, -dodging the man’s fist by a hair’s breadth. Then -as the other overbalanced, he stepped in with a -short-arm jab to his opponent’s kidneys. This -he followed up immediately with a powerful -left hook to the point of the jaw, and the Herr -Lieutenant went crashing overside, through the -ropes of the gangway. There came the dull -thud of his head as it struck the metal side of the -submarine, and he disappeared down the narrow -strip of water between the vessels. Immediately -Bill dived after him.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_49">49</div> -<p>His lithe body cut the surface with hardly a -splash, and he shot into the cool green depths -from his twenty foot dive with eyes wide -open. To right and to left dark blurs of the -vessels’ hulls shadowed the translucent green. -No other objects met his searching gaze, so using -a powerful breast stroke, he forged further -downward. All at once he saw something grayish -white below. His lungs were bursting with -lack of air and the heavy water pressure at this -depth. It grew icy cold, but he continued to -strain onward, backing his muscles with an indomitable -force of will.</p> -<p>The white spot beneath him was taking shape -now—surely the linen uniform of the unlucky -lieutenant. Yes, there he was, sinking face -down, arms and legs spread-eagled and useless, -the wind knocked out of him by the double blow -of Bill’s fists and the crash against the submarine -side.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_50">50</div> -<p>Bill caught the sprawling, inert figure, with a -cupped hand beneath the chin. Instantly his legs -and free arm got into action again, but heading -this time in the opposite direction. Up shot the -drowning man and his rescuer. Bill’s head was -whirling, his faculties were leaving him. The -man would sink again if he lost his hold. Slipping -the crook of his elbow beneath the unconscious -lieutenant’s chin, he held his head close to -his side. Would they never reach the surface—and -air? What if his own unprotected skull -should strike the bulging curve of a vessel’s -hull? Sharp pain stabbed him between the eyes—he -knew no more.</p> -<p>Far away—fathoms above him—Bill heard -a voice calling his name. He seemed to be floating -upward in a sea-green haze, but there was air -at last—heaven-sent air.</p> -<p>“He’s coming round now,” said the voice, -which sounded like Osceola’s, and much nearer -than before. “No wonder he went out—under -water nearly two minutes and a half! How’s -the other fellow, Baron?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_51">51</div> -<p>“Poor Fritz!” Surely this was the blond -commander speaking and his voice seemed much -louder and closer at hand than that of the young -chief. And as the words grew more distinct, -their meaning impressed itself on Bill’s dawning -consciousness. “Poor Fritz!” repeated the -baron. “We’ve got the water out of him now -and he will live—but it will be a touch and go -for some time. The poor lad has a bad case of -concussion. I can’t tell whether his skull is -fractured, but I don’t think so.”</p> -<p>“He got an awful crack on the back of his -head, but you can’t hold that up against Bill -Bolton,” returned Osceola.</p> -<p>“Oh, no, my dear chap. I assure you I hold -no grudge at all.”</p> -<p>Something has happened, thought Bill, to -alter Osceola’s status with the Baron.</p> -<p>“I wish you to know, my dear Chief, that both -Fritz and I are sportsmen. Blows were struck in -fair fight. When Fritz hit the submarine, I -could have killed young Bolton without hesitation. -But when he dived after my cousin—I -loved the lad. It was splendid—<i>colossal</i>!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_52">52</div> -<p>“I’m glad you feel that way,” Osceola remarked. -“Things were getting a bit strained, -I thought.”</p> -<p>“Yes, yes, I know that. But I have had a terrible -day, my friend. That devil-child put my -temper on edge. And a dozen wildcats are as -nothing to the boy’s mother when she found -we’d left him behind. God be thanked, that -is over. I cannot let you and Bolton continue -your journey at present, but at least you -will live well, and have an interesting time. In -saving the life of Fritz, you two have rendered -me a service. Karl von Hiemskirk does not forget -such favors.”</p> -<p>“Thanks for dragging me in,” laughed Osceola. -“I didn’t do anything.”</p> -<p>“Hah! You dived in after them while my -men looked on like half-wits!” bridled the -Baron. “You brought these two unconscious -fellows to the surface! I call that a very great -deal.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_53">53</div> -<p>Bill heard him sigh, but although he was now -fully awake, he kept his eyes closed and listened -attentively to the Baron’s next words.</p> -<p>“The thing of great importance that is worrying -me is that Fritz was first pilot of my command. -I, myself, am an aviator, a combat flyer, -who had the great honor to be a member of what -you call the circus of the unsurpassed Graf von -Richthofen, of glorious memory.”</p> -<p>Bill opened his eyes to find himself on the -<i>Merrymaid’s</i> deck. He sat up and began to -speak rapidly. “Richthofen was undoubtedly -the greatest air strategean who ever flew,” he declared, -“they tell me that his combat formations -and the battle manoeuvers of his famous circus -have never been improved upon. Sorry I wasn’t -old enough then to take a crack at you myself—you -must be a humdinger, Baron, when it comes -to this flying game! If you want to use my -bus and friend Fritz is temporarily out of the -picture—why not fly her yourself?”</p> -<p>Osceola put his arm about Bill’s shoulders, -and the Baron bowed from the waist.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_54">54</div> -<p>“Thank you, indeed, my dear young friend,” -he said formally, “both for your eulogy of my -long-time-dead friend von Richthofen, and because, -after stunning my cousin, you had the -courage and graciousness to save his life at risk -of your own.”</p> -<p>“Oh, please don’t.” Bill colored a dusky red. -“Or I shall have to pass out a second time.” -With the chief’s help he rose and held out his -hand. The Baron shook it heartily.</p> -<p>“We will let our has-beens be never-wases.”</p> -<p>“I couldn’t help overhearing what you said to -Osceola when I was regaining consciousness,” -went on Bill. “So as long as you can’t see your -way clear to letting us go, I’ll do my best to be -peaceable in the future.”</p> -<p>“Say nothing more about it, my boy.” The -Baron fairly oozed urbanity. “<i>Es tut mer sehr -leid</i>, I mean, it makes me very sorry to have to -detail you chaps, but it is the fate of war.”</p> -<p>Bill and Osceola looked their surprise. -“War?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_55">55</div> -<p>“I have to inform you that my command is at -war with society. I can not allow my liking for -individuals to deter me from my aim.”</p> -<p>“And what is that?” inquired Osceola.</p> -<p>“We will talk of that later. Now, there is -work to be done. Too much time has been -wasted already. I need an airplane pilot, Bolton, -because with my multitudinous duties, it is -impossible for me always to handle the controls. -I will make you two what you Americans call -a proposition. You will fly where and when I -tell you, Bolton. You will give me your word -of honor to do that and no more. The chief here -will also be given congenial duties. Obey my -commands and you need not give your parole—there -is no escape except by air and that will be -circumnavigated by your word!”</p> -<p>“And you can sure use big words, Baron,” observed -a much subdued Charlie, who had been -silently taking in the conversation.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_56">56</div> -<p>“Perhaps,” the Baron smiled, “but if you will -take my advice, such things are better left unsaid. -Your tongue has already got you and a -number of others into trouble today.” He turned -again to Bill. “I am awaiting your decision,” -he said.</p> -<p>“And—the alternative in this case?”</p> -<p>“You and the chief will be kept prisoners -until such time as I can negotiate your ransoms.”</p> -<p>Bill looked at Osceola, who nodded slightly. -“All right, then, Baron, I promise to fly your -planes as you dictate, but I suspect that your -war is nothing more than hijacking on a big -scale. And I’m hanged if I have anything to do -with that!”</p> -<p>The Baron bowed. “It is a bargain. I will -now conclude my work on this vessel. Fritz has -already been taken aboard the other craft, and -when I am through here, Chief Osceola will go -in her with me and my men. You, Bolton, will -follow us with Charlie, in your amphibian.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_57">57</div> -<p>“Aye, aye, sir,” returned Bill with Naval -Academy crispness, now that he had recognized -the baron as his superior officer. “You will keep -above surface, I suppose, otherwise, I am likely -to loose your ship.”</p> -<p>“Oh, no, we won’t,” broke in Charlie the -irrepressible. “He’s going in the air!”</p> -<p>“The air? Don’t be silly, kid—”</p> -<p>“I’m not the silly one—” retorted the youngster. -“I’m right, ain’t I, Baron?”</p> -<p>“That submarine is an invention of my own,” -declared the commander. “The boy speaks -correctly. I shall <i>fly</i> her.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_58">58</div> -<h2 id="c4"><span class="h2line1"><span class="sc">Chapter IV</span></span> -<br /><span class="h2line2">VANDALS OF THE HIGH SEAS</span></h2> -<p>An hour later, Charlie sat aboard Bill’s amphibian -which now lay moored to a sea-anchor a -quarter of a mile to leeward of the <i>Merrymaid</i>. -A hundred yards from the plane, the gray submarine -rocked gently to a long Atlantic ground -swell. Charlie, a pair of field glasses glued to -his eyes, focussed them alternately on the yacht -and on the deck of the submarine which was -crowded with men.</p> -<p>The object of all this interest was a group of -three aboard the <i>Merrymaid</i>—three men and a -youth. Left on board the vessel with a boat -wherewith to make their escape, these men were -to open the seacocks of the fated ship.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_59">59</div> -<p>In the side of every vessel, somewhat below -the waterline is a large circular manhole, two -or more feet in diameter into which fits a steel -plate or plug. The plate is fastened to the reinforced -sides of the ship by means of bolts arranged -at intervals of a few inches around the -circumference of the hole. Into this plate fit -large pipes which, communicating with the sea, -form an intake for salt water. This plug and -its manhole are together called the ship’s seacocks.</p> -<p>Opening a ship’s seacocks is a feat of not a -little skill and danger. The nuts of the bolts -which fasten the plate to its manhole must be -unscrewed in such a manner that the plate -loosens suddenly and not gradually, so that the -sailor who opens it may work until the last minute -and then escape from the inrushing water. -To do this, special strategy is necessary.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_60">60</div> -<p>The men from the submarine went about the -operation in the following way: Early that -morning when the <i>Merrymaid</i> was first captured, -some men were sent down into her hold to -begin preliminary work on the seacocks. Two -of these men carefully unscrewed one rusty nut -at a time, thoroughly greased its threads, and -then screwed it back into place again before -loosening the next. While this was being done, -the other men unbolted the pipes leading into -the seacock and removed all obstructions in the -way of hasty escape from its neighborhood.</p> -<p>This preliminary work of greasing and -loosening was done merely in order that the seacocks -might be in readiness for immediate opening -without loss of time should an enemy appear -or other emergency require hasty action. The -seacocks thus greased and disencumbered of -pipes and impediments were then left in place, -and the men returned to the submarine.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_61">61</div> -<p>The men who had accomplished this work -were now aboard the fated yacht once more to -finish the opening of her seacocks. With them -were Bill Bolton and the Baron. Bill, who had -had never witnessed this particular operation before, -though heartily condoning the act, was -deeply interested. Knowing that he was a midshipman -on summer leave from the United -States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Baron -von Hiemskirk permitted him to remain as a -responsible party.</p> -<p>The Baron, a sailor and Bill stood on deck -while another seaman named Muller, a strong, -heavy-faced fellow who made a specialty of -this work, climbed down to the seacock, -equipped with a monkey wrench and a sledge -hammer. Around his waist was tied a rope, the -other end of which was held by the three above -for use in emergency.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_62">62</div> -<p>Muller, under direction of the Baron, took -off the nuts from every second bolt in the circle. -Being recently loosened and greased, this was -easily done. After he had gone completely -around the circumference of the plate, the plug -was being held by only half its former number -of bolts. Beginning once more, the adroit seaman -again removed every second nut, from the -remaining bolts. The plate was now held by -only one-fourth the original number of bolts. -This process of halving was continued until the -plug was finally being held by only two bolts on -diametrically opposite sides of the circumference -of the seacock. By this time, the pressure -of the water outside was meeting with so little -resistance that the plate was bending slightly -inward, letting water spurt between the -rubber packing and the steel plate up into the -hold.</p> -<p>Muller, sweating in every pore, now thrust -his wrench into his overalls pocket, picked up his -sledge, and called out: “Ready!”</p> -<p>At his signal, the men on deck took in the -slack of the rope so that if necessary they could -hoist the imperilled seaman up out of danger.</p> -<p>Muller now lifted his sledge hammer, took -accurate aim, and with a single vigorous blow, -smashed one of the two protruding bolts through -its nut and hole. As the plate did not fly loose, -he let the heavy hammer fall again, throwing -all his strength into the blow, this time upon -the remaining bolt. With a dull explosion, the -whole two-foot plate flew loose, and a geyser of -sea water gushed upward into the hold.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_63">63</div> -<p>Muller at once leaped for the ladder and, still -holding the sledge, clambered to safety. Had -he slipped, or been washed away by the force of -the water, his comrades on deck would have -fished him up by means of the rope.</p> -<p>By this time the yacht was rapidly filling. As -the doors through all compartments had previously -been opened, the water coming through -this one seacock at once began flowing to all -parts of the hold. The men on deck were now -in real danger, for a sudden listing of the vessel, -or its unexpectedly rapid sinking might mean -their death.</p> -<p>All, therefore, at once scrambled overside to -their boat, the Baron last of all, and pulled away -as quickly as possible, lest they be sucked into -the vortex of the sinking ship.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_64">64</div> -<p>For a short space the <i>Merrymaid</i> settled -rapidly, giving the watchers reason to expect -her to go to the bottom within fifteen or twenty -minutes. Their expectations, however, were -not realized, for the ship soon began to rest at -the same level.</p> -<p>The Baron turned to Bill. “Doubtless air -has lodged in the tops of compartments and is -imprisoned elsewhere. She must ultimately go -down, of course, but there is no telling how long -it will take—and I am in a hurry to get away.”</p> -<p>“What are you going to do, use dynamite?”</p> -<p>“Yes. We’ve got sufficient here in the boat, -for such an emergency. We’ll row back now, -and get busy.”</p> -<p>Dynamite was presently placed at the base -of the ship’s two masts and amidships, and the -fuses lit. They then rowed swiftly away, and -had hardly reached a position where they would -be out of danger, when the explosion came. -Three crashes, one after the other, shattered the -sides and decks of the vessel. The <i>Merrymaid</i> -was sinking rapidly. First her bow filled; then -the gallant yacht stood perpendicularly on her -prow, and slid with a rush out of sight.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_65">65</div> -<p>At the instant her funnel plunged under, a -final tremendous explosion took place, throwing -a cloud of steam and water high into the -air. A moment later, only a vortex of oily, -tossing water gave evidence that a million dollar -yacht had gone to the bottom.</p> -<p>“It’s a dirty shame!” Bill spat the words -without caring whether the Baron took umbrage -or not.</p> -<p>“It is indeed,” that blond giant answered -seriously. “But this is war, remember. I cannot -use her, still less can I afford to have her -discovered. Yes, it is a shame. Vandalism, if -you like, but none the less, a necessity.” The -Baron shook his head, then went on pompously: -“An hour ago that splendid little ship might -have been of great service to mankind. Now -she is no more. Let it be her epitaph that she -was fulfilling her destiny, with work well done. -May the world say the same of me when I have -gone to the eternal reward.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_66">66</div> -<p>Bill kept silent and managed to conceal his -disgust. He did not appreciate such philosophizing. -Neither could he agree with the -Baron’s estimate of his own worth. His work -might be well done, but in itself piracy on the -high seas could hardly be called more than a disgraceful -profession. Bill began to realize that -the commander’s brain, although active enough, -was more than slightly warped.</p> -<p>They rowed over the spot where the <i>Merrymaid</i> -had gone down, and looked about for any -stray bits of wreckage which might have floated -to the surface. They found none, so made for -the amphibian at once.</p> -<p>“You will wait until you see us take off before -you do the same, Mr. Bolton,” directed the -Baron with a return of his superior-officer manner, -as Bill boarded the plane.</p> -<p>“Aye, aye, sir. Any further orders?” Bill -returned the military manner with interest.</p> -<p>“Yes. You will follow my craft as though -you were number two of a patrol. Land when I -land, and taxi over for further instructions.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_67">67</div> -<p>“Very good, sir.”</p> -<p>“A pleasant flight, Bolton.”</p> -<p>“Thank you, Baron. The same to you, sir.”</p> -<p>The boat moved off in the direction of the -submarine and Bill climbed into his fore cockpit. -Charlie was already in his place in the rear -cockpit, and Bill noticed that he seemed -strangely quiet, almost sullen.</p> -<p>“What’s eating you, old boy?” Bill turned -round to face him, then added kindly, “I don’t -blame you for feeling low. It’s hard lines about -the <i>Merrymaid</i>. Made me feel rotten myself. -Nastier piece of vandalism was never committed. -But you mustn’t take it out on me.”</p> -<p>“Well, I thought you and the chief were my -friends,” began Charlie aggrievedly.</p> -<p>“But we are—what makes you think we’re -not?”</p> -<p>“Oh, I know you saved me a hiding—and -risked your life for that pirate. That was a -bully thing to do, but now you and Chief Osceola -have joined up with them and—”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_68">68</div> -<p>“How come—joined up with them?”</p> -<p>“Why, didn’t I hear you, myself, tell the -Baron you would work for him—do exactly -what he told you to do?”</p> -<p>“So that’s it.” Bill’s laugh was without -humor. “There’s no good reason why I should -explain my actions to you, but I like you, -Charlie, and I’m sorry for you into the bargain. -Now, pin back your ears—”</p> -<p>“Well, I’m listening!”</p> -<p>“But, before I tell you what’s what, I want -your promise to keep your mouth shut!”</p> -<p>Charlie produced a packet of gum. He tossed -Bill a stick and began to munch another. -“Okay,” he said earnestly, his eyes on the older -lad’s, “let’s have it.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_69">69</div> -<p>“I should think you might have guessed it—but -neither Osceola nor myself have gone in -with these pirates. I gave the Baron my word -to obey orders—but only so far as they have -to do with driving his planes. It was either that -or being locked up—and cutting out any chance -there might be to escape. It’s the same with Osceola. -He saw my scheme quick as winking—which -is more than you did—but then, you’re -just a kid, of course.” Bill’s eyes twinkled as -he saw the boy’s discomfiture, but he went on -more seriously. “The Baron is so sure of himself -and his strong organization that he has no -fear that we two can do anything to hinder his -plans. But unless we’re allowed some freedom, -don’t you see, Osceola and I might just as well -have given up before we started?”</p> -<p>Charlie was profoundly interested and -ashamed of himself. “Gee, I was a pill, all -right. But, Bill—do you really think the three -of us could break up the gang?”</p> -<p>“Well, you never can tell till you try,” Bill -answered. “First of all, we must pretend to -work in with this bunch of sea bandits—do our -best not to arouse their suspicions, you know. -Then, when we learn more about them and their -ways of doing business, it will be time enough to -start planning on our own account.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_70">70</div> -<p>“That’s right. And don’t you worry. I’ll -keep quiet. I wouldn’t breathe a word!”</p> -<p>“You mustn’t, kid—not even to your dad -and mother when you see them.”</p> -<p>“Cross my heart—hope to die if I do, Bill.”</p> -<p>“That’s all right, then. And always remember -that it’s the three of us against a great big -organization. A single slip on our part—and -well, so far as we’re concerned, it would be just -too bad.”</p> -<p>“I’ll keep my promise, Bill. Any idea where -these pirates have their hangout? Where we -are bound for now?”</p> -<p>“I have not. Why?”</p> -<p>“Some hideout on the coast, I suppose. -Shouldn’t wonder if maybe it was somewhere in -Pamlico or Albemarle Sound. There used -to be lots of pirates in those waters long ago, before -the Revolution, I mean. There’s a book -at home, tells all about them.”</p> -<p>“Times have changed a lot since then,” mused -Bill, “and piracy, too, I reckon.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_71">71</div> -<p>“Then you don’t think they’ve a base of some -kind over there?”</p> -<p>Bill was facing forward now, staring steadily -out over the water. “Something quite different, -Charlie,” he muttered; and then in a sharp -tone that made the boy start—“So that’s the way -they work it!”</p> -<p>“Gee whiz!” Charlie craned his neck and -gazed in the same direction. “The submarine’s -sprouting wings!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_72">72</div> -<h2 id="c5"><span class="h2line1"><span class="sc">Chapter V</span></span> -<br /><span class="h2line2">THE TRANSFORMATION OF A SEA MONSTER</span></h2> -<p>The two lads, Bill and Charlie, stared with -undivided attention at the astonishing spectacle. -Two large fins which evidently had been lying -close to the submarine’s sides, were rising into -the air. With a speed that seemed remarkable -these fins reached a vertical position. For a -moment they remained pointing straight toward -the high blue arc of the heavens. Then they -swung outward, lowering horizontally from the -ship’s sides, to come to rest when level with the -deck, and about five feet above the surface of the -water—a complete set of airplane wings.</p> -<p>“Gosh, she’s a monoplane now!” exclaimed -Charlie.</p> -<p>“Wonder how they’ll produce a tail unit?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_73">73</div> -<p>“You mean a rudder?”</p> -<p>“Yes. That, together with a stabilizer, fin -and elevator.”</p> -<p>But before the words were well out of Bill’s -mouth, the miracle occurred. A large rudder -lifted itself out of the water, and opening out -as it came to rest, seemed to sprout like a giant -seabud into a complete tail group.</p> -<p>“Can she use the water propeller in the air?” -Charlie kept his eyes glued on the submarine. -“It seems to me that would hardly be big enough -to fly with.”</p> -<p>“Hardly. That outfit is the queerest engineering -jumble I’ve ever seen. But unless the -Herr Baron can work absolute miracles, it will -take more than one motor and propeller to move -her.”</p> -<p>The submarine lay to windward of the amphibian. -The lads therefore obtained a stern -view of the ship and it was difficult for them -to see exactly what was going on forward.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_74">74</div> -<p>Suddenly Charlie raised another shout. -“Look, Bill, look! Here comes the motor. -Some jack-in-the-box, I call it.”</p> -<p>“And there’s another one! And still another! -Gee-jumpin’-gee-roosalem—the -blamed thing is coughing up motors like—”</p> -<p>“Like a cat with the belly-ache,” suggested -Charlie.</p> -<p>“Inelegant, but apt. Let’s see, there are one, -two . . . <i>five</i> of them!”</p> -<p>“Some packet!”</p> -<p>“Some packet is right. I’d pay admission to -see this any day.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_75">75</div> -<p>The reason for this excited dialogue had been, -first, the raising of that section of the deck between -the two great wing sections until from -wing-tip to wing-tip, one continuous horizontal -plane was formed. Next, up through what was -probably a hatch in this center wing section, -though of course invisible at that distance from -the lads, appeared an airplane motor. This rose -on its own engine struts, slid to starboard along -the wing and came to rest. Another made its -appearance and moved to starboard in line with -the first. The next two found places on the port -wing, and the last engine remained directly -above the hatch which probably closed with a -sliding cover. Then the mechanics came topside, -through another hatchway, bearing propellers -which were fitted to the engines, fore -and aft.</p> -<p>“That’s the first time I’ve ever seen two propellers -on the same engine!” cried Charlie. -“What’s the reason for it, Bill?”</p> -<p>Bill turned round in his seat. “Each one of -those engines, as you call them, Charlie, is a -double unit. In other words, two motors joined -together, one forward and one aft. There are -ten propellers, because there are ten motors in -that line. The propellers forward are tractors, -those aft pushers. The <i>Dornier</i>, the big German -DO-X passenger plane, has the same arrangement -of motors.”</p> -<p>“Guess they must generate a heap of power?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_76">76</div> -<p>“Plenty. But you need it to propel a heavy -ship like that sub. By the way, do you happen -to know what they call her?”</p> -<p>“The <i>Flying Fish</i>—one of the gobs told me.”</p> -<p>“Say, where do you get that Navy stuff?”</p> -<p>“Gobs?” Charlie chuckled. “Oh, I’ve got -a sea-goin’ dad. He had a U.S.N.R.F. commission -during the war.”</p> -<p>“That so? Great!”</p> -<p>“You bet yer. Say, Bill, hadn’t you better -get our own engine going? The <i>Flying Fish</i> -will be taking off right away. She’s a regular -monoplane now.”</p> -<p>Bill shook his head, and turned to face the -submarine again.</p> -<p>“They won’t take off for a few minutes yet. -As she is, those wings will never hold her weight -in the air. And for another thing, she sets -much too low in the water to ever get off.”</p> -<p>“But, see, Bill—she’s rising. She’s getting -higher in the water all the time.”</p> -<p>“By Jingoes! She is, at that!”</p> -<p>“How do they do it?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_77">77</div> -<p>“Same method as a submarine helps to raise -itself from the bottom. Water is forced out of -certain compartments and air pumped in.”</p> -<p>“Gee, it’s a marvel! And look, there are -short wings or fins, extending from the hull -under each wing. What do they need them -for?”</p> -<p>“Wing-strut supports, I guess. Yes, there -come the men with the struts. See how they -are securing them from the wing sections to the -fins below, and shorter ones from the fins to the -hull?”</p> -<p>“Is that what you meant when you said that -the wings of the <i>Flying Fish</i> wouldn’t hold -her?”</p> -<p>“That’s it. Without struts to support that -spread, the wings would surely crumple with -her weight in the air.”</p> -<p>“Well, I guess she’s all set for the take off -now.”</p> -<p>“Reckon she is. Yes, there go her motors -idling! Hear ’em?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_78">78</div> -<p>“What shall I do now?”</p> -<p>“Strap on your helmet and your goggles. -Then go forward and haul in our sea anchor. -When you get back to your cockpit, keep your -hands off the controls in there and adjust the -headphone set hanging below the instrument -board. Some day, if we ever get out of this -mess, I may give you flight instruction, but not -on this hop.”</p> -<p>“Anything else?”</p> -<p>“Yes. And this is important—for safety’s -sake, remember. I’m skipper of this craft. -What I say goes—and goes with a bang. -Savez?”</p> -<p>“Yes, sir.” Charlie’s voice was sober and -subdued.</p> -<p>“O.K., then. Hop to it, kid, I want to get -moving.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_79">79</div> -<p>A very important Charlie quickly buckled -the chin-strap of his helmet and scrambled forward. -He followed directions exceedingly -well, considering the fact that he had never been -in a plane before. Once out on the nose he pulled -in the mooring line and the collapsible canvas -bucket known as the sea anchor, and carried -them back to the rear cockpit. There he stowed -them away. Back in the pilot’s seat again, he -adjusted his goggles and the headphone set. -Then he stood up, and grasping the cockpit’s -cowl, he leaned forward so as to watch Bill -manipulate the controls in the fore cockpit.</p> -<p>From the time that he was a little tad of a -fellow, Charlie had been crazy to fly. At home, -his bedroom was decorated with pictures of -famous flyers and their planes. He fairly ate up -airplane stories and his book shelves were -crowded with literature on flying, although he -found some of the volumes too technical. Now -that he had a chance to witness a take-off at first -hand, he wasn’t going to miss a single detail if -he could help it.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_80">80</div> -<p>Charlie knew that the take-off includes -the handling of a plane from the time the throttle -is opened until the ship is in level flight directly -above the surface. He had also read -somewhere that in order to leave the ground or -the water, it is necessary for the plane to have -flying speed, the minimum speed at which the -lift of the wings will equal the weight; for the -object of the take-off is to gain this speed. The -plane must first be manoeuvered into an attitude -which facilitates a quick increase in speed. -It must be held in this attitude while moving -forward at an increasing rate and must finally -be taken off in such a way that it is under full -control from the instant it leaves the surface. -He also knew that <i>all take-offs must be made -directly into the wind</i>.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_81">81</div> -<p>The <i>Flying Fish</i> was already moving through -the water, her ten engines roaring like an express -train, when Charlie saw Bill set their own motor -idling. Rudder and ailerons were placed in -neutral and the amphibian allowed to swing -until it was headed directly into the wind. Then -Bill slowly but steadily opened wide the throttle. -At the same time, the youngster saw him pull -the stick back in order to raise their bow out of -the water. This he knew was necessary, both -to gain planing speed and to keep the propeller -out of the spray which might damage it.</p> -<p>Six or eight seconds after opening the throttle, -with the bow well up and the amphibian -gaining momentum every instant, Bill pushed -the stick all the way forward, and did so in -order to raise the tail and depress the nose. But -as the plane was moving at some speed, the bow -could not be pushed down into the water. Instead, -the speed at which they were taxying -gradually forced it upward until they were -skimming the surface on their step. Bill then -eased the stick back to neutral and maintained -it there while speed was being gathered. Spray -was dashing against Charlie’s face and chest as -they sped along. The sensation of traveling at -terrific speed was enormous.</p> -<p>“Gee! This sure is great!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_82">82</div> -<p>“Getting a kick out of it?” asked a voice in -his ear, causing him almost to lose his balance. -Then he remembered the transmitter on his chest -and realized he had been talking into it.</p> -<p>“I sure am, Bill. What’s the next thing you -have to do?”</p> -<p>“The next thing for <i>you</i> to do, young feller, -is to get back to your seat and buckle on your -safety-belt. If you are so keen to learn, I’ll talk -as I run this old crate into the air, and you watch -what I’m doing. Maybe that will keep you from -trying to climb down the back of my neck.”</p> -<p>“Thanks, Bill, that’ll be great. I’ll sit tight, -honest I will.”</p> -<p>“All right, then. We are skimming the surface -on the step now, as you’ve noticed. No -more large movements of the controls may be -made, as the plane is now sensitive to them. -I’m paying particular attention to the lateral balance -from this stage on.”</p> -<p>Bill stopped talking for a moment, then went -on again:</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_83">83</div> -<p>“Remember this, Charlie. It’s important. -<i>The plane must not be taken off until speed adequate -to give complete control has been attained.</i> -Any attempt on my part to pull it off -prematurely will result in a take-off at the stalling -point, where control is uncertain. Now -we’ve gained flying speed, so I break her out of -the water with a momentary pressure on the -elevators. That pressure was very slight and I -eased it at the moment of take-off.</p> -<p>“When the plane left the water, its speed was -only slightly above minimum flying speed. Any -decrease in this would naturally mean a stall. -Therefore, I’m keeping the nose level for six to -eight seconds in order to get a safe margin above -the stalling point before beginning to climb. -Safety first always—when flying, Charlie. Now -she’s all right, the engine’s running smooth and -sweet. So I pull my stick back gently, and as -you see, we’re leaving the water behind.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_84">84</div> -<h2 id="c6"><span class="h2line1"><span class="sc">Chapter VI</span></span> -<br /><span class="h2line2">THE RAIDER</span></h2> -<p>Half a mile or so ahead of Bill’s plane, the -great sea monster, the <i>Flying Fish</i>, leveled off -at an altitude of twenty-five hundred feet, and -headed out on a northeasterly course.</p> -<p>Bill continued to climb his amphibian until -they too reached that height, then he spoke to -Charlie again.</p> -<p>“Now that we’re high enough, I’ve got to -make a right turn in order to follow that ship. -So I push my stick slowly forward, drop the nose -to level like this, and maintain it there throughout -the turn. Next I give her right aileron and -increase right rudder considerably at the same -time.”</p> -<p>“And we’ve gone into a bank. I see.” Charlie -unconsciously leant toward the raised wing.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_85">85</div> -<p>“That’s it. And now that I’ve tilted her far -enough, I check the wing with the ailerons, and -at the same time ease the pressure on the rudder. -I maintain a constant bank, you see, and a constant -pressure on the rudder bar throughout the -turn.</p> -<p>“Now we are round to where we want to go, -so I resume level flight by applying left aileron -and left rudder. The wings are level once more, -so I neutralize the ailerons and give her a normal -amount of right rudder. And we’re pointed -in a direct line for the <i>Flying Fish</i>!”</p> -<p>“Gosh, but there’s an awful lot to it,” muttered -Charlie into his transmitter. “Looks so -simple and easy when you’re on the ground, -watching a plane flying. How do you ever remember -it all?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_86">86</div> -<p>“Oh, at first it’s a bit confusing, until you get -the hang of the thing—but it soon becomes -second nature to do the right trick. When you -come to fly you’ll find that there isn’t time for -slow thinking in the air. In fact, as my instructor -used to say, a flyer must develop instinctive -coordination between the sensory organs -and the muscles.”</p> -<p>“You can’t prove it by me!”</p> -<p>“Well, it simply means that when flying a -pilot must act quicker than he can think.”</p> -<p>“Humph! Like Dad does when he gets mad -and gives me a walloping.”</p> -<p>Bill laughed heartily. “Hair brush or slipper?”</p> -<p>“Oh, I always get the hair brush. He can -get a better grip on it. But I get a choice at -that—back or bristles.”</p> -<p>“I should think that bristles might be the less -unpleasant.”</p> -<p>“So did I. Just once. Never again, though. -I had to carry a pillow around with me for a -week after that session.”</p> -<p>“If I,” remarked Bill, “had your imagination, -Charlie, I’d be worth more than John D. -Rockefeller!”</p> -<p>“Raspberries!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_87">87</div> -<p>For a time they kept silence, unbroken save -for the humming drone of the engine.</p> -<p>“I wonder where that hideaway is we were -talking about?” Charlie said after a while.</p> -<p>“Well, it isn’t located on our coast, if we’re -bound there now. This plane is pointing -straight for Northern Europe.”</p> -<p>“Gee! Do you really think we’re going -across—making a trans-Atlantic flight?”</p> -<p>“Not a chance, kid, with the gas we’ve got -aboard this crate. If you ask me, the <i>Flying -Fish</i> is heading for a mother ship of some sort. -This gang will have to operate from a steamer -if they have no land base. Slap on those sea -glasses you were using and take a squint dead -ahead beyond the <i>Fish</i>—Smoke on the horizon, -isn’t there?”</p> -<p>“Sure is. Yes, I can make it out plainly now. -Say, you don’t realize how fast we’re traveling -until you get a bead on something in the distance. -The ship is still hull down, but the smoke -seems to be getting denser—”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_88">88</div> -<p>“I can see it now,” said Bill, giving the amphibian -more altitude in order to gain a better -view. “That’s no single-stacker, or I’m a landsman.”</p> -<p>“You’re right—she isn’t! I can see—one—two—three—<i>four</i> -funnels! Jingoes! She -must be a whopper!”</p> -<p>“I wonder,” muttered Bill, half to himself.</p> -<p>“What? But I can see—”</p> -<p>“Oh, I’m not doubting your word, Charles.”</p> -<p>“What are you wondering about then?”</p> -<p>“Remember the <i>Amtonia</i>?”</p> -<p>“<i>Amtonia?</i> Why, she’s the big British liner -that was held up at sea a couple of months ago!”</p> -<p>“Yes. A freighter SOS’d and when the -<i>Amtonia</i> went to offer help, the crew of the -tramp forced the liner’s crew and passengers to -swap steamers. Then they made off with the -big ship.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_89">89</div> -<p>“Sure, I remember all about that. Harry -Davis’ dad was on the <i>Amtonia</i>, coming home -from England, when it happened. It was in -the papers but I got the inside dope from Harry. -His old man told him all about it.”</p> -<p>“Dollars to a dead stick, you’ll be able to tell -Harry Davis more about the <i>Amtonia</i> than he -ever dreamed of, one of these days.”</p> -<p>“You mean—that ship over there is the -<i>Amtonia</i>?”</p> -<p>“Exactly. See—she’s hove to now—and the -<i>Flying Fish</i> is nosing over for a landing!”</p> -<p>The two in the speeding amphibian saw the -<i>Flying Fish</i> descend in a long glide to the surface -of the ocean and taxi toward the great -steamer.</p> -<p>“She’s the <i>Amtonia</i>, all right, all right!” -said Bill.</p> -<p>“Gosh, she’s big. What’s her tonnage?”</p> -<p>“Twenty-five thousand tons, I think.”</p> -<p>“Whew!—Say, listen, do you suppose -Mother and Dad are on board her now?”</p> -<p>“I shouldn’t be surprised if your Mother -and Father and some other boys’ papas and -mammas, along with them.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_90">90</div> -<p>“That is, unless business in the ransom line is -bad.”</p> -<p>“Which,” said Bill, “considering the number -of passengers watching us and the <i>Flying Fish</i> -from her decks—it isn’t. Shut up now, kid,” -he added, cutting his gun and pushing forward -the stick. “We’re going down and it sure -would look rotten to nose into the drink with -that gallery’s eyes on us.”</p> -<p>“Humph! And what about us in that case?”</p> -<p>“Boston papers,” said Bill, “please copy!”</p> -<p>Down they soared, straight into the wind to -land with hardly a splash, went skimming over -the water for fifty or sixty yards and came to -rest just behind the <i>Flying Fish</i>. Charlie, at -Bill’s bidding, flung out the sea anchor.</p> -<p>To port lay the <i>Amtonia</i>, now Baron von -Hiemskirk’s traffic raider, and neither lad was -surprised to see that she was blatantly flying the -flag of piracy, a skull and crossed bones of white -on a black field.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_91">91</div> -<p>Bill had no difficulty in recognizing the -<i>Amtonia</i>. She was one of the largest passenger -ships afloat, and consequently hard to disguise. -Her camouflaged hull and stacks, painted in -broad wavy stripes of grey-green and black -made it still harder to judge her length on the -waterline. He knew, however, that she must -be quite as long as two city blocks, and her many -decks rose above the amphibian to the height of -a ten-story building. Her four gigantic funnels—so -huge that the greatest locomotive could -have passed through one of them lengthwise -without scraping—and her tall masts, made her -easily recognizable to the young midshipman.</p> -<p>“Hello!” exclaimed Charlie, “there’s a gob -on the <i>Flying Fish</i> signalling the liner. Gee, -I wish I understood wigwag.”</p> -<p>“If you did,” said Bill, standing up on the -pilot’s seat and flapping his arms like a semaphore, -“you’d know he was signalling us and -not the <i>Amtonia</i>. For heaven’s sake, kid, -button that lip of yours. I want to get this -message.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_92">92</div> -<p>Bill then snatched up the helmet he had just -doffed and clapped it on again, buckling the -flaps over his ears. Charlie watched proceedings -with interest that for once was wordless. -Presently the sailor aboard the <i>Flying Fish</i> -stopped waving his two red flags. Bill answered -him with his arms, and the man rolled up his -flags and went below.</p> -<p>Bill Bolton unbuckled the chin-strap of his -helmet and turned toward the rear cockpit.</p> -<p>“Snap on that safety belt and put on your -helmet again,” he ordered, “and don’t take it -off this time until I tell you to. We are going -aboard.”</p> -<p>“Aboard what?”</p> -<p>“The <i>Amtonia</i>, of course.”</p> -<p>“But how can I go aboard that liner if I’m -tied to this seat?”</p> -<p>“Wait and see—I’m too busy to talk now—even -if you’re not!”</p> -<p>Bill got down, started the engine idling and -commenced to haul in their sea anchor.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_93">93</div> -<p>Charlie stood up in the rear cockpit and -called to him.</p> -<p>“Hey, Bill!”</p> -<p>“Well, what is it now?”</p> -<p>“How <i>are</i> we going aboard if I’m to be tied -up in this belt?”</p> -<p>“Great jumping snakes!” exploded Bill, -with a furious glance over his shoulder. “Have -you still got that safety-belt on the brain?”</p> -<p>“No—around the middle!”</p> -<p>“For a counterfeit two-cent piece with a hole -in it, I’d throw you into the Atlantic and let -you swim aboard!”</p> -<p>“Aw, please tell me, Bill!”</p> -<p>“Well, if you must know each detail, we’re -going aboard by way of the electric crane—”</p> -<p>“Aw, quit yer kidding—there ain’t any -electric trains out here!”</p> -<p>“Not train, bozo—<i>c-r-a-n-e</i>—hoist!”</p> -<p>“Oh! an electric crane! Are they going to -hoist us up?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_94">94</div> -<p>“That,” said Bill, as he stowed away their -mooring, “is the usual procedure when cranes -are used. Sometimes up—sometimes down—and—chew -on this one thoughtfully, for this -is the point of the story: Sometimes when the -tackle slips on a haul, there is a tendency to -slip sideways. And then, little chatterbox, -since it is this amphibian which is to be hauled -upward, and you who will be sitting in said -amphibian—the aforementioned safety belt is -likely to prove mighty useful. <i>Now</i> do you -savez?”</p> -<p>“Yup. But my teacher usta tell me that a -straight line is the shortest distance between two -points.”</p> -<p>“And when,” replied Bill with a grin, “you -want to make a home run, it is absolutely -necessary to touch all three bases and the plate!”</p> -<p>“Oh, yeah? Well, I think it’s pretty tough -when a feller can’t open his mouth without bein’ -told to pipe down every other minute!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_95">95</div> -<p>“Cheer up, Charles. It’s a long worm—you -know. And you’ve got this one on his back -with your chatter. The Baron said that this -was war, and I, for one, believe he’s right!”</p> -<p>“And,” Charlie chortled, “Sherman said that -war was—”</p> -<p>“All that <i>and</i> more. Nothing slow about you -when it comes to pickup. Well, there’s the -crane showing topside. Reckon I’d better feed -the old girl a little more gas and mosey over -there.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_96">96</div> -<h2 id="c7"><span class="h2line1"><span class="sc">Chapter VII</span></span> -<br /><span class="h2line2">ABOARD</span></h2> -<p>The <i>Amtonia</i> had stopped her engines and -now lay broadside on to the gentle groundswell. -Bill landed to leeward of the great ship, and -taxied the amphibian upwind to a point off her -leeward quarter. Then he shut off his motor -and when the plane’s momentum carried her -to within a few yards of the hull, towering -high above the little aircraft, he ordered -Charlie to fling out the sea anchor. Their -drift, of course, was to leeward, so the -manoeuver brought them nose on to the ship’s -side, directly below the long arm of the hoist.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_97">97</div> -<p>In order that seaplanes may be taken aboard -ships, flying boats are provided with slings. -Bill’s craft being an amphibian, was equipped -with retractible landing gear, operated electrically -from the cockpits. But inasmuch as -the <i>Amtonia</i> boasted no deck upon which an -airplane might land, the hoist was the only -means available.</p> -<p>A heaving line was cast to the amphibian as -soon as her propeller stopped, and made secure -while Bill and Charlie worked like beavers -to secure the wing lines. That accomplished, -the lads broke out the sling, and after considerable -trouble, passed it completely around the -hull of their craft, using spreaders to prevent -crushing during the hoist aboard.</p> -<p>While they were working on these details, -the hoisting hook was let down to them and -presently the sling was made fast to it.</p> -<p>“Gee whiz! Look at the gallery now!” -cried Charlie, staring up at the line of faces -along the deck rails of the steamer. “Say! -there’s Dad—and Mother! And there’s Uncle -Arthur! See them up there, next to the top -deck! They’re waving to us! Hi, Dad! -Hello, Mother! Hello, Uncle Arthur!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_98">98</div> -<p>“Swell,” was Bill’s preoccupied comment. -“I’m glad you’ve found your people, kid. But -get into the rear cockpit now, and pipe down a -bit, please. This is a ticklish job and unless you -keep quiet so I can do a bit of talking to those -guys on the ship, it’s likely to turn into a first -class accident instead of a reunion.”</p> -<p>Charlie, only slightly abashed, subsided in -his seat, but he kept on waving frantically to -his parents.</p> -<p>Then a chief petty officer, who stood by the -rail just below the arm of the hoist, raised a -megaphone to his lips.</p> -<p>“Avast below!” he roared, showing a strong -foreign accent. “Is that sling secure, sir?”</p> -<p>“All secure!” called back Bill. “But be sure -your men keep the slack out of our wing lines -when you hoist us. I don’t want the plane to -start swinging.”</p> -<p>“Aye, aye, sir. Are you quite ready, sir?”</p> -<p>“All ready.”</p> -<p>“Stand by to be hoisted, sir.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_99">99</div> -<p>The officer raised a hand. There came a -creaking of the sling as the hoist hook caught -up the slack, then very slowly the plane rose -out of the water on her upward journey.</p> -<p>“Sit down and keep perfectly quiet, Charlie,” -ordered Bill. “If we start the plane see-sawing, -there’ll be the dickens and all to pay.”</p> -<p>Charlie did as he was told. “Don’t worry -about me, skipper,” he answered in a somewhat -aggrieved tone. “It’s not me that’s raising all -the row now.”</p> -<p>The passengers, or possibly they might better -be termed prisoners on board the liner, were -waving handkerchiefs and calling greetings to -the boys. Any break in the monotony of ship -life is always made the most of, and Bill surmised -that many of these people had been held -on board the liner for weeks.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_100">100</div> -<p>The plane in its sling went slowly upward, -watched by the enthusiastic gallery on the -promenade deck. The hoist was situated far -forward and as the amphibian topped the bulwarks, -it was swung aboard and deposited on -deck beside an open hatch. No more had she -been landed and braced than Charlie jumped -out and raced off to seek his parents.</p> -<p>Bill, in the meantime, had his hands full. It -was explained to him that inasmuch as the -<i>Amtonia</i> was not equipped for the carrying of -aircraft, the plane must be dissembled in order -to permit its being stowed away in the hold. A -number of men were told off to assist him and -for the next couple of hours, he was busily engaged -directing the work. Wing sections were -removed first and lowered through the hatchway. -The tail plane came next, and at the -same time, the propeller was taken from the -engine. Last of all, lines were riven about the -hull and made fast to heavy fittings on the -plane, such as engine bearers. Then the denuded -hull was hoisted from the deck and -lowered nose first into the hold. Even then -Bill’s work was not completed, for it was necessary, -of course, to secure everything below -against possible damage from the rolling or -pitching of the ship.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_101">101</div> -<p>Sandwiches and coffee were served to him -by a steward, while he was still on deck. He -had sent his excuses when the captain had -asked him to lunch, as he felt it imperative -that he stay with the men on the job.</p> -<p>It was three-thirty before the work was -finished to his satisfaction, and with a petty -officer as guide, he located the Baron in his -cabin. The <i>Amtonia</i> had got under way again -several hours earlier. Upon coming topside, he -saw that the ship was steaming into the north-east. -Close in their wake, the <i>Flying Fish</i>, -once more a submarine, ploughed the smooth -surface of the ocean.</p> -<p>When Bill entered the captain’s cabin, he -found the Baron seated at his desk, reading a -paper which had just been handed him by the -wireless operator.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_102">102</div> -<p>“Stand by for a few minutes, Mr. Bolton,” -he said, putting the note aside. “Take a seat -on the couch. I have need of you again.”</p> -<p>Bill sat down while Baron von Hiemskirk -went on talking to the operator.</p> -<p>“Do your best to find out what other craft are -in the vicinity and report to me on the bridge as -soon as possible.” He said this in German -which Bill understood but did not speak well.</p> -<p>“Aye, aye, sir,” returned the man, saluted -and departed.</p> -<p>The Baron stood up, picked up his cap and -turned to Bill who also rose.</p> -<p>“All secure with the plane below?”</p> -<p>“All secure, sir.”</p> -<p>“Good. Come along then.”</p> -<p>Together they passed through the thwartship -passage and out on deck. They reached -the top deck of the superstructure by a steep -stair and went forward. From this deck another -stair led to the bridge, where a sailor with -rifle and sidearms stood sentry. The man -brought his gun to “present” and both the -Baron and Bill punctiliously returned the salute. -Long before this Bill had come to realize that -strict naval discipline was enforced to the letter -aboard this pirate ship.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_103">103</div> -<p>Once they were on the bridge an officer came -forward and saluted.</p> -<p>The Baron said stiffly: “Commander Geibel—Mr. -Bolton—in charge of flight operations.”</p> -<p>The Commander and Bill shook hands.</p> -<p>“Has the lookout reported anything during -the past quarter of an hour?” inquired the -Baron.</p> -<p>“Not a thing, sir.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_104">104</div> -<p>Commander Geibel and the others instinctively -glanced toward the foremast where about -halfway to the top was located the ship’s first -lookout station. This station, Bill was to learn, -always held an officer and his assistant. Still -higher up the mast in the crow’s nest, a sharp-eyed -seaman, especially trained to this service, -kept a vigilant scrutiny on the horizon. When -the man in the crow’s nest discerned smoke or -haze which seemed to indicate a ship, he called -to the men in the lookout below. Instantly all -glasses would be trained in the direction he gave -them, and the bridge would make ready to act -upon the result of their discovery.</p> -<p>The Baron turned to Commander Geibel -again. “We have just received a wireless that -the French liner <i>Orleans</i> is about sixty miles to -the northward, steaming east. She carries the -mails, you know, and a capacity load of first -class passengers. I think she will be worth detaining.”</p> -<p>“Decidedly so, sir.”</p> -<p>“Make ready to stop the ship, if you please. -Also signal the <i>Flying Fish</i> to prepare for a -flight. While I am away, you will be in -supreme command, as usual.”</p> -<p>“Very good, Herr Baron. Any further -orders?”</p> -<p>“No. You will maintain the usual routine. -Good afternoon, Herr Commander.”</p> -<p>“May I wish the Herr Baron his usual success -and a pleasant trip?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_105">105</div> -<p>“Thank you, Herr Geibel.” The two shook -hands. “<i>Auf wiedersehn!</i>”</p> -<p>“<i>Auf wiedersehn</i>, Herr Baron! <i>Auf wiedersehn</i>, -Herr Bolton.”</p> -<p>“<i>Auf wiedersehn</i>, Commander.”</p> -<p>They saluted. Commander Geibel stepped -to the engine room telegraph and the Baron -with Bill at his heels left the bridge.</p> -<p>“Come to my cabin. I want to say a few -words to you.”</p> -<p>Bill knew that Commander Geibel had -given the order “All engines ahead one-third.” -So he was not surprised by the time they -entered the Captain’s cabin to find that the -vibration from the ship’s propellers had -ceased.</p> -<p>“You understand, Mr. Bolton,” the Baron -said, “that we are about to capture a trans-Atlantic -liner?”</p> -<p>“I understand that such is your purpose, sir.”</p> -<p>“You are ready to obey orders—to pilot the -<i>Flying Fish</i> as we agreed?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_106">106</div> -<p>Bill was silent for a moment. “And if I -refuse?” he asked at last.</p> -<p>“Then it will be my painful duty to place -both you and Chief Osceola in the brig and -keep you there until we make port.”</p> -<p>“Where is Osceola now?”</p> -<p>“He is still aboard the <i>Flying Fish</i>. He is to -act as your assistant. You see, my dear fellow,” -the Baron went on, his manner changing from -curtness to affability. “As a midshipman in the -United States Navy, you are too dangerous a -person to allow you to mix freely with the -other passengers of this ship, unless—shall I -put it frankly?—unless I have a hold of some -kind over you. Those people, wealthy men and -women, or they should not be here, are nevertheless -but a flock of sheep. You and the Chief -proved in Florida that you were made of different -stuff. Aboard the <i>Merrymaid</i>, I gave -you my reasons for the offer. What is your -final answer, now that you have had time to -think it over?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_107">107</div> -<p>Bill hesitated no longer. “I will fly the -plane as agreed,” he said. “But there, my duty -to you and your organization ends.”</p> -<p>“That satisfies me. I am glad to take your -word as an officer and a gentleman on this -matter.” He rose from his chair and beamed -at Bill. “My organization is perfect, Mr. -Bolton—perfect. You will have no chance to -escape—there is no where to escape to—but if -you and your friend should wish to try—you -have my permission to do so!”</p> -<p>Bill smiled, and said nothing.</p> -<p>“Time to shove off now,” continued the -Baron bruskly. “The boat will be waiting for -us.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_108">108</div> -<p>They went overside by means of a ship’s -ladder and were rowed over to the <i>Flying Fish</i>. -Her airplane engines were making their appearance -topside by the time they stepped -aboard. For a few minutes Bill watched them -rise one by one, and slide on grooved tracks into -place. At the same time, he noticed that the -decking just forward of the central motor was -moving upward to reveal itself as the roof of a -glass-sided structure about two feet high.</p> -<p>“What’s under that?” he asked the Baron, -“the pilot’s cockpit?”</p> -<p>“Just so. Come below and we’ll inspect it.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_109">109</div> -<h2 id="c8"><span class="h2line1"><span class="sc">Chapter VIII</span></span> -<br /><span class="h2line2">PIRACY</span></h2> -<p>While they had been talking, Bill saw the -conning tower lower itself until it stood not -more than a foot above the deck aft of the huge -wings.</p> -<p>“This certainly is the most remarkable ship -I’ve ever seen, or ever hope to see,” he exclaimed -as they descended into the hull through -the conning tower hatch.</p> -<p>“I designed most of these gadgets before the -close of the last war,” replied the Baron in his -usual pompous manner. “The armistice interrupted -my experiments and as there was no -government that amounted to anything in my -country then, I kept the results of my work for -myself. Some little time ago, speculation in -your American stocks gave me sufficient capital -to build that ship with added improvements. -Now I am cashing in on her.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_110">110</div> -<p>The Diesel engines were drawing air from -an intake valve just under the small bridge as -they dropped into the control room where Bill -and the Baron studied the charts for a while, and -he was given the course he was to fly. They -passed through the battery room where the walls -were lined with the crews’ bunks and into the -pilot’s glassed-in cockpit.</p> -<p>“Hello!” Osceola beamed at them from one -of the pilot’s seats. “It’s sure good to see you -again, Bill, old boy. How do you do, Baron?”</p> -<p>The Baron was annoyed.</p> -<p>“It is customary aboard my ships for a -superior officer to receive a salute when spoken -to. And the salute should be rendered standing.”</p> -<p>Osceola smiled, stood up, clicked his heels -together and brought the fingers of his right -hand smartly to the edge of the soft helmet he -wore.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_111">111</div> -<p>“Thank you.” The Baron punctiliously returned -the salute. “Good afternoon, Chief.”</p> -<p>Then he turned his back on the young -Seminole and spoke again to Bill.</p> -<p>“When the buzzer rings in here, Mr. Bolton, -you will start idling your engines and take off -as soon as possible immediately afterward. You -know your course and you have instructions -with regard to landing. Further orders will be -sent to you should I consider them necessary.”</p> -<p>“I understand, sir,” said Bill.</p> -<p>Both young fellows saluted. The Baron returned -their salutes and left the cockpit, sliding -the door to behind him.</p> -<p>“Gosh!” exploded Osceola. “That lad gives -me the jim-jams with his confounded bowing -and saluting. I’ll turn into a Prussian Yunker -myself if we don’t get out of this soon!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_112">112</div> -<p>“Reckon you weren’t cut out for a Naval -man,” laughed Bill, “I admit I’ve had my fill -of that stuff at the Academy, but the Herr Baron -certainly goes the whole hog. Let’s see what -kind of a crate I’ve got to run,” he mused—“ten -motors—dual control—aeromarine inertia -starter!”</p> -<p>He studied the layout thoughtfully and -glanced at the instrument board. Then he -turned to Osceola again.</p> -<p>“Thank heaven, they’ve fitted this bus with -the wheel and column type of control. The -clever bird has stolen some of the Fokker -features. That worm gear, operated by a crank -and shaft from the pilot’s seat to adjust the -stabilizer in flight proves it.”</p> -<p>“Maybe,” grinned his friend. “That’s all -Greek to me. The joke of it is that these bozos -think I understand—that I’m an aviator like -you!”</p> -<p>“Well, I’ve given you some pointers, haven’t -I? You ought to recognize a few of these -gadgets.”</p> -<p>The Chief snorted. “<i>Few</i> is right. Your -amphibian is one thing—but this bus is fitted -out like the engine room of an ocean liner!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_113">113</div> -<p>Bill laughed and picked up a soft helmet.</p> -<p>“Ever been in one?”</p> -<p>“An engine room?”</p> -<p>“Yes.”</p> -<p>“Not yet—and I hope never.”</p> -<p>“I thought so. Well, Mr. Assistant Pilot, -get into your seat and look pretty. I’ll do the -work. Confound, there goes the buzzer!”</p> -<p>He slipped into his seat and his hand sought -the inertia starter. With her multiple engines -roaring in deafening crescendo, the <i>Flying Fish</i> -leapt through the water and was jerked onto -her step, quite as easily as the smallest seaplane. -A few seconds later she was in the air, nosing -upward into the ether.</p> -<p>Bill ran her up to thirty-five hundred feet, -leveled off, did a sharp bank to port, then -straightened out once more and spoke to Osceola.</p> -<p>“Some bus! Runs like a ladies’ wristwatch.”</p> -<p>“Aren’t you keeping pretty low?”</p> -<p>“There’s no sense climbing higher. The -skipper wants to get there in a hurry.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_114">114</div> -<p>“Er—you know this is rank piracy?”</p> -<p>“I do, Osceola. But it’s a long chance—and -a darned sight better for our plans than being -cooped up in the brig. If I wasn’t driving this -plane, the Baron would be. Friend von Hiemskirk -is so sure of himself he says that we have -his permission to escape—if we can. I’d like -to give him a run, you know.”</p> -<p>“Yes, nice of him, isn’t it? Still, we got -away from the Shell Island gang, didn’t we?”</p> -<p>“Sure did—and put those guys in a place -where they belong.”</p> -<p>“Well, I’m entirely willing to try it with this -bunch—but between you and me, I’m almost -inclined to agree with the Baron—I don’t -think we’ve the ghost of a show.”</p> -<p>“Maybe not. But we’ll make a good stab at -it, just the same. First of all, we’ve got to know -how they work their game. That’s the principal -reason why I took over this job. It’s not only -escape I’m after, but it’s busting up this organized -piracy, as well.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_115">115</div> -<p>“Ambitious, aren’t you?”</p> -<p>“Well—hello! there’s smoke on the horizon!”</p> -<p>“Oh, yes, I see it. Dead ahead. Think she’s -the ship we want?”</p> -<p>“Hope so. We’re following the course. -Herr Pomposo plotted it himself, so he can’t -strafe us if it isn’t.”</p> -<p>Osceola clapped a pair of glasses to his eyes -and studied the distant smudge of black that -was curling up a blue horizon.</p> -<p>“Three funnels. Looks like a pretty big -ship—and she sure is moving along.”</p> -<p>“The <i>Orleans</i> is a three-stacker. Also, she’s -plenty big and fast. Push that button on the -instrument board marked ‘C.R.’, will you?”</p> -<p>Osceola complied. “What’s C.R. mean?”</p> -<p>“Control room. I want to let his high-mightiness -know we’ve sighted his prey.”</p> -<p>“This,” said Osceola, “begins to get exciting.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_116">116</div> -<p>“It will,” said Bill, “get a good deal more -exciting than we bargained for unless you pipe -down, old man. There’s some ticklish business -ahead of us and I can’t afford to crack it. -Now—get these instructions, and get ’em right. -That handle yonder works the bomb release. -When I say the word, take hold of it—but don’t -pull until I tell you to.”</p> -<p>“But—Bill!” protested the Seminole. “You -surely aren’t taking orders from von Hiemskirk -or anyone else to bomb that liner!”</p> -<p>“Not if I know it,” Bill answered curtly. -“Get your mind on the job. When I say NOW—you -pull. Not one instant sooner, or an -instant later. It’s a matter of life and death—so -be careful.”</p> -<p>“Trust me,” said his mystified friend, lifting -a nervous gaze to stare at the great steamer -they were approaching so swiftly.</p> -<p>The <i>Orleans</i> was a beautiful sight; a racing -greyhound of the seas, tearing through a glassy -ocean, bound for Europe with mail and passengers.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_117">117</div> -<p>The <i>Flying Fish</i> came upon her from the -south. As he drew nearer the leviathan, Bill -decreased the plane’s altitude to a meager five -hundred feet. Below the belching funnels he -could see passengers and crew crowding the -starboard rails, for even the most <i>blasé</i> traveler -is still thrilled by the sight of an airplane in -mid-ocean.</p> -<p>The great plane circled the ship. Then Bill -dropped behind for a moment, did a flipper -turn to port, levelled off and came racing up -from the rear. When the <i>Flying Fish</i> was -directly over the steamer’s stern, Bill spoke to -Osceola.</p> -<p>“Get ready!” he said.</p> -<p>“Good Lord! You can’t do it, Bill. It’s -murder!”</p> -<p>“Shut up—and obey orders!” commanded -his pilot. “This is my funeral—not yours.”</p> -<p>Osceola grasped the bomb release, his brain -whirling in consternation and confusion.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_118">118</div> -<p>Slowly they forged ahead, over the stacks, -the foremast, the bow, and on until they had -gained a lead of possibly two hundred yards on -the <i>Orleans</i>.</p> -<p>“NOW!”</p> -<p>Back came Osceola’s hand, yanking the -handle and at the same time Bill banked the -plane in a sharp left turn. Osceola descried an -object darting seaward beneath them. He -glimpsed it strike the water and a geyser shot -upward in front of the racing liner. Then as -the <i>Flying Fish</i> came about and landed, he saw -that the <i>Orleans</i> was slowing down. By the -time their own craft was moored to a sea anchor, -the liner’s propellers no longer turned and she -lay like a “painted ship upon a painted ocean.”</p> -<p>Both lads stripped off their headgear as the -Baron walked into the cockpit.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_119">119</div> -<p>“I am about to board the <i>Orleans</i>,” he stated -in that overbearing tone that was so irritating to -Osceola. “You young gentlemen will accompany -me. We leave directly. Once aboard, it -will be your duty to make note of the quantity -of gasoline and lubricating oils carried by the -liner and render a report to me. I shall probably -be found in the First Class dining salon, -where passengers will be interviewed. Come -now, it is time we were off.”</p> -<p>When Bill and Osceola came out on deck -they saw that a three-inch gun had been brought -topside and was trained on the <i>Orleans</i>. Signals -had evidently passed between the <i>Flying Fish</i> -and the liner, which lay motionless a few -hundred yards off their port quarter. Even as -the boarding party, armed to the teeth, stepped -into a small launch, a gangway was let down -from the side of the leviathan.</p> -<p>The journey across took but a very few -minutes. Bill had only time to note that the -<i>Orleans</i> no longer flew her colors and that the -decks were still crowded with passengers, when -the seaman in the bow of their launch caught -the grating at the bottom of the steep flight of -steps with his boathook.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_120">120</div> -<p>The Baron immediately sprang onto the -grating and, followed by another officer, Bill, -Osceola and four seamen bearing rifles, mounted -the gangway. The launch in the meantime -hastened back toward the <i>Flying Fish</i> to pick up -another load of men.</p> -<p>An indignant officer, whose uniform proclaimed -him to be the ship’s captain, met them -as they stepped on deck.</p> -<p>“This is an outrage!” he thundered, addressing -the Baron. “By what right do you threaten -my ship and board her?”</p> -<p>Von Hiemskirk smiled cynically at the -scowling captain, and bowed, including the row -of ship’s officers and men who stood close behind -him, in his salutation.</p> -<p>“You make a mistake, Captain,” he replied -affably, “when you say ‘my ship.’ Allow me to -inform you that she is no longer yours—but -mine—by right of conquest!”</p> -<p>“But this is—piracy!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_121">121</div> -<p>“I am glad,” said the Baron, “that you realize -the fact.” He changed his tone abruptly. -“Permit me to inform you also that unless my -orders are obeyed—obeyed on the instant,—it -will be my unpleasant duty to sink this ship.”</p> -<p>A man in the uniform of the ship’s wireless -operator pushed his way through the crowd of -protesting passengers and saluting the <i>Orleans</i> -captain, whispered a few words in his ear.</p> -<p>“No secrets,” snapped the Baron. “Operator, -what message have you brought?”</p> -<p>It was now the captain’s turn to smile.</p> -<p>“I will answer your question,” he returned. -“We have been in touch with the United States -Cruiser <i>Stamford</i>. At the present moment, she -is steaming at full speed to this spot!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_122">122</div> -<h2 id="c9"><span class="h2line1"><span class="sc">Chapter IX</span></span> -<br /><span class="h2line2">THE BARON’S METHODS</span></h2> -<p>Baron von Hiemskirk roared with laughter. -“Splendid, Captain—splendid! To use an -American expression, Herr Captain—we pirates -are not always as dumb as we may look. I -know all about that warship. It will take her -five hours, fast steaming, to reach this ship.”</p> -<p>He turned his back contemptuously on the -furious skipper and walked to the rail. A -glance overside told him that the launch, -crowded to the gunwales with more men from -the <i>Flying Fish</i> was nosing the landing stage -below. He again approached the choleric -officer.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_123">123</div> -<p>“I now take over this ship. Order your crew -to the forecastle and your officers to their cabins. -You and I, my friend, will repair to your -quarters. I want to look over your ship’s -papers.”</p> -<p>By this time the second boarding party -reached the deck, and commands snapped from -the Baron like reports from a machine gun.</p> -<p>Accompanied by an armed seaman from the -<i>Flying Fish</i>, Bill and Osceola followed the -chief commissary steward below. The man -had been told off for the duty by the Baron, -with a promise that if there were any complaints -upon their return, he would be shot. On second -thought, he had expanded Bill’s orders.</p> -<p>“You will attend to the oil and gas,” he said, -“and in addition, you will commandeer all -stores leaving two days’ crews’ rations for the -passengers. Break out what men you need and -get the supplies to this deck on the port side. -And just as quickly as possible, Mr. Bolton.”</p> -<p>“Aye, aye, sir.”</p> -<p>Arrived at the chief steward’s office, he was -amazed to learn from the man’s lists the vast -amount of eatables carried by the liner.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_124">124</div> -<p>“Gosh, there’s everything here from caviar -to oatmeal!”</p> -<p>“Well, orders are orders,” said Osceola. -“While you’re deciding what to take and what -to leave, I’ll get hold of the crew and meet you -below in the storerooms.”</p> -<p>“Right-o! I’ll be with you in a jiffy. I -hate to have to do this, but if we don’t make a -clean job of it, you and I will finish out this -cruise in the well-known brig!”</p> -<p>For the next few hours, both lads worked like -beavers superintending the transportation of -supplies. Leaving Osceola in charge below, Bill -went up to the deck where the boxes, barrels and -crates from the storerooms were being stacked -by members of the captured liner’s crew. The -<i>Flying Fish</i>, now transformed into her guise of -submarine, came along side, a hoist was brought -into use and the provisions lowered to her.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_125">125</div> -<p>It soon became evident that the underseas -boat’s cargo capacity would take but a fraction -of the plunder, so Bill ordered the <i>Orleans’</i> lifeboats -to be lowered. One by one, these were -loaded. The first boat to receive its quota of -goods was secured to the <i>Flying Fish</i> by a tow-line, -and the bow of each succeeding lifeboat -made fast by a line to the stern of the one ahead. -When the last load of crates was being lowered -overside, Bill found Osceola at his elbow.</p> -<p>“That tears it, I reckon. Good plan that—using -the boats. I wondered how you were -going to load all that stuff in the <i>Flying -Fish</i>.”</p> -<p>“I hated to do it,” admitted his friend, “but -now that the <i>Orleans</i> is practically without provisions, -she will have to return to New York, -and she can make port in less than twenty-four -hours. With this fine weather, there’s little or -no danger of the passengers needing the boats.”</p> -<p>“What are we to do now?” asked Osceola.</p> -<p>“Report to Herr Baron, I reckon.”</p> -<p>Bill hailed one of the submarine’s petty -officers who was herding the crew back to their -quarters.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_126">126</div> -<p>“Do you know where we’ll find Baron von -Hiemskirk?”</p> -<p>“He is in the main dining salon, sir.”</p> -<p>“Come along, Osceola,” said Bill. “He -must be pretty nearly finished with his own -particular job. I hope so, anyway. If that -cruiser shows up and we’re caught—well, it -will take a lot of explaining to justify our part -in this. The chances are, I’d be handed my discharge -from the Navy, if nothing worse.”</p> -<p>Osceola nodded gloomily and the two made -their way along an almost empty deck to the -main companionway.</p> -<p>“I wonder where the passengers have disappeared -to,” mused the young Seminole, as they -descended the broad staircase.</p> -<p>“They’ve probably been sent to their cabins -for the time being. If my guess is a good one, -the big boy is at present engaged in robbing the -entire first class of their valuables.”</p> -<p>“It’s certainly a bad bit of work, Bill.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_127">127</div> -<p>“Gee, I know it. But some day we may be -able to get even with this polite pirate. Just -now all we can do is to smile and take orders.”</p> -<p>They found the Baron seated at the head of -the captain’s table. An angry gentleman, his -wife and two pretty daughters, under guard of -a seaman, stood before him.</p> -<p>“Mr. Rodney Conway and family, of New -York.” The Baron glanced at a list he held. -“I am glad to say that this little interview will -conclude my business aboard the <i>Orleans</i>.”</p> -<p>“Look here!” cut in the passenger. “This -whole thing is preposterous! Why, your men -have ransacked our cabins and stolen nearly -everything of value we have with us. If, as -you seem to be, you are German citizens, I shall -certainly make a complaint in person to the -German ambassador, when this ship lands us in -England!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_128">128</div> -<p>The Baron von Hiemskirk smiled, but the -smile was not a pleasant one. “I do not recognize -the present German government,” he said -sneeringly, “and it also may interest you to -know that they are quite as keen to apprehend -me and put a stop to my business ventures as -you are. Furthermore, Mr. Conway, you and -your family are not going to England—not by -this ship.”</p> -<p>Mr. Conway started visibly. Then he drew -himself up: “I do not care for myself—but I -must beg of you to spare my wife and -daughters—”</p> -<p>The Baron put up a restraining hand. -“There is no cause for alarm, Mr. Conway. -Unless, of course, you prove to be unreasonable. -Who’s Who tells me that you are president of -the Western Hemisphere Bank in New York -City, and that you are on the board of directors -of other important financial institutions. Now, -there will be a small matter of ransom to go -into before we part company. At present, time -presses. You and your family will go for a -cruise with me—an agreeable one, I trust—until -this business of ransom can be attended to. -You will go on deck with this seaman now. -Your cabin baggage has already left the ship. -That will be all, I think.” He stood up in dismissal, -and bowed.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_129">129</div> -<p>“Good afternoon,” he beamed, “and bon -voyage!”</p> -<p>The Conway family, under guard, left the -salon. Baron von Hiemskirk beckoned to Bill -and Osceola who had been silent witnesses of this -charming scene.</p> -<p>“I have to report, sir,” said Bill at once, “that -the supplies have been placed aboard the <i>Flying -Fish</i> and the lifeboats. They are now ready for -transport to the <i>Amtonia</i>.”</p> -<p>“Thank you, Mr. Bolton, and you, too, Chief. -I was certain that I could trust you with the job. -That was a good idea to use the lifeboats. If a -heavy sea had been running the greater part of -the stuff must have been left behind.”</p> -<p>“I should think,” said Osceola, “that you -would have brought up the <i>Amtonia</i> and placed -the stuff aboard her direct.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_130">130</div> -<p>The Baron smiled goodhumoredly. “Mr. -Bolton can you tell him my reason for not doing -so? I am not really a blood-thirsty person by -nature, Chief.”</p> -<p>“Baron von Hiemskirk does not wish vessels -like the <i>Orleans</i> to know that the <i>Amtonia</i> is -in his service, Osceola.”</p> -<p>“But what has bloodthirstiness got to do with -it, if I may ask?”</p> -<p>Bill answered this too. “I suppose the Baron -feels it would be necessary to sink such vessels -whose crews or passengers guess his secret. Am -I right, Sir?”</p> -<p>“Quite, Mr. Bolton. That warship, for instance, -will arrive here in an hour or so. All -that she can learn from those left aboard this -ship is that the <i>Flying Fish</i> and the <i>Orleans</i> -boats have departed in such and such a direction—which, -of course, will not be the one they will -eventually take.”</p> -<p>“But won’t they wireless that news to the -<i>Stamford</i> just as soon as we leave the ship?” inquired -the Chief.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_131">131</div> -<p>“Nobody,” replied the Baron gently, “will -use the wireless after we leave, for the simple -reason that this ship’s wireless will not be in -working order. Now we will go on deck.”</p> -<p>He led the way up the staircase without -speaking further. At the entrance to the companionway, -they were met by one of the Baron’s -men.</p> -<p>“Beg to report, sir, that all decks have been -cleared. Passengers and crew are locked in their -cabins. The fires have been drawn and the wireless -has been put out of commission.”</p> -<p>“Good. We shall shove off at once.”</p> -<p>The officer preceded them toward the gangway -where a squad of armed seamen were drawn -up.</p> -<p>“By Jove!” cried Osceola. “What’s become -of the <i>Flying Fish</i>? She’s disappeared. Surely -she can’t have submerged and carried the boats -down with her.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_132">132</div> -<p>“No such luck,” muttered Bill sotto voce. -“There she is, with her blooming boats in tow, -off to the westward. She probably got underway -about the time we went below. What’s the -matter, Osceola? You seem to be in the dumps.”</p> -<p>“Well, I hate this work we’ve been doing, -that’s all, Bill. Unless we can act pretty soon—do -something to stop this robbing of innocent -people, I’ll be so low, I’ll have to reach up to -touch bottom!”</p> -<p>“Gosh, I’m with you. I could hardly keep -quiet when that interview with the Conways -took place. But tonight, we’ll talk. Keep -smiling now—here we are at the gangway. Gee, -we’re swiping the <i>Orleans</i> launch! I wondered -how we were going to get back to the <i>Amtonia</i>.”</p> -<p>“These guys,” said Osceola disgustedly, -“snatch everything that’s loose. What’s nailed -down they pull up and charge the owners for the -nails!”</p> -<p>Following the Baron, who was conversing -with an officer, they went down the steps of -the gangway, and took seats in the waiting -launch.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_133">133</div> -<h2 id="c10"><span class="h2line1"><span class="sc">Chapter X</span></span> -<br /><span class="h2line2">BILL STARTS IN</span></h2> -<p>The launch, a highpowered craft, soon -caught up with the submarine and its string of -loaded lifeboats. Darkness had fallen before -the little flotilla reached the mothership, but the -plunder was quickly taken aboard, and the lifeboats -were sunk. Within an hour of their arrival, -the <i>Amtonia</i> with her submarine pilot-fish -were heading into the northeast again.</p> -<p>The two lads were given a large, comfortable -cabin together, where they found the baggage -from their amphibian had been stowed. They -had just taken a shower in the luxuriously appointed -bathroom off their cabin, when there -came a knock at the door.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_134">134</div> -<p>“The Captain’s compliments, sir,” said the -steward when Bill opened to him, “and will you -gentlemen dine with him and his officers at eight -thirty in the Palm Garden? He asks me to -inform you, sir, that you will find uniforms in -your closet. He begs that you will not wear -civilian clothes while aboard.”</p> -<p>“Thank Baron von Hiemskirk on behalf of -Chief Osceola and myself. We shall be glad -to join the officers’ mess at half past eight. We -shall also put on the uniforms he has provided, -although I must say that nothing looks worse -than a uniform one hasn’t been fitted for!”</p> -<p>“Beg pardon, sir, but the tailor has already -altered the uniforms. He took measurements -from the suits in your bags. He and his men -are working on more of them tonight. He tells -me that they will all be finished soon.”</p> -<p>“Thank you,” said Bill. “That will be fine. -By the way, where is the Palm Garden?”</p> -<p>“Off A deck, sir. Thank you, sir.” He was -gone.</p> -<p>“Well,” grinned Bill, “some system they -have aboard this packet!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_135">135</div> -<p>“You said it. Too much system to suit me, -Bill. We’re likely to come a bad cropper when -we buck it.”</p> -<p>“You know the adage about crossing bridges -before you have to, Osceola. Let’s get into -these uniforms. It’s nearly time for mess and -I’m hungry enough to chew rubber.”</p> -<p>The uniforms proved to be made of white -duck, and the lads found their names stitched -inside the blouses. An officer’s cap and pair -of white canvas shoes went with each suit. To -their further surprise, they found that all these -articles fitted them exactly.</p> -<p>“Gee!” exclaimed Bill, as he saw the two gold -stripes on his black shoulder straps. “This is -promotion with a vengeance! When I woke -up this morning, I was only a midshipman. Tonight -I’m a full lieutenant! What’s the Baron -made you, big boy?”</p> -<p>“I’ve got a broad stripe like yours, Bill, and -a narrow one. I suppose that rates me something—but -what, I don’t know!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_136">136</div> -<p>“That’s the insignia of a lieutenant j.g.”</p> -<p>“And what’s the j.g. mean?”</p> -<p>“Junior grade. A j.g. ranks with a first lieutenant -in the army.”</p> -<p>“And you, with your two broad stripes rank -with an army captain, I suppose, and you’re my -superior officer on board here, I take it?”</p> -<p>“Right. Only we say full stripes, not broad -stripes. In Navy parlance, I’m a two-striper, -and you are a one-and-a-half striper.”</p> -<p>“Sounds to me like a convict gang,” laughed -the Seminole, as he buttoned up his blouse. -“Well, if you’re ready, I am.”</p> -<p>“Don’t forget your cap,” Bill reminded him. -“Strictly speaking, no naval officer is in uniform -without it.”</p> -<p>“Pirate officer, you mean,” grunted Osceola -as they entered the corridor. “Last time we -were kidnapped and lacked all this luxury, but -at least what clothes we wore were comfortable. -I feel as if somebody had laced me -into a tight corset.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_137">137</div> -<p>“You’ll feel better after dinner.”</p> -<p>“Maybe. If the buttons hold!”</p> -<p>Together they mounted the stairs to A deck. -A few of the <i>Amtonia’s</i> passengers were lounging -about on deck. They paid not the slightest -attention to them, in fact, Bill noticed that their -indifference was so marked that it could not be -other than studied.</p> -<p>Then a voice spoke behind them. “Hello, -men!” As they turned, Charlie joined them. -“I wanted Father to meet you,” he said, rather -breathlessly, “but he says you’ve joined the -pirates, and— But you haven’t, have you?”</p> -<p>Osceola looked down at him quizzically. -“Only pro tem!”</p> -<p>“Gee, what does that mean? I wish you’d -talk American.”</p> -<p>“If I spoke my own language, which is real -American, youngster, you wouldn’t understand -me any better.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_138">138</div> -<p>Bill grinned. “Pro tem means for the time -being,” he said. “But I’d better tell you, -Charlie, that the Chief is feeling low tonight, -so don’t get fresh. He’ll tomahawk you one of -these days if you don’t look out!”</p> -<p>“Oh, yeah?” Charlie seemed unimpressed -by this dire threat. Then his tone changed suddenly. -“Please, Bill,” he whispered eagerly, -“let me be a pirate, too. Gee, it would be such -fun. Can’t I?”</p> -<p>Both Bill and Osceola burst into a shout of -laughter. “But how about your Dad?” asked -the Seminole.</p> -<p>“Well, what about him?”</p> -<p>Bill shook his head. “Talk like that to him, -and he’ll be offering you the choice of back or -bristles!”</p> -<p>“Aw, cut it out! I’m serious, Bill. Please -let me be a pirate!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_139">139</div> -<p>“I’ll think about it, Charlie.” Bill took him -by the arm and moved over to the rail. “But I -do want you to do something for me,” he said -in lowered tones. “You must keep it entirely -to yourself, though. If you mention it to a -single soul, you’ll get us all into a heap of -trouble.”</p> -<p>“I won’t—honest, Bill. I’ll shut up like a -clam! What is it?”</p> -<p>“All right then, I’ll trust you. I want you -to make friends with the wireless operators. -There are two of them. Find out when they -relieve each other, whether the door is kept -locked—in fact, find out everything you can—without -making them suspicious. Got that?”</p> -<p>“You bet. Take it from me, they’ll never -guess what I’m after!”</p> -<p>“Attaboy! Do you know where our cabin -is?”</p> -<p>“No.”</p> -<p>“Well, it’s number 126 on the deck below, -starboard side.”</p> -<p>“I can find it.”</p> -<p>“Good. Come there at eleven tonight, and -report what you’ve found out.”</p> -<p>“I’ll be there with bells on.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_140">140</div> -<p>“Now be careful that nobody sees you come -to our door. It won’t be locked—we’ll be there. -Just open it and come in.”</p> -<p>“All right, Bill. You can trust me.”</p> -<p>“That’s all, so cut along now, and remember, -eleven sharp. We’ve got a date for dinner, and -I’m afraid we’re going to be late as it is. So -long, Charlie.”</p> -<p>“So long, Bill. So long, Chief.”</p> -<p>Charlie raced away, intent on the importance -of his trust and his two friends hurried toward -the Palm Garden.</p> -<p>They found the Baron and his officers awaiting -them in the foyer of the restaurant. The -Baron beamed approval on their uniforms and -introduced them to the members of the group -they had not already met. These gentlemen -each bowed from the waist and shook hands -with continental formality upon being presented. -The Baron spoke a few words, and -then as the single stroke of the ship’s bell -clanged, the chief steward appeared in the -doorway.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_141">141</div> -<p>“Dinner is served, Herr Captain.”</p> -<p>The Baron leading, they went into the restaurant. -The meal which they sat down to proved -to be a long, sumptuous affair of many courses. -Every delicacy, in and out of season, was served. -Evidently the Baron believed in living well—on -other people. Both lads did full justice to -the banquet. Muffled strains of the ship’s orchestra, -hidden behind palms, lent gaiety to the -atmosphere, but could not cut through the rigid -formality of their companions’ demeanor.</p> -<p>It was after ten thirty by the time they left -the table and went out on deck. The stars were -like jewels flashing in the great inverted bowl of -night. The dark water gleamed quiet as a mill-pond, -reflecting the slender crescent of a new -moon that had just appeared above the horizon.</p> -<p>The Baron puffed a long cigar while he conversed -at his ease in a deck chair.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_142">142</div> -<p>“This voyage,” he remarked complacently, -watching the red ash glow on the end of his -cigar, “is becoming quite a successful undertaking. -A few more months and we can well -afford to retire, and go our own ways.”</p> -<p>“But surely, Herr Baron, you are not contemplating -ending this splendid venture?” It -was the Chief Engineer who spoke.</p> -<p>“We must not try providence too far, Bauer. -To date, this ship is a mystery to the world at -large, it is true. But we have already created -some stir. Personally, I consider it a positive -compliment that the navies of the world are -seeking us out to destroy us!”</p> -<p>“It must,” Bill remarked, “afford you a good -deal of satisfaction, as well as profit, Baron.”</p> -<p>He was becoming restive. It was nearing -eleven o’clock. The cabin door was locked and -Charlie could not get in. But how to break -away without arousing the Baron’s suspicions, -he could not see.</p> -<p>That gentleman puffed contemplatively for a -moment or two.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_143">143</div> -<p>“Yes, you have it right, Mr. Bolton,” he observed -at last. “Pleasure and profit. Outside -of the vast sums in money and jewels we have -taken from captured liners, you perhaps do not -realize that we have more than two hundred -very wealthy people as passengers. Their ransoms, -at the lowest estimate will run well over -a million dollars apiece. Yes, this is a most -profitable business, Mr. Bolton. But of course, -a most dangerous one. We must not practice -it for too long a time.”</p> -<p>“Herr Baron,” Bill leaned forward in his -seat, and smiled his most engaging smile, -“neither Chief Osceola nor I have had the opportunity -this evening to thank you for your -consideration in the matter of our cabin and the -uniforms you have provided us.”</p> -<p>“Yes, indeed, Baron,” Osceola seconded him -and threw the stub of his cigarette over the rail. -“Very kind of you, I must say.”</p> -<p>“Oh, do not mention it, my dear fellows.” -The Baron was joviality itself. “Those are -small matters and easily attended to.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_144">144</div> -<p>“But we appreciate your wish to make us -comfortable.” Bill rose, and Osceola followed -his example. “And now, sir, we will say good -night. It has been a long day and a busy one.”</p> -<p>“Good night, my young friends,” beamed -von Hiemskirk. “Pleasant dreams, and <i>auf -wiedersehn</i> until tomorrow.”</p> -<p>Everyone stood up and saluted and the lads -marched off toward their cabin. Osceola was -unlocking the door, when a stealthy figure appeared -from out the shadows of a cross passage, -and Charlie slipped into the room with -them.</p> -<p>“Gee, I thought you were never coming,” he -said, as Bill switched on the light.</p> -<p>“Sorry, Charles, so did we! Have you got -any news?”</p> -<p>“Plenty, Bill. I—”</p> -<p>His words were cut short by a crash of gunfire -from above. For an instant they stood listening -to the thunder of the gun, then Bill broke their -constrained silence.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_145">145</div> -<p>“We’ll have to postpone our talk, Charlie, -worse luck. There’s something doing out there, -all right, and it’s up to the Chief and me to -hustle up on deck pronto.”</p> -<p>Without further parley the three caught up -their caps and ran out of the cabin.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_146">146</div> -<h2 id="c11"><span class="h2line1"><span class="sc">Chapter XI</span></span> -<br /><span class="h2line2">DANGEROUS BUSINESS</span></h2> -<p>The lads encountered a crowd of nervous and -excited passengers on the stairs and were swept -up with them and out on deck. By common instinct -the flow was toward port. A few hundred -yards away, the lights of a steamer, parallel -with them, could be discerned. Signals were -flashing, bells clanging, and the clamor of the -startled passengers pressing the rail was deafening.</p> -<p>Bill gripped Osceola’s arm. “Let’s get out -of this bedlam,” he shouted. “The skipper is -sure to be on the bridge—come along!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_147">147</div> -<p>Diving across the ship they ran forward on -the opposite deck and up the stair to the bridge. -Baron von Hiemskirk stood with a pair of night -glasses trained on the stranger across the water. -Near him a group of white uniformed ship’s -officers conversed in whispers. He lowered the -binoculars as Bill and Osceola approached and -rendered them a stiff salute.</p> -<p>“Good evening again, gentlemen. Thank -you for your promptness. Chief Osceola, I -want you and Lieutenant Schneider to go aft -and quiet that rabble. Explain to the passengers -that there is no cause for alarm. Tell them also -in my name that unless they go at once to their -cabins, they will be sent there forcibly.”</p> -<p>Osceola and the Lieutenant saluted and departed -on their errand.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_148">148</div> -<p>“Now, gentlemen,” continued the Baron, “as -several of you already know, I have been aware -for some time that we were overhauling that -ship we see out there. Had she obeyed our -signals and those of the <i>Flying Fish</i>, there would -have been no need to waste shell fire on her. -You will be interested to learn that she is the -<i>Blake</i> of Cardiff, loaded with twenty-five hundred -tons of coal—enough to keep us going for a -week at good speed, or two weeks at low speed. -Tomorrow morning, we will start coaling, and -for the next few days, every one of us will be -especially busy. Those of you who are not on -duty, will please me by turning in at once, and -getting a good night’s rest. Good night, gentlemen.”</p> -<p>Back in his cabin, Bill undressed and got into -bed. He was lying there, with the lights burning, -thinking over the day’s events, when Osceola -came in.</p> -<p>He tossed his cap on the lounge, and began -to unbutton his blouse. “Well, we got the sheep -herded into their respective barns. Did you find -out anything about that ship?”</p> -<p>Bill told him what the Baron had said. -“Filthy business, coaling,” he ended with a -yawn.</p> -<p>“It will be interesting to find out how they -work it at sea, especially when we’ve got at least -one warship on our trail.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_149">149</div> -<p>“I don’t think the Baron’s worrying about -the <i>Stamford</i>. We’ve changed our course at -least twice in the last few hours. It’s a big -ocean, Osceola.”</p> -<p>“Guess so. And some queer people on it. -The noble Baron makes me laugh. He’s probably -the greatest thief unhung, yet he purposely -chatted with us and the other officers after dinner, -on the side of the deck away from this -collier, so that we would go to bed early and get -a good night’s rest.”</p> -<p>“He’s an odd beggar, all right,” yawned Bill. -“Switch off the light, and hop into that bed of -yours, big boy, or I’ll be talking in my sleep.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_150">150</div> -<p>A steward called them at five next morning. -By five-thirty they had dressed in uniform cap -and dungarees, breakfasted and were out on -deck. The collier was now steaming slowly -alongside the big liner. The ships were kept -together by a hawser across the lips of the -<i>Amtonia’s</i> bows, supplemented by a few lines -across her poop; and a speed of two miles an -hour was being maintained by both vessels. This -kept their noses together. It also gave them a -certain steadiness in the choppy sea that ran -this morning. Above all, it kept the pirate ship -constantly prepared, steamed up in readiness to -dash away in case an enemy cruiser appeared. -The lads noted that at each of the cables which -held the vessels together, a man was stationed, -ax in hand, to cut the strands should the emergency -arise.</p> -<p>Bill and Osceola soon found that preparations -for coaling on the high seas had already -been made. Through the decks of the <i>Amtonia</i> -the carpenters had cut large circular holes, one -directly beneath the other. In these openings, -ship’s ventilator tubes were at that moment -being inserted. They were then spliced together -in such a manner that coal dumped on -to the deck merely had to be pushed into the -tubes to slide swiftly down into the bunkers.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_151">151</div> -<p>Three temporary derricks had been erected, -one fore, another amidships, and one aft, all -electrically equipped. Bill was presently put -in charge of the fore derrick, while Osceola -crossed over to the collier, where he helped to -superintend the loading of sacks and baskets -with coal. These when filled were transferred -from the <i>Blake’s</i> derricks to those of the liner, -in midair. The coal was then unloaded on the -<i>Amtonia’s</i> deck and shoveled into the tubes by -the crew.</p> -<p>As the sun grew higher, the weather became -increasingly hotter. So hot was this work of -coaling that the men were soon working clad -only in pantaloons, cut short like boys’ trousers, -or even in tights. There were no feminine eyes -about, for all passengers were being kept below, -so that occasionally the scanty loincloths were -cast aside and the men worked naked. Covered -from head to foot with sweat and coal dust, they -soon looked like gangs of negroes. The officers -fared quite as badly, for, though they were -spared manual labor and so did not discard their -uniforms, they soon became as grimy as the men -and fully as uncomfortable.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_152">152</div> -<p>Work was carried forward night and day, in -alternate watches. To Bill it became a nightmare -of heat and sweat and coal dust. The -ship, usually so immaculate, took on the appearance -of a coalyard, and the fine black dust filtered -into even the remotest nooks and crannies. -When relieved of duty, the black counterpart -of that smart young Lieutenant Bolton would -satisfy his hunger at a buffet, get under a shower -and then to bed. Here, between coal dust coated -sheets, he would snatch a few hours sleep—then -hurry above for his next trick at the derrick. -He began to find out that the life of an -officer aboard this pirate craft was not the bed -of roses it had first appeared to be. As Osceola -worked and ate and slept on board the <i>Blake</i>, -the two saw nothing of each other.</p> -<p>Late in the afternoon of the third day, the last -of the twenty-five hundred tons of coal was -transferred and shovelled down the chutes. Bill -saw to the taking down of his derrick and then -went below to his cabin, thankful that the dirty -job had come to an end. He was getting out of -filthy clothes when Osceola walked in.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_153">153</div> -<p>“Coolheavers ahoy!” he greeted. “I’m one -black warrior, if you ask me.”</p> -<p>“And I’ve had pleasanter jobs.”</p> -<p>“Oh, you’ve had a nice, comfortable deck to -work on,” returned the Chief, diving into the -bathroom. “You’ve nothing to complain about. -I haven’t had these clothes off since the day before -yesterday! Been working down in the hold -of that collier at a temperature that blew the -top off our thermometer.” His voice was -drowned by the sound of the shower.</p> -<p>“That is tough! I missed you, old fellow. -Where did you sleep?”</p> -<p>“Where did I sleep!” spluttered the Chief. -“Not in a downy white bed like you—you son -of luxury! I slept, or rather, I tried to sleep in -a ship’s hammock!”</p> -<p>Bill chuckled, and began to unlace his shoes. -“Pretty difficult to navigate until you get on -to them. Hard to get into—”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_154">154</div> -<p>“Harder still to stay put when you’re -once in the darned thing! Gosh-all-hemlock, -this water is sure a sweet, cool dream, of Paradise! -Let me tell you that my hammock had -to be slung between-decks—iron decks, at that. -Sleep! I’ve forgotten what it is. Every time -I moved in that hammock, the confounded thing -dumped me onto that dirty iron deck with a jar -that nearly split my head! Push that bell for -a steward, please. I want food and plenty of it, -and I’m going to eat it in my comfortable bed. -Then, I’m going to sleep <i>and</i> sleep until tomorrow -morning.”</p> -<p>“Oh, no, you’re not,” said Bill.</p> -<p>“And who says so?”</p> -<p>“Have your supper, by all means, and have it -in bed if you like—but you and I have a date.”</p> -<p>“Date nothing! Keep it yourself. I’m only -a poor Indian pirate. Neither am I popular -with first class passengers.”</p> -<p>“Perhaps not—but this date isn’t with a passenger.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_155">155</div> -<p>“Who then?”</p> -<p>“Have you forgotten the wireless operator?”</p> -<p>“Gosh! Do you have to pull that stunt tonight? -I’m half dead.”</p> -<p>“So are a few other people. That’s why I’m -going to pull it off tonight. Snap out of it, old -man. The fortunes, if not the lives of a lot of -people depend on what we’re able to accomplish.”</p> -<p>“Well, what are we going to do? You never -have spilled that plan of yours. Not to me, anyhow.” -He came into the cabin, drying himself -with a bath towel.</p> -<p>“You order your chow,” suggested Bill. “If -you haven’t used all the hot water aboard ship, I -want to get under that shower myself. When -I’m dressed and you’re in your right mind, I’ve -got to hunt up Charlie and see what he’s found -out. We’ll be back later and I’ll explain the job -in detail.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_156">156</div> -<p>He disappeared into the bathroom, closing -the door after him to cut short further argument. -It was after seven o’clock by the time -Bill was dressed and ready to go on deck. He -knew that Charlie would be in the passengers’ -dining salon, and that was out of bounds for the -ship’s officers. So leaving Osceola attending to -a substantial dinner in bed, he went above to the -Palm Garden, where the officers’ mess was held.</p> -<p>It was not a talkative crowd at dinner that -evening. Every man at the table was dog tired -and conversation flagged in consequence. The -meal with its many courses seemed interminable -to Bill. When at last it was over, he excused -himself, while the others were smoking cigars -and sipping liqueurs and went in search of young -Evans.</p> -<p>Weary sailors were hard at work with hose -and swabs on the promenade deck, getting rid of -the accumulated grime of the coaling. Bill -took a turn round to the opposite side of the ship, -where he encountered a similar gang at work, -but found no passengers about. Charlie was not -in the smoking room. Eventually he found -him, listening to the orchestra, which was playing -in the lounge.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_157">157</div> -<p>Without appearing to recognize the youngster, -he caught his eye as he sauntered past, surreptitiously -crooked a finger and went down to -his cabin. There he found Osceola fast asleep -in his bed, with all lights burning. He was wondering -whether he should wake him then and -there, or let him sleep, when Charlie softly -opened the door and entered.</p> -<p>Bill put a hand up for silence, and led him -into the bathroom. “Better let the poor Chief -get some rest,” he said, closing the door. “He’s -been going it night and day aboard that collier. -He needs the sleep.”</p> -<p>“Well, I don’t, that’s a cinch! We’ve been -kept off the decks ever since you fellows started -coaling, and sleep was the only thing left to do. -Say—did you see the <i>Blake</i> go down?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_158">158</div> -<p>“No. I was sure they’d sink her, though, for -the Baron told me he was going to take her captain -and crew aboard the <i>Amtonia</i> and dispose -of her as soon as we got her coal. When did it -happen?”</p> -<p>“Just before dinner—about quarter to seven.”</p> -<p>“I was cleaning up in here then.”</p> -<p>“Well, I got a peach of a view from the smoking -room windows, with Dad’s field glasses. -They cut the ropes and she drifted away from -us. It wasn’t five minutes later, when she gave -a great lurch and went down bow first. It certainly -is a crime, the way the Baron sinks good -ships. I guess he had dynamite planted on board -just like he did with the <i>Merrymaid</i>.”</p> -<p>“Very likely. But there’s nothing we can do -about it, Charlie. Not yet awhile. But tell -me, what have you found out about that wireless -room?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_159">159</div> -<p>“Well, since that first evening when we captured -the <i>Blake</i>, I haven’t been able to get up -there. But I did manage to get in soon after the -gunfire that night. I copped a couple of Dad’s -cigars and gave ’em to the guy who was on duty. -These Heinies are a leadpipe cinch to kid. He -isn’t such a bad guy at that—showed me the -whole business—everything he had. I began -to think he’s a swell fellow even if he is a pirate. -I got a book on telegraphy out of the library and -I’ve been boning up on the Morse Code ever -since. That and sleeping. Say, I bet I could -send a message now. Receiving’s not so easy, -though.”</p> -<p>“Never mind that—”</p> -<p>“But I’m sure I can, Bill—”</p> -<p>“All right—I believe you—but lay off it. I -want the dope first. How many operators does -this ship run to? Did you find that out?”</p> -<p>“Yep. There’s three of ’em.”</p> -<p>“How long are their watches?”</p> -<p>“Four hours each. But sometimes they’re on -for eight hours.”</p> -<p>“What do you mean?”</p> -<p>“Well, there are two on duty daytimes—”</p> -<p>“Never mind that either—I’m not interested -in their complete schedule. How many operators -are in the wireless room now?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_160">160</div> -<p>“Only one. He’s doing his trick from eight -till midnight.”</p> -<p>“Good. Now we’re getting somewhere. -How about from midnight on?”</p> -<p>“Another guy comes on duty then.”</p> -<p>“For how long?”</p> -<p>“Till eight in the morning.”</p> -<p>“He’s alone all that time? Are you sure?”</p> -<p>“Yes. The other two lads relieve him then.”</p> -<p>“Do you know the operator who will go on -at twelve tonight?”</p> -<p>“Well, I’m not sure. They vary their -watches, you know.”</p> -<p>“I suppose it doesn’t matter,” Bill said to -himself. “Tell me, is the door kept locked?”</p> -<p>“No, but they generally keep it shut.”</p> -<p>“Does the night operator sit facing it?”</p> -<p>“No. His back is toward the door.”</p> -<p>“Then that window in the wireless house -must be to his right when he’s sending or receiving?”</p> -<p>“Yes, and it’s sure to be open now.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_161">161</div> -<p>“Thanks, Charlie. You’ve done splendidly. -Run along to bed now. Osceola and I will attend -to your friend later.”</p> -<p>Charlie’s face fell. “Aren’t you going to let -me in on this?” he pleaded. “Oh, Bill, gee—I -did all the work and you two are going to have -all the fun!”</p> -<p>“Not much fun about it.” Bill grinned and -was silent for a minute. “Well, I reckon we -can use you. But you must remember that this -is a very serious and dangerous business, Charlie. -If anything goes wrong, von Hiemskirk is quite -likely to have us shot out of hand. You’ll have -to obey orders to the letter, and take no chances.”</p> -<p>“All right, Bill, of course, I will.”</p> -<p>“Okay. Then go to your cabin and turn in. -And be back here at one o’clock sharp.”</p> -<p>Charlie’s face was transformed with joy. -“Thanks, Bill!”</p> -<p>“Run along now,” directed the older lad. -“I’ve got a lot to do before then. And be sure -nobody sees you going or coming.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_162">162</div> -<p>“They won’t!” promised the youngster. -“Say, are we going to shoot this operator?”</p> -<p>“Certainly not, you bloodthirsty wretch. -None of us will have guns. Neither Osceola -nor I have one.”</p> -<p>“What <i>are</i> we going to do then?”</p> -<p>“Obey orders, kid. Get out of here now—I’m -busy!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_163">163</div> -<h2 id="c12"><span class="h2line1"><span class="sc">Chapter XII</span></span> -<br /><span class="h2line2">THE JOB</span></h2> -<p>When Charlie had gone, Bill glanced at his -wrist watch. It was just ten minutes to nine. -With a sigh of satisfaction, he picked up his -cap. Then, snapping off the electrics in the -bathroom and the cabin, he, too, went out.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_164">164</div> -<p>It had been impossible for him to make -preparations for this venture of his since its -inception at the beginning of the week. As he -went out on deck and forward toward the bridge, -he could hardly believe that no longer ago than -Monday morning, he had been flying his amphibian -north to New York, with Osceola as -passenger. Then had come the <i>Merrymaid</i>, -and capture by these pirates, their flying submarine -and the raider, this huge liner whose -decks he was walking. That afternoon had -come the <i>Orleans</i> affair; in the evening the collier -<i>Blake</i> had been taken. Tonight, only -Thursday. After the monotony of three days’ -coaling, the adventures of Monday seemed far -away, except when he stopped to realize that -ever since then he had had no leisure whatsoever -to develop his plan.</p> -<p>“Good evening, sir.” The guard at the foot -of the stair that led to the bridge saluted, and -Bill came back to the actual present with a start.</p> -<p>“Good evening, Schmidt.” He returned the -man’s salute, and recognized him as one of his -derrick’s crew. “You look so spick and span -I didn’t know you at first glance.”</p> -<p>“Thank you, sir.” Schmidt smiled, keeping -his rifle at present. “And I feel a good bit more -comfortable this way, sir. Coaling is filthy -work, Lieutenant.”</p> -<p>“Nothing dirtier.” Bill nodded and passed -on up the stairs.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_165">165</div> -<p>Above he found Lieutenant Schneider pacing -slowly up and down. “Good evening,” said -Bill. “Mind if I join you for a few minutes?”</p> -<p>“I shall be honored, Herr Lieutenant,” returned -the officer. “An unlooked-for pleasure. -A beautiful night, is it not? But I surmised -that like the rest of the mess you turned in directly -after dinner.”</p> -<p>“I admit I’m tired,” Bill went on chattily, -“quite as tired as the other chaps, after the grind -of the last few days. Chief Osceola was completely -done up. Had his dinner in bed, and -I found him sound asleep when I went below.”</p> -<p>“Don’t speak of bed,” grumbled the officer. -“I wish I were there now. It is just my luck to -be on duty tonight.”</p> -<p>“I found the cabin hot and stuffy, so I thought -I’d come up for a breath of air before turning -in. Heading more to northward, since we sank -the <i>Blake</i>, I see.”</p> -<p>“Yes, the course is nor’nor’east now. Captain -von Hiemskirk is heading the ship for the -transatlantic passenger ship lane.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_166">166</div> -<p>“We don’t seem to be in any hurry, Lieutenant.”</p> -<p>“No, our speed is only sixteen knots. Everybody -needs a rest, and the Herr Baron, being a -wise man, is saving coal.”</p> -<p>“It sounds foolish of me, a ship’s officer, to -admit it, but I honestly have only the haziest -idea of our position now.”</p> -<p>“I don’t wonder at that,” laughed Schneider. -“The way we changed our course during the -past week would make a snake break its back. -At noon today we were in latitude 38 degrees -north, longitude 62 degrees west—and we aren’t -far from there now at the rate we’ve been steaming.”</p> -<p>“Mm—I thought we were much farther -east,” remarked Bill, and then changed the -subject.</p> -<p>As he had now gained the information he -wanted, he chatted for ten minutes more with -young Schneider, then, wishing him good night, -went below to his cabin.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_167">167</div> -<p>Here he set the tiny alarm on his watch for -twelve-thirty. From the closet, he brought -forth a civilian suit of his own, and one of Osceola’s. -These, together with two pairs of tennis -shoes and two soft felt hats that he found -in their bags, he placed on the lounge. Again -he dug into the bottom of a kit bag and pulled -forth a coil of rope, two monkey wrenches and -a flashlight. Placing these conveniently near -the clothing, he began to undress. Osceola still -slept the sleep of exhaustion. Without awaking -him, Bill crept into his bed and turned off the -light.</p> -<p>It seemed but a moment or two later, though -in reality three hours had crept away, when the -tinkle of his alarm bell brought Bill back to a -sleepy realization of the job before him. He -switched off the alarm and sat up in bed. Osceola’s -voice cut the throbbing drone of the -ship’s machinery.</p> -<p>“What’s the big idea?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_168">168</div> -<p>“Time to get on the job,” Bill murmured in a -low tone. “Had you forgotten it? Don’t turn -on the light.”</p> -<p>“No, I hadn’t forgotten. You said something -about working out a plan of yours tonight. But -can’t we put it off for twenty-four hours? I’m -bleary-eyed, I’m so tired.”</p> -<p>Bill got out of bed. “So is everybody else -aboard this packet. And that’s why we’re pulling -it off tonight.”</p> -<p>He tossed Osceola’s clothes on to the chief’s -bed. “Here’s an old suit of yours—get into it.”</p> -<p>“Oh, if you say so—” yawned his friend. -“What are we going to do with those wrenches? -Crack the Baron’s safe?”</p> -<p>“What a pair of eyes you’ve got! I’d forgotten -you could see in the dark. No, you big -galoot, this is not robbery you’re in for now. -We’re going to tie up the wireless operator. -I want to do some broadcasting on my -own.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_169">169</div> -<p>“So that’s the way the wind blows!” Osceola, -fully awake now, was pulling on his -trousers. “I have to hand it to you, boy, when it -comes to action—you act!”</p> -<p>“Come on—I know it’s risky business, but if -we’re ever going to break up this nest of pirates, -we’ve got to have help.”</p> -<p>“You’re going to wire our position to that -cruiser who was on our trail Monday?”</p> -<p>“And to whomever else it may concern—yes, -that’s the idea!”</p> -<p>Osceola grunted. “And what is the Herr -Baron going to be doing to us while the cruiser -is trying to catch us?”</p> -<p>“Not a blooming thing, if the wireless man -doesn’t spot who we are. I’ve got a couple of -handkerchiefs cut with slits for eyeholes. We -can drape them over our lovely features just -like real thugs, when we get on deck!”</p> -<p>“Swell!” responded his companion. “Gimme -one of those wrenches. I’m all set if you are.”</p> -<p>Bill glanced at the luminous dial of his -watch. “We’ll give him three minutes.”</p> -<p>“Give who three minutes?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_170">170</div> -<p>“Charlie’s coming with us.”</p> -<p>“What? Not that crazy kid! He’s sure to -gum the show.”</p> -<p>“No, he won’t. And we need a lookout, Osceola. -The youngster worked like a hero, getting -dope about the wireless routine. I know -it’s a responsibility to let him take the risk—but -the chap was so keen on being in at the death—I -simply hadn’t the heart to refuse him.”</p> -<p>“Well, so long as this is your party, I’ll say -no more about dragging Charlie into it. But I’d -hate to be you if his mother finds out what -you’ve let him in for.”</p> -<p>A crack of light appeared under the door, and -Charlie opened it, slipped inside and closed the -door behind him.</p> -<p>“Here I am,” he whispered.</p> -<p>“Not really,” Osceola whispered back, -“why, I thought it was Christmas Eve and Santa -Claus had come to fill my stocking!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_171">171</div> -<p>“Try the other side of your bed when you get -up next time, Chief,” Charlie snickered. “Why -the grouch? Don’t lose your nerve. If anybody -tries to hurt you, I’ll put salt on his tail.”</p> -<p>Osceola laughed good-humoredly. “You -young scamp, if you don’t cut the comedy and -do what you’re told tonight, you’ll think you’ve -had salt rubbed on yours, along with the hiding -you’ll get from me.”</p> -<p>“Thar she blows! thar she blows!” teased -Charlie. “What a whale of a guy you are, -Chief!”</p> -<p>“Pipe down—both of you!” commanded -Bill. “You make more noise than an old maid’s -tea party. What do you want to do—wake up -the ship?”</p> -<p>“Well, let’s shove off then,” said Charlie in a -lower tone, and started for the door.</p> -<p>Bill caught his arm. “Not that way,” he -warned. “The ports to this cabin are regular -windows, and we’re going out through them. -There’s less chance of being seen.”</p> -<p>“Shall I lock the door?” asked Osceola.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_172">172</div> -<p>“No. If we’re able to pull this off, it will -be a case of speed in getting back here. The -door may be handier then. Come on—mum’s -the word. I’ll go first—”</p> -<p>He stepped onto the window seat. A moment -later he was through the broad porthole, -and out on deck. Not a soul was in sight. A -nod to Osceola brought the Chief to his side and -they waited until Charlie reached the deck.</p> -<p>With Bill in the lead, they walked swiftly -forward until they came to the open stair leading -up to the boat deck. Motioning caution, -Bill went silently up the rubber-coated treads -with the others close behind. He knew that -once above, they would be in plain sight of the -bridge. Therefore, before reaching the stairhead, -he dropped to his knees and crawled up to -the deck level, careful to keep his head below -the skyline. Then, turning back to Charlie, he -drew the boy’s head close to his lips.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_173">173</div> -<p>“I want you to stay here!” he whispered. “If -anyone comes off the bridge and makes for this -stair, run down to the deck below and get out -of his way. When he’s gone, come back here. -If anyone comes up the stair, crawl into the -shadow of that lifeboat. If you see anybody at -all going toward the wireless house, whistle -twice and beat it back to your cabin, no matter -what occurs. Got it clear, now?”</p> -<p>Charlie, tense with excitement and proud of -the responsibility given him, nodded mutely. -Then he moved to one side while Osceola slipped -past him, to lie beside Bill.</p> -<p>Diagonally across the deck from the stairhead -aft of the ship’s second funnel was a small -superstructure, the little wireless house. Light -shone through the open window at the forward -end of the structure. Charlie, who had never -seen an Indian travel over an open space when -the red man didn’t wish to be seen, was surprised -to see Bill and Osceola move forward flat on -their stomachs. With the sinuous, wriggling -motion of snakes, the two slid across the starlit -deck. In a few moments he lost sight of them -in the shadow of the ship’s great funnel.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_174">174</div> -<p>“Gee,” he thought. “That sure is some stunt. -Some day I’ve got to get one of those guys to -show me how they do it.”</p> -<p>In the obscurity of deep shadow, the two -plotters got to their feet and adjusted their -masks.</p> -<p>“Can you see all right?” whispered Bill. “I -wasn’t sure about the eyeholes.”</p> -<p>“I can see. What next?”</p> -<p>“Get that lad in the wireless house from the -window. I’ll take the door.”</p> -<p>“Okay. Good luck!”</p> -<p>“Good luck to you. I’ll wait until I hear you -speak.”</p> -<p>“I get you.”</p> -<p>Keeping always within the shadow cast by -the big stack, and careful to avoid the broad ray -of light from the open window, Osceola glided -swiftly toward his goal.</p> -<p>The blond young man who sat at the open -window, dozing, with a magazine in his lap, -awoke with a start.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_175">175</div> -<p>“Stick up your hands and keep them there!” -muttered a low voice.</p> -<p>Just outside the window, the dazed operator -saw a white-faced blur in the darkness. The -grim figure behind the mask held a black object -pointed directly at his head.</p> -<p>Like most North Germans, the wireless expert -was a sensible young man. He held up his -hands.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_176">176</div> -<h2 id="c13"><span class="h2line1"><span class="sc">Chapter XIII</span></span> -<br /><span class="h2line2">RESULTS</span></h2> -<p>The <i>Amtonia’s</i> wireless operator heard the -door at his back open and shut.</p> -<p>“Stand up!” ordered a harsh voice.</p> -<p>The man obeyed immediately, his magazine -slipping to the floor. He did not turn to look -at this second speaker. The shiny black object -in the hand of the ominous figure outside the -window held his eyes like an electric magnet.</p> -<p>The chair in which he had been dozing was -whisked away. Strong hands gripped his -wrists, brought his arms downward. With a -speed and thoroughness that bespoke nautical -experience, a rope lashed his arms behind his -back, first at the elbows and then at the wrists.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_177">177</div> -<p>Next, a cloth was bound over his eyes. A -gag, made of a rolled-up handkerchief was -stuffed in his mouth and fastened by a band of -cloth tied at the back of his head. He felt wads -of cotton being placed in his ears and his ankles -were then strapped together. He was grasped -by the shoulders, caught round the knees and -lifted to a narrow couch where a cushion was -slipped under his head. Deaf, dumb and blind, -he nevertheless knew that he lay on the locker -which ran along the farther side of the room. -He also knew that locker to be little more than -a narrow shelf, and at least four feet from the -floor. If he moved an inch, he’d get a tumble. -He therefore lay still and tried to imagine which -of the passengers he had to thank for his present -predicament.</p> -<p>“I reckon he’ll do,” said Osceola, studying -the bound figure on the locker. “It’s lucky he -didn’t try to put up a fight. Things might have -got messy.”</p> -<p>“Would you have, in his place?” Bill was -taking in the details of the room and spoke rather -absently.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_178">178</div> -<p>“No—can’t say I would. The poor beggar -was scared stiff. That wrench stunt was a -happy thought. In the darkness, I guess it -passed darned well for an automatic!”</p> -<p>“Say, look at the map on the wall over there. -These lads certainly have a system!”</p> -<p>“What are those colored pins stuck all over it -supposed to be—ships?”</p> -<p>“Yes. Ships within a radius of several hundred -miles that have been sending out radio -messages.”</p> -<p>“But how does he do it?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_179">179</div> -<p>“Oh, I guess our little operator is clever all -right. I’m no wireless expert and there are a -lot of gadgets in here that I don’t understand. -Undoubtedly they’re delicate instruments by -which the operator is able to determine the approximate -distance and direction of any ship -sending out messages. You see, he keeps this -map constantly before him, charted with the -probable positions of ships. He changes the -pins when his new readings seem to be in error. -This is how the noble Baron knows exactly what -is going on in his neighborhood. Just as if he -were looking down on the sea from the moon -with a telescope!”</p> -<p>“That list up there beside the chart is the -key to the colored pins, I suppose.”</p> -<p>“Sure. There’s the <i>Stamford</i>.” Bill pointed -to a gray pin. “Well, here’s where I get busy. -The sooner that cruiser is put wise to our position, -the better.”</p> -<p>“But how did you find out where we are?” -Osceola looked his surprise. “When have you -had a chance to shoot the sun? Do you keep a -pocket sextant up your sleeve? Or are you just -guessing?”</p> -<p>“Nothing like that. A sight must be taken -when the sun reaches it’s highest point. I got the -dope tonight from Schneider. While you were -asleep, I went on the bridge and got him to give -me our position this noon.”</p> -<p>“But that’s more than twelve hours ago!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_180">180</div> -<p>“Certainly. But I also found out the speed -and direction we’ve been steaming this afternoon -and evening. Where we are now is a -simple sum in arithmetic.”</p> -<p>“I know, but—”</p> -<p>“Gee, fella, when we’re out of this mess, I’ll -take a week or two off and go into detail. But -right now, I’ve got to raise the <i>Stamford</i>!”</p> -<p>He sat down in the chair before the sending -apparatus and adjusted the earphones. Then -his left hand sought the sending key and the -room was filled with the crash and snap of -electric discharges.</p> -<p>Osceola took up a pencil and pad from the -table. For a moment he scribbled, then placed -the written sheet in front of Bill.</p> -<p>“Go easy!” the message read. “You’ll wake -up the whole ship!”</p> -<p>Bill smiled and shook his head. He was sending -call after call out for the <i>Stamford</i>. In his -right hand he held a pencil. Presently Osceola’s -note was passed back with a few lines scrawled -below his own.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_181">181</div> -<p>“Don’t worry. These fellows are continually -sending out fake messages in order to -gain information from other ships. I’ve heard -them. If nothing was sent during this watch, -somebody on the bridge would be sure to smell -a rat.”</p> -<p>Osceola drew up a chair and sat down. -Fascinated, he watched Bill’s left hand pressing -the sending key, calling—calling—calling. -The young Seminole’s education had been academic, -not scientific, and his knowledge of -radio was only rudimentary. Although the -International Morse Code of dash-dot letters -was as much of a mystery to him as it is to the -average layman, he soon realized that his friend -was sending out the same short message over -and over again.</p> -<p>Suddenly Bill lifted his hand from the key. -He smiled at Osceola, nodded and commenced -to write hurriedly on the pad before him. -The Seminole leaned over and watched -intently.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_182">182</div> -<p>“This is the <i>Stamford</i>. Who calls?” he -read.</p> -<p>Again Bill’s supple fingers pressed out an -answer—a long one this time. And for the -next fifteen minutes the crash and crackle of -an electric storm reverberated through the -room.</p> -<p>Presently he stopped.</p> -<p>“You raised the cruiser, I take it.” Osceola -only half stifled a yawn.</p> -<p>“I did that, old sport!” Bill was delighted -with his success. “Got all the dope over in -great style. Told the operator aboard her who -I was and a short story of our capture. Dad -probably thinks we were both lost at sea, you -know. The <i>Stamford</i>, will relay a message, assuring -him of our safety. Then I tapped out -details of this ship, the <i>Flying Fish</i>, their crews -and armament. Last of all I gave our position, -course and speed. By this time, she and some -other craft of Uncle Sam’s are making tracks -for us.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_183">183</div> -<p>“You’re sure a right smart feller, Bill.”</p> -<p>Bill laughed. “I agree with you, Big -Chief.”</p> -<p>“About when do you reckon they’ll catch up -with us?”</p> -<p>“Sometime tomorrow—or, rather, this afternoon. -And then—boy, oh, boy! There will -be one sweet little rough house!”</p> -<p>“There’ll probably be one aboard this sweet -little packet as you call her, before that,” -prophesied the Seminole.</p> -<p>“How come?”</p> -<p>“The Herr Baron is sure to raise an awful -stink when he finds that lad on the locker!”</p> -<p>“We should fret over that. We’ll both be -sleeping the sleep of the just long before that -time!”</p> -<p>“Well, I vote we get out of here and right -now. This ain’t a healthy place for either you -or me. And say, I’m dead enough to go to -sleep under an ice-cold shower!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_184">184</div> -<p>“Wait a minute. We don’t want to leave -any clues. Grab that paper I was writing on, -will you?”</p> -<p>As he talked. Bill was busily engaged in undoing -nuts and screws which he stuffed in his -pockets, snapping wires and playing general -havoc with the radio apparatus.</p> -<p>“Smash that line of glass jars on the shelf -with your wrench,” he added, bringing his own -down on the sending key with a crash. “There -isn’t going to be any radio business aboard the -<i>Amtonia</i> when our friends arrive, if I can help -it!”</p> -<p>“What’s to stop the <i>Flying Fish</i> getting wise -with their wireless?” inquired Osceola, who -was systematically wrecking everything within -reach.</p> -<p>“Oh, they haven’t much of a wireless outfit -aboard the sub. This bunch of junk in here was -the one that counted.”</p> -<p>“Bunch of junk is right—” Osceola -stopped short.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_185">185</div> -<p>He stood facing a small mirror that hung on -the wall above the wet cells he had just destroyed. -Reflected in the small oblong he saw -the door to the deck open slowly—and Baron -von Hiemskirk walked into the room.</p> -<p>“So!” he exclaimed harshly. “Passengers—mutiny!”</p> -<p>He got no further. As Osceola jumped for -the switch to snap off the light, Bill dived -through the air, tackling the commander just -above his knees. There came a crash as the -Baron’s head hit the deck—then darkness.</p> -<p>Osceola ran to the doorway. The Baron lay -prone. Bill was bending over him.</p> -<p>“Nine—ten—out!” said that young gentleman -rather breathlessly. “Grab his legs, big -boy. We’ll move him inside. It’s a little too -public out here for comfort.”</p> -<p>Together they carried the big man into the -wireless house and deposited him on the floor.</p> -<p>“Here’s a bight of rope,” said Bill, switching -on the light again. “Tie up his ankles—I’ll -attend to his wrists.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_186">186</div> -<p>“Shall we gag him?”</p> -<p>“No, he’s breathing pretty hard. Slight -concussion, probably. The back of his head hit -the decking an awful crack. I don’t want him -to choke to death.”</p> -<p>Osceola finished lashing the Baron’s legs -together and stood up. “He’s a right powerful -brute. Got a pair of legs like tree-trunks. -Say,” he began to laugh, “I didn’t think our job -would be done up as brown as all this tonight! -That was a swell tackle of yours. The longer -he’s out the better pleased I’ll be. That guy -has never made a hit with me. I’m only sorry -I didn’t get a crack at him. If you’ve got an -extra wipe, pass it over. A blindfold won’t -stop his breathing, and there’s no need for him -to know where he is when he wakes up.”</p> -<p>“Okay. I’ve unhooked the collar of his -blouse,” Bill said, surveying their captive -critically. “He’ll do. Give me a hand with -the other guy, now. I’m going to take out his -gag and give him a drink.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_187">187</div> -<p>“Going to leave it out?”</p> -<p>“Sure, I’m no inquisitor!”</p> -<p>“But how about it when the pair of them -start yelling for help?”</p> -<p>“With the door and window shut, this place -is pretty well soundproof. Anyway, the Baron -isn’t likely to kick up much of a row—not for -a couple of days yet, if I know the signs. The -operator couldn’t hear him if he did. I’m -leaving the cotton in his ears. Make it snappy—I -want to beat it while the going’s good.”</p> -<p>A few minutes later, two dark figures crossed -the boat deck to the stairhead, ran lightly down -and after climbing into their cabin by way of -the open port, hurriedly undressed in the dark.</p> -<p>“By Jove!” Osceola paused in the act of removing -a shoe. “I wonder what became of -Charlie?”</p> -<p>“Oh, I guess he’s all right. I told him to -vamoose if it looked like he’d get caught. He’s -probably sound asleep in his bunk by this time.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_188">188</div> -<p>“Hope so. He’s a sassy brat, but I wouldn’t -want him to get into trouble with the lads who -run this ship. They’re likely to turn nasty -when they find their beloved Baron has cracked -his nut.”</p> -<p>“Charlie,” said Bill, “is quite capable of -taking care of himself. Put away those clothes -you were wearing. If anybody comes snooping -round here looking for clues, those civvies -would give us away. I’m pretty sure His Nibs -didn’t recognize us. I ducked my head and -the brim of my hat threw my face in shadow. -You had your back turned. Too bad, though, -we’d pocketed our masks—”</p> -<p>“Confound!” Osceola sprang for the door. -“I’ve got to go up there again!”</p> -<p>“But what on earth for? Leave well enough -alone, guy.”</p> -<p>“I’ve got to—it’s those handkerchiefs of -yours, Bill.”</p> -<p>“The ones we used as blindfolds? By gosh, -you’re right.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_189">189</div> -<p>“Of course I am. And we were idiots not to -remember that all your wipes are initialled! -Well, that was a bloomer we both made.”</p> -<p>Bill crawled into bed, and pulled up the -sheet.</p> -<p>“Oh, no, we didn’t,” he retorted sleepily.</p> -<p>“How come?”</p> -<p>“Har-har! Had you goin’, didn’t I? Why, -I changed the one on the wireless lad—found -two in the Baron’s pockets, y’ see. The one you -used on him was his own—the other’s on his -little roommate!”</p> -<p>“Well, I’m a son-of-a-seacook! That’s a -good one. I wonder if the rest of the bunch will -figure that ‘they done it all themselves’? Smart -work, Bill. You’re as full of ideas as Martinengo’s -ship’s biscuit was of weevils!”</p> -<p>“Right the first and last time. Now shut up! -I’m asleep.” Bill turned over, his back to the -room, and buried his face in his pillow.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_190">190</div> -<h2 id="c14"><span class="h2line1"><span class="sc">Chapter XIV</span></span> -<br /><span class="h2line2">TROUBLE AHEAD</span></h2> -<p>“Isn’t that someone pounding the door?”</p> -<p>“You tell ’em!” sleepily suggested the chief, -covering his face with a pajamaed arm to shut -out the morning light.</p> -<p>“Oh, Lord!” Bill groaned and crawled out -of bed. He glanced at his wrist watch. It was -exactly seven-thirty.</p> -<p>He unlocked the door and a steward clicked -his heels together and stood at attention.</p> -<p>“Well?” growled Bill.</p> -<p>“Commander Geibel’s compliments, sir—and -will the gentlemen be good enough to meet -him at half past eight in the executive office -for officers’ conference.”</p> -<p>“Right-o. Give Commander Geibel our -compliments—and say we’ll be there.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_191">191</div> -<p>“Thank you, sir.”</p> -<p>Bill shut the door, and looked over at Osceola. -The chief was fast asleep again. Bill went into -the bathroom, where an ice-cold shower worked -wonders. When he returned to the cabin after -a strenuous rub with a rough towel, he carried -a dripping sponge with which he scientifically -massaged Osceola’s face.</p> -<p>“Hey there! Cut it out!” The chief -sprang from his bed as though he had had an -electric shock.</p> -<p>“What’s the huge idea?” he stormed.</p> -<p>“The Exec.” said Bill, “wants to see us at -eight-thirty sharp. It is now seven-forty-four. -And we both want breakfast, I expect. -Get under a shower and you won’t feel so -crabby.”</p> -<p>“Um!” Osceola was considerably subdued -by this news. “Think he smells a rat?”</p> -<p>“Oh, not a chance, so far as we’re concerned. -We’d be in the brig by this time if he did!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_192">192</div> -<p>“Good enough!” yawned Osceola, scowling -furiously as he stretched the kinks out of his -powerful arms.</p> -<p>“Hop to it, then. I’m nearly dressed—and -I’m hungry enough to eat shoe-leather.”</p> -<p>“All right, all right—don’t lose your shirt -over it. I’ll be with you in a jiffy.” The bathroom -door slammed and again came the sound of -rushing water as the shower was turned on.</p> -<p>At eight-thirty sharp the two lads found -Commander Geibel seated at his desk in the -Executive Office, and took their places among -the other ship’s officers. There was none of -the joviality which usually preambled these -meetings. The <i>Amtonia’s</i> commissioned personnel -seemed utterly mute this morning. Instead -of the accustomed good-natured chaff, the -various officers merely nodded to each other as -they took their places and sat down. Bill -noticed that all wore expressions of deep -solemnity, yet the atmosphere of the cabin was -charged with a current of tense excitement.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_193">193</div> -<p>The nautical clock on the wall struck one -bell. Commander Geibel, who had been -studying papers on his desk blotter, came to -life.</p> -<p>“Gentlemen—” he leaned forward, one hand -on the papers before him, “I have here the report -of first assistant wireless operator, Miller. -Had I not seen Miller when he was first found -with our beloved captain, I could not have believed -this outrage possible. We, who have -prided ourselves on the most efficient and strict -discipline maintained on this ship, can no longer -be proud. As a number of you gentlemen -already know, at about one o’clock this morning, -two passengers who were masked overpowered -Miller in the wireless room and wrecked the -premises. While these vandals were at work, -the Herr Captain, Baron von Hiemskirk, -entered the room, where these ruffians surprised -him.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_194">194</div> -<p>“Pardon, sir,” interrupted the ship’s first -lieutenant, Lieutenant-Commander Beerman. -“It is rumored that the Herr Baron is seriously -injured. Will you be good enough to ease our -minds concerning the Herr Baron’s condition? -I understand that he was knocked unconscious.”</p> -<p>“That is so, Herr Beerman. I regret to tell -you gentlemen that he is still unconscious, and -may continue in that state for a day or two. -Doctor Thierfelder diagnoses his condition as -concussion—a slight concussion only, I am -thankful to say. The Herr Doctor, who is with -him now, believes that Baron von Hiemskirk -received a blow from a blunt instrument. -Luckily, his service cap partially protected his -head. With care, and no complications, our -Captain will probably be able to get about again -within a week.”</p> -<p>“May I ask,” inquired Bill, “what punishment -has been meted out to the perpetrators of -this dastardly crime?”</p> -<p>“I am sorry to say that they have not been -apprehended, Lieutenant.”</p> -<p>“But I thought you spoke of two passengers, -Herr Commander?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_195">195</div> -<p>“Miller states that the two men were dressed -in civilian clothes. One of them at least had -a revolver with which he menaced the operator, -while the other bound him. As you know, every -passenger, upon boarding this ship, was searched -and his luggage thoroughly inspected for arms. -Another search of their cabins has been made -this morning. No weapons of any description -have been found.”</p> -<p>Lieutenant Schneider caught the Commander’s -attention. “I was on the bridge while -this crime was being committed. During that -time, I am certain that messages were radioed -from the wireless room.”</p> -<p>“A very important fact, Herr Schneider, and -one confirmed by Miller. Due to the cotton that -had been placed in his ears, he was unable to decipher -anything, but he is convinced that one or -more messages were sent.”</p> -<p>“Could we not ascertain who among the passengers -is capable of sending such messages?” -It was the Chief Engineer who spoke.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_196">196</div> -<p>The Executive Officer shook his head.</p> -<p>“Of course all possible suspects will be -questioned,” he said. “I doubt, however, if we -can learn much. Fifteen of our passengers are -yacht owners. Three more are high executives -of broadcasting corporations. Any of these -men may understand wireless. On the other -hand, all of them will probably deny it. But -this is not so important. Outside of broadcasting -a description of this ship, they can have -sent little or no information, as they have no -possible means of ascertaining the ship’s position. -I must urge you all, nevertheless, to be -more than ever on the alert. Now, one thing -more, and we may go to our various duties.”</p> -<p>The Executive Officer cleared his throat and -proceeded.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_197">197</div> -<p>“Baron von Hiemskirk keeps muttering over -and over in his delirium, ‘<i>Er ist einer -Footballer</i>’—‘He -is a football player—.’ These -words may mean nothing; on the other hand, -they may be the means of identifying his assailants. -Until our beloved Captain regains his -reason, nothing can be done about it. Thank -you, gentlemen, for your interest and attention. -I bid you all goodmorning.”</p> -<p>The meeting dispersed, the officers going -their several ways. Bill and Osceola, having -no duties to perform, strolled around the -promenade deck.</p> -<p>“It is to be hoped that our beloved Captain -does not regain his reason until this ship has -been captured by the battleships on her trail,” -muttered Osceola to Bill, mimicking the Executive -Officer’s formal manner of address.</p> -<p>Bill nodded thoughtfully. “You said a -mouthful, boy. I’m afraid you and I will be in -for it good and plenty if he wakes up beforehand. -That bunch we just left are a dumb -crew. But there are no flies on the skipper. He -had our histories down pat from the newspapers -when we met him on the <i>Merrymaid</i>. He’s -sure to know you play on Carlisle and that I’m -on the Navy eleven. What with our previous -record, so to speak, in the way of cleaning up -dirty messes, that guy won’t miss any bets. -We’ll be judged on suspicion if nothing else.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_198">198</div> -<p>“I wonder why Charlie didn’t warn us that -the Baron was making for the wireless house?”</p> -<p>“Probably didn’t get a chance. If the kid -had been caught, we’d have heard of it before -this. Schneider told me that all passengers are -being confined to their cabins, so we won’t see -him today. Charlie and his doings don’t worry -me just now—but the weather does!”</p> -<p>“What’s the matter with the weather?”</p> -<p>“See that haze over there to the northward? -We’re steaming into fog.”</p> -<p>“You think that even if the <i>Stamford</i> catches -up to within firing distance we might be able -to elude her after all?”</p> -<p>“That’s the big idea. In about half an hour -we won’t be able to see ten feet over the side.”</p> -<p>“Well, maybe we’ll run through it by this -afternoon. The <i>Stamford</i> won’t catch up to -us for some hours yet.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_199">199</div> -<p>“Maybe so,” replied Bill. “We’ve done all -we could, anyway. From now on, the job’s up -to the Navy.”</p> -<p>“Hello!” cried Osceola, as they swung -round the end of the superstructure and into -the long stretch of deck on the port side. “Look -off yonder! What do you make that out to be?”</p> -<p>Bill shaded his eyes. The glare of the -smooth ocean was dazzling in the sun. Away -to the northeast a ship was nosing out of fog -banks that lined the northern horizon.</p> -<p>“That looks to me mighty like a warship!” -said the chief excitedly. “She certainly is -humping it, brother. But I thought the <i>Stamford</i> -was to the south of us—and when she -came, she’d come from behind!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_200">200</div> -<p>“You’ve certainly got a pair of eyes—and -she certainly <i>is</i> a warship. I can’t make her -out very well at that distance, but she looks to -me like a first class cruiser of the Plymouth -type. Dollars to ditchwater the <i>Stamford</i> wirelessed -her! She’s heading for us all right, all -right. Oh, boy—there’s going to be something -doing aboard this packet in two shakes of a -lamb’s tail!”</p> -<p>“Thar she blows!” sang out the chief, as the -gong and bugle sounded for action.</p> -<p>“And it’s quite time you and I beat it for our -battle stations. Everything is being made ready -for attack. If we’re late, it won’t look so good.”</p> -<p>Osceola stopped and stared at Bill. “Don’t -tell me that you, a midshipman of the United -States Navy, are going to help these bum pirates -fight one of your own battleships!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_201">201</div> -<p>Bill looked at him and laughed. “Some -patriotic little flagwaver, aren’t you,” he jeered. -“No, Herr Junior Lieutenant, I do not intend -to shoot at the <i>Plymouth</i> or the <i>Reading</i>, or -whatever’s the name of that cruiser. Have you -never played hare and hounds, Big Chief? -Well, this time, you and I and everybody on -board are hares. Those two 117-mm. guns -forward, and the two on the poop are all right -for scaring passenger liners and bringing unarmed -merchant-men to haul down their colors. -But they haven’t the caliber or the range of -three-quarters of the guns aboard that cruiser. -This is going to be a race—not a battle! Beat -it!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_202">202</div> -<h2 id="c15"><span class="h2line1"><span class="sc">Chapter XV</span></span> -<br /><span class="h2line2">THE CHASE</span></h2> -<p>By the time Bill reached his station on the -poop, the quiet routine aboard the liner had -given way to activity. The <i>Amtonia</i> was awake -to the heat and fever of desperate life.</p> -<p>Lieutenant Schneider, who was in command -of the gun, seized Bill’s arm. “Bolton!” he -cried, “look there—she’s changed her course! -She’s going to head us off!”</p> -<p>Shading his eyes with his hand, Bill strained -them toward the northern horizon. The great -molten surface of the sun was already half -obliterated by the spreading bank of fog that -turned the sea to dull amethyst.</p> -<p>“I doubt it,” he replied. “If that fog -keeps increasing, the visibility will soon be too -poor for the cruiser to get our range.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_203">203</div> -<p>“There is Commander Geibel on the bridge. -The ship is in good hands—that is a blessing!” -Lieutenant Schneider’s tone betrayed his excitement.</p> -<p>“We’re sheering off to starboard—” said Bill. -“That’s good news. It’s going to be a close -thing, just the same.”</p> -<p>Schneider jumped on the rail and leaned outward -in order to get a better view of the forward -end of the ship.</p> -<p>“The Exec. has left the bridge!” he cried. -“What’s happened now?”</p> -<p>“Calm down! He’s probably run down the -steps and crossed that gangway to the foremast. -Yes, there he is! See him? He’s climbed up -to the lookout. Gosh, that lad’s got a voice. -You can hear him bellowing orders all over the -ship, I’ll bet.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_204">204</div> -<p>“He’s a good officer,” admitted the Lieutenant, -getting off the rail. “Too bad the Herr -Baron is not able to take command. He would -use the <i>Flying Fish</i> to get us out of this mess.” -He pointed to the submarine racing along off -their starboard quarter. “<i>Donner und Blitzen!</i> -I believe she is going to submerge!”</p> -<p>“The very best thing she could do, under the -circumstances,” Bill asserted. “What would -you have her do—head over yonder and let go -a torpedo?”</p> -<p>“Wasn’t she built for that kind of thing?” -Lieutenant Schneider’s tone was still nettled.</p> -<p>“Perhaps she was, but not in a position of this -kind. That cruiser would blow her out of the -water before she got near enough to make a -torpedo effective!”</p> -<p>“If that’s the case, why don’t you go aboard -her and get busy with her in the air?”</p> -<p>“And stop both the <i>Flying Fish</i> and ourselves -while a boat is being lowered and I am ferried -over to her? Even if the <i>Amtonia</i> was able to -get away, the <i>Flying Fish</i> would be blown to -pieces long before she was ready to take off. -Weren’t you in the merchant service before you -shipped aboard this raider?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_205">205</div> -<p>“I was—but why?”</p> -<p>“Commander Geibel was an officer in the -Imperial German Navy. He fought through -the war. I’ve never been in action before, but -I’ve had a couple of years at the U. S. Naval -Academy and I know that our Commander is -doing the one thing possible to save his ships.”</p> -<p>“Then I suppose you think it a waste of time -and effort for us to be manning the guns?”</p> -<p>Bill laughed good-naturedly and clapped the -incensed lieutenant on the shoulder. “Let’s not -fight about it. Clearing for action and manning -the guns is okay. It’s splendid discipline -and helps the morale of the crew. But you -know just as well as I do, Schneider, that if we -win out, coal will do it, not gunpowder.”</p> -<p>“I’m sorry,” apologized the German, and -offered his hand.</p> -<p>Bill took it, feeling rather silly.</p> -<p>“Here it comes!” he cried a moment later, -as a white cloud of smoke enveloped the -cruiser’s forward turret.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_206">206</div> -<p>“Missed!” exclaimed the lieutenant. “I -can’t hand your compatriots much on their -shooting, Bolton. That shot didn’t come within -a thousand meters of the ship.”</p> -<p>“That was just meant as a warning,” explained -Bill. “Those gunners know they aren’t -yet within range of this ship. It’s the next five -minutes that’s going to tell the tale.”</p> -<p>Lieutenant Schneider studied the battleship -through his sea glasses. “She’s steaming more -to the eastward,” he remarked sharply.</p> -<p>“And we’ve sheered off a point or two. The -fog’s coming our way—and coming fast. It’s -getting darker by the minute. The sun’s almost -washed out. Gosh, this is better than a horse -race. Doesn’t it give you a thrill, Schneider?”</p> -<p>The young officer grimaced. “Not the kind -of thrill I enjoy, thank you. If that cruiser -suddenly blew up, I shouldn’t weep. There—she’s -firing again. Oh, if our guns could only -carry over to her!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_207">207</div> -<p>This time the projectile struck the water a -bare twenty yards ahead of the speeding liner. -So close was it that those aboard the <i>Amtonia</i> -felt the spray from the geyser that shot skyward.</p> -<p>“We’re within their range, now, that’s a -cinch!” Bill said calmly.</p> -<p>“Do you think they’ll hull us, knowing that -there are passengers aboard, Bolton?”</p> -<p>“They’re sure to, unless Commander Geibel -puts on the brakes. It’s his responsibility, not -theirs. That last shot was an order to stop. -The Commander is paying no attention to it. -He’s evidently decided to take the risk. You -can’t blame him. Give us another minute and -we’ll be in the fog. Those prisoners below-decks, -or passengers, as you call them, will have -to take their chance with the rest of us—”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_208">208</div> -<p>There came a terrific crash which jarred the -ship from end to end. Every man of the gun -crew was thrown to the deck. For several -seconds the <i>Amtonia</i> trembled like a live thing -in agony. Her speed slackened materially. -But before the dazed men could scramble to -their feet, she was blanketed in a protecting -cloak of fog. Bells rang, men shouted orders, -and the wounded ship swung round to the -northwest with a suddenness that sent her over -at a sharp angle while the crew went rolling -into the starboard scuppers.</p> -<p>There was no more firing from the cruiser. -The race, for the time being, was over.</p> -<p>“That,” said Bill, as he picked himself up, -“is what I call a direct hit.”</p> -<p>“Don’t I know it!” stormed Schneider. “If -my knee isn’t fractured it’s no fault of this -deck!” He limped over to the rail and leaned -against it. “Thanks be to Neptune for this -fog—that’s a blessing, if nothing else is!”</p> -<p>“Never mind,” chaffed Bill. “When the -skipper wakes up he’ll pin an iron cross on you. -First casualty, you know. Wounded in the line -of duty and all that—which reminds me,” he -went on more seriously, “that there are likely -to be other casualties aboard. That shot struck -somewhere aft, if I know anything about it.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_209">209</div> -<p>“Look here,” said Schneider. “I’ve got to -remain with the gun crew until we’re released -from this duty. Suppose you go forward. See -the Commander, if you can. If he’s not on the -bridge, speak to whoever is in charge, and find -out what the damage is. The ship is no more -than limping along now. I’m sure there is -serious trouble somewhere. Tell the Commander -I’m standing by with these men and if -extra help is needed, they can get busy at once. -There’s nothing to do here. Oh, I forgot to -say—give him my compliments. My knee is -paining me so, I can hardly think!”</p> -<p>“Don’t worry,” chuckled Bill. “I won’t -disgrace you. Bye-bye. I’ll fetch some liniment -from the dispensary on my way back, if -I can.”</p> -<p>He touched his cap and ran forward.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_210">210</div> -<p>En route he met several parties of men hurrying -toward companionways, but without stopping -to question them, he made his way with all -possible speed to the steps which led to the -bridge and raced up. There he encountered -Lieutenant Commander Hoffman, the navigation -officer. He came to attention three paces -in front of the frowning officer and saluted him.</p> -<p>“Lieutenant Schneider’s compliments, sir,” -he said crisply. “The lieutenant wishes to -know if his gun crew can be of service to you. -He knows, of course, that the ship was hit, but -so far has received no further information or -orders.”</p> -<p>“Thank Lieutenant Schneider for me,” the -officer replied with all the ramrod formality of -the Imperial German Navy. “Say to him that -the schwein-dog cruiser shot off one of our propellers. -What other damage has been done, I -have not as yet ascertained, but I believe it to -be of a minor character. Commander Geibel has -gone below to investigate. Until he returns, it -will be well for the Lieutenant to stand by with -his gun crew and await orders.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_211">211</div> -<p>“Aye, aye, sir.” Bill had been standing -rigidly at attention while Herr Hoffman discoursed. -His first salute had been of the type -that any Navy Man would term “seagoing,” but -into his parting gesture, he put all the snap -that only an Annapolis Midshipman is capable -of. Turning smartly on his heel, he ran lightly -down the steps.</p> -<p>“Perhaps that will hold him for a while,” he -muttered, making for a companionway. “Discipline -is discipline, but that guy talks as if you -were bilge under his feet, the pompous, hard-boiled -egg! Dollars to ditchwater that pirate -was either a C.P.O. or a Warrant when the -Dutchmen had a Navy. That kind are always -the snootiest when they’re sprouting gold -stripes!”</p> -<p>Which was gross libel, as it happened, but it -soothed Bill’s feelings, and he found himself -whistling Yankee Doodle as he ran down to the -ship’s dispensary.</p> -<p>“Lieutenant Schneider got a crack on the -knee,” he told the mate in charge. “Got a -bottle of liniment handy?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_212">212</div> -<p>“There’s enough stuff here to stock a hospital, -sir. If the Lieutenant is willing, I’ll go -with him. All I’ve done on this voyage is to -hand out medicine and hold basins for seasick -women. It will be a real pleasure, if my officer -permits. Herman can look after the shop.”</p> -<p>“Your officer permits, all right,” laughed -Bill. “Grab your bottle, Jack, and come -along.”</p> -<p>“Thank you, sir,” beamed the man. He -picked up a large black bag and heaving it to -his shoulder, strode down the passage after Bill.</p> -<p>Back on the poop, Bill found Osceola talking -to Lieutenant Schneider, who seemed in considerable -pain. While the dispensary’s man -brought out liniment and gauze and began to -ease the young German’s suffering, Bill delivered -Lieutenant Commander Hoffman’s -message. Then the two friends moved over -to the rail.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_213">213</div> -<p>“I’ve just come up from the engine room,” -said the Seminole. “There was a good deal of -confusion below when the propeller was shot -off, and the engines were racing and all. Things -have quieted down a bit now. The chief told -Geibel that the propeller was taken off clean as -a whistle. He went down the shaft-tunnel and -found she was leaking a little through the -stuffing-box, but nothing to write home about. -His men are attending to that and we’re running -on the other propeller now. Nobody hurt, -I’m glad to say.”</p> -<p>“I don’t think the Commander will try to -have another fitted onto the shaft while we’re -at sea,” remarked Bill.</p> -<p>“No. That’s why I looked you up as soon -as I could. I heard him tell the chief engineer -that it was his intention to make at once for -their base. They didn’t go into detail, but from -what they said I guess it’s an almost landlocked -harbor on the Maine coast.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_214">214</div> -<p>“That’s news,” declared Bill. “Good news! -Once we’re in touch with land our chances of -escape will be a thousand percent better. -Hello—” he broke off, “what are these chaps -up to?”</p> -<p>Six seamen, armed with rifles, a Chief Petty -Officer and Lieutenant Brinkerhoff, whom they -both knew slightly, were advancing along the -deck toward them.</p> -<p>“Lieutenants Bolton and Osceola,” said the -officer stiffly, “you are hereby placed under -arrest.”</p> -<p>Bill’s eyebrows shot up. “And by whose -orders—may I ask?”</p> -<p>“By order of the Herr Baron von Hiemskirk,” -thundered the officer. “You gentlemen -will come with me at once, if you please!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_215">215</div> -<h2 id="c16"><span class="h2line1"><span class="sc">Chapter XVI</span></span> -<br /><span class="h2line2">PRISONERS</span></h2> -<p>The seamen closed in about Bill and Osceola -and they were marched off, walking side by -side.</p> -<p>“Our noble Captain has evidently waked up,” -said Bill in an undertone to his friend. “Here’s -where we catch it, good and plenty!”</p> -<p>“You think then that he did recognize us -last night?” Osceola’s voice was lowered to a -whisper.</p> -<p>Bill nodded. “One or both of us. We can’t -deny it, you know. He’d only make it the worse -for those innocent suspects Geibel was talking -about.”</p> -<p>“What do you suppose he’ll do?”</p> -<p>“Shoot us—very likely.”</p> -<p>“But, Bill—”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_216">216</div> -<p>Lieutenant Brinkerhoff’s acid voice cut him -short. “My orders are that you gentlemen will -refrain from all conversation. You will be -good enough to obey.”</p> -<p>Bill shrugged and Osceola nodded his acceptance -of this dictum. They moved forward -in silence.</p> -<p>With the ramrod form of Brinkerhoff leading -the way, the little procession filed along the -decks until they reached the captain’s cabin. -Here the lieutenant knocked, then entered, closing -the door.</p> -<p>Presently he reappeared and beckoned them -inside. Bill noted that two of the armed seamen -followed them over the threshold. Apparently -the wounded captain was taking no chances of -further assault.</p> -<p>They found Baron von Hiemskirk propped -up in bed with a pile of pillows at his back. -Around his head was a linen bandage. He -looked pale and ill and seemed to be in some -pain. Seated beside the bed Commander Geibel -watched him devotedly, and at the foot stood -the ship’s doctor.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_217">217</div> -<p>At a sign from Brinkerhoff, the lads approached -the sick man. He opened his eyes and -looked at them with a keen, appraising glance.</p> -<p>“So—my young friends,” he sneered. “You -couldn’t leave well enough alone, but must try -to interfere with the excellent routine of my -ship, eh?”</p> -<p>“When you captured us last Monday,” said -Bill, “and we had our chat aboard the <i>Merrymaid</i>, -I warned you that we would do our best -to make things hot for you and your crew if -you insisted upon our working for you. I believe -you understood my warning. At that time -you said that your system was perfect. And -that we were at liberty to do what we could to -disrupt it so long as we attended to the duties -given us.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_218">218</div> -<p>“Ah! So you do not deny wrecking the -ship’s wireless last night, and sending messages -to enemy warships? Not to mention your -attack upon my person—and the vast amount of -trouble your disgraceful conduct has caused my -officers and crew today?”</p> -<p>“No, we do not deny it,” Bill asserted -steadily. “Chief Osceola and I did exactly what -you describe. But believe me when I say that -it was no part of our plan that you should be -injured. You have been courteous to us on board -here. We both regret your—accident.”</p> -<p>“Thank you. But that does not alter the rest -of it.”</p> -<p>“No. My duty as an officer of the United -States Navy is to break up your pirate organization -by any means in my power.”</p> -<p>“And my duty, as Captain of this ship, is to -have you both executed for mutiny. You are -aware of that, of course?”</p> -<p>“I want to tell you, Baron,” Bill continued -earnestly. “That I alone am to blame. It was -my plan and only mine. Chief Osceola worked -under my orders throughout.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_219">219</div> -<p>Osceola took a step forward. “Oh, cut out -all this formality!” His dark eyes flashed, first -on the Baron and then on Bill. “And don’t -you try taking all the blame yourself. I’m just -as guilty as you are. What’s more, you know -right well that if I’d had my way I’d have -thrown that Hun welcher over the rail instead -of bothering to tie him up!”</p> -<p>“Be quiet, Osceola,” warned his friend. -“I’m running our end of this show.”</p> -<p>“Not now, you’re not—by a darn sight, Bill! -I’ve got a few words to say to the captain myself. -Baron von Hiemskirk,” he turned to the -big man on the bed, “do you realize that if you -have us murdered, you put a rope around your -own neck and the necks of every one of your -officers and crew?”</p> -<p>“One has to catch his fish before eating it,” -said von Hiemskirk.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_220">220</div> -<p>“True. And every warship on the Atlantic -has a description of this particular fish by now. -Are you egotist enough to believe that you can -buck the Naval forces of the world and get -away with it? Don’t tell me that you, who have -made an enemy of all society by your racketeering -and piracy, spare crews and passengers of -captured ships through any motive of kindness! -You are afraid to send them to the bottom. -Why? Because, Herr Baron von Bluff, you -are afraid to kill them! You know the penalty -for murder—you have funked it every time.”</p> -<p>“Ah! But not this time, young man. -Secrets have a way of leaking out aboard ship, -I admit. But in your case we shall take no -chances whatever. In a day or two, you will -be removed from the <i>Amtonia</i> and disappear -completely and effectually, far from the haunts -of men.”</p> -<p>“If,” said Bill, “you think you will be any -safer in the state of Maine than you are on the -high seas—”</p> -<p>The Baron started up in bed. “And what do -you know about the state of Maine?” he -thundered, visibly perturbed.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_221">221</div> -<p>“Only what I broadcasted last night,” -grinned Bill. “As you remarked just now, -‘secrets have a way of leaking out on shipboard.’ -You have implicit confidence in your officers -and crew of course. Did it never occur to you -that there might be a traitor amongst your devoted -band?”</p> -<p>“Away with them!” shouted the Baron, now -thoroughly angry.</p> -<p>“Just one moment—may I say a few words?”</p> -<p>The Baron was the type of bully who loves -to see a victim cringe. From the young Seminole’s -tone, he was sure the lad was frightened, -and that he would beg for his life.</p> -<p>“Make it short. What is it you want to -say?”</p> -<p>“Only this, sir. With such a captain, the -Jolly Roger is no longer a fitting ensign for this -ship. May I, in all humility, suggest that instead -of a white skull and crossed bones on a -black field, you substitute a lollipop? A green -one would be appropriate—and floating on a -broad field of bright yellow!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_222">222</div> -<p>“T-take them away!” stuttered the Baron, -purple with rage.</p> -<p>As they were hustled along the passageway, -they could hear him hoarsely shouting invective -after them. But as his further rantings were in -German, Osceola understood not a word of it.</p> -<p>“What’s he saying?”</p> -<p>“Plenty,” murmured Bill. “It would make -me blush to tell you.”</p> -<p>As the brawny seaman who had Osceola by -the arm, reminded him of the order for silence, -Osceola merely chuckled. But he continued to -do so until they were far below the waterline in -the very bowels of the ship.</p> -<p>Eventually they came to a long passage running -fore and aft. Electric bulbs in the ceiling -brightly lighted the corridor on either side of -which doors opened into tiny cabins, evidently -the quarters for stewards and the ship’s petty -officers. Half way down a steel-barred gate -blocked this passageway from floor to ceiling. -Before it lounged an armed sentry.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_223">223</div> -<p>The man straightened to attention as the -party approached. Brinkerhoff presented -a paper which he read carefully.</p> -<p>“Very good, sir,” he pocketed the order and -saluted. “All cells are full, sir, except the first -on the right. Better stick them in there.”</p> -<p>He unlocked the gate while the Lieutenant -pushed Bill and Osceola into an empty cell. -Without a word the officer slammed shut the -door. The gate clanged and they were left -together in their prison.</p> -<p>The cell boasted no illumination of its own. -What light and ventilation there was came -through the door, which, like the gate in the -passage, was constructed of crossed bars of steel. -It was no more than a cubby-hole. There were -two narrow bunks, one above the other on one -side; across from these, a washbowl and toilet. -There was no other furniture. Both the cell -and the corridor were terribly hot and stuffy.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_224">224</div> -<p>“Well, this isn’t so bad, I’ve had worse -quarters,” Bill remarked philosophically. -“When the Baron took over this ship and needed -a special brig for his prisoners, he slapped that -gate into the passageway and put others in -place of the doors to these cabins. The sidewalls -are of wood. If we had some tools, it -wouldn’t be such a job to get out of here.”</p> -<p>“Humph! but we haven’t any! And <i>if</i> we -had, and could cut our way through into the -next cabin, outside the gate, where would we -go from there?”</p> -<p>They were speaking in whispers, for the -sentry outside the gate was only a yard or so -from their door.</p> -<p>“Well, we’ve been in worse fixes. This will -take some thinking out,” answered Bill.</p> -<p>“Worse fixes?” Osceola’s shoulders moved -impatiently. “I doubt it.” He sat down on -the edge of a bunk. “Just because these bozos -have been more or less polite, don’t get the idea -they aren’t dangerous customers. That Baron -means to put our lights out. You got him -worried when you sprung that Maine story on -him, and I purposely got him just as angry as -I could.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_225">225</div> -<p>“What was your big idea?”</p> -<p>“Why, I figured that when he thought it -over later, it would lead him to believe we really -did have something up our sleeves—some -certain means of rescue or escape. A big bully -like he is would reason that we’d never have the -nerve to bait him otherwise.”</p> -<p>“You think it may help to postpone the—er—evil -day?”</p> -<p>“I am hoping so. If I size that guy up right, -he’ll make watchful waiting his cue for a few -days anyway. He’ll want to see if anything -really happens before he puts his own head into -a noose.”</p> -<p>“And <i>when</i> nothing happens, we’ll be put on -the spot for that same reason!”</p> -<p>“Tomorrow’s always another day, Bill. Say, -you’re not up to your usual form this morning. -I’ll bet you got no sleep last night. You’d -better turn in now and take a siesta.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_226">226</div> -<p>“I’ll do that soon, Osceola. But I’m interested -in our fellow prisoners. You know, we’re -lucky—our one consolation is that there wasn’t -room in this dump to separate us.”</p> -<p>“You bet.” Osceola yawned and standing -up, stripped down to a pair of shorts. “I’ve got -the dope on those lads,” he said, as he climbed -into the upper berth. “I heard Geibel telling -the Chief Engineer that he’d jailed all the -suspects on the wireless business. We’re down -here with a bunch of multi-millionaires. Does -that make you feel any better?”</p> -<p>“It certainly does!”</p> -<p>“How come?” whispered the chief from his -bunk.</p> -<p>“Why, don’t you see? With all the gaff we -gave the Baron, he’ll suspect we’re in cahoots -with one or more of them—and keep them -down here, where they can’t help us.”</p> -<p>Osceola grunted. “You’ve sure got it in for -the poor money kings—what have you got -against ’em?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_227">227</div> -<p>“Gosh, you’re thick!” snorted his friend. -“So long as they fill the cells we’ll be together. -It’s a heap easier for us to get out of <i>one</i> cell, -together, than it would be to get out of two, -separately!”</p> -<p>“Boy, you’re talking in circles. We now -arrive at the fact, once more, that we have no -tools with which to get out! Take my advice -and snatch a nap. You need it worse than I -do, and this little Indian is going shut-eye right -now!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_228">228</div> -<h2 id="c17"><span class="h2line1"><span class="sc">Chapter XVII</span></span> -<br /><span class="h2line2">CHARLIE’S NOTE</span></h2> -<p>For the next couple of days, Bill and Osceola -sweated in their hot-box of a cell. What with -the heat, the lack of proper ventilation, and the -uncertainty of their fate, both lads sank into a -state of mind that bordered on despondency.</p> -<p>The monotony of their existence was broken -but three times a day, when meals were brought -to the prisoners’ cells by a steward. The man -was invariably accompanied by the armed -sentry, who acted as turnkey.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_229">229</div> -<p>There appeared to be no possible means of -escape. Day and night the electric lights in -the passage beyond the steel bars burned -brightly. The sentry outside the gate was relieved -by another seaman every four hours, with -the change of watch. With nothing to read, -nothing to do, the lads spent most of their time -lying in the bunks or taking turns pacing the -narrow confines of their cell.</p> -<p>Sunday night, shortly after ten o’clock the -tremble of the ship’s engines stopped. The lads -guessed that the <i>Amtonia</i> had reached her destination -at last. Half an hour later they heard -the sentry speaking to someone in the passage -just beyond the gate. Although the conversation -was carried on in German, Bill was able to -get the gist of it.</p> -<p>“What’s the matter, Hans?” inquired the -sentry. “Aren’t you going ashore with the rest -of the boys?”</p> -<p>“Not me,” replied Hans. “I’ve got to start -swabbing out bathrooms at four o’clock.”</p> -<p>“Well, I’m going,” the sentry declared, -“just as soon as Otto relieves me at midnight. -It isn’t often we have the chance to stretch our -legs ashore and have a good time.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_230">230</div> -<p>“If your idea of a good time is to swill -American homebrew in a speakeasy, it’s not -mine,” the other retorted. “I’m from Munich, -I am. Good brown Lionsbrew for me. I -can’t stomach the stuff they sell you on this -side. Anyway, I’ve been on my feet all day -long. My legs get all the stretching they want -aboard this ship. I’m tired—good night!”</p> -<p>The lads heard the door of the cabin next to -them slam shut as Hans went to his well-earned -rest.</p> -<p>“That,” laughed Bill, “is the first bit of -comedy I’ve heard since we landed aboard this -blooming pirate. That Heinie’s a sensible man. -We might as well turn in, too. Tomorrow, I -suppose, they’ll take us ashore and stand us up -against a stone fence. I for one don’t want to -think any more about it than I have to.”</p> -<p>“Keep on talking—don’t stop!” said Osceola -in a low voice. “Either Hans or someone else -next door is scraping on his side of the wall. -I’ll try to find out what it’s all about.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_231">231</div> -<p>Bill nodded and immediately launched into a -long account of the Army and Navy football -game in which he had played the previous fall. -Meanwhile Osceola climbed into the lower -bunk, and lying flat, pressed his ear against the -wooden partition which separated their cell -from the bath-steward’s cabin.</p> -<p>The slight scraping continued and presently -the sharp-eyed Seminole saw the point of a knife -appear through a board. The slit slowly widened, -and a folded piece of paper was pushed -halfway through. Osceola grabbed it and -scanned the writing that covered both sides. He -passed it to Bill, who accomplished the difficult -feat of reading it while continuing his story of -the football game. The handwriting, though -tiny, was unformed and he guessed at once that -the message was from Charlie. It ran:</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_232">232</div> -<blockquote> -<p>“Dear Bill—Hans is my bath stewward. He -is O.K. Have promissed Dad will make him -rich for life if he helps you and the cheif. He -will cut through the boards to your cell. Hang -your blankits down over the edge of your upper -bearth so as to deden sound. He will push -through another knife so you can do some cuting. -I think the other one better talk or sing or something -so the centry can’t here you cuting. If -you get away take Hans to. His name will be -mud after this on board the <i>Amtonia</i>.</p> -<p><span class="jr">“Yours truley,</span> -<span class="jr">“Charles Evans.”</span></p> -</blockquote> -<p>Bill smiled broadly as he pocketed the boyish, -misspelled note. Then, still keeping up his -endless monologue anent football, he hung the -blankets, forming a curtain which completely -shut in the lower bunk. Osceola was already -at work with a knife that Hans had passed -through the opening.</p> -<p>Bill continued to talk for the next twenty -minutes, but then he pulled aside one corner of -the blanket. The bunk was like a bake oven. -Osceola was sweating from every pore.</p> -<p>“My turn now. Come out, and don’t forget -to talk.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_233">233</div> -<p>Osceola handed the knife to Bill, grabbed his -clothes and slipped out of the bunk.</p> -<p>Immediately Bill climbed in and divested -himself of the underclothes he wore. Because -of the heat, neither of the lads had been clothed -in more than their undershirts and shorts since -their incarceration. As the blanket dropped -back into place, he heard Osceola begin a recital -of some hunting trip he had taken down in the -Florida everglades. He was surprised to find -how the double blankets deadened the sound of -his friend’s voice.</p> -<p>It was pitch dark in the bunk. He was just -beginning to wonder exactly where he should -get to work when a light appeared through two -parallel slits in the wall-boards. These, he saw, -were about three feet long and perhaps a foot -and a half apart. From the cabin beyond the -voice of Hans came in a sibilant whisper.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_234">234</div> -<p>“If the Herr Lieutenant will be good enough -to start cutting across the boards from the bottom -of one slit to the bottom of the other? I -shall work on the top end. It is not necessary to -tell the Lieutenant not to press too hard with his -knife. The sound of splintering wood can -be heard in the passage. There is no need to -disturb the sentry—just yet.”</p> -<p>Bill heard the steward chuckle. Then, -except for the very slight sound of the knives -as they cut across the grain of the wood, no other -came to his ears save the low mumble of Osceola’s -voice beyond the blankets.</p> -<p>It was hard work and tedious, slicing across -the grain of the boards. The heat made Bill -dizzy, and he stopped frequently to wipe away -the sweat that streamed down into his eyes. -After what seemed an endless age, Hans spoke -again.</p> -<p>“I have cut through to the farther slit, sir. -Will the Herr Lieutenant be good enough now -to place the palm of his hand against the piece -that is to come out? There must be no cracking -of the wood when we remove it.”</p> -<p>“Okay,” whispered Bill.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_235">235</div> -<p>Less than five minutes later, he completed -his job. Hans took the panel they had cut from -the wall and switched off the light in his cabin.</p> -<p>“Stand by,” said Bill. “We’ll be with you -just as soon as I can get a drink and put on my -clothes.”</p> -<p>“Very good, sir,” returned the man, and Bill -climbed out of the bunk.</p> -<p>He went at once to the washbasin where he -rinsed out his mouth and drank a few swallows -of the tepid water. A quick sluice and a rubdown -followed. Then he got quickly into his -white linen uniform. Osceola, who was already -dressed, spent the time in taking down the -blankets, folding them and tossing them onto -the upper berth. Far down the passageway they -heard a bell tinkle eight times.</p> -<p>“Midnight,” said Bill, in a low tone. “Yes, -there’s Otto, relieving our weary sentry at last. -We’ll give him five minutes to vamoose, then -we’ll get out of here.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_236">236</div> -<p>That seemed the longest five minutes of -their lives. They kept their eyes glued on the -luminous dials of their wrist-watches.</p> -<p>“Time’s up!” said Bill at last.</p> -<p>“To the second,” was the Seminole’s sole -comment. One after the other they got into -the lower berth and squeezed through the opening -in the wall.</p> -<p>“What’s the plan now, Hans?” Bill whispered -in the darkness.</p> -<p>“With permission, sir, I will go into the -passage and talk to Otto, who is on watch now. -I will leave the cabin door ajar, sir, and as soon -as his back is turned, it will be well if the -gentlemen come out and—”</p> -<p>“Scrag him,” Bill supplied.</p> -<p>“That’s it, sir. Here are four pieces of rope -and a gag. That ought to be enough to keep -Otto quiet. Will the gentlemen please take me -with them,” he asked somewhat diffidently, -“when they leave the ship?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_237">237</div> -<p>“You bet we will!” said Osceola. “Only -don’t be so darned polite. You make me nervous. -Cut along now, we’ll attend to Otto just as -soon as you get him facing the right way.”</p> -<p>“Very good, sir. Thank you, sir.”</p> -<p>Hans opened the door and went out, leaving -it slightly ajar. From the shadows beside it, -the lads saw him approach the sentry, who -lounged on a stool by the gate.</p> -<p>“Too hot in there to sleep,” remarked Hans. -“I’m going above to catch a breath of air.”</p> -<p>“Wish I could!” The sentry placed his rifle -against the wall. “This ship is an oven below-decks. -Practically the whole port watch has -gone ashore. Just my bad luck to be stuck down -here.”</p> -<p>“Look at the size of that rat!” exclaimed the -steward, pointing down the prison corridor.</p> -<p>“Where?” Otto swung round toward the -barred gate.</p> -<p>Hans immediately caught up the rifle and -pressed the muzzle against the man’s side. -“One peep out of you,” he muttered, “and I’ll -give you a bellyful!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_238">238</div> -<p>Otto stared at him dazedly. Before he could -decide whether or not to make a move, Bill -thrust the gag in his mouth, while Osceola -caught his wrists and lashed them fast behind -his back.</p> -<p>It took only a moment longer to tie up his -ankles. Otto was laid on the floor, and with -Hans in the lead and carrying the rifle, the three -hurried down the passage away from the gate.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_239">239</div> -<h2 id="c18"><span class="h2line1"><span class="sc">Chapter XVIII</span></span> -<br /><span class="h2line2">THE FLYING FISH PLAYS ITS PART</span></h2> -<p>Hans led them up through the galleys and -pantries into the First Class Dining Saloon without -encountering a single soul. They went -boldly up the main staircase to the promenade -deck, which seemed deserted. A small figure -hiding in the shadows ran up to them, and -Charlie gripped his friends’ hands.</p> -<p>“Never mind the thanks,” he whispered. -“We’ve got to work fast. There’s an armed -seaman at the gangway head. We must quiet -him first. Then we’ll take the ship’s boat that’s -moored below.”</p> -<p>“Okay, boy.”</p> -<p>Without another word, Bill walked up to the -gangway sentry, who immediately brought his -rifle to the present.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_240">240</div> -<p>“There’s rust on that barrel,” growled Bill -and held out his hand. “I can see it even in -this light.”</p> -<p>“But—but I think,” stammered the sentry, -“that my officer is mistaken!” He passed over -the gun without suspicion.</p> -<p>Immediately afterward, he found himself in -the same dilemma Otto had encountered ten -minutes earlier. Tied up and gagged with a -handkerchief, he was deposited behind a pile -of deck chairs.</p> -<p>His captors wasted no further time. They -ran down the gangway and piled aboard the -skiff moored to the grating. Hans got out the -single pair of oars, Osceola unloosed the painter, -and Bill, who seated himself beside Charlie in -the stern, steered their small craft away from -the ship. There were men on the <i>Amtonia’s</i> -bridge but they received no hail to return.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_241">241</div> -<p>Bill looked about. Although there was no -moon, the brilliant starlight gave ample light -for him to size up his surroundings. He found -that they were floating in a large cove or harbor -almost landlocked. The body of water was -eggshaped; perhaps a mile long by half that -distance in width. The shores were rocky, with -black patches of sandy beach. Beyond grew a -dense forest, except at one end of the bay, where -twinkling lights marked a small settlement. -The outlet to the ocean was narrow, and -guarded by high cliffs. It was a perfect retreat -for the Baron and his pirates.</p> -<p>Charlie piped up in his boyish treble. “The -<i>Amtonia’s</i> absolutely hidden by those heads -from any ship passing up or down the coast. -The harbor entrance makes a right-angled turn -half way to the sea. I heard Lieutenant Brinkerhoff -say that a warship passed the mouth, going -west, about eleven-thirty. The lookout on -the head signalled in. Brinkerhoff was laughing -about it, I guess it made him feel good.”</p> -<p>“Well, his break is ours now,” declared Bill. -“And there’s another one for us!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_242">242</div> -<p>He pointed to where the <i>Flying Fish</i> lay -moored, with her wings spread, a few hundred -yards away.</p> -<p>“It’ll be hot as Tophet in her hull tonight! -Row on, Hans. We’re going over there to pay -a visit. By the way, does anyone know exactly -where we are?”</p> -<p>“Yes, sir,” replied the man, “this harbor is on -the coast of Maine. Washington County, I -think, sir—not very far from Englishman’s -Bay.”</p> -<p>“Good enough! What are those lights yonder?”</p> -<p>“You might call that our private Navy Yard, -sir. It’s the Baron’s shore base. He keeps a -crew on duty there, while the ships are at sea. -There are storehouses, a machine shop, the men’s -quarters and a store. It’s ten miles back to the -railroad. He owns all the shore acreage hereabouts. -A high wire fence shuts in the property -from all outsiders. There are one or two big -estates up and down the coast, but the nearest -house is a good three miles away.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_243">243</div> -<p>“How are the roads?”</p> -<p>“There’s no road along the coast, sir. The -one from the base runs back to the little town -on the railroad. It’s in very bad condition, sir. -There is no other way out.”</p> -<p>“Thank you, Hans. You’re a treasure-house -of local knowledge.”</p> -<p>“Thank <i>you</i>, sir. May I make a suggestion?”</p> -<p>“Fire away.”</p> -<p>“My brother, August, is deck watch aboard -the <i>Flying Fish</i>, sir. Usually, in port, only one -man is kept aboard her. August does not like -this life. Like me, he was shanghaied into it. -Once with this outfit, there is no getting away, -unless by a miracle, like tonight, sir. August -speaks no English. May I ask him to join us?”</p> -<p>“By all means, Hans. It will save a lot of -trouble. Offer him what Mrs. Evans said she -would give you. I will see that it is paid.”</p> -<p>“Very good, sir. Thank you, sir.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_244">244</div> -<p>They were close to the converted submarine -now. On the narrow deck, abaft the motors -a man was seated on a camp chair, smoking. -He stood up as the boat approached.</p> -<p>Hans hailed him and for several minutes the -two brothers hurled harsh gutturals at each -other. Bill guessed them to be speaking a low -Bavarian dialect of German. He failed to understand -a single word of what they said.</p> -<p>“He wants me to thank you—he will come,” -Hans asserted presently.</p> -<p>“What a polite family you are—” chuckled -Bill. “Let’s get aboard.”</p> -<p>Fifteen minutes later those officers and men -who had remained on deck aboard the anchored -pirate ship were astonished to see the <i>Flying -Fish</i> taxi down the harbor and take the air. A -few seconds later her tail lights disappeared -into the dark beyond the headlands. Aboard -the <i>Amtonia</i> orders were shouted, bells clanged, -and presently the whining howl of her siren -awoke the echoes of the night.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_245">245</div> -<p>Half an hour passed. Bill, at the wheel of -the <i>Flying Fish</i>, leaned forward, his eyes -focussed on a pinpoint of light far below and -about ten miles ahead of the speeding airplane.</p> -<p>“There she is on a bet,” he said to Osceola, -who was in the other pilot’s seat.</p> -<p>“You mean the warship Charlie told us -about? What makes you so sure?”</p> -<p>“I’ve got a hunch, that’s all. Anyway, nothing -but a fishing boat or one of the little steamers -that put in at the small seaports along this part -of the coast would be so close to shore. That’s -a big ship out there. I think I’m right about -her.”</p> -<p>Bill’s hunch was correct, as the two in the -cockpit presently saw.</p> -<p>“It’s the <i>Stamford</i>, or her twin!” he declared. -“Uncle Sam sure is on the job!”</p> -<p>Catching up with the cruiser, he circled her -three times. Then the <i>Flying Fish</i> darted -ahead, landed and came to rest half a mile beyond. -By the time the warship hove to beside -them, Bill had a sea anchor out and was waiting -on the heaving deck. He held a megaphone in -his hand. Beside him, staring at the big cruiser, -stood Osceola, Charlie, Hans and August.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_246">246</div> -<p>“What craft is that?” came a hail from the -warship’s bridge.</p> -<p>“The convertible submarine-seaplane, <i>Flying -Fish</i>, Midshipman William Bolton in command,” -Bill yelled back. “She was part of von -Hiemskirk’s pirate outfit. She belongs to Uncle -Sam now. We captured her less than an hour -ago. Are you the <i>Stamford</i>?”</p> -<p>“You’ve guessed it!” spoke a jubilant voice. -“Commander Brown speaking,” it went on, -“are you the chaps who sent out that wireless?”</p> -<p>“Yes, sir.”</p> -<p>“Congratulations, Mr. Bolton. Where is -the <i>Amtonia</i>?”</p> -<p>“At anchor in a small harbor a few miles up -the coast, sir. One of her propellers was shot -off in the scrap the other day. She hasn’t got -steam up, or didn’t have, when we left—so I -guess she’s still there.”</p> -<p>“Good! Take off at once and lead us to her.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_247">247</div> -<p>“Aye, aye, sir. There’s plenty of water but -the channel to the harbor is a narrow one between -twin heads. You’ll have to be careful.”</p> -<p>“Thank you, Mr. Bolton. Any other suggestions?”</p> -<p>“Yes, sir. Please wireless to the state constabulary -to guard the road from Twin Head Harbor -to Clayton. That’s the only way von -Hiemskirk and his crew can escape by land.”</p> -<p>“We’ll attend to it at once,” said the Commander. -“Cut along now. We’ll follow you, -so don’t get too far ahead.”</p> -<p>“Aye, sir,” said Bill, and sent Hans forward -to haul in the sea anchor.</p> -<p>The first pale rays of summer dawn were -brightening sea and land when the <i>Stamford</i> -navigated the entrance between Twin Heads and -pushed her wicked snout into the harbor. At -the same instant, Bill landed the <i>Flying Fish</i> on -the calm water.</p> -<p>Through the cockpit windows Bill saw that -the <i>Amtonia</i> was raising her anchors.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_248">248</div> -<p>“Von Hiemskirk was all set to run for it,” -he said to the chief.</p> -<p>“But he wasn’t quite quick enough,” grinned -Osceola. “Next stop, Atlanta, for that bunch. -There’s mighty little pirating to be done in a -federal prison!”</p> -<p>“They’re hauling down the Jolly Roger!” -cried Bill. “Well, that cuts it. Somebody will -be sending a boat over here after awhile. Let’s -see if we can rustle some chow in the meantime. -I’m starved!”</p> -<p>The boat came alongside shortly after the five -aboard the <i>Flying Fish</i> had finished doing justice -to a very substantial breakfast. And all -five were on deck when the ensign in charge -came over the side.</p> -<p>“Mr. Bolton?” inquired the young officer, as -Bill stepped forward.</p> -<p>“Himself,” smiled Bill.</p> -<p>“I’m Pierce, of the <i>Stamford</i>.” The two -shook hands.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_249">249</div> -<p>“Commander Brown’s compliments,” he continued -after Bill had introduced the quartet, -“he wishes you to come aboard the <i>Amtonia</i>. -We wirelessed the news, of course, and have -just received a message of thanks addressed to -you, signed by the President. You are to go -to Washington, just as soon as this business here -is cleaned up. In fact, the President wants to -meet the five of you.”</p> -<p>“I bet Bill will get the Congressional -Medal!” shrilled Charlie.</p> -<p>“I shouldn’t be surprised,” smiled Pierce. -“Gosh!” he exploded, “this is a big thing you -fellows have put over!”</p> -<p>“But Bill was the brains of it,” said Osceola.</p> -<p>“Without everybody’s help,” said Bill, “we -never should have pulled it off.”</p> -<p>“Cut the argument,” laughed Ensign Pierce. -“The skipper is waiting, and so are several hundred -delighted passengers.”</p> -<p>“That’s just it,” protested Bill, “I’d rather -be shot than face that mob!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_250">250</div> -<p>“<i>Not me!</i>” said Charlie. “Gee, it’ll be -swell! Because I was the youngest on board, -everybody took pleasure in jumping on me. -Now I can tell them all where to shove off! -Let’s go!”</p> -<p class="tbcenter"><span class="small">THE END</span></p> -<p class="tb">Those who read and enjoyed this book and -the one preceding it, (<i>Bill Bolton—Flying -Midshipman</i>) will want to read the next of this -series, <i>Bill Bolton and The Hidden Danger</i>.</p> -<h2>Transcriber’s Notes</h2> -<ul> -<li>Copyright notice provided as in the original—this e-text is public domain in the country of publication.</li> -<li>Silently corrected palpable typos; left non-standard (or amusing) spellings and dialect unchanged.</li> -<li>In the text versions, delimited italics text in _underscores_ (the HTML version reproduces the font form of the printed book.)</li> -</ul> - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Bill Bolton and the Flying Fish, by -Noel Everingham Sainsbury, Jr. - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BILL BOLTON AND THE FLYING FISH *** - -***** This file should be named 63394-h.htm or 63394-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/6/3/3/9/63394/ - -Produced by Al Haines, Stephen Hutcheson & the online -Distributed Proofreaders Canada team at -https://www.pgdpcanada.net - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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