Part 27 (1/2)

Agilely Leslie ascended the swaying rope-ladder, the sub following close behind in case the inexperienced lad should lose his hold. But young Sefton acquitted himself wonderfully. The Huns had no chance of a laugh at his expense.

Contrary to their expectations, the two prisoners were not conducted below. With an armed seaman standing behind them they were stationed on the raised p.o.o.p, from whence they could see as much of the operations as the feeble light permitted.

Promptly hoses were coupled up, pumping volumes of petrol into U99's tanks. Fully charged acc.u.mulators were hoisted out and lowered down the submarine's after hatchway, while the for'ard hatch was opened to receive a dozen large torpedoes closely approaching the British 21-inch weapons.

At midnight a wireless operator handed the kapitan of the _Kondor_ a message, the text of which caused the officer to issue a string of orders. Quickly the hawsers securing the submarine to the depot-s.h.i.+p were cast off, and U99, forging slowly ahead, picked up her station in line with the rest of the flotilla. Then, at a given signal, the submarines proceeded in a north-westerly direction, while the _Kondor_ steamed toward the invisible German battles.h.i.+ps.

At this stage of the proceedings, Sefton and his brother were ordered below, and placed in a cell on the orlop deck, twelve feet or more below the waterline. In utter darkness, for even the luxury of a single light was denied them, they sat, listening to the plash of the waves against the side, until sleep came as a welcome relief to the strain of the day.

Several times the sub awoke with a start. A nightmare gripped him.

Normally strong nerved, the cramped and dark cell, and the almost certain fate that awaited him should the _Kondor_ be sunk, filled him with vague terrors. In vain he tried to rally himself. The ordeal of the sh.e.l.l-swept bridge of the _Calder_ seemed as naught compared with the gruesome atmosphere of the below-water-line prison.

The hours wore on, but the unexpected torpedo attack was not forthcoming. No thunder of guns broke the almost uncanny silence. No longer the waves dashed themselves against the side plating of the hull.

Only a sullen, rolling motion and the faint tremor of the twin propeller shafting betokened the fact that the vessel was still under way.

CHAPTER XXII--The British Submarines at Work

A succession of long-drawn hoa.r.s.e cheering aroused both Seftons from their light sleep. Leslie's outstretched hands came in contact with his brother's face, for, in the utter darkness, only the senses of touch and speech made the twain aware of each other's presence.

”What's that noise, Jack?”

”Only the crew getting excited about something,” replied the sub inconsequently. At the same time, he felt pretty certain that something in the nature of a successful naval engagement had been responsible for the outburst of noisy enthusiasm on the part of the German crew.

He was not left long in doubt, for the door of the cell was thrown open and a seaman bearing a lantern ordered the prisoners to follow him.

Arriving on the upper deck, the sub discovered that the _Kondor_ had undergone a transformation. Everything that denoted her part as a fleet auxiliary had disappeared. Aft she flew Swedish colours, and a distinctive band encircled her wall sides, with the words: ”Gefle--Sverige” conspicuously displayed. Most of the crew had discarded their German uniform, and were rigged out in the cosmopolitan gear usually favoured by merchant seamen.

The crew had ceased cheering, but by their bearing it was quite evident that they were still labouring under the excitement of good news.

Pointing to a notice pinned to a board on the main hatchway, around which several men still lingered, the seaman, who had been told off to guard the prisoners, indicated that his charges should acquaint themselves with the information.

”What's it all about, Jack?” asked Leslie.

The message was the copy of a wireless report to the effect that German submarines had been successful in torpedoing two British cruisers of the ”Chatham” cla.s.s.

”Do you think it's true?” asked young Sefton anxiously, when the sub had translated the report.

”It may be a case of exaggeration,” was the reply. ”Of course, it is possible. At any rate, don't let these fellows see we are down-hearted.

Keep a stiff upper lip, old sport.”

Turning their backs upon the distasteful notice-board, the two prisoners strolled to the side, their guard following but making no attempt to prevent them.

The _Kondor_ was not alone. About two miles on the starboard hand, and steaming rapidly, were the two Dreadnoughts that Sefton had noticed on the previous day. Behind were three light cruisers, while, still farther astern, six sea-going torpedo-boats were tearing along in that close formation beloved of German torpedo-flotilla officers.

As the flags.h.i.+p pa.s.sed, she threw out a signal to the disguised _Kondor_, which was quickly acknowledged. At the relative rates of speed, it was certain that the battles.h.i.+ps were overhauling the pseudo _Gefle_ hand over fist.

Sub-lieutenant Sefton was witnessing part of the strategy of the German High Seas Fleet. It had ventured out with the express intention of luring Beatty's squadron in pursuit, knowing that the gallant Beatty would not decline the challenge. But, with admirable discretion, the British admiral made no effort to send the swift battle-cruisers in pursuit, merely contenting himself by ordering the light cruisers and destroyer flotillas to keep in touch with the retreating Huns.