Part 34 (1/2)
There, scarcely more than a mile away and bearing down on them rapidly, came a German man-o'-war. Already they had been seen, for the vessel altered its course slightly.
Jack gave a sigh.
”Sorry it's not a British s.h.i.+p,” he said.
The German officer was forced to smile.
”And I'm glad it's not,” he declared; ”for if it were it would be capture for me instead of you.”
”But there are three of us and there is only one of you,” protested Frank.
”Well, it's the fortune of war,” said the German.
”The misfortune of war in this case,” said Harris.
The German wars.h.i.+p was now within hailing distance and a voice called:
”Who are you?”
The German officer acted as spokesman and shouted back:
”German officer and three British.”
”We'll lower a boat,” was the response.
A few moments later a boat put off from the s.h.i.+p, manned by a dozen German sailors. Fifteen minutes later the lads found themselves aboard the German wars.h.i.+p, where they were immediately conducted to the cabin of the commander.
The latter turned to the German officer for an account of what had happened.
”So these British sailors saved you?” he said. He turned to the three.
”I must thank you in the name of the Emperor,” he said, quietly. ”Now, if you will give me your paroles, I shall allow you the freedom of this vessel.”
The three friends glanced at one another and the German commander smiled.
”I can a.s.sure you there is no possibility of escape,” he said.
”In that event,” said Jack, ”we shall give our paroles until we reach sh.o.r.e.”
”That is sufficient. After that you will be in other and safe hands.”
The German commander summoned a minor officer, to whom he introduced the three friends.
”You will see that they are provided with suitable quarters,” he said.
The officer saluted and motioned for Jack, Frank and Harris to follow him. A few moments later the three found themselves installed in comfortable quarters, where clean linen and dry outer clothing Was laid out for them.
”You've got to give them credit,” said Frank. ”They do things up in style. It seems we are to be well treated.”
”No reason why we shouldn't be,” declared Jack.