CHAPTER IX
In Captivity
"You were wondering what I was doing just now," Dick.
"When you tiptoed to the door?" asked Farnworth.
"Yes. I couldn't explain at the time, because friend Ahmed had his earglued to the keyhole. He's not listening now. He's just had twoGerman officers kow-towing to him."
"Eh?" ejaculated the midshipman incredulously.
"Fact! I had my suspicions, and now they are fully confirmed. Thefellow's name is no more Ahmed Djezzar than mine is. He's a German.You noticed he was very persistent in asking questions about theBritish Expeditionary Force in the Dardanelles?"
"Yes, sir; and you jolly well boomed him off. He didn't appear to likeit."
"He's got some infernal scheme under way. He's just told the otherfellows, who are evidently inferior in rank to him in spite of his rigas a Turkish bluejacket, that he hasn't been at all successful atpumping us, up to the present, but that he means to have another shotat it. Failing this, he hints at strong measures, so we must beprepared to undergo a little discomfort."
"What do you propose to do, sir?"
"Let him have it hot if he starts his 'Me friend of Englis officers'.This room would be all right for half a dozen rounds. I think I couldalter the shape of his figurehead. Hello, there's that seaplanereturning, and, by Jove, they're firing!"
The officers rushed to the windows once more. Although they could notsee immediately overhead, they had a fairly comprehensive view of thesky from west through north to north-east.
The courtyard was now filled with Turkish soldiers and sailors, allroused at the noise of the approaching air-craft. Most of them hadtheir rifles and were preparing to open fire, while upon the broadrampart on the far side men were making ready with a couple ofanti-aircraft guns.
"One of our sea-planes in pursuit, I think," observed Farnworthexcitedly.
"I think you're right. Hello--here's the Turkish aeroplane."
The monoplane was travelling fast in a northerly direction. The pilotwas not visible, but the observer had faced about and was firing with arifle at the pursuer, which had not yet come within the Britishofficers' range of vision.
Even as Dick and his companion watched, a bullet cut through a pair oftension wires to the right-hand main plane. The sea-plane started tobank, slipped, and fell sideways like a wounded bird. More and more ittilted till both pilot and observer were flung from their seats.
Frantically grasping the thin air they dropped with ever-increasingvelocity, till their line of descent was hidden by the interveningbuildings; but the officers distinctly heard two separate thuds as thebodies struck the earth.
With its propeller still revolving rapidly, the disabled monoplanedescribed erratic curves. Suddenly the Turkish soldiers bolted fordear life, as the uncontrollable air-craft plunged almost verticallydownwards into the courtyard. With a fearful crash it landed twentyyards from the window at which the Sub and his companion had takenstand. The litter of framework and canvas trailed on the ground likethe gear of a dismasted racing yacht; then, as the petrol took fire, acolumn of flame rose fifty feet in the air.
"There she is!" almost shouted the midshipman.
Less than two hundred feet above Fort Medjidieh glided a large biplane.The motor had been switched off, for the crew had vol-planed down froma far greater height in order to make sure of their work.
"A Frenchman!" ejaculated Crosthwaite, for the tricolours on the underside of the main planes were clearly visible. "Hope he'll drop acouple of heavy bombs upon these ragamuffins. I'd be quite willing tothe risk of any pieces hitting me."
The courtyard was now deserted, but from the doors and windows abuttingon the open space, red-fezzed Turks peeped timorously, some of themplucking up courage to fire at the daring sea-plane. As for the crewsof the anti-aircraft guns, they scurried off without letting fly asingle round. The two German officers who had been conversing with theso-called Ahmed tried to restrain them, but in vain. One of theofficers then began to train the nearest gun, but he, too, thoughtbetter of it, for holding his sword to prevent himself being trippedup, he ignominiously ran for shelter.
By this time the biplane had restarted its motor and was bankingsteeply. None of the shots fired at it had taken effect, nor did theaeroplane attempt to drop any bombs. Apparently its mission had beento chase the inquisitive Turkish monoplane, and to observe the natureof the defences of Fort Medjidieh. Having thrice circled over thehostile position with contemptuous indifference to the desultoryfusillade, it returned towards its base.
Directly it turned tail the Turkish infantrymen and artillerymen issuedfrom their shelters in swarms, and for five minutes--long after theFrench air-craft was out of range--a terrific waste of ammunitiontestified to the tardy zeal of the Ottoman soldiery.
During this time Dick saw nothing of Ahmed. The Teuton--for such hewas--had made himself scarce. Nor did he put in an appearance duringthe rest of the day, the evening meal being brought in by a Nubian.
After breakfast on the following day the British officers were takenout for exercise under the escort of a file of soldiers. Their walkwas limited to the extent of the courtyard, so that the Sub had noopportunity of taking mental notes of the details of the interior ofthe fort, for the heavy guns commanding The Narrows were hidden fromsight by the barrack quarters.
Twenty minutes were allowed them. The Sub was able to smoke, someexcellent cigarettes being given him by the corporal in charge of theparty. At the expiration of the time the prisoners were marched backto their quarters, where they found Ahmed, unruffled and obsequious,awaiting them.
"Well, Ahmed," said Dick, with well-assumed jocularity, "we didn't seemuch of you yesterday. I thought perhaps you had been sent to take thecaptured British submarine to Constantinople."
The man looked completely taken aback. He suppressed an exclamationthe commencement of which sounded remarkably like a German oath.
"You have been told by dese odder Ottomans then? What dey tell you,eh?"
Something in the fellow's tone gave Crosthwaite his cue.
"So you didn't get the submarine after all?" he asked.
Ahmed shrugged his shoulders.
"You know too much," he said. "I must find out de soldier what tellyou about de Englis sailors who broke de wreck to bits, so no good toOttoman."
"Look here, Ahmed," continued the Sub. "You asked me a question theother day. Now I want to ask you one. What happened to the rest of mymen when we were taken prisoners?"
The man looked suspiciously at his questioner.
"Me no tell," he said slowly, "No can do. P'lap I tell if you say howmany Englismans come to fight us on land. P'laps if dey too many weOttomans no fight. Me no want more fight, an' plenty odders no fight."
Dick was sitting on the of his during the conversation. Now he stoodup, erect and determined.
"Look here, Herr Major," he said sternly, hazarding the German's ranksince the two captains had saluted the pseudo-Turkish seaman. "Don'ttry to bamboozle us. It can't be done. You haven't the pluck to sailunder your own colours: you must needs pretend you're a Turk--and aprecious rotten pretence it is. You told your pals you were going tohave one more attempt. You've done so, and made a horrible mess of it.Now try your other plan; but take it from me, you've a couple ofEnglishmen to deal with. Clear out!"
Too astounded for words, the German could only look sheepishly at theman who had given him a "dressing-down". His mouth worked as if hewere trying to utter some malediction. Then, cowed by the Sub's bearingand obviously frightened at Dick's clenched fists, he backed towards thedoor.
On the threshold he paused, with his hand on the key.
"Swine, English swine!" he shouted. "You'll be sorry for this."
Amid the scornful laughter of Dick and the midshipman the Germanslammed the door and locked it.
"That's done it," remarked Dick. "Now for reprisals, I suppose."
"He was in a tear!" said Fa
rnworth, with a laugh at the thought of thefellow's discomfiture. "But, by Jove, sir, how you kidded him overthat submarine business!"
"It was quite a fluke," explained Dick. "I had my doubts about thecapture of one of our submarines, but evidently one has been lost.Naturally our fellows wouldn't let a thing like that remain in thehands of the enemy, and by that Teuton's admission it is pretty certainthat we've destroyed the craft to prevent her being made use of by theTurks. Hello, the fun's going to commence!"
This remark was caused by the sounds of the tramp of feet in thecorridor. The door was unlocked, and a party of Turkish soldiers,headed by a German in the uniform of a captain in the Ottoman service,burst unceremoniously into the room.
Not a word was spoken. The German pointed to various articles and tothe door. Acting upon this mute order the soldiers removed the Britishofficers' beds, chairs, and other pieces of furniture.
A couple of lithe Turks seized each of the prisoners and stripped themof their uniforms. In five minutes Dick and his companion were leftstanding in nondescript garments in the midst of a bare room.
"Part of the programme, I suppose," commented the Sub. "Meagre rationsand a Spartan existence. I hope they won't chuck in the bastinado asan extra."
That night the prisoners slept on straw, their supper consisting ofrice and cold water. It was part of the policy of the German officer,who, under the mistaken impression that an Englishman exists simply forthe sake of eating roast beef, thought to compel the Sub and hiscompanion to betray the nature of the operations against theDardanelles.
Five long weeks passed in this tedious waiting. During this time theprisoners had ample opportunities of watching the Turkish soldiersdrilling under their German officers and non-coms. The latter drovethe Ottomans almost beyond the limits of endurance. Blows and kickswere showered upon the Kismet-imbued Turks, who, possibly regardingsuch treatment as necessary for efficiency, betrayed no signs ofresentment.
Another thing the Sub noticed was the supremely contemptuousindifference the German officers paid to marks of respect. They wouldswagger across the courtyard, the Turkish troops saluting with analertness that vied with the smartness of Prussian troops on theparade-ground at Potsdam, yet the officers hardly ever condescended toreturn the compliment.
During the whole of that time the prisoners once caught sight of thepseudo Ahmed. On that occasion he had discarded his Turkishbluejacket's clothes and was rigged out in the uniform of a Germanmajor of artillery. A number of field-guns had just arrived at thefort, and the major was in charge of the battery. It seemed as if theGerman instructors, knowing the terrific damage done by the Britishnaval guns against permanent forts, and also with the lessons of Li?geand Namur fresh in their minds, intended to rely not upon guns ofposition, but upon powerful mobile weapons, for the defence of thehistoric waterway.
The captives were no longer allowed to take exercise in the open air.Instead, they regularly practised simple Swedish drill in order to keeptheir muscles in good condition, for, as Farnworth observed, "one neverknew what might turn up". In spite of their meagre fare they contrivedto keep fairly fit and active.
"Guns!" exclaimed Farnworth one morning.
"Target practice," added Dick; but after waiting a minute he added;"No; by Jove, it's the real thing! We're having another go athammering at Turkey's gate."
For three hours the firing continued with unabated violence. FortMedjidieh, being out of the scope of the operations, made no attempt touse its guns, but the field-battery went off in mad haste.
At length the interchange of gunnery ceased. Towards evening thebattery returned, minus one gun, while several of the artillerymen boretraces of being badly knocked about. From six to sunset woundedTurkish troops began to pour into the fort, some hardly able to walk.Yet no attempt was made to alleviate their pain. They were simplyordered to their barrack-rooms, and had to rely upon their own effortsand those of their comrades to attend to their wounds.
As soon as it grew dark, Dick and his companion in misfortune threwthemselves upon their straw beds. Being unprovided with lights, theygenerally turned in at sunset and talked until overtaken by sleep.
They had not been lying down for more than ten minutes when the dooropened, and the German Major, accompanied by a subaltern, entered.They had evidently come straight from the scene of action, for theywore long grey coats bespattered with mud and the yellow stains oflyddite, their faces were grimed with smoke and dust. Each wore asword under his coat, with the hilt projecting through a vertical slit.The Major also carried a revolver in a holster slung across his leftshoulder, and counterbalanced by a sling to which was attached a casecontaining a pair of binoculars. They were accompanied by a soldierbearing a lamp. This he set down on the floor, and, having saluted,left the room. The subaltern locked the door after him.
"Good evening, gentlemen," began the Major in good English whichcontrasted with the jargon which he had used in his r?le of a Turkishseaman. "We have occasion to do business."
"But not with us," added Dick readily.
"I think so," corrected the Major. "And you will be glad of it whenyou hear our proposal. Perhaps you are unaware that to-day the Frenchlanded at Kum Kale. We quickly sent them to the right-about, and theyhad to re-embark in disorder. Unfortunately for us, during theoperations two Turkish officers of high rank were taken prisoners andconveyed on board an man-of-war that was covering the re-embarkation ofthe French troops. I trust I have made myself clear?"
"Proceed, then," said Dick.
"The loss of these two officers was duly reported to Turkishhead-quarters, and Enver Bey immediately telegraphed that we shouldoffer two British in exchange. Would you be willing to sign anundertaking, in the event of your being released, not to take up armsagainst the Allies?"
"That we would not," declared the Sub emphatically.
"I thought you would not. A true soldier--whether he be in the Navy orArmy--would never do so. Still, the idea occurred to me: a thousandpardons. Now here is a statement for the British Admiral. All youhave to do is for both of you to sign your names and add your rank inthe space provided, and the exchange will be carried out promptly."
The Major produced a folded paper from the breast pocket of hisgreatcoat, while the subaltern held out a fountain pen.
"Why don't you sign?" asked the German.
"One minute," said Dick. "The writing is in Turkish characters."
"That is quite evident," remarked the Major suavely; "but that does notalter the text of the communication."
"You ought to know that all correspondence between belligerents is inFrench, Herr Major," said the Sub. "Under the circumstances I declineto have any truck with it."
"Truck?" asked the German in a puzzled tone. "What does that mean?"
"That I won't sign."
"Then there are other English officers who would be only too pleased todo so," suggested the Major tentatively.
"It's my opinion you're trying another of your dirty tricks," continuedDick. "No, don't get excited," he added, as the German's hand flew tohis sword-hilt. "That proves what I say. I think we may as well cometo an understanding."
The German backed and said a few words to his companion. It was enoughto confirm Dick's suspicions, for the subaltern also laid his hand uponhis sword.
With a well-directed blow the Sub planted his clenched fist squarelyupon the point of the Major's chin. With hardly a sound he fellsenseless upon the pile of straw.
"WITH A WELL-DIRECTED BLOW DICK PLANTED HIS CLENCHEDFIST SQUARELY UPON THE POINT OF THE MAJOR'S CHIN"]
Out flashed the other German's sword. Rashly he raised the blade todeliver a cut. Had he used the point the result might have beendifferent, for before the blow could fall the stalwart British officergripped him round the waist, then with a sudden heave threw himheadlong upon the floor. The back of his head came in contact with thestone paving, and with a groan he lost consciousness.
"Buck up, Farnworth!" exc
laimed Dick. "Pull that fellow's coat off andsee how it fits you. We'll borrow these gentlemen's uniforms and seewhat happens."