CHAPTER XXII
PICKED UP BY THE ENEMY
It was dark.
All through the afternoon Jack and Harris had rowed untiringly, butwith the coming of nightfall there was no land in sight.
"Nothing to do but keep pulling in the same direction," said Jack.
Harris nodded.
"All right," he said, "but I'm getting tired. I'll have to rest up foran hour or so."
"Let me row awhile," said Frank. "One of you fellows can take thetiller here."
"Feel all right?" asked Jack.
"First rate."
"All right, then," said Jack. "You and Harris change places."
This was done. Then the German officer spoke.
"It's about time for me to take a hand," he said.
"But your wound?" protested Jack.
"Well, it still pains some, to be sure. But the sooner we get to shorethe sooner I will be able to have it looked after. It's better to rowawhile than to remain idle."
"Suit yourself," said Jack. "I am a bit tired. We'll change places."
They did so and the little boat moved on in the darkness.
"Don't know where we are," said Jack to Harris, "but it seems to me weshould raise land with the coming of daylight."
"Well, I hope we do," was Harris' reply. "I'm getting awfully thirsty,but I hate to cut into that water supply."
"There is a little more for us since we lost our other passengers,"said Jack. "I'm thirsty myself. We may as well sample that water."
He produced a jug and each took a cooling draught.
"Tastes pretty good," said Harris, smacking his lips.
"You bet," agreed Jack.
He made his way forward and gave Frank and the German officer a drink.
"Enough for a couple of more rounds," he said, shaking the jug andlistening to the splash of the water inside.
"Oh, I guess we've enough," said Harris. "However, it is well to useit sparingly."
As it turned out they had an ample sufficiency; in fact, more than theyneeded.
With the coming of daylight, Frank, who had resumed his place at thehelm a short time before, uttered an exclamation.
"Ship!" he cried.
He pointed off to port.
The others glanced in the direction indicated and then raised a cheer.
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 vesselaltered its course slightly.
Jack gave a sigh.
"Sorry it's not a British ship," he said.
The German officer was forced to smile.
"And I'm glad it's not," he declared; "for if it were it would becapture for me instead of you."
"But there are three of us and there is only one of you," protestedFrank.
"Well, it's the fortune of war," said the German.
"The misfortune of war in this case," said Harris.
The German warship 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 ship, manned by a dozenGerman sailors. Fifteen minutes later the lads found themselves aboardthe German warship, where they were immediately conducted to the cabinof the commander.
The latter turned to the German officer for an account of what hadhappened.
"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 thisvessel."
The three friends glanced at one another and the German commandersmiled.
"I can assure you there is no possibility of escape," he said.
"In that event," said Jack, "we shall give our paroles until we reachshore."
"That is sufficient. After that you will be in other and safe hands."
The German commander summoned a minor officer, to whom he introducedthe 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 followhim. A few moments later the three found themselves installed incomfortable quarters, where clean linen and dry outer clothing Was laidout for them.
"You've got to give them credit," said Frank. "They do things up instyle. It seems we are to be well treated."
"No reason why we shouldn't be," declared Jack.
"Wonder where we are bound, anyhow?" said Harris.
"Don't know," said Frank. "I'll try and find out as soon as we can goon deck--providing they allow us on deck."
"The commander said we would have the freedom of the ship," returnedHarris.
"So he did. Hurry and dress then."
Half an hour later, refreshed by a bath and food, the three made theirway on deck, where they found the young German officer who had escortedthem to their cabin. They approached him and the latter received themcordially.
"Wonder if you would tell us where we are bound?" asked Frank, with asmile.
"Certainly," was the reply. "Our destination is Bremen."
"Bremen, eh?" said Jack. "What will they do with us there?"
"Probably turn you over to the military authorities to take care of youuntil the end of the war."
"Looks like our fighting days are over," said Harris, sadly.
The young German smiled.
"Seems to me you should be rather glad of that," he returned. "Afteryour defeat off Jutland you should be willing to cry for peace."
"Defeat!" exclaimed Frank. "Why, the Germans got the worst of it. Youknow that."
"Oh, no we didn't," said the young officer. "The greater part of theBritish fleet was sent to the bottom. Our losses were insignificant."
"Were you there?" asked Frank.
"Why, no," said the German, "but----"
"Well, we were there," said Frank. "Therefore, we know something aboutit. I give you my word that I saw one German dreadnaught, two battlecruisers and four cruisers sunk with my own eyes. Also I saw half adozen destroyers sent to the bottom and two Zeppelins shot down."
"Impossible!" exclaimed the young German officer. "The official reportof the battle gives our losses as two destroyers and a single cruiser,while the greater part of the British fleet was sunk."
"Where is the German fleet now?" asked Frank.
"Back in Heligoland. Some of the vessels are in need of slightrepairs."
"Why didn't they keep going after that great victory?" Frank wanted toknow.
"Why, I can't say. Probably had orders not to proceed too farimmediately."
"I can tell you why," said Frank.
"I wish you would," said the young officer.
"The reason," replied Frank, "is perfectly simple. It's because themain British fleet is out there waiting for you fellows. After wechased your fleet back----"
"But you didn't chase us back. We retired when the battle was won."
"Oh, you retired when the battle was won, eh?"
"Yes; that's what the official report says."
"But it doesn't say who won the battle, does it?" asked Frank, with agrin, in which his friends were forced to join.
The young officer gazed from one to another, and Frank continued:
"Now, I'll tell you something you don't seem to know. We were pursuingthe German fleet when two of our vessels crashed in the fog. That's howwe happen to be here now."
"But I tell you that is not possible," protested the German.
"It may not have been considered possible," returned Frank, "but it's afact, all the same."
"You mean, then, that the official report is not true."
"Well, that's my personal opinion of it," Frank admitted.
"Sir!" exclaimed the young German, drawing himself up suddenly. "Youhave insulted the Germa
n navy--and me with it. Were it not that you areour guests aboard this warship, I would demand satisfaction."
"Look here," exclaimed Frank. "I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. Iwas just telling you the facts in the case. I----"
The young German faced him angrily.
"Your half apology only adds to the insult," he said. "I shall leaveyou now."
With this he drew himself up stiffly, turned on his heel and stalkedaway. Frank gazed after him amusedly.
"Now what do you think of that?" he exclaimed.
"You should have known you couldn't convince him," said Jack.
The three friends walked along the deck gazing out over the water. Halfan hour later, as they were about to go below, Frank caught sight of afigure in the uniform of a German lieutenant, who was eyeing themclosely.
There was something familiar about that figure and unconsciously thelad gave a start. He called Jack's attention to the man, and thelatter, seeing that he was the subject of discussion, quickly withdrew.
"I've seen him some place," said Frank.
"And so have I," Jack declared. "There is some thing strangely familiarabout him. Say! It's unpleasant when you know a man and can't placehim."
"Let's hope he is not some old enemy come back to life," said Frank,quietly, as they returned to their cabin.