CHAPTER XXVI
DISCOVERED
A few moments later the little skiff scraped alongside the _Bismarck_.One at a time its occupants--five in number--scrambled over the sideand stood before von Ludwig. The latter scrutinized each man closely.
"All right," he said at length.
He selected three men.
"You report to the engine room immediately," he said. "You will findeverything ready. The crew has been overpowered and there will be noone to interfere with you."
The men moved away. Von Ludwig addressed the other two.
"Take the lookout forward," he said to one; and to the other: "Go aftand keep your eyes open." Then he spoke to Harris. "I'll appoint you incommand in the engine room," he said. "Heed your signals carefully."
Harris saluted.
"Very well, sir," he said and disappeared.
Von Ludwig motioned to Jack and Frank, who followed him to the bridge.The officer cast a quick glance over the water and said:
"I guess there is no reason to delay longer. Mr. Chadwick, will youtake the wheel? I'll be with you in a moment to give you yourdirections."
Frank moved away. Von Ludwig was just about to address Jack when hemade out another rowboat coming toward the _Bismarck_.
"Hello!" he said aloud. "Wonder what's up now. Guess we'd better wait aminute."
The rowboat drew closer and Frank discovered it was filled with men.
"Boat crowded with men, sir," he exclaimed.
"So!" exclaimed von Ludwig. "Then I guess we won't wait, after all. Youmay get under way, Mr. Templeton."
With this order von Ludwig took his place beside Frank at the wheel andproduced a chart. The bell in the engine room tinkled. A moment laterthe engines began to move and the _Bismarck_ slipped easily through thewater.
Came a hail from the rowboat.
"Wait a moment, there!"
Von Ludwig paid no attention to this call. The _Bismarck_ gatheredheadway.
"Haven't time to talk to you fellows," said von Ludwig. "We want to bea long ways from here before daylight."
There was a sound of a shot from the rowboat, followed by many othershots. Von Ludwig waved a hand in derision.
"You're too late," he called. "Shoot away. I don't think you will hitanything."
"But, sir," said Frank, "they will awaken every sleepy Germanhereabouts."
"That's so," said von Ludwig. He called to Jack: "Full speed ahead, Mr.Templeton."
Jack gave the word and the vessel dashed ahead.
"I don't know anything about these waters, sir," exclaimed Frank, insome alarm. "There may be mines about."
"Not here," was von Ludwig's reply. "Farther on, yes. That's why I havethis chart. We'll run the mine fields safely enough, barringaccidents."
"What is my course, sir?" asked Frank.
"Due north until I tell you to change."
Frank said nothing further, but guided the vessel according toinstructions. Behind, the rowboat had given up the chase, but now, fromother parts of the harbor, from which the _Bismarck_ was fast speeding,came sounds of confusion.
Searchlights came to play upon the _Bismarck_.
Von Ludwig sighed deeply.
"I was in hopes we would get away without trouble," he said, "but itseems we won't. The erstwhile commander of this vessel must havediscovered in some manner that he has been fooled."
"We'll have every ship of war hereabouts after us, sir," said Frank.
"That's what we will," was Von Ludwig's reply. "However, I am notafraid of their catching us. This vessel has the heels of anything inthis port. Trouble is, though, they may tip off vessels on the outsideof our coming, by wireless."
"What shall we do then, sir?"
"We'll have to manage to get by them some way; for if we should becaught now it would mean the noose for all of us."
"Not a very cheerful prospect, sir," said Frank, quietly.
"I agree with you. However, they haven't caught us yet. We'll give thema hard race."
"Is the vessel armed, sir?"
"It should be, if I have been informed correctly. I'll have a lookabout. Hold to your course until I return."
He moved away. He was back in a few moments, however, with theannouncement that there were four 12-pounders aft, as well as fourforward.
"Enough to fight with," he announced gravely.
"But we haven't the men to man them, sir," protested Frank.
"We'll impress our prisoners into service if it's necessary. With a manto guard them they can handle the engine room."
"I am afraid it will come to that, sir," said Frank.
Von Ludwig shrugged.
"What will be, will be," he replied quietly.
And it did come to that, as Frank had predicted As the vessel stillflew through the water at full speed, there came a sudden cry from thelookout forward:
"Cruiser off our port bow, sir!"
Von Ludwig sprang forward. He gazed at the vessel quickly and thencalled to Frank:
"Port your helm hard!"
Frank obeyed without question and the _Bismarck_ swung about sharply.Von Ludwig sprang to his side.
"They'll pick us up with their searchlight in a minute or two," hecried. "Come with me, Templeton! Chadwick, hold that course till Icome back."
Jack sprang after von Ludwig. The latter hurried to the cabin wherethe German prisoners were confined. He unloosened the bonds of five.
"You men," he said sharply, "will go before us to the engine room,where you will perform the necessary duties."
Under the muzzles of the weapons of Jack and von Ludwig, the menobeyed, for there seemed nothing else to do. In the engine room vonLudwig explained:
"I want you men to put forth your best efforts. Any foolishness and youwill be shot, for I will take no chances. Harris, can you guard them?"
"Yes, sir," replied Harris, with a smile. "Give me another gun, sir."
Von Ludwig passed a revolver to Harris.
"There must be no half way methods here," he said quietly. "Shoot thefirst man who makes a false move. Ask questions afterward. Our livesdepend upon it."
"I shall obey your instructions, sir."
"Good!" Von Ludwig addressed the former engine-room crew. "Follow me,men," he exclaimed.
No questions were asked and the others followed Jack and von Ludwigfrom the room, leaving Harris in command of the German crew of five.These Germans, under the muzzles of Harris' two revolvers, fell to workimmediately.
Von Ludwig led the former engine-room crew to the guns forward.
"Man these guns," he said quietly. "There may be fighting to do. When Igive the word fire as rapidly and as accurately as possible at theclosest enemy vessel."
"Very well, sir," said one of the men.
Von Ludwig called to Jack to follow him and returned to the bridge.There he gave a slight alteration in course to Frank and the vessel'shead turned slightly.
"Funny they haven't raised us with that searchlight," von Ludwigmuttered to himself.
The _Bismarck_ was dashing through the water at a rapid gait. Suddenlyshe became the center of a blinding glare. The searchlight of a Germancruiser a half a mile to port had picked them up. Von Ludwig gave asharp command to the men who manned the forward guns.
"Aim and fire!" he cried.
A moment later one of the guns spoke and a shell screamed across thewater toward the German cruiser. Apparently it did not find its mark,however, for nothing happened aboard the enemy to indicate the shot hadstruck home.
"Again!" cried von Ludwig.
Another gun boomed. Followed a sharp explosion.
"Good work, men!" cried von Ludwig. "Try it again."
But the next shot came from the enemy. A shell screamed overhead.
"They'll do better with the next shot, sir," said Jack, quietly.
"So they will," was von Ludwig's quiet response. "Starboard your helm,Mr. Chadwick."
Frank obeyed immediately, and again the course of the _Bismarck_ wasch
anged quickly; and none too soon.
For another salvo had come from the German cruiser and two shells flewpast the spot where the _Bismarck_ would have been at that moment hadher course not suddenly been altered.
"Fire, men!" cried von Ludwig. "Fire as fast as you can. If you can'tdisable her we are done for!"
The men who manned the _Bismarck's_ guns were working like Trojans.Once, twice, thrice more they fired; and upon the fourth shot therecame a cry of dismay from aboard the enemy cruiser.
"Must have hit something, sir," said Frank.
"Right. I trust it was a vulnerable spot."
Twice more the German cruiser fired at the _Bismarck_, but withoutresult. The smaller vessel was drawing ahead rapidly now.
"Fifteen minutes and we will be safe," said von Ludwig.
The men aboard the _Bismarck_ continued to fire at the German cruiser,but apparently none of the other shots found their mark. The German, itcould be seen, was in full pursuit, but the smaller vessel forgedrapidly ahead with each turn of her screws. And at last von Ludwigexclaimed thankfully:
"Well, I guess we are safe enough here."
But even as he spoke a cry apprised him of a newer and closer danger!