CHAPTER XIV.
SAVED FROM THE SEA.
A few moments later a man, whose uniform proclaimed him a captain in theBritish navy, clambered over the rail to the deck of the _Sylph_. LordHastings advanced to meet him.
"A great piece of work, sir!" exclaimed Captain Mayfair, as he graspedLord Hastings' hand. "Allow me to congratulate you again!"
The two men disappeared in the direction of Lord Hastings' cabin.
The wounded on the _Sylph_ by this time had been cared for and the deadprepared for burial. Jack and Frank had lent what assistance they couldin this work, and now had returned upon deck.
"Well, that was a pretty lively little scrap," said the latter, as theyleaned against the rail and looked out over the water.
"I should say it was," replied Jack. "I was scared, too, for a fewminutes."
"Maybe you were, but you didn't show it. The way you went about yourwork on the gun deck, with men dropping on all sides, didn't look muchlike you were afraid."
"Well, I was, just the same."
"And to think that you fired the shot that decided the battle!"
"That was nothing but an accident, as I told Lord Hastings."
"Perhaps so; but it was a fortunate accident for us."
Further conversation was interrupted by the approach of Lord Hastingsand Captain Mayfair. Lord Hastings introduced the two lads to theBritish commander, and the latter, laying his hand on Jack's shoulder,exclaimed:
"So this is the lad who won the battle! It was a great piece of work,and England will not forget your action!"
Jack blushed in his confusion.
"I have told Lord Hastings, sir, that it was only an accident," hereplied.
"Nevertheless, your actions at such a time showed bravery and quicknessof wit," returned Captain Mayfair. Then, turning to Lord Hastings: "ButI must go now. I shall send boats to relieve you of your prisoners."
He shook hands all around, disappeared over the side and was rowed backto the _Lancaster_. A short time later the German prisoners captured bythe _Sylph_ were lowered into small boats, sent by the _Lancaster_, and,when the last had been disposed of, the _Sylph_ continued on her journeytoward the east.
Late in the afternoon of the following day, Frank, who stood upon thebridge, made out a distant speck upon the horizon. Save for this onelittle dot on the water, there was nothing in sight but the sea.
Frank reported his discovery to Lord Hastings, who ordered the _Sylph's_head turned in that direction. He finally picked up the object with hisglass.
"Looks like a bit of driftwood," he declared, after a long scrutiny. "Iguess there is no need of going further," and he turned with an order toalter the _Sylph's_ course on his lips.
But at that moment Frank, who also had been gazing through a glass,cried:
"There is someone on it, sir!"
Lord Hastings stayed his command, and again leveled his glass.
"So there is," he said finally, and ordered the _Sylph_ forward witheven greater speed. Presently the vessel drew close enough for the nakedeye to discern a figure lying upon what appeared to be a small raft.
"Mr. Chadwick, take the launch and bring that man aboard," ordered LordHastings.
Frank leaped to obey, and under his direction the launch was soonalongside the raft. As it drew close, the figure on the raft stirred,and then sat up.
"Great Scott!" ejaculated Frank. "It's a girl!"
As suddenly as she had sat up, the girl dropped back again. Frank stoodup in the launch, and, as the little boat drew up against the raft, heleaned over and picked up the girl and drew her into the launch. Then heordered his men to return to the _Sylph_.
Aboard the little scout cruiser the girl was taken below, and finallywas revived by the use of stimulants. Then, without uttering a word, shefell back again, and soon her deep, regular breathing proclaimed thatshe was asleep.
Frank returned on deck, where Jack was waiting for him.
"I wonder who she is, and what she was doing out there?" asked Frank.
"She is probably a survivor of some wreck," replied Jack. "Did she sayanything?"
"No; she did not recover consciousness until a moment ago. Then sheimmediately fell asleep. She is plainly exhausted after the peril shehas undergone."
"Well, I guess we shall find out all about her when she wakes up," saidJack.
Lord Hastings, Lieutenant Edwards, Second Lieutenant Taylor, Frank andJack sat at supper when word was brought that the girl was awake anddesired to speak to the commander of the vessel.
"Escort her here," commanded Lord Hastings, and he ordered a place setfor her at the table.
A few moments later the girl appeared in the doorway. Frank, Jack andthe officers rose, and Lord Hastings advanced to meet her, with extendedhand.
"We are glad to have been of assistance to you," he said, "and welcomeyou to supper, Miss----"
He paused.
"Beulow," said the girl; "Alice Beulow."
"Miss Beulow," repeated Lord Hastings, "won't you be seated?"
After an introduction all around, the girl took the seat indicated,between Frank and Second Lieutenant Taylor.
Frank gave her one swift glance as she sat down. Apparently aboutseventeen years of age, her face was unmistakably Teutonic, but shespoke English clearly and without an accent. She was tall and slender,and, Frank noted, very pretty.
"You have Mr. Chadwick to thank for our timely arrival," Lord Hastingstold her. "But for his keen eyes we should probably have passed withoutseeing you."
The girl smiled brightly at Frank, and he blushed.
"I know I can never repay you," she said, "and thanks are unnecessaryfor such a deed. I hope some day to show my appreciation, as will myfather, when he learns how his daughter's life has been saved."
"I am sure I am glad to have been of service to you, Miss Beulow,"replied Frank. "But now won't you tell us how you came to be in such aserious predicament?"
"It's not a long story," said the girl, "although it seems ages that Ihave passed through. In the first place," turning from one to anotherwith a smile, "I suppose you know that I am German?"
Lord Hastings nodded.
"I surmised as much," he replied, "although I was unable to account foryour excellent English."
"Well, you see, while my father is a German, my mother is an American. Ihave been going to school in Massachusetts. When school was over thissummer, mother and I went to California, and after returning east, wentto visit my aunt in Copenhagen. Mother decided to stay several weekslonger, but I was anxious to see father, and so sailed without waitingfor her.
"Regular traffic across the North Sea has been suspended, but I found,upon inquiry, a German vessel that was ready to make a dash for Kiel. Iwas anxious to get home, so I took passage, although I had to do anawful lot of talking before the captain would consent to taking me.
"We were hardly out of sight of land when a British cruiser came afterus. The captain would not surrender, and fled. The British ship gavechase. In the darkness we succeeded in eluding our pursuer and in themorning had drawn out of sight.
"Just as the captain was congratulating himself upon his successfulflight, there was a sudden terrific explosion, and we seemed to shoothigh in the air."
"A hidden mine, I suppose," interrupted Lord Hastings.
"Yes," replied the girl. "I heard the captain make that remark as Iseemed to sail high in the air. A moment later I found myself in thewater struggling. All around me I heard cries and shouts. My hand camein contact with something and I grasped it. It appeared to be a raft,and, after a hard struggle, I pulled myself upon it, almost exhausted.
"Then I think I must have fainted, for, when again I looked about me, Icould see nothing but water. I had no food and no water to drink, andwhen I realized this I broke down and cried."
"And no wonder!" exclaimed Frank.
"All that day and night, and late into the following night I watche
d forsome sign of a vessel, but I saw none. After that I remember nothinguntil I awoke upon this ship."
"You certainly have had a strenuous time," declared Lord Hastings,"almost three days alone in the middle of the sea without food or drinkis enough to shatter the nerves of the most hardy. I can only wonderthat you bear up so bravely now."
"Miss Beulow is certainly a remarkable young lady," agreed LieutenantTaylor, glancing at her admiringly. "I hope that we shall not soon loseher company," and he smiled at her.
The girl ignored this piece of gallantry, and turned to Frank, and thetwo were soon engaged in a little conversation of their own.
"What am I to do with you, Miss Beulow?" asked Lord Hastings at length."I had not planned to put into port for days."
"That is not necessary," replied the girl. "I would not put you to suchinconvenience, although I suppose I should look upon you as an enemy."
"I hope you may never do that," said Lord Hastings gallantly.
"I am sure I never shall," replied the girl. "I suppose the proper thingis for me to remain here until you put into some port. Father probablyis with the army, and will not know of my disappearance, and mother willthink I have arrived home safely. Yes, I guess that is the best thing todo."
"Whatever you say. Miss Beulow," replied Lord Hastings.
"When you land you may give me my liberty," continued the young girl."In the meantime, I am a prisoner of war; and, in that case, I must givemy parole, mustn't I?" she asked, with a bright smile.
Lord Hastings humored her.
"If you will," he agreed.
"Well, then, I give my word that I shall make no attempt to escape," andwith that she arose, took the arm Frank offered her, and the two went ondeck.