CHAPTER XXI.
CAPTAIN RESTRONGUET LEARNS THE NEWS.
For three whole days the "Aphrodite" lay on the floor of the Red Sea.Captain Restronguet was making steady progress towards recovery, but thenews of the disaster had been studiously kept from him. All on boardknew that sooner or later their leader must learn of the catastrophe;but every one was in favour of deferring the evil day, fearing what theconsequences would be in the case of a highly strung man who was stillsuffering from a severe physical and mental shock.
But until Captain Restronguet did know Devoran stoutly refused to takeany action in the navigation of the vessel. Nor would he open upwireless communication. It was desirable, nay imperative, that Karl vonHarburg should think that his coup had been entirely successful, and onthat account the danger of unauthorized news leaking out had to bestrongly guarded against.
In her present state the "Aphrodite" was no better than her rival. Herstate of partial invisibility was no more, her electrical detector,whereby the position of the "Vorwartz" could be determined was no longerin working order. It was mainly responsible for the dramatic appearanceof the craft under Karl von Harburg's command. Her chief means ofoffence--the discharge of an electrical current that would detonate anyexplosives within a three-mile limit--had mysteriously failed; and onlyupon her powerful six-inch torpedoes could she implicitly rely.Nevertheless, all on board, from the chief officer downwards, had nodoubts as to the issue of the struggle, even though so far things hadgone in favour of the "Vorwartz." Herr Karl von Harburg's submarinemust be destroyed; her power must be completely shattered; but untilCaptain Restronguet was in a position to once more take charge ofaffairs, Devoran advocated a campaign of non-activity.
Curiously enough no reason could be given for Lancarrow's sudden illnessin the conning-tower. He had completely recovered before the rejoiningoperations of the fore and aft sections were completed, but could giveno account of what had happened. He did not remember falling: for hestated that he glanced at the clock less than half a minute before the"sentry" began to ring, and up to the last moment his recollections wereperfectly clear; he did not notice any particularly brilliant flashes oflightning about that time. He knew nothing till he returned toconsciousness and found himself in a bunk in the fore part of thesubmarine, whither his companions had carried him when the men'squarters were flooded after the collision.
On the other hand Captain Restronguet was aware that he had been struckby lightning, although he had no recollection of falling into the sea.The story of how he had been rescued at the risk of the sub's life hadbeen told him, and his gratitude was expressed by grasping his rescuer'shand. Not a word was exchanged between them on the subject, but theaction was worth volumes of words.
"How are we progressing, Devoran?" asked the captain, on the morning ofthe fourth day of the submarine's sojourn on the bottom of the Red Sea."Any indication of the presence of the 'Vorwartz,' eh?"
Devoran hesitated. It would be a nasty shock to have to confess thatthe progress was nil and that the presence of the rival submarine hadbeen very pronounced.
Captain Restronguet looked up sharply. He saw the chief officer and thesub exchange significant looks.
"You have a pleasant surprise for me, then?" he continued. "I'll get upand find out for myself."
"But, sir----" began Devoran. The captain stopped him by an emphaticgesture.
Hythe never felt more uncomfortable. He would right willingly havegiven a month's pay to be out of the business.
Drawing a great-coat over his sleeping-suit Captain Restronguet walkedout of the cabin. Hythe and Devoran looked at each other and by a commonimpulse followed.
At the end of the alley-way terminating at the watertight transversebulkhead Captain Restronguet stopped as if he were about to ascend tothe after conning-tower; but changing his mind he opened the watertightdoor. One glance was sufficient. Instead of the midship compartment hewas looking down the passage of the fore part of the ship.
"Well, Devoran, we've had a mishap, I see," he remarked in a casualtone.
"Yes, sir; a very unfortunate----"
"But at the same time unavoidable accident, Devoran. Of that I feelsure. No, no, there is no need to apologize. If ever a man would dohis best to save the situation, that man is my chief officer. But howdid it occur?"
In a few words Devoran told the story--a plain unvarnished statement ofactual facts, while Hythe stood mutely by, marvelling at the captain'scalmness at the news.
"I am not surprised, Devoran," continued Captain Restronguet. "Not inthe least. I had a presentiment that Karl von Harburg would score atone time. Besides, have I not prepared for such a contingency byproviding three distinct compartments to the 'Aphrodite'? But after vonHarburg's success my counter-stroke will hit the harder. I know it,Devoran. I feel certain that we shall score in the long run. Were anymen lost or injured in the collision?"
"No, sir."
"Thank God for that!" ejaculated Captain Restronguet fervently. "Andare all the electric circuits working properly?"
"No, sir. The detector is entirely out of gear, and so is the offensiveapparatus."
"H'm, unfortunate, but we will set that right. And the wireless?"
"I have not used or tried it, sir. Until you were fit to command Ipreferred to remain here and make no communication whatsoever."
"An excellent policy, Devoran. Unfortunately we must resume ourwireless communications otherwise we are in the dark as to the movementsof the 'Vorwartz.' But our Highgate operator is to be implicitlytrusted, and if all messages are sent in code it matters little whetherthey are picked up by other ships or stations. Get Kenwyn to send amessage asking whether any news of von Harburg has been received, andlet me know directly you have a reply. I am going to my cabin now. Iwant to be alone. But do not feel anxious on my account. I shall beperfectly fit for duty in a very short space of time."
"Didn't he take the news calmly?" remarked Hythe after CaptainRestronguet had gone back to his cabin. "It was enough to drive afellow off his head."
"It's his way," said Devoran slowly. "It is his way. Reverses that areseemingly overwhelming and would be so to almost every one else, onlyspur him to renewed activities. Believe me the fun is now about tocommence."
Within an hour and twenty minutes of the despatch of the wirelessmessage to London a reply was received that threw considerable lightupon the movements of the modern buccaneer.
Karl von Harburg had caused a report to be sent to the news agencies tothe effect that he had destroyed the only submarine that stood betweenhim and his definite aim, and now he was at liberty to do what damage hewished to the naval and mercantile fleets of the world, irrespective ofnationality or any other consideration. With this object in view he hadsunk a French liner off Cape Guadafui, after ransacking her strongrooms. He had even been compelled to substitute gold ingots for thecommon metal ballast of his craft. Silver he would hardly look at.
This ultimatum was received with amazement and in dismay shippingcircles. It seemed in vain to appeal for armed warships to destroy the"Vorwartz," since she could keep below the surface for days at astretch, and could descend deeper than any submarine with the exceptionof the "Aphrodite." And Karl von Harburg believed that his rival was nolonger in existence.
There was no doubt that Karl von Harburg was a madman. Howeversuccessful his raids on shipping might be, however great his hoards ofill-gotten gold, he would never be able to make use of his wealth. Hewas a world-wide pariah. No civilized country would give him refuge.Even his base in the Island of Sumatra was closed against him, for theDutch officials, aroused out of their customary lethargy, had seized hisconcession and had taken strong measures to prevent his return.
Thus, with a crew composed of renegade Germans, Dutchmen, Malays andChinese, he was compelled to keep to the limits of his submarine untilhis career of wanton destruction was brought to a close either by an actof God o
r the missiles of one of the avenging craft that were ever onthe look-out to rid the seas of a scourge.
Meantime Karl von Harburg was directing his attention to the Somali andZanzibar coasts. Here he could, with little risk, replenish his stock ofprovisions, while he was within easy distance of the recognized tracksof vessels trading on the East coast of Africa.
"So our sphere of operations is pretty well defined," remarked CaptainRestronguet when the message was brought him. "It is not altogether tomy liking, for I have some unpleasant recollections of the Somali coast.Not quite so bad as the West Coast, of course, but quite bad enough."
"You have already visited this coast in the 'Aphrodite'?" asked the sub.
"No; it was in a tramp steamer. We were trading, and instead of gettinga profit for the owners we lost half our crew by fever and the bulk ofour cargo was seized by the Arabs. That was some years ago. The feveris still there, and no doubt the predatory instincts of the Swahilis andSomalis are as strong as ever. But in a submarine things may be verydifferent."
Once more the quest was resumed, the "Aphrodite" keeping on the surfaceexcept when a passing vessel was sighted. As secrecy was an essentialpoint Captain Restronguet took no risks, and the submarine was submergedseveral times during each day.
Early opportunity was taken to thoroughly overhaul the detector, and ontaking the sensitive gear to pieces the fault was discovered. It wascaused by a thin strand of the insulated copper wire protruding from theamalgam covering and thus setting up a short circuit. In a way that wasa matter for congratulation, as it showed that the defect was no way dueto magnetic disturbances caused by the heavy thunderstorm, as CaptainRestronguet fully expected it to be.
On the other hand the apparatus controlling the potential current ofelectricity that could instantaneously destroy a hostile vessel bydetonating her powder was for the time being beyond remedy. This was agrave business, but the belt of electric fluid that rendered the"Aphrodite" immune from torpedo attack was still in an efficient state.Had the current been in action when the "Vorwartz" rammed her rival theeffect would have been fatal to the former, since, herself a hugetorpedo, the submarine would have spontaneously exploded.
Shortly after rounding Cape Guadafui the "Aphrodite" once more came intouch with the "Vorwartz," the detector indicating that the latter waswithin eighty miles. Two hours later Kenwyn, who was keeping watch ondeck, reported that he heard the distinct sound of small arms firing.
Captain Restronguet, Devoran, Hythe, and several of the crew were ondeck as soon as they heard the news. The sound was apparently comingfrom a place about twenty miles to the west.
"That's nothing to do with the 'Vorwartz,' sir," suggested the chiefofficer.
"I am not so sure about that," replied the captain. "It may have someconnexion with that scoundrel Marburg's villainies. We will run in andsee what is amiss."
"Submerged, sir?"
"No; on the surface. Time and speed are to be considered."
As the "Aphrodite" came in sight of the coast--a low-lying expanse ofsand dunes fringed with a belt of milk-white surf--the hull of a largevessel could be distinguished. Ere long those on the submarine made outthat the ship was aground and was heeling at a dangerous angle. She wasfunnelless, being driven by internal combustion engines. Her masts werestill standing, though threatening to go by the board as each sullenroller thrashed against her lofty sides.
Hoisted half way to her mainmast head was the Red Ensign--upsidedown--as a signal of distress.
Barely two hundred yards to starboard of the stranded vessel was a breakin the line of surf and a corresponding break in the coast-line, whereeither a river gained the sea or the sea formed a narrow inlet. Drawnup on shore at the point formed by the entrance to the creek were threeship's boats, while a quantity of boxes and casks, apparently thrownoverboard from the wrecked vessel, fringed the beach.
On a sandy hillock, standing well apart from the rest of the dunes andwithin fifty yards of the inlet, were several men in European clothes,who, kneeling behind a shallow embankment of sand, were firing at a foeinvisible to the crew of the "Aphrodite."
Three or four had been hit, for they were lying on the sand to the rearof the defences, while, judging by the smoke and the louder reports, thecrew of the stranded vessel were being attacked by a far more numerousbody of men armed with rifles firing black powder.
"Arabs!" exclaimed Devoran laconically, without removing his binocularsfrom his eyes.
"Or Somalis," added Captain Restronguet. "Clearly we are in the nick oftime, for as soon as it gets dark those fellows will rush the seamen andmassacre every man-jack of them."
Hythe could not help wondering how the crew of the submarine couldrender any effective assistance. The canvas boat had been lost in theencounter with the "Vorwartz," since it was stowed under the midshiphatchway.
Captain Restronguet touched him on the shoulder.
"Mr. Hythe, you have had experience with landing parties. I have hadnone. Will you, then, take charge of our automatic quick-firer? I amsending it ashore with nine men."
"Very good, sir," replied the sub unhesitatingly, although he was stillat sea as to how the men could be landed.
"Blow all the ballast tanks!" ordered the Captain. "A leadsmanfor'ard."
Then the sub realized the plan of action. Captain Restronguet was goingto take the "Aphrodite" across the bar.
With no more ballast than the two sections of iron bolted to her keelfor use in emergencies, the "Aphrodite" drew but five feet for'ard andseven aft. The first soundings gave four fathoms: soon the depthdecreased to three.
Yet unhesitatingly Captain Restronguet held the "Aphrodite" on hercourse, heading towards the smooth patch in the line of breakers thatmarked the entrance to the creek.
Suddenly the submarine gave a jerk that almost capsized every man ondeck. She had stuck right in the centre of the bar, with threateningbreakers only a few yards off on either hand.
Simultaneously came a hail of bullets from the opposite bank to whichthe crew of the tramp steamer were holding. A strong body of Somalis,seeing the helpless state of the "Aphrodite," had commenced to direct aheavy fire upon the stranded submarine.