CHAPTER XXVI.
THE SINKING OF THE "TOPAZE."
"This is indeed news!" exclaimed Captain Sedgwyke. Then in a lower tonehe added, "Captain Restronguet, will you do me a favour? If we fall inwith the 'Vorwartz' will you stand off and give the 'Topaze' a chance todistinguish herself? If so you will earn the gratitude of every officerand man on board."
The captain of the "Aphrodite" hesitated a few moments.
"Captain Sedgwyke," he replied, "you have asked a hard thing. Had anyother captain made me a similar request I would have declined. But Iowe you a debt of gratitude for having picked us up out of the sea. Iwill do as you request. I will give you an hour's uninterrupted actionfrom the time the 'Vorwartz' is within four miles of us. One thing Iwould suggest, the 'Vorwartz' is the attacking vessel; you will not haveto pursue her, so, since speed is not a vital consideration, keep yourtorpedo nets out."
"I, too, am indebted to you," said Captain Sedgwyke. "In an hour I hopeto be able to help to uphold the glorious traditions of the Flag underwhich I serve."
"You have my best wishes," added Captain Restronguet as he turned to goover the side into the waiting boat. "At the end of the hour it will bemy show; but should you require any assistance before then eithercommunicate by means of wireless--I will order the coil to be adjustedas soon as I get on board--or else give four blasts in quick successionshould anything happen to put the wireless out of gear."
"Are you taking Mr. Hythe?"
"Certainly; he is officially lent to the 'Aphrodite'; and Mr. Jenkinswill accompany us, since I am morally responsible to His Highness, theSultan of Zanzibar, for his safety."
The two captains shook hands, and Captain Restronguet and the subentered the waiting boat, which had to pass over the upper edge of thetorpedo nets that had to be lowered beneath the surface for the purpose.
Barely was the cruiser's boat clear of the "Topaze" when the order came"Out nets."
"Captain Sedgwyke is acting upon my suggestion," observed Hythe'scompanion. "It is the best plan, but honestly I favour the chances ofthe 'Vorwartz.'"
"You have a bias towards the advantage of submarines," said Hythe. "Atthe same time you must remember Karl von Harburg has, for the firsttime, to try conclusions with a British ship whose guns are sighted bytrained seamen-gunners."
"We shall see," observed Captain Restronguet oracularly, and both menrelapsed into silence until the boat ranged alongside the "Aphrodite."
"'Vorwartz' is now only eleven miles off, sir," announced Devoran."We've cleared for action, I presume you will go straight for her, sir?"
"No," replied Captain Restronguet. "We are going to run away."
"Run away, sir?"
"Yes; in a moment of weakness I promised the captain of yonder cruiserto give him a free hand for one hour from the time the 'Vorwartz' getswithin four miles of her. He wishes to distinguish himself.Accordingly we will run northward and put a good two miles between us.That, I think will be a safe distance, for on no account must we let the'Vorwartz' spot us, or she will be off like a startled hare."
Hythe took up his position in the wake of the foremost conning-tower,whence he could command an uninterrupted view of the "Topaze." TheBritish cruiser made a fine picture in the dazzling moonlight in spiteof her ugly lines and the absence of masts and funnels. Already herboat had returned, but, instead of being hoisted to the davits, was madefast astern, while the remaining boats were being hurriedly yetmethodically lowered into the water, one man being placed in each to actas boat-keeper. These were taken in tow of a motor-cutter, so that theywould be safe from any explosions against the side of the ship.
This done, the "Topaze" trimmed her fringe of nets, and forging slowlyahead, bore down in the supposed direction of the on-coming "Vorwartz."
There was no attempt at concealment. Her so-called masthead light,hoisted on the slender signalling-mast abaft the conning-tower, wasburning brightly; Hythe could see the green starboard lamp throwing itsreflection upon the scintillating water. It was part of CaptainSedgwyke's plan to deceive the "Vorwartz." The latter, thinking she hadfallen in with a large tramp, would doubtless either fire a torpedo ather to wantonly send her to the bottom, or else rise to the surface anddemand her to surrender. In the first case the torpedo would, he hoped,explode harmlessly against the net. The submarine would then rise toenable the scoundrel Karl von Harburg to witness the sinking of hislatest victim. In the event of either of these possibilities takingplace the "Vorwartz," once on the surface, would be the target fortwenty powerful quick-firing guns, and since the "Topaze" nearly headedthe list of results in the Gunlayers' Test for the whole of the BritishNavy, the destruction of the modern pirate seemed certain.
Captain Sedgwyke was a man who scorned to take a mean advantage; andsince he would not encroach upon the distance limit set down by hischivalrous rival, he ordered the helm to be put over, thus keeping the"Topaze" within a radius of three cables' length, until the "Vorwartz"was within four miles of him. Seeing this Captain Restronguet gave theword for half speed ahead, until he placed a distance of two milesbetween him and the cruiser.
"Seven and a half miles, sir," announced Devoran.
"Then another two minutes will be the commencement of the hour's limit,"said Captain Restronguet consulting his watch. "Mr. Kenwyn, will youplease signal the 'Topaze' and give her the latest information as to herenemy's position." The second officer, adroitly working the flashinglamp, communicated the intelligence, receiving in reply an affirmativesignal.
Practically every officer and man, except those on urgent duty below,stood on the upper platform of the "Aphrodite." Telescopes andbinoculars were brought to bear upon the cruiser that now looked like aphantom castle in the moonlight.
Hythe felt his blood tingle in his veins. He realized that he was to bethe spectator of a duel to the death between a cruiser and asubmarine--the first engagement of such a character that had ever takenplace in naval history.
"Four miles, sir," announced Devoran, as the position of the "Vorwartz"was reported to him by the seaman stationed at the detector. "She'scoming straight for the cruiser, by Jove!"
"I thought she would swallow the bait," exclaimed Hythe.
"Let us hope she will swallow more than is good for her," added Kenwyn."By Jove! The 'Topaze' has opened fire."
A flash like distant lightning seemed to leap from the cruiser's deck,followed by another, and then by a regular salvo of quick-firers. Erethe first deep report reached the ears of the watchers on the"Aphrodite" the "Topaze" unscreened her search-lights and played them ona spot about four hundred yards on the starboard hand, where the shellswere churning up a perfect cauldron of foam and spray.
"Good heavens! they've hit something!" exclaimed several voices. Thoseof the "Aphrodite's" crew who possessed glasses could see a dark mass,rent in deep furrows by the projectiles, appear amid the columns offoam; then throwing itself ten feet into the air the object disappearedfrom view.
Captain Restronguet clenched his fists. He deeply regretted his actionin allowing the captain of the "Topaze" a free hand. His quest wasover. The rival submarine had been sent to the bottom with all hands,and he----
"Cruiser signalling, sir," announced Kenwyn, who was perched upon therounded top of the fore-conning-tower. "Reports having wasted ninetyrounds of ammunition by firing at a whale, and requests to know whetherthe captain of the 'Aphrodite' has been guilty of a senseless joke?"
"Senseless joke, indeed!" ejaculated Captain Restronguet. "If thosefellows in their excitement mistake a whale for a submarine they will berudely awakened when the 'Vorwartz' does show. Senseless joke, indeed!Look here, Mr. Kenwyn, reply that my detector does not record thepresence of whales, but it does record the presence of the 'Vorwartz.'She is now only--how many miles, Mr. Devoran?"
"Two and three quarters from us, sir."
"Only three quarters of a mile from the 'Topaze,'" continued theCaptain. "I
t was quite possible that that wilful waste of ammunitionmade the valiant Karl von Harburg turn tail; but evidently such is notthe case. It has made the task of the 'Topaze' still more difficult,since the 'Vorwartz' is now aware that she is not about to tackle amerchant vessel."
The "Topaze" had now shut off her searchlights, and was slowly circlingto port. After the deafening cannonade there seemed an ominous silencein the air. The detector showed that the "Vorwartz" was stillapproaching.
"She will be within range shortly," remarked the sub. "I hope togoodness those nets will ward off the torpedoes. What charge do theycarry, sir?"
"I believe I am right in saying a charge of eighty pounds ofnitro-gelenite, which is equivalent to nearly a ton of gunpowder. Youmay remember how the shock of the explosion shook the 'Aphrodite' in thechase off Ushant?"
"Rather," remarked Hythe. "At that time I----"
A column of mingled flame and water bursting apparently from thefo'c'sle of the "Topaze" effectually checked the sub's remarks. To thewatchers on the "Aphrodite" it seemed as if the bows of the cruiser werelifted clear of the water. Then came a deafening detonation, like thenoise of thunder above one's head.
The cruiser rocked violently two or three times, then seemed to settleon an even keel, while her quick-firers blazed away in a frantic,aimless manner, for several of the projectiles could be observedstriking the water a mile apart.
"Any wireless message?" asked Captain Restronguet coolly.
"No, sir," replied Kenwyn.
"She's withstood the shock, thank heavens!" ejaculated Hythe, then, "No,she hasn't, by George! There's 'Out Collision Mats,'" he added, as abugle rang out from the stricken ship.
"'Vorwartz' is making off, sir," announced Mylor, who had relieved theobserver at the electric detector.
"Hard lines on us," exclaimed Captain Restronguet. "What are we to do?The hour is not anything like up, and no signal of distress from the'Topaze.' Send them a message, Kenwyn. Wireless, please."
"No reply, sir," announced the second officer after a wait of nearly twominutes.
"Then her wireless is disabled by the shock. Speak her in Morse, Kenwyn.Ask whether Captain Sedgwyke will release us from the remainder of ourperiod of inaction, as the 'Vorwartz' is now making off in a southerlydirection."
But before Kenwyn could get to the flashing signal lamp four loud blastsfrom the motor fog-horn of the "Topaze" sent forth their cry for urgentassistance.
"She's settling down by the bows," exclaimed one of the spectators ofthe ocean drama.
"Full speed ahead," ordered Captain Restronguet. Within five minutesfrom the request for aid the "Aphrodite" was abreast the stricken vesselat less than a cable's length away. Her fore part, already deep in thewater, showed unmistakable signs of the mortal blow she had received.Her armoured belt, that extended right to the bows, had alreadydisappeared from view, but for nearly thirty feet on the starboard sideand nearly opposite the for'ard nine-point-two-inch gun the lightersteel plates were rent and buckled in all directions. Over the gapingwound a collision mat had been placed, but one might as well attempt tostop a mill-stream with a mop-head.
The order had already been given to abandon ship, and with the utmostprecision and coolness the seamen were drawn up to await the approach ofthe cruiser's boats, that were now only a few yards off.
"Do you want me to pick up any of your crew, sir? I'll stand by if youdesire it," shouted Captain Restronguet to a solitary figure on thesteeply-inclined fore-bridge that the men of the "Aphrodite" recognizedas Captain Sedgwyke.
"Thank you," replied the captain of the "Topaze." "We have enough roomin the boats for the whole of the ship's company. Do you, sir, kindlytake up the work that I had the misfortune to interrupt you in, and mayyou have better luck."
Captain Restronguet gravely saluted the gallant yet ill-fated officer.At the same time, although anxious to set off in pursuit, he was loth toleave the cruiser until every man was saved.
"What are you waiting for, sir?" hailed Captain Sedgwyke, his voicebarely audible above the hundred different noises emanating from thedoomed cruiser, as the water, pouring in, broke down bulkheads, sweptbuoyant objects 'tween decks in a wild stampede against the partitions,and caused the imprisoned air to escape with a vicious hiss.
"I am standing by," replied Captain Restronguet. "You gave a signal forurgent aid, sir."
"We thought the ship would sink before the boats could arrive," said thecaptain of the "Topaze." "There is no danger to life. Our consort the'Pique' is on her way to pick us up."
Still Captain Restronguet stood by. He was not so sure that the "Pique"might not share the same fate as the "Topaze" since the "Vorwartz,"going south, was almost bound to fall in with the British cruiser fromDelagoa Bay.
Just then the "Topaze" gave a sudden lurch to starboard, heeling so muchthat the line of men still remaining on board was broken. But only foran instant, it was the unexpected lurch and not panic that caused theseamen to move out of position. Sharply they redressed line--andwaited.
Boat after boat received its full complement, and pushed off to a safedistance lest the cruiser in her final plunge should swamp them. Notuntil the last of his officers and men had taken to the boats did thegallant captain descend from the bridge.
It was touch and go with him, for to gain the boat he had to wade up tohis waist in water that swirled over the steeply sloping decks.
"She's going!" ejaculated Devoran.
Heeling more and more the "Topaze" turned completely on end, so that thewhole length of her keel plates and her four propellers were out ofwater. Then, slipping bows foremost, she disappeared from view in asmother of foam, leaving only an expanse of oil and petrol, a fewfloating pieces of timber and her boats to mark the grave of a splendidcruiser. Twenty seconds after she had disappeared the muffled sound ofan explosion--the bursting of the air in one of her compartments--threwup a column of water that almost swamped the nearest boat, the gig inwhich Captain Sedgwyke had taken refuge. That was the last message fromthe "Topaze" as she sped to her ocean grave one hundred and eightyfathoms beneath the surface.