CHAPTER XIV.
SAVED FROM THE SEA.
A few moments later a man, whose uniform proclaimed him a captain in the British navy, clambered over the rail to the deck of the Sylph. Lord Hastings advanced to meet him.
“A great piece of work, sir!” exclaimed Captain Mayfair, as he grasped Lord 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 dead prepared for burial. Jack and Frank had lent what assistance they could in this work, and now had returned upon deck.
“Well, that was a pretty lively little scrap,” said the latter, as they leaned against the rail and looked out over the water.
“I should say it was,” replied Jack. “I was scared, too, for a few minutes.”
“Maybe you were, but you didn’t show it. The way you went about your work on the gun deck, with men dropping on all sides, didn’t look much like 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 Hastings and Captain Mayfair. Lord Hastings introduced the two lads to the British 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,” he replied.
“Nevertheless, your actions at such a time showed bravery and quickness of wit,” returned Captain Mayfair. Then, turning to Lord Hastings: “But I 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 back to the Lancaster. A short time later the German prisoners captured by the Sylph were lowered into small boats, sent by the Lancaster, and, when the last had been disposed of, the Sylph continued on her journey toward the east.
Late in the afternoon of the following day, Frank, who stood upon the bridge, made out a distant speck upon the horizon. Save for this one little 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 his glass.
“Looks like a bit of driftwood,” he declared, after a long scrutiny. “I guess there is no need of going further,” and he turned with an order to alter 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 with even greater speed. Presently the vessel drew close enough for the naked eye to discern a figure lying upon what appeared to be a small raft.
“Mr. Chadwick, take the launch and bring that man aboard,” ordered Lord Hastings.
Frank leaped to obey, and under his direction the launch was soon alongside 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 stood up in the launch, and, as the little boat drew up against the raft, he leaned over and picked up the girl and drew her into the launch. Then he ordered his men to return to the Sylph.
Aboard the little scout cruiser the girl was taken below, and finally was revived by the use of stimulants. Then, without uttering a word, she fell back again, and soon her deep, regular breathing proclaimed that she 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 say anything?”
“No; she did not recover consciousness until a moment ago. Then she immediately fell asleep. She is plainly exhausted after the peril she has undergone.”
“Well, I guess we shall find out all about her when she wakes up,” said Jack.
Lord Hastings, Lieutenant Edwards, Second Lieutenant Taylor, Frank and Jack sat at supper when word was brought that the girl was awake and desired to speak to the commander of the vessel.
“Escort her here,” commanded Lord Hastings, and he ordered a place set for her at the table.
A few moments later the girl appeared in the doorway. Frank, Jack and the officers rose, and Lord Hastings advanced to meet her, with extended hand.
“We are glad to have been of assistance to you,” he said, “and welcome you 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 about seventeen years of age, her face was unmistakably Teutonic, but she spoke 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 Hastings told her. “But for his keen eyes we should probably have passed without seeing you.”
The girl smiled brightly at Frank, and he blushed.
“I know I can never repay you,” she said, “and thanks are unnecessary for such a deed. I hope some day to show my appreciation, as will my father, 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 a serious predicament?”
“It’s not a long story,” said the girl, “although it seems ages that I have passed through. In the first place,” turning from one to another with 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 for your excellent English.”
“Well, you see, while my father is a German, my mother is an American. I have been going to school in Massachusetts. When school was over this summer, mother and I went to California, and after returning east, went to visit my aunt in Copenhagen. Mother decided to stay several weeks longer, but I was anxious to see father, and so sailed without waiting for 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. I was anxious to get home, so I took passage, although I had to do an awful lot of talking before the captain would consent to taking me.
“We were hardly out of sight of land when a British cruiser came after us. The captain would not surrender, and fled. The British ship gave chase. In the darkness we succeeded in eluding our pursuer and in the morning had drawn out of sight.
“Just as the captain was congratulating himself upon his successful flight, there was a sudden terrific explosion, and we seemed to shoot high in the air.”
“A hidden mine, I suppose,” interrupted Lord Hastings.
“Yes,” replied the girl. “I heard the captain make that remark as I seemed to sail high in the air. A moment later I found myself in the water struggling. All around me I heard cries and shouts. My hand came in 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, I could see nothing but water. I had no food and no water to drink, and when 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 watched for some sign of a vessel, but I saw none. After that I remember nothing until 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 drink is enough to shatter the nerves of the most hardy. I can only wonder that you bear up so bravely now.”
“Miss Beulow is certainly a remarkable young lady,” agreed Lieutenant Taylor, glancing at her admiringly. “I hope that we shall not soon lose her company,” and he smiled at her.
The girl ignored this piece of gallantry, and turned to Frank, and the two 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 such inconvenience, 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 thing is for me to remain here until you put into some port. Father probably is with the army, and will not know of my disappearance, and mother will think I have arrived home safely. Yes, I guess that is the best thing to do.”
“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 give my 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,” and with that she arose, took the arm Frank offered her, and the two went on deck.