Three weeks passed and Jack and Frank were still in Washington. Immediately after delivering his messages to Secretary Daniels, Jack got in touch with the British Admiralty wireless and asked for instructions. When the reply came it was signed Lord Hastings and said merely:
"Stay where you are pending further orders."
And after three weeks no word had come.
Several times during the three weeks Jack and Frank, or one of the lads at a time, had returned to Newport News to look to the needs of the Essex, which still lay quietly in the James river. Steam was kept up in the destroyer every moment of the day, and she was ready to put to sea on an instant's notice.
"Chances are when we need her it will be in a hurry," said Jack.
Therefore nothing was overlooked that would enable the destroyer to go into action on a moment's notice. Provisions were added to the stores from time to time, and the crew were put through their drills daily.
Meanwhile, from what Jack and Frank learned from the British ambassador, no steps had been taken to prepare for a possible German attack on shipping in American waters. True, the coast defenses had been strengthened, but that was merely a matter of routine for a country at war.
Off the coast, warships were on patrol. But there were comparatively few of these, for the bulk of the American fleet had been sent abroad to reinforce the British grand fleet patroling the North Sea.
Jack and Frank discussed these matters frequently.
"It would be a great time for the Germans to strike," said Jack one evening, as the lads sat in their rooms at the hotel. "The American people don't seem to realize the possibilities of the submarine."
"That's true," said Frank, "but at the same time such an attack might prove a boomerang to the Germans."
"What do you mean?"
"Why," said Frank, "you haven't forgotten, have you, that it took a number of air raids on England to fully arouse the British people to the fact that the Germans must be licked?"
"That's true enough," agreed Jack. "The Germans, of course, figured that they would frighten England and scare her out of the war."
"Exactly, and the result was altogether different from what they had anticipated. That's why I say submarine activities off the American coast will prove a boomerang to the foe."
"I see," commented Jack. "You mean it would arouse the American people to the necessity of prompt action."
"Exactly."
"Well," said Jack, "it begins to look as though Lord Hastings were wrong. We've been here three weeks now and nothing has transpired to indicate that the Germans are meditating a submarine raid in American waters."
"You don't expect them to tip the Washington government off in advance, do you?" asked Frank with a laugh.
"Hardly; but it would seem that if such a campaign had been planned it would have been started before this."
"It wouldn't surprise me," said Frank, "to get a flash any day that a ship had been submarined off the American coast."
Came a rap at the door.
"Come in," Frank called.
A bell boy entered. He held a tray in his hand and on the tray was a cablegram.
"From Lord Hastings, I suppose," said Frank, taking the message and passing it to Jack.
Jack broke the seal, spread out the paper. The message, in code, was this:
"Authentic information flotilla submarines headed for America. Warn Navy Department at once."
Jack sprang to the telephone and got the British embassy on the wire.
"The ambassador, quick!" he said to the voice that answered his call.
There was a short pause, and then Jack recognized the ambassador's voice.
"I've just had a wireless from Lord Hastings relative to the matter which we discussed with Secretary Daniels several weeks ago," he explained. "Can you arrange another interview immediately?"
"I'll see," said the ambassador and rang off.
The telephone in the lads' room jangled sharply ten minutes later. Jack sprang to the wire.
"Yes," he said in response to a query. "Ten o'clock? You'll call for us? Very well."
He replaced the receiver and turned to Frank.
"We will see Secretary Daniels in his office at ten," he said. He looked at his watch. "Hurry and dress. It's after nine now. The ambassador should be here in fifteen minutes."
The lads jumped into their clothes, then went downstairs, where they awaited the arrival of the ambassador. The latter arrived ten minutes before ten o'clock, and the three were driven to the War and Navy building. Secretary Daniels received them at once.
"I understand that you come on a very important matter," he said. "Pray, what is it, gentlemen?"
For answer Jack laid before the American naval secretary the decoded message from Lord Hastings. The secretary read it, then looked up.
"Well?" he asked.
"Why, sir," said Jack, "Lord Hastings simply wishes you to take all precautions to prevent sinking of vessels by submarines in American waters."
Secretary Daniels smiled.
"I don't know what we can do that has not already been done," he replied. "The off-coast waters are mined, and American warships are patroling the regular channels of navigation."
"All that may be true, sir," said Jack, "but these submarines are slippery customers, as I have reason to know. It would be well to take even further precautions."
"And what would you suggest?" asked Secretary Daniels.
"Why, sir," said Jack, "I'd suggest cancelling sailing orders of all transports temporarily, at least until such time as I felt sure they could go in safety. Then I'd flash a warning broadcast to all vessels within reach of the wireless to be on the lookout for enemy submarines. I'd rush every available submarine chaser in the Atlantic ports beyond the mine fields and I would order a destroyer as protection for every vessel known to be inward bound."
Secretary Daniels smiled.
"You wouldn't overlook anything, would you, Captain?"
"I certainly would not," said Jack firmly.
"Very well, then," said Secretary Daniels. "I'll set your mind at rest. Your suggestions shall be followed out. I'll give the necessary directions the first thing in the morning."
"In the morning, sir?" repeated Jack. "The morning may be too late."
"Oh, I guess not," Secretary Daniels smiled. "It has been three weeks or more since your first warning and nothing has happened. I guess we can safely depend upon being let alone a few hours after the second warning."
Jack was about to protest, thought better of it and said simply:
"Very well, sir."
A moment later the lads took their departure with the ambassador. In the seclusion of the latter's automobile, Jack said:
"I can't see how the secretary dares let time slip by like that."
"Never mind," said the ambassador, "you'll find in a day or two that Secretary Daniels knows what he's doing. Don't make any mistake about him. He's a capable man."
"I have no doubt of that, sir," replied Jack. "But if he had seen three years of war, as we have, he would never delay. Besides, he doesn't know these German submarines as well as I do. Neither do any of the Americans."
"Oh, yes they do," declared Frank.
"They do, eh?" exclaimed Jack. "Well, I'd like to know the name of one of them."
"His name," said Frank, "is Lieutenant Chadwick, and I think he knows just about as much about the U-Boats as you do; and he agrees with your ideas perfectly."
Jack smiled.
"That's right," he said. "I had forgotten you were a native of this land. Well, here's hoping nothing happens before Secretary Daniels takes all necessary precautions."
The British ambassador left the lads at their hotel, and they returned at once to their rooms, where for several hours they discussed the situation.
"There is no use talking about it," said Frank at last. "Let's go to bed."
They undressed.
Just before extinguishing the light, as was his custom, Frank raised the window. As he looked out he saw below a crowd of excited men and women moving about the street.
"Hey, Jack!" he called. "Come here."
Jack joined him at the window.
"Now what's up, do you suppose?" asked Frank.
"Too deep for me," declared Jack, "but something surely. Let's go down and find out."
Hurriedly they slipped back into their clothes, and went down stairs. They stepped out of the hotel and mingled with the people on the streets, quite a crowd for Washington at that hour of the night.
The stream of people led toward Eleventh and Pennsylvania avenue, where a larger crowd was gathered in front of a bulletin board in the window of a newspaper office.
"Big news of some kind," said Jack as they hurried along.
"And not good news, either," Frank declared. "There'd be some cheering if it were."
"You're right," said Jack.
By main force they wormed their way through the crowd, until they were close enough to read the bulletin board. Then Jack uttered an exclamation of alarm.
"I knew it!" he cried.
For what he read was this:
"Navy Department announces sinking of two freight vessels off New Jersey coast by German submarines."
"I knew it!" Jack said again.
The boys returned to their rooms.
"Now what?" asked Frank.
"I don't know," was Jack's reply. "I hate to sit here quietly when the whole American navy, or what part of it is still here, is in chase of the Germans, but what are we going to do about it?"
"Search me," replied Frank.
"Our instructions," Jack continued, "are to stay here pending further orders."
"Maybe we'll get them soon," said Frank.
"Yes; and maybe we won't."
"Then we'll just have to sit tight."
"That's what worries me."
There was a knock at the door.
"Come in," Frank called.
A bell boy entered with a second cablegram.
Jack tore it open hastily.
"Hurray!" he cried.
"What's up?" demanded Frank.
He arose and peered over his chum's shoulder. What he read was this:
"Offer your services and the services of the Essex to the U.S. Navy Department at once."
"Fine!" cried Frank. "Let's get busy."
It was the work of half an hour, however, to get Secretary Daniels on the telephone. He had been aroused at the first news of the sinkings off the coast and had been kept on the jump ever since. But he took time to talk to Jack.
"I am authorized by the British Admiralty, sir," said Jack over the 'phone, "to offer the services of my ship to the American government."
"Accepted with thanks," snapped Secretary Daniels. "You will proceed immediately to your vessel in Newport News, after which you will join the American vessels on patrol duty off the coast of Virginia. I shall inform Admiral Sellings that you will report to him for instructions."
Without awaiting a reply, Secretary Daniels hung up.
"By George!" said Jack. "He's a man of action when he gets to moving."
"What did he say?" demanded Frank.
"Hurry and pack your things," was Jack's reply. "I'll explain as we work."
It was the work of only a few minutes for the lads to gather their belongings and dump them in their handbags. Then they hurried downstairs, where they paid their bill and learned that they could catch a train to Richmond within the hour.
"Going after the submarines?" asked the night clerk.
"Yes," replied Jack shortly.
"Good! I hope you get 'em. Here's your taxi."
The lads jumped into the taxi and were driven to the station, where they caught their train with time to spare.
It lacked two hours of daylight when they arrived in Richmond. They took a taxi across town to the Chesapeake and Ohio station, where they caught a train for Newport News an hour later. At eight o'clock they were in Newport News, and fifteen minutes later stepped aboard the Essex.
"Glad to see you back, sir," said Lieutenant Hetherton, who held the deck. "I suppose you've heard——"
"Pipe all hands to quarters, Mr. Hetherton," Jack interrupted sharply, "and clear ship for action. We sail within the hour."
Lieutenant Hetherton hurried away.
"Frank," said Jack, "go below and have a look at the engine room. Then find the quartermaster and see about provisions and fuel."
Frank also hurried away.
Sailing preparations aboard the Essex were made hurriedly and within less than an hour all was ready for departure. Meanwhile, crowds had collected ashore, upon learning that the Essex was about to set out in pursuit of the German undersea raiders.
Loud cheers split the air. Men and women waved their handkerchiefs. From a group of soldiers on the shore came expressions of good luck. In response to Jack's request, a pilot had been hurried aboard and now took the wheel.
"Half speed ahead," Jack ordered.
The water churned up ahead of the Essex, and she moved majestically toward the center of the stream.
Gradually the cheering died away in the distance, and the city of Newport News was lost to sight. In Hampton Roads again, the pilot was dropped in a small boat and rowed shoreward.
Frank took his place behind the helmsman and Jack rang for full speed ahead. At last the Essex was off in pursuit of the German submarines.
Meanwhile, an account of the activity of the enemy off the coats is in order. Besides the sinking of the first two freight vessels, which had been reported to the Navy Department by survivors who had reached shore in small boats, other vessels had been sent to the bottom. Most of these were freighters or small trading ships, including two sailing vessels. Some had been sunk off the New Jersey coast, others off the coasts of Delaware and Virginia.
In some cases the vessels attacked had attempted to flee, but they were quickly overhauled by the submarines, which, besides firing torpedoes into their hulls, shelled them with rapid fire guns and later attacked the small boats in which the crews sought to make the shore.
Casualties had been heavy aboard the ships sunk by the raiders. One or two of the enemy submarines had been fired on by armed ships, but to no avail; and as a result of those efforts, the death lists aboard such vessels had been increased, for the Germans, angered, had swept the survivors in small boats with rapid fire guns.
How many submarines were operating in American waters, the Navy department did not know. From the fact that ships were attacked in at least three places, within a short space of time, however, it was believed that there were at least three or four of the raiders.
From all ports along the coast, destroyers, submarine chasers, motor boats armed with single guns, had put to sea in an effort to run down the raiders. But off the New Jersey coast, almost in the midst of these vessels, a sailing ship was sunk by a submarine. Before any of the patroling vessels could reach the scene, however, the U-Boat had submerged and fled.
Depth bombs were dropped by ships of war wherever it was thought a submarine might be lurking beneath the water. But these efforts met with no success. Reports of sinkings in other parts of the water reached the Navy department.
The first sinking was reported on May 10. In the week that followed, eighteen other vessels were sent to the bottom by German submarines off the American coast. At the end of that time, however, the waters were being so well patrolled that it would have been suicide for a submarine to have showed itself.
Reports of sinkings ceased. But, from time to time, word was received that submarines had been sighted farther south, first off the coast of the Carolinas and then off Florida. No attacks were made in these waters, however, and the next that was heard of the submarines they were off the coast of South America.
During the activities of the enemy raiders, one submarine was sunk, and one was captured, both through the efforts of Jack and the crew and officers of the Essex.
After leaving Hampton Roads, the Essex steamed out beyond the Virginia Capes. Immediately Jack sought to get into communication with Admiral Sellings by wireless. And at last he raised the admiral's flagship, the Dakota.
"What do you want?" came the query from the Dakota, after Jack's flash had been picked up.
"British destroyer Essex, Captain Templeton, reporting to Admiral Sellings for orders at the request of Secretary Daniels," was the message Jack sent back.
"One moment," was the reply.
Jack waited in the radio room aboard the Essex.
"Essex! Essex!" came the call five minutes later.
"Answer," Jack directed the operator.
"Essex replying," the operator flashed.
"Admiral Sellings orders Essex to proceed north and stand out to sea to protect inbound vessels. Understand one submarine sighted five miles out five hours ago. Repeat."
The operator repeated the message to show that he had caught in correctly.
Jack went on deck and gave instructions necessary to putting the Essex out at sea. Then, "Full speed ahead!" he signalled.
The British destroyer Essex stood out to sea magnificently. Aboard, her crew stood to their posts, ready for action. Jack, surrounded by his officers, held the bridge.
"We've got to keep a sharp eye out," said Jack.
"Right," Frank agreed. "We're likely to come upon one of the enemy any moment, and we can't afford to let him see us first."
"Very true, sir," Lieutenant Hetherton agreed. "Fortunately all our lookouts have sharp eyes. I'll venture to say a submarine won't come to the surface very close to us without being seen."
"That's the way to talk, Mr. Hetherton," said Jack. "It shows the proper spirit."
"And the men are imbued with the same spirit," declared Frank, "and yet see how cool they are."
It was perfectly true. There was no confusion aboard the Essex in spite of the fact that each member of the crew knew he was bent on a dangerous mission. One shot from the submarine, they knew, if truly aimed and Jack was unable to maneuver the vessel out of harm's way, would be the end. However, like all British tars, they had absolute confidence in their commander; for, according to their line of reasoning, if he were not a capable officer and to be depended upon he would not be in command of the ship.
Suddenly the radio operator appeared on deck and hurried toward the bridge. Jack stepped forward to meet him. The lad took the message the operator passed him and read:
"S.O.S. Pursued by submarine eighteen miles off Cape May light. Am running south by west, but foe is gaining. Capt. Griswold, Ventura."
"This," said Jack quietly, "means that there is still another U-Boat to be reckoned with, but I had no idea they were operating so far out. We'll have to get busy."
Jack looked at his officers with a slight smile on his face, then ordered: "Shape your course due east, Frank. Full speed ahead."
As the Essex sped forward the radio operator from time to time picked up other messages from the Ventura.
"She's headed directly toward us," Jack explained to Frank. "We should sight her within the hour."
The Ventura was sighted in less, but under peculiar conditions.
"Ship on the starboard bow, sir," sang the lookout forward.
A moment later the officers on the bridge sighted the vessel through their glasses.
"By George! She seems to be standing still," said Frank.
"So she does," Lieutenant Hetherton agreed, "Wonder what's the matter?"
"We'll find out fast enough," returned Jack quietly.
"Take the bridge, Mr. Chadwick," said Jack. "I'm going below to the radio room."
"See if you can raise the Ventura," he instructed the radio operator, a few moments later.
"Ventura! Ventura!" went the call through the air.
There was no response.
"Try it again," said Jack.
The operator obeyed. Still there was no reply from the Ventura.
"Something wrong," Jack muttered under his breath, "and still I saw no sign of a submarine. Try 'em again, Wilkins."
Again the radio operator sent the call flashing through the air:
"Ventura! Ventura! Ventura!"
The instrument at Wilkins' side began to click.
"Ventura replying, sir," Wilkins reported.
"I hear him," said Jack briefly. "Let me get at that key, Wilkins."
The operator sprang up and Jack took his place and strapped the receiver over his head.
"What's the trouble, Ventura?" he clicked.
"Held up by submarine," was the reply. "U-Boat due east of us. You can't see her. We sighted you just after we were boarded."
"Then how does it come you are at the key?" Jack clicked.
"Broke away from captors on deck. They are pounding at the door now."
"Have they sighted us?"
"They hadn't. There goes the door, Good-bye."
The flashes from the Ventura ceased. Jack sprang up and turned the receiver over to the operator.
"Keep calling," he said. "If you pick the Ventura up again, let me know. I'll send a man so you can report to me through him."
Jack hurried on deck.
In the distance the Ventura was plainly visible now. Jack changed the course of the ship slightly, and after the vessel had gone half a mile he made out the form of a submarine lying close astern of the Ventura.
"By George! They must see us," he muttered. "If the lookout on the U-Boat hasn't espied us, surely some of the Germans on the deck of the Ventura must have done so. Wonder why the submarine captain doesn't sink the steamer and submerge. Surely he is not going to risk an encounter with me."
Nevertheless, it seemed that such must be the submarine commander's intention, for the submarine showed no sign of submerging as the Essex bore down on her.
Through his binoculars Frank was now able to ascertain the fact that a struggle was in progress on the deck of the Ventura. A dozen or more figures, closely interlocked, were scuffling to and fro across the bridge. Frank gave an exclamation.
"I know what's wrong," he ejaculated.
"Well, what?" demanded Jack, turning to him.
"Why, the crew, or some of the crew, has jumped the commander of the submarine and his escort. That's why the officer left on the U-Boat doesn't dare sink the vessel. And the crew of the steamer is keeping the German and his friends so busy aboard that they haven't had a chance to jump overboard."
"By George! I guess you're right," declared Jack. "Now if they can hold them fifteen minutes longer we'll get in the game ourselves."
Again Jack altered the course of the Essex and approached the submarine at an angle from the Ventura.
"Forward turret guns there!" he roared.
It was the signal the men had been eagerly awaiting. Quickly the signal "ready" was flashed in the forward turret. The men were already at their posts.
"Range finders!" ordered Jack.
"Aye, aye, sir," came the reply of the officer in charge of this work, and he calculated the range swiftly and passed the word to the captain of the gun crew in the forward turret.
"Fire!"
A heavy shell flew screaming across the water.
But the range had not been correct and the shell flew past the submarine. Again the range was calculated, taking into consideration the first error. Again the command to fire was given.
This time the range had been gauged perfectly and the shell must have gone home had it not been for one thing.
A moment before the command to fire was given, a torpedo was launched by the submarine. Jack saw the torpedo come dashing through the water, and he was forced to order the helm over promptly to escape the deadly messenger. This maneuver was made at the precise moment that the Essex fired for the second time, and consequently the shell again went wide.
Almost at the same instant Frank, who had kept his eyes glued to the deck of the Ventura where the struggle on the bridge had continued fiercely, uttered an exclamation of alarm.
"They've broken away," he cried.
It was true, The submarine commander and his followers had succeeded in eluding the crew of the Ventura and dashed to the rail. There they poised themselves a brief moment, and then flung themselves headlong into the sea. Directly, dripping, they appeared on the deck of the submarine and dashed for the conning tower.
"Quick!" roared Jack. "Forward turret guns again there!"
Once more the range was calculated and an explosion shook the Essex. But as before the range had not been true. The shell barely skimmed the top of the U-Boat and went screaming half a mile past, where it struck the water with a hiss.
Slowly the submarine began to submerge.
"Again!" cried Jack.
But the next shot had no better success.
The submarine disappeared from sight.
Jack stamped his foot.
"What's the matter with those fellows forward?" he demanded. "Can't they shoot? Didn't they ever see a gun before?"
There was no reply from the other officers and gradually Jack cooled down.
"Pretty tough," said Frank then. "We should have had that fellow."
Jack nodded gloomily.
"So we should," he cried, "but we didn't get him. Well, better luck next time. All the same, I'm inclined to believe that Ensign Carruthers needs a talking to. He didn't take the time to calculate the range correctly."
"I'll speak to him," said Frank.
"Do," said Jack. "In the meantime we'll run close to the Ventura and I'll go aboard for a word with her captain."
The Ventura's wireless was working again now, and Jack himself took the key.
"Lay to," he ordered. "I'm coming aboard you."
"Very well," was the reply.
The two vessels drew close together. Jack had the destroyer's launch lowered, climbed in and crossed to the Ventura, where a ladder was lowered for him. On deck he was greeted by a grizzled old sailor, who introduced himself as Captain Griswold.
"Come to my cabin, sir," he said to Jack. "We can talk there without being interrupted."
Jack followed the captain of the Ventura below, and took a seat the latter motioned him to. The captain set out liquor and cigars, but Jack waved them away.
"I neither smoke nor drink, thanks," he said.
Captain Griswold shrugged his shoulders and put a match to a cigar.
"Well, what can I do for you, Captain?" he asked.
"First," said Jack, "did you get the number of the submarine?"
"I did. The U-87, Commander Frederich, the captain styled himself; and if there ever was a murderer unhung, he's the man."
"Why?" asked Jack curiously.
"Because he proposed setting my passengers and crew adrift in small boats, without water or provisions, before sinking my ship. And when I told him that I had him figured correctly—that he intended to shell the lifeboats—the cold-blooded scoundrel admitted it! That's why we had the nerve to jump him on deck. I figured we might as well die on the Ventura as in the lifeboats—and we had a chance of taking him to Davy Jones' locker along with us."
"I see," said Jack. "Not a bad idea."
"It was offered by the wireless operator," continued Captain Griswold, "although he offered it unconsciously."
"Explain," Jack requested.
"Well, Harrington thought he heard his instrument clicking. He figured it was you, whom we had just sighted. He broke through the Germans on deck and dashed below. He locked himself in his room and began talking to you. Three of the enemy went after him and broke in the door, but I guess he had told you enough by that time."
"I'd like a word with this Harrington," said Jack. "He is a brave man. Where is he?"
"Dead," said Captain Griswold quietly.
Jack jumped to his feet
"Dead?" he repeated.
"Yes. After the Germans broke in the door, they overpowered him, tied him and then brought back on deck. Said the German commander: 'I'll show you how we treat men who defy us.' He stepped back several paces, drew his revolver and fired. Then three of the enemy threw the body into the sea. That's when we jumped them, for it was more than we could stand."
"Then who answered the wireless when I called a moment ago?"
"I did."
"I guess that is enough, Captain," said Jack. He returned to the Essex.
"Any sight of the submarine, Frank?" asked Jack, when he stepped on deck again.
"None," was the reply. "In accordance with instructions you gave before you went overside we dropped depth bombs in the spot where the U-Boat disappeared, but without result."
"I guess he's gone, then," said Jack. "But I'd like to get my hands on that fellow," and he related to Frank the manner in which the German commander had shot down the wireless operator aboard the Ventura.
"By Jove! What a murderous scoundrel!" muttered Frank.
Jack nodded.
"No worse than the rest of them, I'll wager," he said. "But, hello! The Ventura's moving again."
As soon as Jack had left the deck of the steamer, Captain Griswold had ordered the engines started and prepared for a quick dash to shore.
"There are likely to be more of those pesky submarines about here," he muttered, "and the sooner I reach port the better."
Accordingly he ordered full speed ahead.
"Do you know," said Frank, "I've a hunch that the U-87 is not through with the Ventura. You know how the German is. He doesn't like to admit he's been licked, so I figure the submarine commander is likely to have gone ahead and will be awaiting the approach of the Ventura."
"Now by George! I wouldn't be a bit surprised," Jack agreed. "Well, we'll be ready for him."
"What are you going to do, Jack?"
"I'll show you. Come."
Jack dashed to the radio room, Frank at his heels.
"Get the Ventura for me," Jack instructed the operator.
It was perhaps five minutes later that the Ventura answered the call. Jack took the key.
"Captain Griswold?" he asked.
"Yes. Who are you?"
"Captain Templeton, destroyer Essex."
"Well, what do you want this time?"
"Slow down. I'm coming aboard again."
"What for?"
"I'll explain when I get there."
"All right, but I'll tell you I don't like this business."
The instrument became silent.
"Now tell me what you're going to do, Jack," said Frank, as he followed his chum and commander on deck.
"It's very simple," said Jack. "As you have said, I believe that the submarine commander will intercept the Ventura again farther along toward the shore. Now, I'm going to turn the Essex over to you temporarily and go aboard the Ventura. You know the Germans as well as I do. This man will no more think of sinking the Ventura without doing a bit of bragging to the captain, who fooled him once, than he will of flying."
"That's true enough," Frank admitted.
"All right. Now I'll be aboard when he gets there. If he comes aboard, I'll grab him there. If he doesn't I'll jump to the deck of the submarine after him and tumble him overboard. I'll trust to you to keep the submarine occupied and to get a boat to me."
"It's a desperate venture, Jack," Frank protested.
"So it is," was Jack's reply, "but I've a longing to capture this fellow. If we just sink the submarine, I can't do it of course. Another thing, it may be that I am not doing just right in leaving my ship, but it will only be for a couple of hours and I know you can handle it as well as I can."
"Oh, I won't sink her," grinned Frank. "But why not let me be the one to go?"
"Because I'm not sure you can handle the German commander."
"But you're sure you can, eh?"
"He'll have to be something new in the line of a German if I can't."
"All right," said Frank. "Have it your own way. You're boss here, you know."
Meantime the Essex and the Ventura had been drawing closer together. Directly a boat put off from the destroyer and ran alongside of the steamer. Jack clambered over the side and the launch returned to the destroyer.
Captain Griswold was waiting for Jack.
"Now what's up?" he wanted to know.
"Come to your cabin and I'll explain," said Jack.
In the seclusion of the cabin he outlined the situation. When he had concluded a sketch of his plans, Captain Griswold demurred.
"But I don't like to risk my passengers," he said.
"You won't be risking them any more with me aboard than you will without me," Jack explained. "Besides, you will have the additional protection of the destroyer. In fact, it may be that the presence of the Essex will scare the submarine off, but I doubt it. The German commander, as all of his ilk, is angry at having been balked of his prey. He'll probably have one more try, destroyer or no destroyer."
"Well," said Captain Griswold, "you're a British naval officer and should know something, whether you do or not. But I'll tell you right now I hope the submarine doesn't show up again."
Nevertheless, Captain Griswold was doomed to disappointment, for the U-87 did reappear.
It was almost 6 o'clock in the evening when all on board were startled by a cry from the lookout.
"Submarine on the port bow, sir."
Instantly all became confusion on the big merchant ship. Passengers, of whom there were perhaps fifty, became greatly excited. Every man on board strapped on a life preserver, and waited for he knew not what.
The fact that, directly astern, the Essex, British destroyer, was in plain sight and trailing them, did not allay their fears. Came a shot from a gun mounted forward on the submarine, a signal to heave to.
"Obey it," said Jack, to Captain Griswold, on the bridge.
Captain Griswold ordered his engines stopped.
"I'll keep out of sight for a moment," said Jack. "The commander may come on board."
He stooped down in the shelter of the pilot house.
The submarine drew close to the Ventura, and a voice hailed Captain Griswold:
"Thought you'd get away did you, you Yankee pig."
It was the voice of the German commander.
"Oh, we may get away yet," said Captain Griswold.
"Don't depend on the destroyer this time," shouted the commander of the submarine. "I see her approaching, but she won't be soon enough. I'll sink you and submerge before she can fire a shot."
"Well, you big cut throat," shouted Captain Griswold, losing his temper, "why don't you do it?"
"You dare to talk to a German officer like that?" thundered the submarine commander. "You shall be sunk immediately. But first I wanted a word with you. I just wanted to tell you what fate I hold in store for you."
"It's my opinion," said Captain Griswold, "that you're a big bluff, like all the rest of your stripe."
Meantime, realizing that the German commander did not intend to board the Ventura a second time, Jack crept from the shelter of the pilot house unobserved and stole across the deck until he was beside the rail just above the U-Boat, whose sides almost scraped the Ventura, so close were the two vessels together.
Jack removed his coat and his cap, which he dropped on deck. Then he stood up in full view of the German submarine commander. The latter gazed at him carelessly, for without his cap and coat Jack showed no sign of being a British naval officer.
Jack took in the scene about him with a careful eye. The German commander stood close to the conning tower. There were perhaps half a dozen men beside him, presumably his officers. The commander was directly below the spot where Jack stood.
One of the Germans, Jack noticed, kept a close eye on the approaching Essex and from time to time spoke to the commander in a low tone.
"Oh, these English can't shoot," Jack heard the commander say at last. "However, I guess we have delayed long enough. Inside with you, gentlemen."
Two of the Germans descended through the conning tower. This left four on the deck of the submarine besides the commander. These, too, moved toward the conning tower.
"Guess it's time to get busy," Jack muttered.
With a single movement he leaped to the rail of the Ventura, and with a second hurled himself to the deck of the submarine, landing in the midst of the startled Germans.
At the same moment, Captain Griswold, on the Ventura, signalled his engine room for full speed ahead in accordance with Jack's instructions.
The reason for this was obvious. First, it would take the steamer out of the way of the torpedoes already trained on her, which would not be launched without a command from one of the enemy officers, and, second, it would draw the Ventura away so as to present the submarine as a clear target for the guns of the approaching Essex.
Jack, on the deck of the submarine, recovered himself before the German officers could get over their surprise. He sprang to his feet and waded into them, striking out right and left.
Two men went staggering across the narrow deck and toppled into the sea. The others reached for their revolvers. Before they could fire, however, Jack sprang forward quickly and floored one of the enemy with a smashing blow. This left the commander and one other officer on deck.
The commander fired at Jack, but in his haste the bullet went wild. Jack hurled himself forward, and the men gave ground. One, retreating, lost his balance and went staggering across the deck and fell overboard.
Only the commander of the submarine now faced Jack, and he covered the lad with a revolver.
"Hands up!" he said.
For answer Jack smiled slightly, and took a quick step forward.
"Crack!" the German's revolver spoke sharply, and Jack felt a hot pain in his left arm. But the German had no time to fire again, for Jack was upon him, pinning his revolver arm to his side.
"Now," said the lad, "I've got you!"
The two wrestled across the deck.
In the meantime, members of the crew hearing the commotion on deck, rushed up to see what was going on. Seeing their commander struggling with an enemy, they hurried across the deck.
Jack saw them coming out of the tail of his eye. It was not time to hesitate and the lad knew it.
With his arms still wrapped about the German commander, Jack struggled to the rail and leaped into the sea. Down and down he went, never for a moment relaxing his hold on the German. Then they came to the surface.
With a sudden jerk the German freed himself and aimed a heavy blow at Jack. This Jack dodged and sought to regain his hold on his foe. But the German wriggled away and struck out for the submarine.
In the meantime, Captain Griswold of the Ventura had been watching the struggle as his vessel sped away from the scene. There was a strange light in his eyes and he muttered to himself. At last he muttered an imprecation.
"He's a brave boy," he said. "I can't run away and leave him like that."
He brought the head of the vessel around in spite of the protests of some of the passengers, and headed back for the submarine.
"Man the forward gun there!" he cried.
For the Ventura, like other allied ships plying in the seas in those days, carried small guns for defensive purposes. The gun crew sprang to obey this order and the gun was trained on the submarine.
"Fire!" shouted Captain Griswold.
"Crash!"
The gun spoke and a geyser of water was kicked up just beyond the submarine.
At this point the officer left in command of the submarine seemed to realize his own danger. He sprang to the conning tower, unmindful of the fact that his commander was struggling in the water.
"Down, men!" he cried.
But it appeared that the German sailors were made of sterner stuff than was the officer. They refused to go below until their commander had been brought safely aboard. In vain the officer pointed out their danger.
Jack struck out after the German commander as the latter swam for the submarine. The lad was a powerful swimmer and he felt confident he could overtake the man before help could reach him.
The destroyer Essex had now drawn close. Frank had been afraid to order a shot at the submarine for fear the shell might hit Jack in the water.
"Take the bridge, Mr. Hetherton!" he cried. "Lower a boat, men!"
The boat was lowered in a trice and Frank and a score of sailors sprang in. The launch darted toward Jack at full speed, Frank standing erect and with the quartermaster at the rudder.
They were close enough to see the struggle between Jack and the German commander in the water. Frank saw the man break loose from Jack and strike out for the submarine. He saw Jack make after him, and he saw something more.
Half a dozen German sailors leaped into the water and made for Jack, who apparently did not realize his own danger, so interested was he in the pursuit of the German commander.
"Faster!" cried Frank, and drew his revolver.
Now, for the first time, Jack realized his danger. But it was too late to draw back, and it is doubtful if he would have done so anyway.
"I'm going to get that fellow," he gritted between his teeth, referring to the German commander.
One of the German sailors struck at the lad with a knife. Jack caught the man's arm with his left hand and twisted sharply. There was a snap, and the knife dropped into the water. The sailor uttered a cry of pain and turning, struck out for the submarine with his good arm.
Two sailors now beset Jack on either side, and the German commander turned to renew the struggle.
"Kill him!" he cried angrily.
One of the sailors raised himself high in the water, and a knife flashed above him.
"Crack!"
A revolver spoke sharply and the knife dropped from limp fingers.
Frank, standing erect in the Essex's launch, had fired. Now, as has been said, Frank was a crack shot, and in spite of the pitching of the small boat, his aim had been true. The bullet had struck the German sailor's arm just below the elbow, shattering the nerve.
Perceiving the approach of reinforcements, at an order from their commander, the Germans turned and swam rapidly toward the submarine. The sailors reached the vessel and climbed aboard. Their commander did likewise.
Unmindful of the cries of his friends behind him, Jack also laid hold of the edge of the submarine and drew himself, dripping, aboard the vessel. A sailor near the conning tower raised his revolver in deliberate aim.
"Crack! Crack!"
Two revolvers spoke almost as one, the first Frank's, the second that of the sailor who aimed at Jack. But Frank's bullet went home, thus deflecting the aim of the man who covered Jack, and the German's bullet went wild.
The commander of the submarine, at this juncture, losing his temper at being pursued to the very door of safety, turned and sprang for Jack with a wild cry. He was a big and powerful man, and as he wrapped his arms about Jack, the lad staggered back.
But he recovered his balance in a moment and struck out with his right fist. Struck in the stomach, the German grunted and stepped back.
Now the remainder of the German crew came pouring on deck. At the same time Frank's launch grated alongside and his men poured a volley of rifle bullets into the enemy. The latter turned and scampered for safety below decks.
Jack, still struggling with the German commander, paused and looked around long enough to cry:
"After them, Frank! Don't let them shut you out."
Frank understood and led his men toward the conning tower at a run. Most of the enemy were already inside and descending, but Frank arrived in time to prevent the closing of the conning tower, which would have permitted the submarine to submerge, leaving the struggling figures in the water. With the conning tower open, it was, of course, impossible for the U-Boat to submerge, for she would have been flooded immediately.
Frank's men made prisoners of the half a dozen Germans who had not time to get below, and then the lad ran over to help Jack.
"Keep away, Frank," said Jack. "I've got this fellow, and I hope he doesn't give up too easily. We've heavy accounts to settle with him."
The big German showed no symptoms of giving up. He lashed out with both arms and Jack was kept busy warding off the blows. But the German commander was a novice at this sort of fighting, while Jack, only a year or so before, had won the heavyweight boxing championship of the British navy. So there was no doubt in Frank's mind as to the outcome. He and his men formed a circle around the struggling figures, at the same time guarding the conning tower to prevent the enemy from closing it.
"Shoot the first head you see down there," Frank enjoined the men he left on guard, and he knew they would be only too glad to obey this order.
Jack, with a smile still on his face, permitted the German commander to waste his energy in ineffective blows. Then Jack stepped forward and delivered a heavy blow to the man's mouth. The German staggered back. Jack doubled him up with a left-handed punch to the pit of the stomach, then straightened him with a second hard right to the point of the chin.
The German commander reeled backward. Jack followed up his advantage, and for the space of a minute played a tattoo on the man's face with both fists. Then he stepped back, and as the German came toward him, the lad muttered:
"I guess this has gone far enough. Now for the finish."
He started a blow almost from the deck, and putting his full force behind it, struck.
"Crack!"
The blow could be heard even aboard the Ventura, which had approached close by this time.
The German commander seemed to stagger back all of ten paces, the British sailors scurrying back to keep out of his way. Then the man fell, his head striking the deck with a sickening thud.
"There," said Jack, "I guess that will settle you. Tie him up, men."
A wild cheer had burst from the sailors as Jack delivered the finishing touch. None of these men had ever seen Jack in action before, and it was only natural that they should be greatly impressed at this exhibition of their commander's prowess.
"By glory! What a blow!" one of them exclaimed. "Did you see it, Tom?"
"Did I?" exclaimed the man addressed as Tom; "did I? I'll say I did, and I thought I was pretty handy with my fists. But not against Captain Jack, not for me."
As bidden by Jack, the sailors rolled the German commander over and bound him. Then they carried him to the Essex's launch and threw him in, none too gently, either, for there was no man there who had not a disgust for Germans, German tactics and everything German.
"Now," said Frank to Jack, "I guess we may as well stand clear and let the Essex pour a few shells into the vessel, eh?"
Jack shook his head.
"No," he said, "we shall take possession of the vessel. Call down below and see if the Germans will surrender."
Frank approached the conning tower and called down.
"Hello!" he shouted.
There was no response.
"Hello below!" he shouted again in German.
"What do you want?" came a sullen voice from below.
"We're in possession of this vessel now," said Frank. "Come up here and surrender."
"We'll stay where we are," came the reply after a brief pause.
"But you can't man," exclaimed Frank. "Don't you know when you have been captured."
"We'll stay here awhile," said the spokesman of the sailors.
"But you can't stay there forever, and you can't submerge," said Frank. "Come up and surrender."
To this the lad received no response. Frank reported to Jack.
"So they won't surrender, eh?" said Jack. "Then we'll go down and get them."
"Rather risky, Jack," Frank warned.
"So it is," Jack agreed. "So's the whole war. But wait. We'll see."
Captain Griwsold aboard the Ventura had watched the struggle on the submarine with eager eyes. His fingers clenched and unclenched.
"I'd like to get into that," he muttered. "I guess I'm not too old."
Abruptly he turned to the first officer.
"Lower a boat," he said. "I'm going aboard the submarine."
The first officer protested.
"But the passengers—" he began.
"The passengers be hanged," said the captain of the Ventura. "Besides, we're safer here under the nose of this destroyer than we would be prowling off by ourselves."
The first officer protested no longer. A boat was lowered and Captain Griswold and half a dozen sailors climbed in and put off for the submarine, where they arrived just in time to overhear Jack say that if the Germans in the submarine didn't surrender they would go after them. Captain Griswold laid a hand on Jack's shoulder.
"You're some scrapper, youngster," he said.
Jack was thus made aware for the first time that the Ventura had not rushed for her home port.
"I thought you'd gone, Captain," he said.
"I was on my way," said the captain of the Ventura, "until I saw you fighting these murderers single-handed. I came back to see if I could help."
"Thanks," Jack laughed, "but I guess there are enough of us to attend to them without you, Captain."
"I'm not sure about that," declared Captain Griswold. "I just heard you say you were going below after those fellows?"
"Well?" questioned Jack.
"Pretty risky," responded Captain Griswold, shaking his head. "How do you figure to get 'em?"
"Rush 'em," said Jack briefly.
Again the captain of the Ventura shook his head doubtfully.
"Too risky altogether," he declared. "The first one of you that shows his head down there will be potted, sure as fate."
"But we've got to do it, Captain," said Jack. "How else is it to be done?"
"Well," said Captain Griswold, removing his cap and scratching his head, "I guess I can suggest a way."
"I'm open to conviction, Captain," said Jack.
"Aboard my ship," went on Captain Griswold, "I have a supply of a certain sort of gas which, if used properly, will do in minutes what it may take you hours to accomplish."
"By George!" said Frank. "Kill 'em all at once, eh?"
"Well, no, it won't do that," replied Captain Griswold, "but it'll put 'em to sleep long enough for you fellows to go down and tie 'em up."
"Bring on the gas, Captain," said Jack quietly.
Captain Griswold hustled back to his boat with the agility of a small school boy.
"Back to the ship," he roared to the sailors who rowed him.
He mounted the ladder swiftly and summoned his first officer.
"Helgoson," he said, "those Britishers have gone and almost captured that submarine. It's up to us to help 'em complete the job."
"How, sir?" asked the first officer.
"Do you know where that gas tank is below?"
"Yes, sir."
"Fetch it here. It's small enough so you can carry it. Also get the hose and the pump."
"Yes, sir."
The first officer hurried away. He was back in a few moments with the necessary articles, which Captain Griswold took charge of himself.
"Helgoson," said Captain Griswold, "if you were a younger man I would invite you to take a hand in this party yourself. As it is, you'll have to stick behind with the passengers."
"But I'm younger than you by almost twenty years, sir," protested the first officer.
"Oh, no you're not," laughed the commander of the Ventura, "you just think you are. I've grown twenty years younger this day."
He summoned a pair of sailors, whom he loaded down with the gas, hose and pump with instructions to place them carefully in the small boat.
"And now for the submarine," he confided to his first officer.
On deck, half a dozen passengers approached the captain with inquiries as to what was going on.
"Why," he said with a grin, "we're just going to capture a submarine, that's all. Stick close to the side of the ship and you'll see how it's done. A lesson like this may come in handy some day."
The passengers protested.
"But the danger—" one began.
"Danger be hanged," said the captain. "There is no danger. While there was danger we were scuttling for the safety of land and now we come back when it's all over. You should all be glad of this opportunity to render your country a service. What sort of citizens are you, anyhow?"
Without further words he climbed down to the launch and was hustled back to the submarine, where Jack and the others were awaiting him eagerly.
"Well," said Captain Griswold, motioning to the articles that the sailors laid on the deck, "here's the stuff. Get busy."
"How do you work it, Captain?" asked Jack.
"Don't you know?" demanded Captain Griswold. "Well, I'll tell you what. You just put me in command here for fifteen minutes and I'll do the job for you."
"All right, sir," said Jack. "Your commands shall be obeyed."
Captain Griswold turned to the nearest sailor.
"Take that hose and attach it to the nozzle on the tank," he directed. The sailor did so.
"Now the pump," said the captain, "you will find a place for it on the other side of the tank."
This was adjusted to the captain's satisfaction.
"Now," said the captain, "all you have to do is to stick this nozzle down the conning tower, turn it so as to give the gas full play and pump. Of course the gas would carry without the pump, but you save time this way."
"One moment, Captain," said Jack. "How about ourselves? Won't the gas affect us as well as the Germans?"
Captain Griswold clapped a hand to his side.
"Now what do you think of that?" he demanded. "I must be getting old before my time. Here, Lands," he called one of his own men, who approached. "Go and tell Helgoson I want two dozen of those gas masks in the store room; and hustle."
The sailor hurried away. He was back within fifteen minutes, and Captain Griswold distributed the gas masks. Then he took the nozzle of the hose, poked it down the conning tower and looked around.
"Everybody ready?" he asked.
Jack also glanced around. Every man on the deck of the submarine wore a gas mask.
"All right, sir," said Jack.
"Then you turn that screw there when I give the word. All right? Then shoot!"
There was a hissing sound as Jack turned on the gas.
For perhaps ten minutes Captain Griswold moved the hose to and fro. Then he pulled it forth and motioned Jack to turn the screw again. This the lad did. Captain Griswold then motioned the others to follow him, and led the way below.
At the foot of the conning tower they stumbled across several figures, overcome by the fumes. These were quickly bound and passed up on deck to the men who remained behind.
The search of the submarine took perhaps half an hour. Every nook and cranny was explored. The gas had done its work well. Apparently it had poured in so rapidly that the crew had had no time to open the portholes, for they were all closed. Captain Griswold opened them now.
Then he led the way on deck, and closing the conning tower, removed his gas mask. The others followed his example.
"Simple, wasn't it?" said the captain of the Ventura to Jack, grinning like a boy. "Lucky I happened to come back."
"It is indeed," said Jack. "But won't this gas affect us, Captain?"
"Not out here," was the reply. "It's not strong enough. You can barely smell it now. Now what are you going to do with the submarine?"
Jack considered a moment.
"I'll tell you Captain," he said, "it strikes me that this submarine is really the prize of the Ventura. At all events, I cannot be bothered with it, for there is still patrol work to do in these waters. Can't you tow her into port?"
"Can't I?" shouted Captain Griswold. "You bet I can. You give the word and I'll tie her on behind right now."
"All right, Captain," said Jack. "She's yours."
Captain Griswold almost danced a jig there on the deck of the German submarine.
"Won't New York sit up and take notice when old Captain Griswold comes into port towing a submarine?" he chortled. "Well, I guess. Here, Lands, go back to the ship and throw me a line. Then come back and help make it fast."
This was accomplished with astonishing rapidity and amid the cheering of the crew and passengers of the Ventura and the wild hurrahs of the British tars of the Essex.
"Well, she's all fixed," said Captain Griswold, "and to tell you the truth I'm rather sorry. Of course I'm old and all that, but just the same I'd like to go with you fellows."
"You're doing your share, Captain," said Jack seriously. "All of us can't do the fighting, you know. But there's work just as important, and you are doing your part. But we must be moving now. We've wasted time enough."
"So we have," declared Captain Griswold. "Shall you leave us here, sir?"
"No," said Jack, "we'll follow and see you safely in harbor."
"Very well. Then I shall return to the Ventura."
"And I to the Essex, Captain. Good-bye and good luck to you."
Captain Griswold shook hands heartily with Jack, and then insisted on shaking hands as well with Frank, and every officer and member of the British crew aboard the submarine. Then he put off for his ship.
Jack and the others returned to the Essex. When the lad reached the bridge, the Ventura was already moving, the submarine trailing behind.
"A fine man, Captain Griswold," said Frank.
"Right," Jack agreed. "And the U-87 is his so far as I'm concerned. He might hang it on his parlor wall for a souvenir."
"Or wear it as a watch charm," added Frank with a grin.