Rounding up the Raider: A Naval Story of the Great War

of the

and entered the waiting boat. At the word of command

ables' length from her prize. The hull was painted a light yellow, with a broad black ba

an of Rotterdam than I

Line boat. On the outbreak of the war she was homeward bound from South America, with, as was the

ommerce raiders. A few ran amok until promptly rounded up and settled by the ubiquitous British cruisers. Others fled for neutral ports. Amongst

s to end her career at the hands of her own crew rather than face an action that would end either

aled the mouths of the grasping officials of the port, in addition to procuring coal

to shipping of the Allies, and finally attempt to reach Dar es Salaam, the principal port of German East Africa. Here, should she succeed in evading the Brit

colour paint and supplied with forged ship's papers she easily evad

e of Cape Verde. Then, following in a parallel direction, the track usually t

eful and crafty Hun. He was steeped in the doctrine of "fr

low and not show herself during the attack. The Pelikan--to revert to her original name-was not capable of emulating the methods of German unterseebooten without ris

by up-to-date rules of warfare. He might sink any merchant-vessel that fell into h

e conducted in English. The ship's papers were apparently in order. The British lieutenant failed to pay sufficient attention to the bulky deck-gear that concealed the raider's quick-

Riesser's doubts as to the immediate success of a torpedo attack prevented him putting his treacherous design into effect. A stricken cruiser, he knew, could use her guns with tremendous results, and he had no wish to lay down his life for the F

limiting the radius of action to about fifty miles. She did not call in vain, for the Nichi Maru, picking up

informed by signal of the presence of three British naval officers on

conveyed by the rest of the passengers of the Japanese liner. If they were brought on board the Pelikan

d as prisoners, well and good. If, on the other hand, the vessel were captured on the high seas, the prisoners would no doubt be willing to testify to the fact that Kapitan von Ri

mpanions ran alongside the lowered accommodation-ladder of the Pelikan. The German

subordinate, Herr Klick, has allowed his zeal to outrun his discretion. It is necessary for me to detain you. I k

yond the fact that a sentry stood within ten feet of them, no attempt was made to place them under restraint. They were free

heavy lifeboats with their human freights took the water. As soon as the falls were cast off, the

pleted. The captain was the last to leave, the imperturbable look upo

dozen Teutons hurriedly scrambled into the waiting craft,

doomed liner. These were followed by two more at comparatively long interv

smoke that issued from 'tween decks. Then, as the in rushing water came in contac

th the water, while her stern was raised until the blades of

rvals, small explosions of compressed air took place.

g!" whisper

convulsive effort, she flung her stern high out of the water and slid rapidly to her ocean grave. Almost

t and at the salute as the vessel disappeared from view. They, too, w