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

uit of t

ng forenoon, "is why they didn't clap us below under hatches, ins

hatever they take up, whether it's a diabolical scheme or otherwise. It might be that there's something below tha

Old von Langer let it out in the course of conversation tha

sagacity, old man," said Stirling. "However, time and events will prove. By J

d to proceed to the kapitan's cabin. This time von

w, to go straight to the point: are you prepared, in the event of your being given honourable tr

id not think it advisabl

refrain from treacherous attacks u

cate to the effect that, to the best of your belief, I, as commander of the ship, am acting in

e are willing to give a certificate to th

tan smil

that," he replied. "I suppose you will t

annot very well state a case," said Denbigh. "The thing is th

plied vo

declared Denbigh. "Should occasion arise

pretty hot for these young cubs. Once safely in port in our African

nd and a smile on his face the

ance of about a mile from the ship. Sea and sky were merged into an ill-defined blurr. The glass, to

At less than two miles away on the Pelikan's port

form. From her for'ard turret two huge guns, seemingly out of all proportion to the rest of the ship, protruded. The muzzles, instead of being inclined upwards, were depressed. Although Denbigh and his companions could not distinguish details owing to the distance of the vessel, the German officers, by means of their tele

f our monitors. Now, where is she off to, I shou

O'HARA, "SHE MUST BE

his face and rage in his heart. There could be but one solution. The monitor was bound for th

sed English. They may throw away their opportuniti

sir?" asked the o

ommand might arouse the suspicions of the British cruiser, he had the Pelikan steadi

ling. "Old von Riesser's go

O'Hara impulsively. "We'd do the

into effect, for at that moment a petty-officer informed the

and locked. Von Riesser was no

r's signal yard-arm. It was a message in the

sted, while simultaneously the "n

Riesser had no occasion to consult the c

uted, and telegraphed

showed clear. Even as she did so a couple of 12-pounders spat ve

n. The British cruiser ceased

otionless. Every second the Pelikan was slipping farther and farther away from the cruiser, which, hampered by her tow, was unable to stand in pursuit. Her skip

telegraphy, had been brought into service, and a description of the raider sent far and wide. Already a number of light cruisers were on their way from Simon's Bay to intercept the Pelikan, while the blockadi

head and astern. The haze was beginning

ed aft, bawling as he ran. Then from the ensign staff

burst amidships, shattering a couple of ventilators, splintering one of the boats, and destroying the greater portion of the bridge. Fragments of metal and splinters of wood flew in all directions. Kapita

up by the shells that exploded on either side; but before the cruise

ve-to. He realized that his position was a hazardous one. Thousands of miles from a friendly port, sought by perhaps a score of British cruis

jans, shovelling coal into the glowing furnaces. On deck the crew worked hard, clearing away the debris left by the British cruiser's shells. The wireless staff were busy

clouds betokened the approach of a southerly gale. The setting sun, a ball of bright yellow, set in a pale greeni

ard bow," reported

ion, had not left the bridge. He immediately gave orders to starboard the helm. At the pr

s the scene of the encounter between the Pelikan and her foiled antagonist, the Act?on was unwittingly approaching the fugi

ghtly converging courses and about six miles apart. It was a question as to which o

ht gave place to pitch-black night, for the moon

one white light shown aft. The pursuing vessel displayed no lights, but her approximate positio

anxiously, after an interval of almost unbroken silence as

. "We do not appear to be gaining on her.

said von Riesser moodily. "We cannot stand up to her. Those guns would send us t

n mines, sir--" began

tan. "And what is more, yon English ship is taking good care not

ser was deep in thought, his eyes fixed the

t. Here, Herr Klick, see that the moto