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

Chapter 6 No.6

Word Count: 2238    |    Released on: 01/12/2017

De

ed off. In a few minutes the sea-boat's crew, drilled for such emergencies, had provisioned

moved, the falls manned, an

nter-leutnant. "Water and provisions are

ructions. Place two men on board the launch-one to tend each of the lower blocks of the falls. Have ready a white light. See that the helm is lashed. I will slow down the ship, and turn her so that the launch will be slightly

. You are using th

pursuing us at a rate equal to our utmost speed we

*

go on deck and see what's doing,"

d at him with feelin

, old man?" asked O'Hara. "You know as

a foundering vessel-since it was more than possible that the crew of the Pelikan would take no steps to liberate the captives-the subs were in high spirits. They took it for granted that their release would be a matter of a few minutes only, since the lightly-

e engines under forced draught was conclusive evidence on that point. The captive officers sat and talked, drawing conclusion

-driver. I took the liberty of annexing it, as one of the carpenter's crew has been guilty of negligence. On board a British ship that screw-driver would, in the usual course of ro

r little coterie. As these Germans had no compunction in entering the cabin and sneaking out hard-earn

containing a dozen rounds of ammuni

what's the object in breaking out?" he continued, addressing Stirling, who was fondling the screw-driver in anticipation. "If you're dete

ve a look round. I didn't ask you fellows to com

who knew that when the Scot once made up

ss staple. Only the pressure of his boot against the door kept it shut. Cautiously he drew the door ajar. There was a light switched on in the passage. At the far end of the alley-way was the sentry on the aft-

ling. "S'long, you fellows.

ad not stirred. Softly Stirling crept out and tiptoed along the

eadened the slight sound of his movements. At the end of the alley-way a curtain had been stretched in order to s

o distinguish the uniforms of the German officers from his own. Lifting aside the c

darkness they recognized the officer but not the individual. Not for one moment did they suspect tha

von Riesser came as a solace to his mind. His surmises were correct. The Pelikan-or, as he knew her, the Zwaan-was being chased, but he could not quite understand why the pursuing vessel should be so far astern, since a few hours ago she was within

. I don't suppose I'll be spotted if I keep clear of the crush. Hulloa! They're getting the boats out. Are the

the lee of a ventilator. As he waited he heard fragments

e German he knew. By sheer good luck, however, he recognized several of the wor

thirteen and a half. In the dictation subject the lad found himself balked by the word "adaptable". He was on the point of writing "adaptible" when he caught sight of some letters stamped upon the pen he was using: "The Adaptable Pen". When the result of

it. Hang it all! If I'm spotted there can only be a shindy. With our cruiser pelting up

own below an artificer was trying to coax the motor. Apparently he had trouble, for he called out to one of his mates to

ade his way for'ard to the motor-room the sub entered the little cabin. It was, as he expected, empty

been reversed in order to bring her almost

German which Stirling recognize

racing in the air, was revolving at terrific speed. Unless the launch were quickly put into the water the motor would soon

k, while directly the falls were cast off the two seamen swarmed up the rop

y to the well. The bright rays of the lamp lashed to the ensign-staff enabled him to see everything on deck. One

in the same direction as the Pelikan had been travelling. He then looked for the supposed position

errier. Another ten minutes and it will be seen whether

it on a seat just inside the cabin. There it was within arm's reach, w

rd. "The other glare is from the cruiser's funnels. Allowing her speed to be 20 kn

. Its slanting rays silhouetted the outlines of a large fou

itched off the ignition. Then, returning to the well, he raised and lowered the lamp severa

flare, to signify that the ship was in readiness to receive the message. "Zwaan has sent decoy adrift," s

t played upon the now motionless motor-launch. Then, somewhat to Stirling's surpri

"But it's hard lines on Denbigh and Pat. I'm af

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