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.