SAILING
"Frank tells me," said Jack, at the dinner table that evening, "that we
are about to sail again; about to go into active service."
Lord Hastings smiled.
"There has been a slight alteration in plans since I spoke to Frank
last," he said.
"You mean that we are not to go, Sir?" asked Frank. His face showed
his disappointment.
"Not exactly," said Lord Hastings.
"But," Jack interrupted, "Frank said that we would help convoy American
troops to England and France."
"Frank lets his imagination run away with him sometimes," said Lord
Hastings quietly. "America has not yet declared war on Germany."
"But she will, sir," said Frank positively.
"That is probably true," said Lord Hastings, "although the resolution
is being fought in the senate, according to latest cable advices.
However, as you say, America will undoubtedly declare war. But even
should American troops be sent to Europe it will not be for several
months after war is declared."
"I thought they would send the regulars right away, sir," said Frank.
"Hardly. However, it is possible that an American fleet will be
dispatched to act in conjunction with the British grand fleet in the
war zone."
"Then we must sit home, sir?" asked Frank.
"I didn't say that," said Lord Hastings, smiling.
"You are too quick to jump at conclusions, Frank."
Frank flushed a trifle. "I'm just disappointed, sir," he replied.
"You need not be," said Lord Hastings. "There is work ahead. In fact,
I may say that you will leave England some time tomorrow."
"Is that so, sir?" exclaimed Frank, happy again instantly. "Where do
we go, sir?"
"I am not going at all," said Lord Hastings; "at least, not for some
time yet. You and Jack will make this trip alone."
"That's too bad," declared Jack quietly. "We always like to have you
with us, sir."
"I know you do," laughed Lord Hastings, "However, I will turn up
later, so don't worry."
"In that event, it's all right," grinned Jack.
"Will you, tell us where we are going, sir, and what we are to do?"
asked Frank.
"I will if you will restrain your impatience," said Lord Hastings.
Frank felt this rebuke and became silent. A moment later Lord Hastings
continued:
"I suppose you have heard that there is another German raider operating
in the Atlantic off the coast of South America?"
"No, sir," said Frank, "I had not heard of it."
"Nor I," said Jack.
"Nevertheless, it's true," said Lord Hastings. "Where it came from no
one seems to know, but many merchant ships have been sunk by this
raider. It is understood that she has citizens of allied countries
aboard to the number of several hundred."
"Must be a big ship, sir," said Frank.
"So it is. It is probably a converted liner."
"Well, why haven't some of our cruisers picked it up, sir?" Jack wanted
to know.
"They've tried hard enough," said Lord Hastings. "Trouble is this
raider seems to have the heels of all ships of war. She simply runs
away from them. However, the activities of the raider have become so
serious that the government has decided she must be captured at all
hazards."
"Which is where we come in," guessed Frank.
Lord Hastings gazed at the lad sternly.
"Frank," he said, "it's a wonder to me that your tongue hasn't got you
into trouble long ago. Now, if you'll listen, I'll proceed."
Frank sat back abashed.
"Excuse me, sir," he said. "It won't happen again."
"All right, then," said Lord Hastings. "As I say, it seems impossible
to come up with this raider by speed, so she must be captured or sunk
by strategy. Now, I'll explain the plans to you, that you may know
what to do and what will be expected of you."
Lord Hastings talked slowly for several hours, and the lads listened
with unflagging interest. When His Lordship had finished it was almost
midnight.
"Now, are you sure you understand?" he asked, getting to his feet.
"Perfectly, sir," was the reply.
"Very well, then, you had better turn in. You will sail aboard the
Algonquin at five tomorrow evening. I will see that your reservations
are made and that you are supplied with sufficient funds."
The lads went to bed.
When Jack and Frank went aboard the Algonquin the following evening
half an hour before the sailing hour, they were dressed as civilians.
Each wore a heavy traveling suit and overcoat and a steamer cap. Lord
Hastings accompanied them aboard and introduced them to the captain,
Stoneman by name, with whom His Lordship was well acquainted. Then
Lord Hastings went ashore.
The Algonquin was an American vessel and sailed under American
registry.
"I don't believe any raider will bother us," said Jack.
"Never can tell," declared Frank. "What's our destination, anyhow? I
forgot to ask."
"Buenos Ayres," replied Jack.
"Wonder if there are many passengers aboard?"
"Doesn't look like it. We'll have a look at the passenger list."
They did so and found that the only passengers on the trip were two
women, registered as Mrs. Silas Wheaton and Miss Elizabeth Wheaton.
"Looks like we would be pretty much to our ourselves," grinned Jack.
"So much the better," said Frank.
The Algonquin was not, in the true sense of the word, a passenger
steamer. She had accommodations for some, but she was primarily a
freighter, detoured this trip to carry a cargo of oil to the Argentine
capital.
The vessel lifted anchor and steamed down the Thames promptly at 5
o'clock. At 6 the lads found themselves at dinner at the captain's
table. There, too, they found Mrs. Wheaton and her daughter,
Elizabeth. Introductions followed.
"I do hope we do not meet a submarine on the way," declared Miss
Wheaton, who could not have been more than eighteen.
"I guess we are safe enough on that score," smiled Jack.
"Then they tell me there is a German raider operating off the coast of
South America," said the girl. "We may be captured."
"Pooh!" exclaimed her mother. "Didn't I see guns front and back on
this ship as I came abroad?"
"You mean fore and aft, mother," said the girl, smiling. "Yes, I saw
the guns, too, but I don't imagine they would be much protection
against a German raider."
"Then what are they there for?" Mrs. Wheaton wanted to know.
Jack and Frank laughed, and Captain Stoneman allowed a smile to wrinkle
the corners of his mouth.
"Well, they won't dare attack us," said Mrs. Wheaton. "If they do the
United States will make Germany pay for it."
"I guess Germany is not worrying about the United States right now,"
said Jack quietly.
"We'll make her worry," declared the woman.
"We're going to declare war and then the Kaiser will wish he had let us
alone. Besides, there are probably American ships of war off the coast
of South America. They will not allow us to be molested by a German
raider."
"But, perhaps they won't be able to help it," mother, said the girl.
"Of course they will be able to help it," said the mother. "Now don't
talk about this foolishness to me any more."
She arose and left the table. Her daughter followed her a few moments
later.
"If the Germans get her they'll find they have caught a tartar,"
declared Jack.
"So they will," declared Captain Stoneman.
"By the way, Captain," said Frank, "do you fear the raider will attack
us?"
"She will if she knows we are around," declared the captain grimly.
"And we are not prepared to fight her, sir?" asked Frank.
"Hardly," said the captain quietly.
"What's your crew?" demanded Jack.
"First, second and third officers, chief engineer, assistant and forty
men," was the reply.
"And nothing worth while to shoot with," grinned Frank.
The captain brought his hand down hard upon the table.
"No!" he bellowed. "And still with these pirates sailing the seas, the
American government won't allow us to carry guns big enough to do any
damage."
"Well, we'll hope for the best," said Frank, rising.
The lads made their way on deck.