A DESPERATE VENTURE.
"Which way now, sir?" asked Jack.
Lord Hastings hesitated.
"They will probably be laying for us toward the west with their
submarines," he said, "and while we may be able to get by, it will be
desperate work."
"Then why not go due east, sir?" asked Frank.
"The Kiel canal is due east," replied Lord Hastings.
"What of that, sir?"
"What of it? Surely, you would not suggest forcing a passage of the Kiel
canal?"
"I don't see why not, sir."
Lord Hastings looked at the lad with surprise written all over his face.
"By Jove!" he said at last. "When it comes to finding ways of getting
into trouble, you are the limit, as the Americans say."
"But don't you think it could be done, sir?" asked Frank.
"Well, I don't know," replied his commander. "It might be done, yes. And
then again it might not. But what would be our object in getting into
the Baltic?"
"Well, I understand that the Russians are having considerable trouble
there," replied Frank, "and we might be able to lend them a hand."
"That's true, too," replied Lord Hastings. "I hadn't thought of that."
"Then what do you say, sir?" asked Frank.
Jack now added his voice to that of his chum, but for some moments Lord
Hastings remained undecided. Frank, however, clinched the matter when he
said:
"Well, there probably is no more danger that way than there is in trying
to get out of here to the west, where every German submarine available
is on the lookout for us."
"Besides," urged Jack, "they will watch the entrance to the Kiel canal
less closely, because they would not dream of an attempt to force its
passage."
"There is some truth in that, too," said Lord Hastings. "Well, the Kiel
canal be it then."
Both lads were jubilant, and they could not contain themselves, but
expressed their delight with loud "hurrahs" and by tossing their caps in
the air.
So it came to pass that the D-16 laid herself out on a course for the
Kiel canal, the waterway which the Germans had constructed at such great
expense, that her fleet in the North Sea and her fleet in the Baltic
might ever be in touch with one another.
An attempted passage of the Kiel canal by a hostile ship or ships had
been considered out of the question by all naval authorities. Such an
attempt, it was claimed, would be too foolhardy and would be bound to
end in destruction.
Nevertheless, Lord Hastings, while realizing all this, was not the man
to turn from a purpose once he had made up his mind. He realized the
full danger of the situation much more than did Frank or Jack, who,
carried away by the opportunity of participating in what would be one of
the greatest naval ventures of history, had at once lost sight of all
possible danger.
Deep, deep down in the sea the D-16 made her way from the harbor of
Heligoland, diving far beneath the mines that protected the German
fortifications. And in her wake she left three sunken German ships of
war and another so badly damaged that she would be out of commission for
many months.
"I am willing to bet," said Frank, "that the Germans either lay the raid
to internal troubles or else claim that a British submarine flotilla of
at least 20 vessels participated."
"Right you are," agreed Jack, "and they will probably add that the enemy
was driven off with great loss, more than half their number being placed
hors du combat."
"At the same time," interrupted Lord Hastings, "saying that 'our losses
were insignificant.'"
"Well," said Frank, "I don't suppose the government can afford to let
the people know just how serious their predicament is."
"That's about the size of it," agreed Lord Hastings.
The speed of the D-16, once she was beyond the German mine field, was
increased to 20 knots, and she headed directly for the entrance to the
Kiel canal. Frank and Jack both turned in.
With the coming of morning the D-16 was but a few miles from her goal,
and Lord Hastings accordingly ordered the speed slackened that a close
watch might be kept for mines.
At eight o'clock Lord Hastings checked the speed of the vessel and
ordered that it be brought to the surface.
"But surely we are not through the canal yet?" protested Jack.
"No," was the reply, "but we are almost at the entrance, and I want to
take a look about."
Jack did not protest further, and when the submarine again floated on
the surface of the sea he followed his commander to the bridge.
There a startling sight met their gaze, for not a hundred yards away,
riding gently with the even swell of the sea, lay a second submarine and
she flew the Red, White and Black of Germany.
"Below quick!" cried Jack.
But Lord Hastings laid a hand on the lad's arm as he darted for the
hatchway.
"Wait a minute," he said. "There doesn't seem to be any one on guard, or
we should have perceived some sign of life."
The two peered long and earnestly at the German vessel, but not a sign
of life could they make out.
"Must all be dead," said Jack.
"Or asleep," replied Lord Hastings.
"And that's about what's the matter," agreed Jack. "What shall we do
with the boat, sink her?"
"I suppose so," replied Lord Hastings, "but I have another idea."
"What is that, sir?"
"Well, forcing a passage of the Kiel canal is bound to prove ticklish
work. Now if we could lay our hands on the officer of that vessel, we
might persuade him to pilot us through."
"A good idea," said Jack, "if we could only get him."
"We shall make a try at it," said his commander.
"How?" asked Jack.
For answer Lord Hastings turned and went below, and in another moment
the D-16 began creeping toward the German submarine.
At a distance of only a few yards she stopped and Lord Hastings motioned
to Jack to follow him, as he dropped over the side into the little
launch which had been lowered into the water. To Frank he called:
"If we do not reappear on deck within ten minutes, sink her."
Frank indicated that he understood, and Lord Hastings and Jack put off
for the enemy.
They clambered quietly aboard, and descended below without so much as
being challenged. Just at the bottom of the companionway they came upon
the figure of a man who emerged from one of the compartments. At sight
of the British uniforms the man staggered back and his hand went to his
side, but before he could draw a weapon, Jack had him covered with his
own automatic and spoke quietly.
"One move and you are a dead man," he said quietly.
"Who are you?" asked the man in a low voice.
"British officers," said Lord Hastings. "And you?"
"Captain Bretog, commander of this vessel," came the reply.
"Very good, captain," said Lord Hastings. "You are our prisoner, and I
must ask you to step upon the bridge."
"How did you get here?" asked the German in surprise.
"In a little submarine of our own," said Lord Hastings with a smile.
"Come, now, captain."
The captain moved toward the companionway, but just as he was about to
go through the door, he turned and struck out at Lord Hastings. The
latter dodged the blow and leaped quickly back, at the same time drawing
his revolver.
"No more of that," he said sternly. "Now move."
But at that instant a German sailor appeared in sight. Perceiving the
British uniforms, he cried out in surprise. An instant more and there
came the sound of tramping feet, and half a dozen men tumbled into sight
after him.
Lord Hastings put the German commander in front of him, and Jack stepped
quickly to his commander's side, their four automatics covering the
superior numbers of the enemy.
"One move from any of you and you are all dead men," said Lord Hastings
calmly. "We'll shoot you where you stand, and my vessel will blow you to
atoms within half a minute." He turned to the German commander.
"Captain," he said, "order these men on deck ahead of you."
The German made a move as though to refuse, but Jack's revolver covered
him and he did as commanded. The men, unarmed, filed up to the bridge.
"You next, captain," said Lord Hastings, politely, stepping aside.
The German made a move as though to draw a revolver, and Jack was at his
side in an instant.
"I'll relieve you of your weapons," he said quietly.
The German commander was forced to submit while the lad searched him and
took his guns. Then, at another command from Lord Hastings, he followed
his men on deck.
"Now," said Lord Hastings, "you will instruct your men to lower that
small boat and put off. Is this all your crew, sir?"
"Yes," replied the German shortly.
"Good. For their sakes I hope you are telling the truth. For as soon as
we are all safe, I intend to sink this vessel. Now order your men over
the side."
The German commander did as commanded, and soon the crew of the Teuton
vessel were pulling away in the launch.
"Now, captain," said Lord Hastings, "you will accompany me aboard my own
ship."
The German stepped into the D-16's launch without a word, and the trio
were soon aboard.
"Now," said Lord Hastings, "if you wish, you shall have the pleasure of
seeing me sink your vessel; or you may, if you would spare yourself that
sight, go below."
"I will go below if you please," said the German.
Lord Hastings nodded his assent and Captain Bretog disappeared below as
Lord Hastings turned to Jack.
"You may sink this German submarine immediately, Mr. Templeton," he said
quietly.
"Very good, sir," replied Jack.
He saluted, turned on his heel and went below.