AN ACT OF PIRACY
DURING dinner there was nothing to indicate that ere morning strange
doings were to be enacted on board the _Olive Branch_. Captain
Brookes had given strict instructions to those who were in the secret
to maintain silence and to abstain from any words that might alarm
the traitor.
The meal therefore proceeded as smoothly as usual, though Gerald
noticed that Taylor, _alias_ Schneider, was ill at ease, refraining
from indulging in conversation, and looking across the table in an
absent-minded manner.
When permission was given to smoke the captain excused himself and
withdrew.
"Well, Mr. Sinclair?" said he to the officer of the watch.
"I've examined the stern-walk, sir; there is a snatch-block and a
coil of rope under the seat."
"You did not disturb them, I hope?"
"No, sir."
"Very good; I'll have the lights going in my cabin and the curtains
drawn over the scuttles and gallery door. Keep an eye on Taylor
without being observed, and when he makes for the stern-walk inform
me."
Shortly after midnight word was brought that the scientist had
lowered himself on to the stern gallery; and Captain Brookes, Gerald,
Stockton, and the officer of the watch crept cautiously aft so that
they could hear the traitor's movements.
The night was pitch dark. All the deck lamps were screened, save the
navigation lights, which were invisible from the quarter-deck. The
_Olive Branch_ was still maintaining a steady ten knots, her wake
showing a path of faint phosphorescence till it was interrupted by
the hull of the German tramp a cable's length astern.
After a quarter of an hour's vigil the watchers were rewarded by the
sound of a sullen splash, and a dark object, outlined in a spray of
dim light, veered slowly astern.
"Has he jumped overboard?" whispered Jack Stockton.
"Hist! No, he's slung the life-buoy overboard. There's a line bent on
to it."
"You're right," remarked Captain Brookes, as he watched the towed
craft through a pair of night-glasses. "They've brought the buoy over
the side."
Suddenly the canopy over the stern-walk vibrated violently. The
watchers instantly drew back and laid themselves flat on the deck.
The next instant the dark outline of a man appeared above the metal
covering of the stern-walk. It was Schneider.
The man was active in spite of his obvious cowardice, for with the
utmost dispatch he passed the heavy snatch-block over the hempen
cable that connected the two vessels and closed its hinged side.
From the hook of the block was a bo's'un's chair. On this the rogue
adroitly took his seat, and instantly let go. So cunningly had he
laid his plans that he had omitted no detail to ensure success, for
the sheave made no sound as the block descended the bight of the
hawser, showing that he had not forgotten to oil the large
lignum-vitae roller.
"Wait till he reaches the middle of the slack," ordered the captain.
Then, having ascertained by the aid of his glasses that the fugitive
was dangling a few feet from the water midway betwixt the _Olive
Branch_ and the German vessel, he whipped out a knife and proceeded
to sever the hawser.
"Good heavens!" muttered Jack Stockton under his breath. "It's
murder!"
"No fear; he'll only get a ducking. They'll haul him inboard by means
of the whip," replied Gerald. "Stand by and look out for the hawser
when she goes."
The warning had hardly been given when the last strands of the stout
cable snapped, the inboard portion flying across the deck. Then, like
a greyhound released from its leash, the _Olive Branch_ darted off
into the darkness.
"Pass the word for the searchlight to be run," ordered Captain
Brookes. "Hard a-starboard with the helm."
Round spun the cruiser. Her giant beams swept the gently heaving
water, and revealed the tramp, like a silver bark, lying well-nigh
motionless a couple of miles away on the starboard bow.
"That will do. Keep yonder craft in sight," continued Captain
Brookes. "Now gentlemen, we'll retire. To-morrow morning I'll finish
up this business."
At daybreak Gerald went on deck, eager to learn the state of affairs,
and found that Captain Brookes had already forestalled him.
Less than a mile away was the German vessel. Her crew had taken the
severed cable on board, and had doubtless discovered that the parting
of the tow-rope was caused by a deliberate act, for they had hoisted
a staysail and trysail, and were heading slowly S.S.W.
In obedience to the captain's order the _Olive Branch_ was brought
within hailing distance of the vessel she had befriended, and had in
return received such despicable treatment.
"Heave-to," thundered Captain Brookes. "I'm going to send a boat."
"Mr. Slade," he added, addressing one of the lieutenants, "you will
please board yonder craft and bring back Mr. Taylor at any cost. Mr.
Tregarthen, will you also accompany Mr. Slade?"
The gig's crew scrambled into the boat with alacrity. Every man was
armed with a cutlass, while from their somewhat exaggerated holsters
peeped the butts of revolvers. The lieutenant was also provided with
a pistol, but Gerald preferred to go unarmed.
As the boat drew near to the foreigner the bulwarks of the latter
were lined with fair-complexioned, stolid-faced Germans, but no
attempt was made on their part to encourage the men of the cruiser to
board.
"Throw us a line, will you?" shouted Slade.
"What do you want?" demanded the master of the tramp.
"We want the person who deserted from our ship last night. We know
that you aided and abetted him," replied the lieutenant.
"You no come aboard my ship," retorted the master, resolutely. "See
dis flag; dis ship German territory," and he pointed aft to where the
red, white, and black ensign fluttered from the staff.
[Illustration: The man staggered, clapped his hand to his shoulder,
and fell to the deck, the weapon slipping from his grasp.]
"In bow! Oars!" ordered the lieutenant, and the boat ran alongside
the towering wall-sided hull.
Taking advantage of the roll of the ship the bowman managed to obtain
a hold with his boathook on the iron bulwarks. The next instant a
sweep with a hatchet severed the head of the boathook and a lump of
coal was hurled into the boat. Fortunately it struck one of the
thwarts, which prevented the little craft from being stove in.
Slade's face darkened with anger.
"Do that again, and I'll fire," he shouted. At this threat the
Teutonic skipper leant over the bridge rails and flourished a
revolver. "You pirates!" he drawled. "Stand off, or me fire!"
Then, on giving an order to his men, the cruiser's boat was saluted
by a volley of coal and scraps of iron, some of the boat's crew
receiving nasty injuries.
This was more than the lieutenant could stand. Without another
moment's hesitation he drew his revolver, took a rapid aim, and
pressed the trigger.
There was no flash, no noise, only a slight twitching of the
lieutenant's arm as the powerful weapon kicked; but Tregarthen saw
the German stagger, clap his hand to his shoulder, and fall to the
deck, his weapon slipping from his nerveless grasp.
"Now, lads, away boarders!"
Aghast at the fall of their skipper, and still more astounded at the
silent messenger that had laid him low, the crew of the tramp offered
little resistance, and in a few minutes the cruiser's people were in
possession of the tramp's deck.
In response to a signal a second boat left the _Olive Branch_,
containing the surgeon in addition to an armed party. Examination
showed that the German master's wound was not serious, the bullet
having passed completely through the fleshy part of his shoulder; and
having attended to the wounded man, Dr. White ordered his removal to
his cabin.
"Look here, Tregarthen," exclaimed Slade, "you speak their lingo;
tell the first mate to muster his men on deck, or there'll be more
trouble."
Thoroughly cowed, the German obeyed, and the crew having fallen in on
the upper deck, Slade told off a party of his men to search the
_Afrika_, for that was the name of the vessel. A prolonged search
revealed no trace of the missing scientist. The mate was sullen under
examination, and for a time neither requests nor threats were of any
use.
At length, unable to curb himself, Slade drew his revolver and
pointed it at the man's head, bidding Gerald to inform him that
Taylor must be produced, dead or alive, within five minutes.
Whether the lieutenant meant to keep his word or not his grim
determined features compelled the mate to give way, and in response
to a guttural order two of his crew, accompanied by four of the
cruiser's men, descended to the fore-peak.
The deserter was discovered hidden in an empty tank, and in spite of
his strenuous resistance he was brought on deck and unceremoniously
bundled into the gig. Then, having achieved the object of their
mission, the two boats' crews pulled back to the cruiser.
"Take him below and lock him in his cabin," ordered Captain Brookes,
sternly. "Let two men remain with him in case he tries to injure
himself. Mr. Tregarthen," he added, "I have to thank you for your
assistance in the matter. No doubt you are in need of a meal; your
breakfast awaits you."
"I wonder why the captain was so keen on seeing that I had my
breakfast?" remarked Gerald to his friend Jack as the pair attacked
their meal.
"Goodness only knows," replied Stockton, who had already been
acquainted with the details of the visit to the _Afrika_. "But, by
jove, if that man calls himself the Exterminator of War, all I can
say is he's going a funny way to work. It will end with the _Olive
Branch_ being denounced as an ocean pariah, and we shall all be
hanged."
"It's certainly an act of piracy," assented Gerald. "I should not be
surprised if within a week an international squadron is sent in
pursuit of us. Yes, Jack, it's rank piracy."
And even while Tregarthen was thus expressing himself, Captain
Brookes, with the coolest audacity imaginable, had hoisted the white
ensign to the gaff as the _Olive Branch_ glided rapidly away from the
outraged German ship.
[Illustration: (_To be continued_)]
[Illustration: third instalment]
BY PERCY F. WESTERMAN
Author of "A Lad of Grit," etc.
_ILLUSTRATED BY E. S. HODGSON_
*Synopsis*
GERALD TREGARTHEN, sub-lieutenant of H.M.S. _Calder_, being on leave,
sails from Poole with his old school chum Jack Stockton on board the
latter's yacht _Playmate_. In mid-Channel the yacht is run down; the
two friends are rescued, and find themselves on board a mysterious
cruiser--the _Olive Branch_--commanded by Captain Brookes. Finding
that Tregarthen is a British naval officer, Captain Brookes announces
his intention of keeping him on board, and, after due deliberation,
Gerald decides to fall in with the captain's plans, as far as his
sense of loyalty will permit.
Tregarthen is initiated into the secrets of the _Olive Branch_,
including that of the deadly ZZ-rays--an irresistible charge of
electricity whereby the destruction of a hostile ship can be effected
at will. Captain Brookes also explains that by the power at his
command he hopes to make war so terrible that no nation will venture
to declare war; thus universal peace will be assured.
During the voyage south Schneider, the ship's scientist, deserts,
taking with him some important plans. He is found on board a German
"tramp," and is brought back to the _Olive Branch_, whereby an act of
piracy is committed.
[Illustration: chapter X]