CHAPTER IX

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.

"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.