CHAPTER XVIII.
THE RIVALS PASS THROUGH THE SUEZ CANAL.
Four days later, with her accumulators charged to their fullestcapacity, the "Aphrodite" arose from her anchorage in the Dardanelles.
During that period, although wireless messages were being received withalmost monotonous regularity, no definite news had come to hand withreference to the movements of the "Vorwartz."
True, the captain of the Russian battleship, "Imperator Pavel," sent awireless message to Sevastopol, which was in turn transmitted to St.Petersburg and thence to the world in general, to the effect that ateight a.m. on the morning of the 6th he had sighted a submarine eightymiles S.S.W. of that Crimean port. Having orders to sink the "Vorwartz"without warning, the Russian officer caused a heavy fire to be openedupon the submarine with the "Imperator Pavel's" twelve and three-pounderquick-firers. Every one of these guns that could be brought tobear--eighteen out of forty--joined in the racket, and confident ofhaving destroyed the modern buccaneer, the Russian battleship returnedto Sevastopol.
Captain Restronguet received this intelligence with mixed feelings. Hehad his doubts. He knew that the rapid firing of the Russian fleet wasnotoriously ill-aimed and inaccurate; he knew also that with abattleship in the vicinity Karl von Harburg would hesitate to bring hiscraft to the surface. If, however, the news was correct he was saved alot of trouble, and was now at liberty to return to his base in theDutch East Indies. Nevertheless he regretted, in no small measure, thefact that he had not been able to achieve the distinction of sinking the"Vorwartz" under conditions favourable to the lives of her crew.
An hour or so later the stalwart Cornishman executed a dance in hiscabin, much to the astonishment of Hythe and Kenwyn who happened to bepresent.
The report of the captain of the "Imperator Pavel" was replied to by ademand from the Bulgarian Government to know why the Russians had firedupon one of their vessels. It appeared that a submarine had beenordered and built at Ansaldo's Works at Sestri, Italy, for the newBulgarian Navy, and having finished her acceptance trials was returningto Varna. She was running on the surface and made no attempt to alterher course, or to act in any way that might be regarded as suspicious;but when passing the "Imperator Pavel" at a distance of two miles, theRussians greeted her with a sudden and totally unexpected volley ofquick-firing shells.
The Bulgarian submarine quickly dived. According to the estimate of theItalian contractors' representative who was on board, not less than onehundred and twenty shells were fired, of which not one did the slightestdamage beyond cutting away the ensign-staff.
"Those Bulgarians will make a fine business of this, Hythe!" exclaimedCaptain Restronguet. "With Russia on bad terms with Austria and Germanythe Balkan States can pull the Bear's tail as much as they like. Andtrust any of the Balkan States for that; they would draw blood out of astone if they could. But some day the Powers will settle downharmoniously, and the successors to the Turkish Empire in Europe willhave to knuckle under somewhat."
"You don't seem very partial to the Balkan States, sir," remarked thesub.
"Partial? By Jove, I wish I could be! We had a very good specimen theother day in the person of that rascally skipper of the Greek tramp.The stalwarts of ancient Greece would turn in their graves could theybut realize to what depths their so-called descendants have fallen.Well, Kenwyn, what is it now? Another purposeless message?"
"I think not, sir," replied the second officer, handing his chief thelatest "wireless" received on board.
This time, instead of executing a dance, Captain Restronguet very nearlylost his temper.
"That rogue von Harburg has done me very neatly this time, Hythe!" heexclaimed. "He never was in the Black Sea, that's my belief. Here's amessage announcing that the 'Vorwartz' has passed through the SuezCanal."
"Surely that's impossible!"
"Well, then, there's the message. It is from an exceptionallytrustworthy agent. I say, Mr. Kenwyn, just reply, will you? And ask tobe kept in touch with events."
"Very good, sir," replied the second officer, withdrawing.
"I am anxious to know how a submarine could pass through the Canalwithout being detected and stopped," remarked the sub, who entertainedgrave doubts as to the authenticity of the wireless message, especiallyafter the "Imperator Pavel" affair.
"So am I, Mr. Hythe," rejoined Captain Restronguet, who had nowrecovered his customary coolness of mind. "So am I, since where the'Vorwartz' can go the 'Aphrodite can go also."
"You mean to traverse the Suez Canal?"
"By fair means, or failing that by foul. Otherwise it would mean that wehave to circumnavigate the African Continent, and in the time we were sooccupied what would Karl von Harburg be doing?"
Within twenty minutes of the receipt of the momentous news the"Aphrodite" was abreast of the classic Isle of Tenedos, bound for PortSaid. All the while she had remained in the Dardanelles, althoughwithin a few miles of the seaport of Gallipoli, she had refrained fromgiving any signs of her presence. But at the moment of departureCaptain Restronguet could not resist leaving his card in the shape ofone of his green and white buoys on which were painted his customarycompliments.
During the run across from Gallipoli to Port Said a complete text ofKarl von Harburg's feat, as reported in the _Egyptian Monitor_, wastransmitted by Captain Restronguet's agent for the information of hisemployer.
It was indeed a daring coup on the part of the German renegade.
Early one morning the "Vorwartz," running light, brought up between thebreakwaters that, extending nearly two miles from shore, mark theMediterranean entrance to the Canal. Here, landing a party of armedmen, he took possession of the two lighthouses, and terrified thelightkeepers into submission. He compelled them to ascertain bytelegraph what vessels had entered the canal during the previoustwenty-four hours and what were expected. Finding that there were noarmed ships between Port Said and Suez, and none within easy steamingdistance of the latter port, he resolved upon the desperate enterpriseof passing through at full speed. To keep submerged would mean loss oftime and possibilities of running aground in the Bitter Lakes.
Thus, almost before the Canal authorities at Port Said recovered fromtheir astonishment that a strangely-constructed vessel should havepassed into the Canal at several knots above the regulation speed andwithout paying the customary dues, the "Vorwartz" was well on her way toIsmalia.
In the Little Bitter Lake her luck deserted her, for in attempting topass a lumbering Dutch tramp steamer, the "Vorwartz" struck upon thesand on the west side of the Canal.
Meanwhile the telegraph had not been idle. It was rightly conjecturedthat the mysterious craft was that of the modern buccaneer, and abattery of Egyptian artillery had been ordered from Cairo. Theartillerymen were sent by train, the route being so roundabout thatseveral hours elapsed before the men and guns detrained at the neareststation, where they were separated by a fresh water canal and a stretchof desert from the spot where the "Vorwartz" had grounded.
It was fortunate for the 'Gippy artillery that Karl von Harburg did notpossess the same potential means of offence as did the captain of the"Aphrodite," otherwise the charged shells in the limbers might haveexploded with disastrous results. Eventually, after great exertion, theblacks got their guns into position and prepared to hull the helplesssubmarine. Just then a heavy sandstorm swept down. The breech-blocksof the quick-firers had to be promptly covered up to prevent theill-effects of the sand upon the delicate mechanism. When the stormceased the "Vorwartz" was once more afloat and hidden by the sand hills.
Only one course remained for the British officer in charge of theArtillery to take. That was to regain the railway and entrain for Suez,where another chance of cutting off the submarine's retreat was left.But once again the troops were foiled, for before they reached Suez, the"Vorwartz" had passed Port Ibrahim, the Red Sea entrance to the Canal.
Now was Karl von Harburg's opportunity t
o enrich himself with theplunder from helpless liners and merchantmen. The Red Sea waspractically denuded of men-of-war. A pair of obsolete gunboats lay offSuakin. They were not capable of doing more than twelve knots, andcould be regarded with contempt. A British third-class cruiser, one ofthe units of the East Indies squadron, was stationed at Aden, while theremainder of the squadron was at Bombay, with the exception of asecond-class cruiser that could not well be withdrawn from the PersianGulf, without the risk of allowing dangerous cargoes of rifles to be"run" by the Arab dhows that were ever awaiting their opportunity forthe hazardous yet profitable business.
Upon the arrival of the "Aphrodite" at Port Said, Captain Restronguetwas literally received with open arms by the harassed and distractedCanal officials. The presence of the "Vorwartz" in the Red Sea meant afar greater loss to them in due and tolls than while she was in theLevant, and even then there had been an appreciable falling off in thereceipts. Without the faintest delay Captain Restronguet receivedpermission to take his wonderful submarine through the hundred miles ofartificial waterway, special facilities being granted so that no unduedelay would be experienced. It was generally recognized that if anyonehad the honour and distinction of ridding the seas of a danger and apest that man was Captain Restronguet.
The "Aphrodite" made the journey on the surface and by night. She wastwelve hours behind her rival. Fortunately it was bright moonlight, andaided by the powerful search-light on board and the electric arc lampsthat had recently been placed on the banks of the canal, the passage wasperformed most expeditiously. At every town and village crowds assembledto cheer the modern magician. At Ismalia the Khedive's band, sentspecially from the palace at Cairo, serenaded the "Aphrodite"; theshipping at Port Ibrahim hailed her approach with a deafening saluteupon their syrens; and just as dawn was breaking the submarine, havingaccomplished the trip in less than seven hours, slipped gracefully underthe waters of the Gulf of Suez.
Captain Restronguet's spirits rose. He was flattered with the receptionaccorded him by the Canal authorities. He realized that, instead ofbeing regarded with suspicion, the world was beginning to appreciate hisservices to mankind.
"We'll have him right enough," he remarked confidentially to Devoran."There's a faint tremor noticeable on the detector that cannot meananything but the presence of the 'Vorwartz.' I have been officiallyinformed that no Government submarine is within a thousand miles of us."
"How far do you think the vessel is, sir?" asked Hythe.
"The detector is sensitive to anything of that nature within a hundredand twenty miles, but, of course, the actual position of the chasecannot be fixed with any degree of accuracy at that distance. But assoon as we approach within twenty miles of von Harburg's counterfeitpresentment of my submarine, the position of the 'Vorwartz' will beaccurately recorded on the chart controlled by the electric detector."
During lunch the wireless room reported that a vessel was sending outcalls for urgent aid, and in response to a request for further detailscame the startling news that the Dutch liner, "Noord Brabant," had beenforcibly boarded by the crew of the "Vorwartz" fifteen miles due east ofWadi Jemel. Several of the Dutchmen had been wounded when attempting toresist; the strong-room had been forced, and nearly ten thousand poundsworth of gold had been removed. Not satisfied with this, Karl vonHarburg discharged a torpedo at the ill-fated "Noord Brabant," which,exploding under her starboard quarter, completely flooded the aftercompartments. Leaking badly, for the shock had strained the water-tightbulkheads, the liner headed slowly for Sherm Sheikh, an inlet in themainland, where her captain hoped to run her aground on the mud and sandthat form the bottom of the cove.
"Here we are," exclaimed Captain Restronguet, running his finger overthe chart of the Red Sea. "Ninety miles from Wadi Jemel; three hours runat our maximum speed. Keep her going for all she's worth, Kenwyn. I'llbe with you in the conning-tower in less than ten minutes. Let the'Noord Brabant' know we're on our way, and keep me informed of how she'sprogressing."
While the "Aphrodite" tore on her errand of mercy, Carclew was keepingvigilant watch upon the electric detector; but, to the disgust of all onboard, instead of the "Vorwartz" making her presence felt more stronglythe sensitive current grew more and more feeble. Was it possible, then,that the "Vorwartz" was able to attain a much greater speed than herrival, and in consequence slipping farther and farther from thedoggedly-pursuing avenger?
Just as Captain Restronguet, accompanied by his guest, was about toproceed to the conning-tower, a final message came from the ill-fated"Noord Brabant"--"Sinking; are taking to the boats."
But the "Aphrodite" was not the only vessel hurrying to the rescue. TheP. & O. Liner, "Persia," a magnificent internal-combustion propelledship of 40,000 tons, that had been built to "knock spots off" thelargest North German Lloyd boat on the Australian route, was returningon her maiden voyage. Warnings of the presence of the "Vorwartz" hadbeen given her. Her cargo was a precious one; moreover she carried HisMajesty's mails; but at the urgent call of distress all otherconsiderations were set aside.
The officers of the "Persia" knew the risks they were running. It wasrecognized that Karl von Harburg would not attempt to attack orintercept the liner unless the "Vorwartz" were submerged, consequentlythe speed of the submarine would then be considerably lower than that ofthe liner. The "Persia" being a subsidized vessel under the recentAdmiralty regulations, had a large percentage of Royal Naval Reserveofficers and men in her crew; she was armed with light, quick-firingguns, and, in fact, was a powerful "protected" cruiser.
Owing to the danger the captain and the first officer were both on the"Persia's" bridge. Elaborate precautions had been taken to keep the newsfrom the passengers, but, as is frequently the case, the intelligencewas soon common property. That night no one went to bed; since it waswithin the bounds of possibility that in the event of being torpedoed bythe ruthless "Vorwartz" it would be necessary to take to the boats. Alllights were carefully screened; yet in spite of these preparations the"Persia" had the narrowest escape in her career.
Unseen and unheard by the officers of the watch, a torpedo dischargedfrom the lurking "Vorwartz" glided within ten feet of her rudder. Justat daybreak the "Aphrodite" sighted the boats of the ill-fated "NoordBrabant." Towed by two motor pinnaces the life-boats, crowded withpassengers, were slowly making their way northward. The "Aphrodite" hadarrived in the very nick of time, for the sudden change from intensedarkness to daybreak revealed the fact that three suspicious-lookingArab dhows were making ready to pounce down upon the unarmed boats.
"Red Sea pirates, by Jove!" exclaimed Captain Restronguet.
"Certainly looks like it, sir," replied the sub. "It's a curious fact,but our cruisers systematically search every little harbour on theArabian coast and find nothing beyond a few dhows owned by Arab traderswhose papers are quite in order. But once let a vessel go ashore or getinto difficulties, armed dhows, manned by cut-throat Arabs, gather roundlike flies about a honey-pot. Goodness only knows where they come from."
"I'll tell you where they'll go to if they don't pretty soon sheer off,"rejoined Captain Restronguet grimly.
"Are you standing in pursuit, sir?" asked Devoran.
"Impossible under present circumstances, Mr. Devoran. Look, thosemotor-boats cannot make headway against wind and sea. They have toomuch to tow. Another hour will see the whole swarm of boats smashed tofirewood unless we do something."
The "Noord Brabant's" boats were indeed in a perilous position. Thoseprovided with oars were two overcrowded to allow the rowers tomaterially assist; waves were repeatedly breaking over the deeply ladenboats, and every available article that could be used as a baler waspressed into use. All the while the flotilla was slowly driftingshorewards, the rearmost boats being almost inside the broad expanse ofbroken water.
Bringing the "Aphrodite" head to wind Captain Restronguet ordered aheavy grass warp to be veered out by means of a barrel. This one of themotor launches secured and made fast, while
the second slipped half ofthe boats and transferred them to the care of the first towing craft.With a reduced number of boats in tow the second pinnace was then ableto make headway.
"Easy ahead!" ordered the "Aphrodite's" captain, and with a long stringof boats straining at the hawser the submarine, still on the surface,forged ahead.
"Steady, sir," ejaculated Kenwyn. "We're pulling them under."
Such was the case. The speed of the "Aphrodite" was sufficient to causesheets of solid water to fly over the bows of the Dutch boats. Toreduce speed was impossible, since that would have meant a backwardmovement on to a lee shore.
"Have we any oil to spare on board?" asked the sub.
"We might manage a barrel of lubricating oil," answered CaptainRestronguet. "A good idea of yours, Mr. Hythe."
To attempt to hoist a heavy barrel of oil with the "Aphrodite" rollinglike a barge would be hazardous both to the barrel and the men engagedin sending it up the hatchway. Accordingly the barrel was tapped andthe centrifugal pump, worked by one of the auxiliary motors, threw theheavy oil over the side. Soon, instead of a turmoil of white crestedwind-swept waves a broad belt of sluggishly heaving water trailed in thewake of the "Aphrodite," and through this patch of comparatively calmsea the boats of the "Noord Brabant" were towed in safety.
Long before the barrel of oil was exhausted the flotilla was clear ofthe broken water close to the land, and the risk of being swamped wasreduced to a minimum.
"Now what's to be done," asked Kenwyn of Hythe, as the two stood on thewake of the after conning-tower watching the procession of boats. "Wemust return to Port Ibrahim with this little mob, I suppose?"
"If we do we'll have our work cut out," replied the sub. "As soon as wemake for that port the wind will be broadside on, and the boats willagain be in danger of swamping. All the oil we have on board would notsave them, since it would drift to lee'ard. No, the only way I cansuggest--and Captain Restronguet is apparently of the same opinion--isthat we plug head to wind until some vessel comes along and picks up thesurvivors."
Just then the "Aphrodite's" wireless picked up a general message sentout by the "Persia" to the effect that she was going at full speed tothe scene of the disaster.
Captain Restronguet's face lighted up when he heard the good news.
"We shall now have a free hand," he remarked. "But at the same time itis a mystery to me how our detector has failed to record the presence ofthe 'Vorwartz.'"
"Perhaps she has cleared off due south, while we are heading due west,"suggested the chief officer.
"That is the only explanation, Mr. Devoran. It is five hours since theapparatus, sensitive enough in all purpose, has recorded any movement.Well, Carnon?"
"'Persia' in sight, sir," replied the quartermaster, who had taken uphis position, telescope in hand, on top of the fore conning-tower.
"Capital!" exclaimed Captain Restronguet. "She'll be close alongsidewithin half an hour. Pass the word to the leading boat, Mr. Devoran, andtell them to stand by ready to cast off."
Rapidly the "Persia" approached, then, laying-to to windward of thestring of boats, waited for them to be towed under her lee. Boat afterboat discharged its band of passengers, the empty craft being turnedadrift, and within half an hour of the liner's arrival five hundredDutchmen had found shelter under the Blue Ensign.
Great though the attention was towards the rescued men the chief objectof interest to the British passengers and crew of the "Persia" was thestrangely unfamiliar outline of the "Aphrodite." Much had been heard ofthe mysterious submarine, the avowed rival of the piratical "Vorwartz,"and now the liner's people had a unique opportunity of viewing her atclose quarters.
When the work of transferring the rescued Dutchmen was completed CaptainRestronguet took off his cap and saluted the captain of the huge liner.Simultaneously a tremendous burst of cheering came from throats ofhundreds; and with the echoes of the prolonged chorus of welcome andapprobation ringing in their ears, the crew of the "Aphrodite" quietlyyet majestically disappeared beneath the waves.
The Rival Submarines Page 18