CHAPTER XVII
IN THE ADRIATIC
The Marie Theresa had not escaped unscathed in the combat, but,although her injuries were not serious, they were such as toprevent a pursuit of the second German cruiser, which was dashingaway at full speed.
The crew set to work with a will wreckage, and finally the vesselwas shipshape once more. Then, at a command from CaptainDreyfuss, she was put on her course toward the south.
Several uneventful days passed, during which Frank and Jackstruck up quite a friendship with their fellow middies. Theunkindly spirit of the young Frenchmen gave way to realcomradeship, and all were now on the best terms.
It was on a bright, sunny morning that the Marie Theresa steamedthrough the entrance to the Adriatic Sea, where the French fleet,with one or two British warships, had the entire Austrian navalforce cooped up. The Austrians had made several dashes, in anattempt to run the blockade, but so far all such efforts had beenunsuccessful.
As the Marie Theresa steamed up to the other vessels of thefleet, she was greeted with a salute. A short time later CaptainDreyfuss put off for the flagship in a small boat to pay hisrespects to the admiral.
It was late when he returned aboard the Marie Theresa, andimmediately he set foot on board a subdued air of excitementbecame apparent. The midshipmen, not being in the confidence ofthe superior officers, at first could not account for this; butthey soon learned its cause.
The Marie Theresa had been ordered to try and get closer to theAustrian fleet.
It was a well-known fact that all the Austrian ports had beenmined, and that the heavy shore batteries of the enemy were morethan a match for the big guns on the cruiser--that theyoutranged them--but, nevertheless, the crew of the MarieTheresa made what preparations were necessary with enthusiasm.
It was well after nightfall when the French cruiser moved slowlybetween the other vessels of the allied fleet, heading for theenemy. Not a light shone aboard the vessel, and there was not asound to break the stillness of the night.
Beyond the rest of the fleet the Marie Theresa was forced to gomore slowly, feeling her way cautiously to avoid being blown upby one of the many floating mines.
"This is ticklish work," said Jack to Frank, they moved slowlyalong.
"You bet," was the latter's reply. "This thing, of floatingalong, not knowing the next minute you are liable to be on thebottom, would try anybody's, nerves. By Jove! I can feel myhair standing end now."
"I guess it's not as bad as all that," laughed Jack.
"Well, I have a bad case of nerves, anyhow," replied Frank.
Suddenly, at a subdued cry from forward, the Marie Theresa cameto a halt.
"Vessel of some sort dead ahead," the word was passed along.
A moment later a voice of command rang out:
"Pass the word for Mr. Chadwick and Mr. Templeton."
"Wonder what's up?" asked Frank, as they made their way to thebridge, where Captain Dreyfuss was standing.
"I guess we'll know soon enough," was Jack's reply.
They halted before their commander and came to attention.
"If I am not mistaken," said Captain Dreyfuss, pointing ahead,"that dark hull there is an Austrian vessel, whether a warship ornot I cannot say. Now, the success of this venture depends uponsilence. A shot from a big gun aboard that ship would meanfailure for us. I have called you two lads to ask if you wouldlike to undertake a dangerous task?"
"Yes, sir," replied Jack quietly.
"We shall be only too glad," said Frank eagerly.
"Well, then," continued, Captain Dreyfuss, "I believe that by aquick and silent dash you may be able to board her. If You aresuccessful in getting aboard, your first duty will be to preventthe firing of one of the big guns. Luckily, we are still farfrom shore, so the sounds of a hand-to-hand struggle are notlikely to be overheard. Are you willing to undertake thismission?"
"Yes, sir," replied both lads in a single voice.
"Good! You shall have fifty men. With the effect of a surprise,I believe this should be enough."
Half an hour later, while the Marie Theresa remained stationary,not even showing a light, Frank and Jack, with five small boatsat their command, were creeping silently toward the Austrianvessel. Nearer and nearer they approached, and at length thefirst boat scraped the side of the larger vessel.
So far their presence had not been discovered.
Softly and silently Jack led the way to the deck of the enemy,which, it was now plain, was a small Austrian cruiser. Frank andthe French sailors followed close at his heels.
As Jack's head came even with the rail, he paused to look about.And it was well that he did so. For not ten paces from him stoodan Austrian sailor.
His eyes were turned in the opposite direction, and so stealthilydid Jack now lower himself to the deck that he was not heard.
"I hate to do this," he muttered to himself, "but--"
A moment later his revolver butt crashed down on the Austrian'sskull. The man dropped like a log. Hastily the lad led the wayto the bridge, where, by quick action, the man on watch wasovercome without the sound of a struggle.
Then half of the French turned their attention to the commander'scabin, while the others hastened to see that all means of egressfrom below were barred.
With drawn revolver Jack entered the cabin first. His eyes fellupon two officers playing checkers, one evidently the commanderof the cruiser. So quietly did the lad enter the room that hispresence was not discovered until he spoke.
"Hands up!" he commanded.
The officers leaped to their feet with a single movement, and thehand of the commander fell upon his revolver, while the other,unarmed though he was, dashed straight at Jack.
Jack's revolver spoke sharply once, and the second Austrianofficer tumbled in a heap to the deck. Before the commandercould draw his weapon Jack had him covered.
"None of that," he said sharply, as the commander made anothermove as though to draw.
The Austrian commander evidently thought better of his act, forhis hands flew above his head. Jack advanced quickly andrelieved him of his weapons. Then he marched him to the bridge.
"Now," said Jack calmly, "you will signal the engine-room forhalf-speed ahead."
The officer started to protest, but at the sight of Jack'srevolver, leveled right at his head, he reconsidered and did asordered. Jack now motioned Frank to stand guard over theAustrian commander, and himself took the wheel.
Slowly the Austrian cruiser, her head describing a wide circle,gathered speed and turned in the direction of the allied fleet.Evidently those below had no idea that anything was wrong, fornot a sound reached the ears of those on deck.
Now, at Jack's command, the commander signaled the engine-roomfor full speed ahead, and the pace of the cruiser increased.Swiftly she dashed along in the night, but was suddenly checkedin her flight by a hail from across the water:
"What ship is that?"
Jack recognized the voice of Captain Dreyfuss, and called back:
"Captured Austrian cruiser, sir. This is Templeton. What shallI do with her?"
"Take her on to the fleet," came the reply.
"Good work! I shall not wait for you to return but willcontinue immediately."
This was a disappointment to the two lads, who had banked onbeing aboard the Marie Theresa in her raid. However, orders werenot to be disobeyed.
Day was breaking when the Austrian cruiser steamed in among theFrench ships. Jack went aboard the admiral's flagship andreported. It was while he was standing beside the admiral that afearful commotion broke out on board the captured Austriancruiser.
There was the sound of a big gun, and a shell screamed overhead.
"The fools!" exclaimed the admiral. "Can't they understand theyhave been captured?"
Evidently the Austrians could not, for a second shell screamedoverhead.
Quickly the flagship signaled the French aboard the capturedvessel to leave, and when they wer
e over the side and well out ofharm's way the French dreadnought opened fire on the cruiser.
Men now emerged from below on to the deck of the captured vessel,and rushed rapidly about.
An officer leveled a glass and took in the imposing sight of theFrench gathered about on all sides of him.
In another moment a white flag was run up at the masthead. Itwas the sign of surrender.
The French admiral complimented both lads highly on the successof their venture; and congratulated them again personally thatnight, when the Marie Theresa, after a successful raid into thevery midst of the Austrian fleet, returned unscathed--leavingat the bottom of the sea two Austrian torpedo boats.
Boy Allies under Two Flags Page 17