The captain of the "Aphrodite" hesitated a few moments.
"Captain Sedgwyke," he replied, "you have asked a hard thing. Had any other captain made me a similar request I would have declined. But I owe you a debt of gratitude for having picked us up out of the sea. I will do as you request. I will give you an hour's uninterrupted action from the time the 'Vorwartz' is within four miles of us. One thing I would suggest, the 'Vorwartz' is the attacking vessel; you will not have to pursue her, so, since speed is not a vital consideration, keep your torpedo nets out."
"I, too, am indebted to you," said Captain Sedgwyke. "In an hour I hope to be able to help to uphold the glorious traditions of the Flag under which I serve."
"You have my best wishes," added Captain Restronguet as he turned to go over the side into the waiting boat. "At the end of the hour it will be my show; but should you require any assistance before then either communicate by means of wireless--I will order the coil to be adjusted as soon as I get on board--or else give four blasts in quick succession should anything happen to put the wireless out of gear."
"Are you taking Mr. Hythe?"
"Certainly; he is officially lent to the 'Aphrodite'; and Mr. Jenkins will accompany us, since I am morally responsible to His Highness, the Sultan of Zanzibar, for his safety."
The two captains shook hands, and Captain Restronguet and the sub entered the waiting boat, which had to pass over the upper edge of the torpedo nets that had to be lowered beneath the surface for the purpose.
Barely was the cruiser's boat clear of the "Topaze" when the order came "Out nets."
"Captain Sedgwyke is acting upon my suggestion," observed Hythe's companion. "It is the best plan, but honestly I favour the chances of the 'Vorwartz.'"
"You have a bias towards the advantage of submarines," said Hythe. "At the same time you must remember Karl von Harburg has, for the first time, to try conclusions with a British ship whose guns are sighted by trained seamen-gunners."
"We shall see," observed Captain Restronguet oracularly, and both men relapsed into silence until the boat ranged alongside the "Aphrodite."
"'Vorwartz' is now only eleven miles off, sir," announced Devoran. "We've cleared for action, I presume you will go straight for her, sir?"
"No," replied Captain Restronguet. "We are going to run away."
"Run away, sir?"
"Yes; in a moment of weakness I promised the captain of yonder cruiser to give him a free hand for one hour from the time the 'Vorwartz' gets within four miles of her. He wishes to distinguish himself. Accordingly we will run northward and put a good two miles between us. That, I think will be a safe distance, for on no account must we let the 'Vorwartz' spot us, or she will be off like a startled hare."
Hythe took up his position in the wake of the foremost conning-tower, whence he could command an uninterrupted view of the "Topaze." The British cruiser made a fine picture in the dazzling moonlight in spite of her ugly lines and the absence of masts and funnels. Already her boat had returned, but, instead of being hoisted to the davits, was made fast astern, while the remaining boats were being hurriedly yet methodically lowered into the water, one man being placed in each to act as boat-keeper. These were taken in tow of a motor-cutter, so that they would be safe from any explosions against the side of the ship.
This done, the "Topaze" trimmed her fringe of nets, and forging slowly ahead, bore down in the supposed direction of the on-coming "Vorwartz."
There was no attempt at concealment. Her so-called masthead light, hoisted on the slender signalling-mast abaft the conning-tower, was burning brightly; Hythe could see the green starboard lamp throwing its reflection upon the scintillating water. It was part of Captain Sedgwyke's plan to deceive the "Vorwartz." The latter, thinking she had fallen in with a large tramp, would doubtless either fire a torpedo at her to wantonly send her to the bottom, or else rise to the surface and demand her to surrender. In the first case the torpedo would, he hoped, explode harmlessly against the net. The submarine would then rise to enable the scoundrel Karl von Harburg to witness the sinking of his latest victim. In the event of either of these possibilities taking place the "Vorwartz," once on the surface, would be the target for twenty powerful quick-firing guns, and since the "Topaze" nearly headed the list of results in the Gunlayers' Test for the whole of the British Navy, the destruction of the modern pirate seemed certain.
Captain Sedgwyke was a man who scorned to take a mean advantage; and since he would not encroach upon the distance limit set down by his chivalrous rival, he ordered the helm to be put over, thus keeping the "Topaze" within a radius of three cables' length, until the "Vorwartz" was within four miles of him. Seeing this Captain Restronguet gave the word for half speed ahead, until he placed a distance of two miles between him and the cruiser.
"Seven and a half miles, sir," announced Devoran.
"Then another two minutes will be the commencement of the hour's limit," said Captain Restronguet consulting his watch. "Mr. Kenwyn, will you please signal the 'Topaze' and give her the latest information as to her enemy's position." The second officer, adroitly working the flashing lamp, communicated the intelligence, receiving in reply an affirmative signal.
Practically every officer and man, except those on urgent duty below, stood on the upper platform of the "Aphrodite." Telescopes and binoculars were brought to bear upon the cruiser that now looked like a phantom castle in the moonlight.
Hythe felt his blood tingle in his veins. He realized that he was to be the spectator of a duel to the death between a cruiser and a submarine--the first engagement of such a character that had ever taken place in naval history.
"Four miles, sir," announced Devoran, as the position of the "Vorwartz" was reported to him by the seaman stationed at the detector. "She's coming straight for the cruiser, by Jove!"
"I thought she would swallow the bait," exclaimed Hythe.
"Let us hope she will swallow more than is good for her," added Kenwyn. "By Jove! The 'Topaze' has opened fire."
A flash like distant lightning seemed to leap from the cruiser's deck, followed by another, and then by a regular salvo of quick-firers. Ere the first deep report reached the ears of the watchers on the "Aphrodite" the "Topaze" unscreened her search-lights and played them on a spot about four hundred yards on the starboard hand, where the shells were churning up a perfect cauldron of foam and spray.
"Good heavens! they've hit something!" exclaimed several voices. Those of the "Aphrodite's" crew who possessed glasses could see a dark mass, rent in deep furrows by the projectiles, appear amid the columns of foam; then throwing itself ten feet into the air the object disappeared from view.
Captain Restronguet clenched his fists. He deeply regretted his action in allowing the captain of the "Topaze" a free hand. His quest was over. The rival submarine had been sent to the bottom with all hands, and he----
"Cruiser signalling, sir," announced Kenwyn, who was perched upon the rounded top of the fore-conning-tower. "Reports having wasted ninety rounds of ammunition by firing at a whale, and requests to know whether the captain of the 'Aphrodite' has been guilty of a senseless joke?"
"Senseless joke, indeed!" ejaculated Captain Restronguet. "If those fellows in their excitement mistake a whale for a submarine they will be rudely awakened when the 'Vorwartz' does show. Senseless joke, indeed! Look here, Mr. Kenwyn, reply that my detector does not record the presence of whales, but it does record the presence of the 'Vorwartz.' She is now only--how many miles, Mr. Devoran?"
"Two and three quarters from us, sir."
"Only three quarters of a mile from the 'Topaze,'" continued the Captain. "It was quite possible that that wilful waste of ammunition made the valiant Karl von Harburg turn tail; but evidently such is not the case. It has made the task of the 'Topaze' still more difficult, since the 'Vorwartz' is now aware that she is not about to tackle a merchant vessel."
The "Topaze" had now shut off her searchlights, and was slowly circling to port. After the deafening cannonade there seemed an ominous silence in the air. The detector showed that the "Vorwartz" was still approaching.
"She will be within range shortly," remarked the sub. "I hope to goodness those nets will ward off the torpedoes. What charge do they carry, sir?"
"I believe I am right in saying a charge of eighty pounds of nitro-gelenite, which is equivalent to nearly a ton of gunpowder. You may remember how the shock of the explosion shook the 'Aphrodite' in the chase off Ushant?"
"Rather," remarked Hythe. "At that time I----"
A column of mingled flame and water bursting apparently from the fo'c'sle of the "Topaze" effectually checked the sub's remarks. To the watchers on the "Aphrodite" it seemed as if the bows of the cruiser were lifted clear of the water. Then came a deafening detonation, like the noise of thunder above one's head.
The cruiser rocked violently two or three times, then seemed to settle on an even keel, while her quick-firers blazed away in a frantic, aimless manner, for several of the projectiles could be observed striking the water a mile apart.
"Any wireless message?" asked Captain Restronguet coolly.
"No, sir," replied Kenwyn.
"She's withstood the shock, thank heavens!" ejaculated Hythe, then, "No, she hasn't, by George! There's 'Out Collision Mats,'" he added, as a bugle rang out from the stricken ship.
"'Vorwartz' is making off, sir," announced Mylor, who had relieved the observer at the electric detector.
"Hard lines on us," exclaimed Captain Restronguet. "What are we to do? The hour is not anything like up, and no signal of distress from the 'Topaze.' Send them a message, Kenwyn. Wireless, please."
"No reply, sir," announced the second officer after a wait of nearly two minutes.
"Then her wireless is disabled by the shock. Speak her in Morse, Kenwyn. Ask whether Captain Sedgwyke will release us from the remainder of our period of inaction, as the 'Vorwartz' is now making off in a southerly direction."
But before Kenwyn could get to the flashing signal lamp four loud blasts from the motor fog-horn of the "Topaze" sent forth their cry for urgent assistance.
"She's settling down by the bows," exclaimed one of the spectators of the ocean drama.
"Full speed ahead," ordered Captain Restronguet. Within five minutes from the request for aid the "Aphrodite" was abreast the stricken vessel at less than a cable's length away. Her fore part, already deep in the water, showed unmistakable signs of the mortal blow she had received. Her armoured belt, that extended right to the bows, had already disappeared from view, but for nearly thirty feet on the starboard side and nearly opposite the for'ard nine-point-two-inch gun the lighter steel plates were rent and buckled in all directions. Over the gaping wound a collision mat had been placed, but one might as well attempt to stop a mill-stream with a mop-head.
The order had already been given to abandon ship, and with the utmost precision and coolness the seamen were drawn up to await the approach of the cruiser's boats, that were now only a few yards off.
"Do you want me to pick up any of your crew, sir? I'll stand by if you desire it," shouted Captain Restronguet to a solitary figure on the steeply-inclined fore-bridge that the men of the "Aphrodite" recognized as Captain Sedgwyke.
"Thank you," replied the captain of the "Topaze." "We have enough room in the boats for the whole of the ship's company. Do you, sir, kindly take up the work that I had the misfortune to interrupt you in, and may you have better luck."
Captain Restronguet gravely saluted the gallant yet ill-fated officer. At the same time, although anxious to set off in pursuit, he was loth to leave the cruiser until every man was saved.
"What are you waiting for, sir?" hailed Captain Sedgwyke, his voice barely audible above the hundred different noises emanating from the doomed cruiser, as the water, pouring in, broke down bulkheads, swept buoyant objects 'tween decks in a wild stampede against the partitions, and caused the imprisoned air to escape with a vicious hiss.
"I am standing by," replied Captain Restronguet. "You gave a signal for urgent aid, sir."
"We thought the ship would sink before the boats could arrive," said the captain of the "Topaze." "There is no danger to life. Our consort the 'Pique' is on her way to pick us up."
Still Captain Restronguet stood by. He was not so sure that the "Pique" might not share the same fate as the "Topaze" since the "Vorwartz," going south, was almost bound to fall in with the British cruiser from Delagoa Bay.
Just then the "Topaze" gave a sudden lurch to starboard, heeling so much that the line of men still remaining on board was broken. But only for an instant, it was the unexpected lurch and not panic that caused the seamen to move out of position. Sharply they redressed line--and waited.
Boat after boat received its full complement, and pushed off to a safe distance lest the cruiser in her final plunge should swamp them. Not until the last of his officers and men had taken to the boats did the gallant captain descend from the bridge.
It was touch and go with him, for to gain the boat he had to wade up to his waist in water that swirled over the steeply sloping decks.
"She's going!" ejaculated Devoran.
Heeling more and more the "Topaze" turned completely on end, so that the whole length of her keel plates and her four propellers were out of water. Then, slipping bows foremost, she disappeared from view in a smother of foam, leaving only an expanse of oil and petrol, a few floating pieces of timber and her boats to mark the grave of a splendid cruiser. Twenty seconds after she had disappeared the muffled sound of an explosion--the bursting of the air in one of her compartments--threw up a column of water that almost swamped the nearest boat, the gig in which Captain Sedgwyke had taken refuge. That was the last message from the "Topaze" as she sped to her ocean grave one hundred and eighty fathoms beneath the surface.