"Wonder they haven't heard our motors," remarked Captain Jones, as he ordered the engines to be stopped and the quick-firers to be manned. "They must be sound asleep. I vote we cover them pretty tightly, fire a blank shot and summon them to surrender at discretion."
"They'll fight; they know that as prisoners they'll have a halter round their necks," said Captain Restronguet. "But where are the others? There were several more of the rascals."
"How many, do you think?"
"Not less than thirty all told."
"Well, here goes," ejaculated the "Pride of Rhodesia's" Captain. "Fire a blank from the for'ard starboard quick-firer, Evans. That ought to give them a shake up."
The forest re-echoed to the sharp detonation of the gun, but not a man of von Harburg's party stirred. From the trees myriads of birds, alarmed by the report, rose and flew terrified away, uttering harsh and discordant cries. Then a strange silence brooded over the solitary camp.
Captain Restronguet and Hythe exchanged glances. The look was significant. Captain Jones whistled softly.
"There's murderous work down there," he remarked.
"Sure, sorr, they are as dead as door-nails," exclaimed O'Shaunessey. "Faith, I can see it is a bash over the head as that man has. 'Twould take more than a rale Irish shillelah to do that."
"We must investigate," said Captain Restronguet.
"Don't fancy it somehow," objected Captain Jones.
"All the same it is desirable," continued the "Aphrodite's" owner. "If von Harburg is not down there our quest is not yet at an end. Personally I do not like the business, but how can we report the death of the modern pirate unless we know definitely that such is the case?"
"Very well," agreed Jones. "I'll land you. I'll remain here, for if there are any survivors of the gang and they show fight I can render you much more assistance than if I were down there."
Accordingly the airship was brought close to the ground and Captain Restronguet, Hythe, O'Shaunessey, and Carnon descended the wire rope ladder. Revolver in hand they advanced towards the silent camp. As they approached evidences of what had occurred were not wanting. The canvas tents were shot through and through, the packing cases were riddled and splintered. Every man lying within the wooden breastwork was stone-dead, only one of them being killed otherwise than by a bullet.
Cautiously picking his way Captain Restronguet opened the flap of one of the tents. He paused to allow his eyes to get accustomed to the gloom, then turned and signed to Hythe to enter.
Lying across an empty box was a short, heavily-built man, whose long matted hair and unkempt beard well-nigh concealed his features. A partially discharged revolver lay by his side, his left hand still grasped a flask of spirits. He was stone-dead.
"Karl von Harburg," whispered Captain Restronguet. "My debt in that direction is paid, though I'm glad that he did not die by my hand. He has altered somewhat since last I saw him, but we ought to be able to find conclusive means of identification."
Bending over his dead rival the captain drew a watch from von Harburg's pocket. It was a gold hunter. Within the case was an inscription in German: "To Karl von Harburg from his friend, Ludwig von Thale--September, 1913."
"We'll take this," continued Captain Restronguet. "He was very fond of showing it to people. Ludwig von Thale was a high court official whom von Harburg sold very neatly. But we've seen enough here. Let us get some fresh air."
Further examination showed that most of the boxes had contained gold. By strenuous exertions the crew of the "Vorwartz" had succeeded in dragging a portion thus far. Then they quarrelled amongst themselves. A desperate fight ensued, and of the thirty men only one survived, and he was a raving lunatic. Of the others twelve were found within the camp, the remainder having continued their fight to the death in the neighbouring wood, for there O'Shaunessey and Carnon discovered their bodies, some of them literally grasping their former comrades' throats.
"What's to be done with them, sir?" asked Carnon, pointing to the gold ingots.
"Leave them," replied Captain Restronguet shortly. Then in a lower tone he added, "They are veritably the price of blood. Let them stay. Perhaps someone will find them who will have more need of riches than either you or I will, Carnon. My life-work is practically done now, Mr. Hythe, so let's get back to England as quickly as we can."
"To England!" ejaculated the sub. "I thought you had----"
"Mr. Hythe, remember I am still an Englishman. It is now my intention to settle down in my native Cornwall. I have now more than enough to keep me in ease. My comrades who stood by me so faithfully in times of peril and misfortune, will likewise be amply provided for."
"And the 'Aphrodite,' sir?"
Captain Restronguet's brow clouded.
"I know what you mean, Mr. Hythe," he exclaimed. "No, I mean to keep my vow. I swore I would never hand her over to the Admiralty, and I must keep my word. In due course, Mr. Hythe, I will let you know my intentions; but do not seek to swerve me from my decision. It will be useless to attempt to do so."
Without another word Captain Restronguet turned and strode swiftly towards the airship's ladder. His companions followed. All save the sub put down their leader's taciturn manner to the reaction of the excitement caused by the dramatic termination of his quest. But they were mistaken.
"All accounted for," commented Captain Jones. "Well, that's a blessing, for we don't want rascals of that sort finding their way into British territory. Let her go, McPherson. Full speed ahead. We've got to look pretty smart if we want to get back before sunset."
But the captain of the "Pride of Rhodesia" was mistaken in his calculations. The outward journey at a retarded speed had taken thrice as long as the airship did to fly back to where the captured "Vorwartz" lay.
"The gunboats haven't gone yet," announced Captain Jones, as the broad Zambezi came in sight once more.
The sub's practised eye saw that the two vessels lying just ahead of the "Aphrodite" were not the sternwheelers from Lake Nyassa. He snatched up his binoculars and brought them to bear upon the strange craft.
"Portuguese Government gunboats, by Jove!" he exclaimed. "What's their little game, I wonder?"
"Eh! What's that?" ejaculated Captain Restronguet, overhearing the sub's remark. "Hanging round to see what they can make out of the business, I suppose. Why, there's a crowd of them on shore close to the 'Vorwartz'."
"When Portuguese colonial officials begin buzzing round they're bound to give trouble if you treat them courteously," observed Captain Jones. "I've had experience of them. If you take my advice you'll send them about their business without delay."
"They won't trouble me," replied Captain Restronguet grimly.
"At any rate I'll stand by till they pack," continued the captain of the "Pride of Rhodesia." "We'll descend here. I don't want to bring my craft too close to those gentry."
The airship came to earth at the foot of the little hill on which Kenwyn had been left, and, with the exception of three men who were ordered to remain on guard, the whole of her complement hurried towards the bank of the river.
"Those rogues have been trying to get aboard the prize, sir," exclaimed Polglaze, who had run to meet his captain. "They've given us a stiff job to keep them off. None of us can make head or tail of what that yellow-faced, gold-laced Johnnie was talking about, although he thinks he can speak English."
"Did you come to blows?" asked Captain Restronguet.
"Oh, no, sir; we had to lift one fellow up by his trousers and drop him overboard, but we handled him very gently, although he whipped out a knife."
The Portuguese officer in charge advanced and punctiliously raised his cap, a courtesy that Captain Restronguet returned.
"We haf come to take possession of the pirate, senhor," announced the former.
"To take possession of what?" asked the "Aphrodite's" captain.
"Of pirate ship, over thar."
"You're too late, my friend," announced Captain Restronguet affably.
"Too late? How so?" asked the perplexed Portuguese. "She thar. Me come to take possession in name of Republica."
"You go to blazes!" retorted Captain Restronguet, beginning to lose his temper. "She is my prize."
"By what authority you hold her?" demanded the Portuguese.
"By what authority--we had the permission of the Portuguese Government to ascend the Zambezi."
"Yes; to destroy pirate, not to capture. Since she captured is in Portuguese waters she property of Republica."
Captain Restronguet looked at Captain Jones, and the skipper of the "Pride of Rhodesia" looked at the captain of the "Aphrodite." The absurdity of the Portuguese officer's logic caused them to laugh heartily.
"Tell him we could wipe him off the face of the earth in a brace of shakes," suggested Captain Jones speaking rapidly and in a low tone so that the captain of the gunboat could not understand.
"No, I'll deal with him in quite a different way," was the reply.
"Why you laugh? Me no be laugh at," exclaimed the irate Portuguese. "Me representative of Republica."
"Look here, my friend," said Captain Restronguet. "Do you see that tent pitched on the top of the hill? We've fever amongst us. Had we known you were coming we would have had the yellow flag hoisted to warn you."
The Portuguese officer's face paled under his yellow skin.
"Fever? How say. Madre de Dios!" and he agilely skipped back a couple of paces.
"Yes, very bad case, senhor. Perhaps you would care to see our hospital arrangements?"
But the Portuguese did not care to do so; he precipitately retreated to his boat, followed by his thoroughly scared men, and half an hour later the gunboat was pelting down stream as fast as her crazy engines would drive her.
"Another example of the curse of petty officialdom," commented Captain Restronguet. "No wonder the Portuguese colonies are almost at a standstill. Well, Polglaze, how is the work progressing?"
"We got the whole of the gold on deck, sir," replied the man. "If it hadn't been for those jabbering Dagoes hindering us we would have had the whole lot ashore by now."
"Time to be off," remarked Captain Restronguet. "It will be dark in less than twenty minutes. Leave the stuff there; it won't be touched."
Hastily the "Aphrodite's" men made their way back to the banks of the Zambezi, bringing Kenwyn with them--the second officer was already on the road to recovery, and the spell ashore did him a considerable amount of good.
As soon as the crew regained the "Aphrodite" she was battened down and submerged. The wearied crew sought slumber, but it was long ere Captain Restronguet, Devoran, and Hythe retired to rest, for the first officer had to be told in detail of the momentous events of the day.
Captain Jones did not relinquish his task at that point, for anxious to aid his successful rival to the utmost of his ability he kept the "Pride of Rhodesia" floating over the captured submarine. All night the airship's searchlights played upon the "Vorwartz" and the store of gold lying on the shore, but the precaution, though desirable, was unnecessary.
Early on the following morning all hands assisted in warping the "Vorwartz" into deep water. The bullion and species were then taken on board by means of the "Aphrodite's" whaler, and, bidding the captain and crew of the "Pride of Rhodesia" a hearty farewell, the two submarines commenced the descent of the river.
Two days later the "Aphrodite," with the captured "Vorwartz" in tow, recrossed the dangerous bar. Five miles off-shore the British cruiser "Pique" was awaiting them, and handing the prize over to the care of the latter, Captain Restronguet ordered full speed ahead.
All Cape Town was bubbling over with excitement when the "Aphrodite" dropped anchor in Table Bay. The shipping was gay with bunting, flags were flown from the Government buildings and most of the houses. Bands were playing and people shouting themselves hoarse, while the renowned submarine was literally wedged in between tiers of boats filled with curious and enthusiastic spectators.
The Admiralty had telegraphed to the Commander-in-Chief of the Cape offering Captain Restronguet a commission in the Royal Navy as Inspecting Officer of Submarines; Lloyd's had asked his acceptance of a sword of honour; the Crowned Heads of Europe bestowed decorations with lavish hands, while the President of the United States of America telegraphed his congratulations, and begged Captain Restronguet to be the honoured guest of the greatest Republic on earth.
But the captain of the "Aphrodite" showed no enthusiasm at these honours. Some he could not with courtesy decline, but he strenuously refused to accept the proffered commission. His sole object, he avowed, in calling at Table Bay was to make necessary arrangements with the authorities for the disposal of the "Vorwartz" and the distribution of the prize-money.
"Now, lads," he exclaimed, addressing his faithful crew, "our mission is ended. We are now homeward bound; not to our temporary quarters in Sumatra but to our only home, Old England. I am in a position to state that the individual share of prize-money will be duly paid on our arrival in England, and that every man will be in a state of affluence. I only hope you will be long spared to enjoy it. In less than three weeks, all being well, I hope to land you all at Falmouth."
"Three cheers for Falmouth!" shouted Polglaze.
"An' three cheer for Ould Oireland," added O'Shaunessey. "Faith! I'll take me discharge an' boi the largest farm in all County Wexford."