Clair W. Hayes

“ On the bridge, Jack, Frank and the negro Tom now were battling with fully a dozen men. No shots were fired. All on the bridge had exhausted their ammunition, and now fell to with butts of revolvers and their naked fists.
"Charge 'em!" shouted Jack suddenly, who realized that the enemy was working back so that they could get their hands on the machine guns.
Frank and the negro asked no questions. Jack dashed forward; they followed him.
"I'm coming, suh!" shouted the negro.
His long arms flew about like flails, and wherever those brass knuckles struck a man went down. ”

“ Wheaton wanted to know.
Jack and Frank laughed, and Captain Stoneman allowed a smile to wrinkle the corners of his mouth.
"Well, they won't dare attack us," said Mrs. Wheaton. "If they do the
United States will make Germany pay for it."
"I guess Germany is not worrying about the United States right now," said Jack quietly.
"We'll make her worry," declared the woman.
"We're going to declare war and then the Kaiser will wish he had let us alone. Besides, there are probably American ships of war off the coast of South America. They will not allow us to be molested by a German raider." ”

“ Captain Jack poked his head down the hatchway and called to Jack, who was stationed there:
"Stop the engines, Mr. Templeton."
"Very good, sir," was Jack's reply.
The submarine's progress was stopped. She rode gently on the waves now, moving only with the tide. Captain Jack and Frank scanned the distant and dark horizon for some sight of the raider.
"She'll come dark," said Captain Jack. "She won't dare show a light for fear of being picked up; and I don't dare use my searchlight for the same reason. She should be here now." ”

“ Pirate before he nabs us again."
"We'll take advantage of the first opportunity that presents itself," said Frank, "no matter how small the chance of success may seem."
"And then what?" Jack wanted to know.
"We'll let the future take care of itself," said Captain Glenn quietly.
Darkness was falling when Captain Jack announced that they were nearing the end of their journey.
"I'm glad of that," said Frank. "Hope there will be a good supper ready."
"Don't you fret," laughed the pirate chief, "I'm not one of those old-fashioned pirates who starved his captives to death." ”

“ As the pirates drew closer, Frank and Jack also dropped their hands to their automatics. In his heart each lad trusted Captain Jack, but each had decided in his own mind that it was better to be prepared.
"Men," said Captain Jack, addressing the rabble, "as I lay a prisoner in the fort during the night, it came to me that we are all wasting our lives in our present manner of living. Sooner or later we are sure to be captured and hanged. I've thought it all out and I've come to the conclusion that the life of a pirate is no life for me—nor for any of the rest of you. ”

“ Captain Jack hesitated.
"It seems a pity, too," he said. "You're rather handy with a gun. You could be of great use to me. Now, for example, I have word—picked up by my wireless station inland—that a certain ship is about to pass through these waters. It will be loaded with riches. I intend to capture it. I would like to have you lend a hand."
"You've a lot of nerve," said Frank. "You talk about capturing an American ship—or even a British or French, or of a country allied with the United States—as though it were nothing."
"Who said it was an American ship or a vessel of an allied nation?" ”

“ The chess board stood upon a small table. The pieces were in place. Johnson wheeled Lord Hastings into position and fell into position behind him. Captain Koenig drew up a chair. Jack remained standing.
The ad was perfectly calm in spite of the excitement that raged in his breast. Lord Hastings played silently and without anxiety, as though nothing were about to transpire. Even the negro, Tom, showed nothing of the excitement that he felt. Now and then, though, his hand touched the pair of brass knuckles which he had transferred from his sock to his right-hand pocket. ”

“ In the right way, you could make a man of yourself."
"Thanks," said the pirate chief. "I've had those same thoughts, but I guess it's too late now."
"It's never too late," said Jack sententiously.
"Let me ask you a few questions."
"Fire away," said Captain Jack.
"All right. Now, you're an American, are you not?"
"Yes; a German-American, I guess you would call me."
"There is no longer such a thing as a German-American," Frank broke in. "Either you are an American, with the interests of the United States at heart, or you are a German and a subject of the Kaiser." ”

“ Frank and Jack exchanged significant gestures. It was plain to them that this man Jackson had no love for Captain Jack and that he had only been biding his time to turn the pirates against their leader.
Captain Jack smiled.
"I'll tell them, Jackson, have no fear," he said. He turned again and addressed the men.
"What I want you to do, men," he said, "is to become true citizens of the world and join me in striking a blow at the German submarine base on the island. The Germans are the enemies of all mankind. They must be destroyed. ”

“ Is it any wonder a fellow who is playing as safe as he can would lean toward Germany rather than the Allies. Also, to my mind, it seems to be a case of Germany being the under dog and my sympathies are naturally with that animal."
"It isn't that," said Frank. "The Allies, the United States included, are not in this war to thrash any one. They're in this war to make the world safe to live in. So long as Prussian militarism exists, there will be no peace and no safety for any man, woman, or child in any country."
"You may be right," said Captain Jack, "and you may not be. ”

“ But I know myself and I know you better than you think. When it came to a showdown, you'd balk."
"Well, I'm not sure about that, sir," said Allen..
"I am," declared Frank decisively. "You mark my words, you'll refuse when the time comes."
"Then we'll walk the plank," said Timothy.
"Better to walk the plank with clean hands than to be hanged with the death of innocent persons on your conscience," said Frank.
"We'll see when the times comes," said Allen.
The three were talking of Jack, Captain Glenn and Williams some time later when a hand fumbled with the key in the door. ”

“ How is your mother?"
"She is as happy as she can be. She says that she knew the American navy would look out for us."
"You might tell her," said Frank, with a smile, "that it was the
British navy that pulled off this job, although I am an American. Lord
Hastings and Mr. Templeton are British."
"I guess I won't tell her," laughed the girl. "It would spoil it for her. She thinks there is nothing like the American navy. But what are your duties now?"
"Well," said Frank, "I am the second officer of this ship, rank of lieutenant. Mr. Templeton is the first officer." ”

“ A moment later the interior of the fort was lighted up by the flare of half a dozen candles, Frank turned and surveyed the prisoner. .
"And how are you tonight, Captain Jack?" he asked.
The reply of the pirate chief was irrelevant.
"You've got me," he said, "what do you think you are going to do with me?"
"We haven't figured that out yet," said Frank. "The first thing was to get you. We do one thing at a time, you see."
"Well, you've trouble on your hands now," said Captain Jack. "My men won't rest until they have released me."
"We'll risk that," said Frank. ”

“ Lord Hastings quickly ordered the negro to find Frank and Jack and order them to his cabin. A few moments more and they stood before him.
"Frank," said Lord Hastings, "you approach the bridge and stand there. When the men come from below, it may be that we will need a man near the bridge to pick off the gunner should he train one of the rapid-firers on us. Do not move, however, unless it is necessary. If we can reach the bridge without attracting attention by firing a shot it will be infinitely better. Jack, you come with me. I shall now engage the captain in a game of chess." ”

“ Captain Jack glared at Jack malevolently and for a moment it seemed that he might risk a shot for a chance to draw. Then his hands dropped to his side.
"All right," he said. "I'm listening."
"We're in command of this fort now," said Jack, "and we're going to stay in possession. You and the rest of your pirates will have to stay outside. Also you will have to rustle your own grub. We need all we have in here. Don't make the mistake of trying to catch us napping. We'll always be on guard, and you will find you are barking up the wrong tree. That's all. ”

“ Emperor will have much to thank you for when the war is over."
"Ja!" exclaimed Captain Koenig. "I shall have the Iron Cross."
"Undoubtedly, Captain," declared Jack. "By the way, how large a crew do you carry?"
"Almost two hundred officers and men," was the reply.
"But your prisoners," exclaimed Frank. "Surely you have many of them?"
"We have now more than 300 prisoners aboard this ship," declared Captain Koenig; "mostly men. Besides the women who came aboard with you, there are only five." ”

“ As members of the raiding party dashed back over the ground they had traversed, however, the German rifles poured volleys after them. Captain Jack was bringing up the rear of his party. So it was that no man saw him suddenly pitch forward on his face. Captain Jack drew himself slowly to his feet and as slowly retreated again. There was a terrible pain in his left side and he realized that a German bullet, entering his back, had gone clear through him. Blood flowed profusely and the pirate chief knew that he was badly wounded. ”

“ Captain Glenn returned a short time later and again assumed command.
All that day the gale raged and with the coming of night it showed no signs of abatement. So far the Albatross had plowed through the turbulent sea without injury, but it was plain to Jack and Frank that Captain Glenn was growing uneasy.
"This gale must stop soon or we'll have trouble," he shouted. "A ship can stand only so much pounding and you can hear the Albatross straining now." ”

“ Five paces beyond, however, she stopped, turned and retraced her steps.
"I had taken you for Americans, aboard the Algonquin," she declared.
"Surely you are not German?"
"No," said Frank, "I am an American."
"And are helping the enemies of your country," declared the girl.
"Just a moment, Miss Wheaton," said Frank quietly. He looked around hurriedly. There was not a soul near, save Jack. "Do not believe all you see," the lad whispered.
"You mean?" exclaimed the girl.
Frank shrugged his shoulders. "Appearances are often deceitful," he said quietly. ”

“ Quickly Jack fitted one of the keys to the door, and the crews of the
Algonquin and the Gloucester streamed forth. The first man out was
Captain Stoneman. Jack gave him a pair of revolvers. The other
weapons were divided up as far as they would go.
"To the bridge with you, Stoneman!" cried Lord Hastings. "You'll find Chadwick there. Take the bridge and hold those machine guns until we get there. Much depends on your getting there before the enemy can recover from their surprise." Stoneman dashed away. Lord Hastings designated that the others who were armed should follow. ”

“ Captain Stoneman growled ominously, but he ordered the command obeyed.
A moment later a German naval officer appeared on deck. He was closely
followed by half a dozen other figures. The officer approached Captain
Stoneman.
"You are the commander of this vessel?" he asked.
"I am," was the reply. "What of it?"
"You'd best keep a civil tongue in your head," said the German.
"What's your destination, and the nature of your cargo?"
"Buenos Ayres; oil," growled the captain, answering both questions briefly.
"Good!" said the German. "We are in need of oil." He turned to one of his men. ”

“ It calls for dashing initiative, aggressiveness and courage and daring to the point of rashness. Where an officer would be justified—even duty bound—by navy standards to run away with a bigger and more valuable vessel, the commander of a destroyer often must close in to almost certain annihilation."
"Hm-m-m," said Frank slyly. "You are not feeling a bit proud of yourself, are you?"
"Oh, I'm not talking about myself," said Jack quietly. "I was thinking of a man like Captain Ames—and other men of his caliber. ”

“ Again Captain Jack laughed, but he made no reply.
Fifteen minutes later the four prisoners made out in the semi-darkness what appeared to be a large stockade.
"Afraid of Indians, Captain?" asked Frank.
"No; Germans," was the response. "We built that wall the better to defend ourselves if we are attacked."
"You're far-seeing, at all events," declared Jack.
Half a dozen men advanced from the enclosure to meet Captain Jack and his party. The pirate chief saluted them and they greeted him cordially.
From the top of a wooded building inside the enclosure Frank made out a large wireless aerial. ”

“ Now more men swarmed from aft. The British and Americans were between two fires.
A volley belched from the third officer's men. Two Americans went down. From their scattered positions about the deck, the allies returned the fire, and with effect, as Lord Hastings could see, for several men dropped.
"Good work, men!" shouted Lord Hastings.
The British commander knew that Jack, Tom and the other prisoners would be on deck in a few moments, and that if he could hold the deck until that time, the bridge might be captured by a massed attack. ”

“ My plan would be to send the bulk of the men afoot, while I pick a crew for my submarine and strike from the sea."
"By Jove!" said Jack. "A first class idea! But will not the German submarine base be mined?"
"It wasn't when I was there before," said Captain Jack significantly.
"Otherwise I would not have come out whole with a submarine."
"That's true," said Jack. "Well, I agree with you. Yours is by far the best plan. How many men do you need aboard the submarine?"
"Not more than fifteen. The others will go a foot."
"There is a hitch in this plan, though," said Frank. ”

“ At the word each man sprang for the nearest tree. Neither Jack, Williams nor Captain Glenn felt impelled to shoot them down in cold blood so all reached shelter safely enough. Jack peered from behind his tree a moment later. As he did so a bullet whizzed by his ear.
"It's a fight," the lad called to Captain Glenn. ”

“ The Albatross dipped clear to the sea. For a moment it seemed that she must go under; but she righted herself with an effort.
"Thought we were gone for that time!" shouted Captain Glenn. "She won't survive another. Lower away the boats, men."
Half a dozen men had been washed overboard by the last mighty deluge; the others now sprang to the boats and lowered them. Several were swamped as they hit the water, and there were not more than half a dozen that put off from the ship.
In the last boat were Frank, Jack and Captain Glenn and the fourth officer, Williams. ”

“ Jack interrupted, "Frank said that we would help convoy American troops to England and France."
"Frank lets his imagination run away with him sometimes," said Lord
Hastings quietly. "America has not yet declared war on Germany."
"But she will, sir," said Frank positively.
"That is probably true," said Lord Hastings, "although the resolution is being fought in the senate, according to latest cable advices. However, as you say, America will undoubtedly declare war. But even should American troops be sent to Europe it will not be for several months after war is declared." ”