CHAPTER XX.
THE TRAP IS SPRUNG.
As the three officers aboard the U-16 knew, British battleships andvessels of war of all descriptions had been stationed all along theThames, many of them patrolling the very mouth of the river. But now, asLord Hastings, Jack and Frank stood upon the bridge of the littlesubmarine after it had entered the mouth of Thames, there was not avessel of any kind to be seen in the darkness.
"Admiral Fischer's orders have been followed out, sir," said Jack in alow voice.
Lord Hastings nodded but made no reply.
Behind the U-16 the other German submarines followed closely, twoabreast. Aboard each the men stood to their posts, awaiting the signalthey expected at any minute. All the vessels moved along upon thesurface. The officers, from their places upon the bridge, followed withtheir eyes the movements of the U-16, which displayed a small sternlight to guide them on.
In case of danger Lord Hastings had been instructed to give immediatewarning, that the vessels behind might have time to dive.
Perhaps a hundred yards away in the darkness Frank's keen eyes now madeout the forms of many little craft approaching them silently andswiftly. He immediately called Lord Hastings' attention.
"The motorboats," replied the latter quietly. "Things are working outjust right."
Behind the motorboat flotilla could be seen forms of larger and mightierships of war--the torpedo boats which were advancing in the wake of themosquito fleet to surround the enemy submarines and capture or sinkthem. They came along close to the shore on either side of the river andthe U-16 continued up the river in the exact center.
"When we get by, they'll close in," said Lord Hastings.
But now one of the commanders with the motorboat flotilla could restrainhis impatience no longer, and while still some distance from the enemygave the command to fire.
A single big gun boomed in the darkness and a shell screamed over theU-16 toward the German submarines beyond.
"The fool!" exclaimed Lord Hastings angrily. "Why could he not wait?There is no reason for concealment longer."
Immediately he gave the signal agreed upon with the German admiral, thedarkening of the tail light--the signal for the others to submerge--andthe U-16 dashed forward faster than before--to reach a place of safetyas quickly as possible and to get out of range of the British ships,which, a moment later, opened upon the enemy with every available gun.
Directly opposite the U-16 there was a terrible explosion, a blindingflash, illumining the night like day. A German submarine had launched atorpedo and it had gone home. The foremost British torpedo boat had beendestroyed.
But the others rushed on.
The Germans had heeded Lord Hastings' signal to submerge and were doingtheir best to disappear beneath the water before the British could reachthem, the while firing an occasional torpedo, in the hope that it wouldgo true, for they were unable to find the range and were working on mereguesswork.
Before the first of the foe could submerge a shell from one of thelittle motorboats struck her squarely upon the bridge, killing thecaptain and other officers, and shattering the conning tower. The menbelow no longer had a means of guiding the vessel, which drifted towardher nearest neighbor and rammed her amidships. This blow, while notnecessarily fatal, threw the latter out of her stride, and being unableto tell for the moment what was wrong, the German commander gave theorder to cease submerging; and the vessel remained where she was until ashell from a British torpedo boat put an end to her.
The two enemy under-sea boats last in line had turned about with thefirst warning and were making full speed down river again. The rest hadsubmerged before the British could come upon them and had sought to comeabout and make their way to safety beneath the water.
But the British vessels were too swift for them. With mine netsstretched clear across the river, now that the U-16 had passed tosafety, the torpedo boats dashed ahead; and an hour later four moreGerman submarines, caught in these powerful nets, were helpless. It onlyremained to drag them to the surface and make prisoners of the crews,which work was deferred until daylight.
Aboard the U-16 none knew what had occurred save the three upon thebridge--Lord Hastings, Frank and Jack. Below, all stood to their posts,awaiting they knew not what.
Jack descended.
"All right, men," he said, "you may turn in, if you wish. There'll be nofighting to-night."
There was an exclamation of disappointment from among the Germansailors, who apparently had been banking on dealing a severe blow to theBritish. There were several questions, which Jack answered by saying:
"We haven't come upon the enemy yet, and will not to-day."
He returned to the bridge.
"I suppose," said Lord Hastings, "the best thing we can do now is to goashore and report. Frank, you shall come with me. Jack will remainbehind."
The lads nodded.
Half an hour later Jack was left aboard the U-16, while Lord Hastingsand Frank were being rowed ashore.
Below, although Jack did not know it, trouble was brewing. Davis and histhree fellow-conspirators were plotting again.
"And what did this man Edwards say?" demanded Davis of one of theGermans.
"He said he would let me know some time to-day," was the reply. "Also,that he felt sure the others would follow his lead--would do whatever hesaid. He agreed with me that this was no war of ours, and added that aslong as kings and emperors were using us to do their will, there was noreason why we shouldn't confiscate the property of kings and emperors togain a few advantages for ourselves."
"By Jove!" exclaimed Davis. "The fellow reasons well. He may prove thevery man for us." And he added to himself: "It would be a good thing tohave another Englishman with me, if he is of the right sort."
The conversation continued for some moments, and then Davis said:
"Say, one of you fellows, tell Edwards I want to see him now."
One of the men departed, and returned a moment later, followed byEdwards. Davis engaged him in conversation and the two talked in lowtones for perhaps five minutes. Then Davis turned to the others.
"I can see no reason why we should wait longer," he said. "Bernstorffand one of his officers is ashore. There remains only one and the crew.We can dispose of the one officer easily enough, and as for the crew, Iam of the opinion that most of them will join us."
"Then," said Edwards, "if you will wait here until I return I will getmy other men."
"It would be better that way," agreed Davis. "There will be seven of usand that should be enough. Hurry."
Edwards withdrew. First he made his way to where O'Brien and McDonaldwere asleep, and, rousing them, bade them follow him; but instead ofreturning to Davis' quarters, he led the way rapidly to where Jack stoodupon the bridge.
Edwards explained the situation in a few brief words and Jack wasdumbfounded.
"And you say Davis is preparing to spring this coup to-night?" exclaimedJack.
"Right now, sir," returned Edwards quietly. "That's why I broughtO'Brien and McDonald here. We are all armed, sir."
"Oh, we are more than a match for Davis and his trio of conspirators,"Jack agreed. "The only thing that troubles me is that the others of thecrew may join him. We shall have to act quickly. Follow me."
He drew his revolver and led the way below. There he hurried straight toDavis' quarters and flung open the door. Then he stopped in surprise.
"No one here," he ejaculated.
He was right. Davis and the others had gone; and though Jack did notknow it, they were at that moment aft haranguing the crew, who hadgathered about them eagerly.
Every man aboard the ship was now armed, for Lord Hastings had decidedit would be inadvisable to relieve them of their weapons--it would havearoused their suspicions--and they were receiving Davis' proposals withsatisfaction. It seemed that they had long harbored such thoughts andall that had been needed to egg them on had been a leader. They seemedto have found one in Davis.
"Then y
ou men are with me?" asked Davis, his face flushed with pleasure.
The answer was a cheer; and the cheer carried to Jack, who was still inDavis' quarters. It told the lad what had happened just as well asthough he had been present and overheard the conversation.
"Quick men! Back to the bridge!" the lad exclaimed.
He dashed forward, but he was not quick enough.
As he left Davis' cabin the Germans appeared in the little passagewayaft, Davis in advance. He saw Jack the same moment the latter saw himand both raised their revolvers and fired. But neither had paused totake careful aim and both bullets went wide of their mark.
Edwards and the two other British sailors now sprang into the littlepassageway and levelled their revolvers at the foe. For a brief momentthe Germans hesitated, and in that moment the British poured in avolley. Two men fell, another groaned, and two cursed--while at ashouted command from Davis, the fire was returned.
The sailor McDonald flung wide his arms and toppled to the floor.
"Back, sir!" cried Edwards. "They are too many for us."
The three retreated along the passageway until they reached the ladderleading to the bridge.
"You first, sir!" said Edwards, at the same time firing down thepassage.
Jack hung back.
"After you," he replied.
"Don't be a fool now," said Edwards. "Hurry, while I hold them off."
Again he fired at the crowd of German faces down the passage, as didO'Brien.
Jack hesitated no longer and climbed the ladder rapidly.
"You next, O'Brien," said Edwards.
O'Brien sprang to the ladder, but a bullet from a German revolver haltedhim halfway. He toppled over without a word. Edwards glanced at himquickly once, saw that he was beyond help, and sprang to the ladderhimself.
A bullet struck him in the side but it did not stop him. Jack, at thetop, lent the man a helping hand, and a moment later Edwards stoodbeside him on the deck.
"No time to waste, sir," said the sailor. "Over the side with you,quick!"
Jack flung himself into the river as Davis showed his face on deck.