CHAPTER XIX
KAISERLAND
Frank gazed in unconcealed wonder at this young man who thus openly setat naught the laws of nations and of civilization; but he was notgreatly surprised at the pirate's announcement that there was a Germansubmarine base in the Atlantic. This had long been suspected inWashington and allied countries, but fast cruisers sent to scour thewaters had been unable to find the hiding place.
Captain Jack continued:
"You see, I'm not asking you to join me under false pretenses. I couldtell you I am fighting Germany, attack a German ship and you wouldbelieve me; but that is not the truth. In fact, I hesitate even toattack this German ship. Should my hiding place be discovered, theGermans would make short work of me."
"So would American or British warships," said Frank.
"I'm not so sure. If pursued by them I would appeal to the Germans foraid. They would welcome me as a kindred spirit--they are no betterthan pirates, you know."
"Oh, I know it, all right," Frank agreed. "In fact, I have found thatthey are not as good as most pirates, though, I am not what you wouldcall well acquainted with the pirate family. By the way, where arewe?"
Captain Jack considered.
"I guess there is no need for me to remain silent on that point," hesaid at last. "There is little likelihood that you will be able toreveal my hiding place. This island, to give it the name of theGermans who hold forth here, is Kaiserland. It is out of the regularchannel of navigation from South America and is uncharted. I stumbledupon it by accident.
"Shipwrecked, as were you, with fifty men from a South American freightship, we dragged ourselves ashore here. We discovered the German basewhile hunting signs of human habitation. It was then I conceived theidea of seizing one of the German vessels. My men were with me--itwas a rough lot we carried on that freight ship. I seemed to have morebrains--or you can call it imagination--than the rest, so I becamethe leader as a natural result.
"I won't burden you with the details of how we captured the submarine.The best proof that we succeeded, however, is that you are board itright now. I had all kinds of men among my followers, even thewireless operator. He rigged up a wireless station farther inland.There, I picked up many messages the world would be glad to hear."
"Did you ever stop to think," said Frank, "of what benefit you could beto the United States and her allies?"
"I have," returned Captain Jack, "but I have concluded that I can be ofmore use to myself. So far I have sunk but three vessels and in eachcase I have set passengers and crew safely adrift in the regularchannel, where they were sure to be picked up. There will be somegreat tales when they reach home. They probably will blame theirmisfortune on the Germans.
"But there is nothing I could do for the United States now withoutinviting my own destruction. I have gone beyond the pale, and thepunishment for piracy, you know, is death. But come, I am wastingtime. Again I ask will you be my first lieutenant and join me in mydash after this German raider."
Frank considered deeply for long minutes. At last he said: "I cannotaccept your offer to become a pirate, but I will do this: I will takepart in your attack on the German, for I consider any German engaged inthis war beyond the pale of civilization. If it is necessary to becomea pirate to help win this war, then I will become a pirate, alwaysremembering myself that I shall break none of the laws of nations andthat I shall take every effort to succor the unfortunate."
"Good!" exclaimed Captain Jack. "Well spoken!"
"But," continued Frank, "I want you to understand that I wish no partof the prize and that my association with you ends when the Germanraider has been disposed of."
"Very good!" declared Captain Jack. "So be it. And your men here, Itake it, are of the same mind?"
"We are, sir," said Timothy and Allen in a single voice.
They seemed to have lost all desire to become pirates in reality.
"You may consider yourselves at liberty, then," said Captain Jack, witha wave of his hand. "By the way," this to Frank, "do you know anythingof the mechanism of a submarine?"
"A trifle," said Frank quietly. "I neglected to tell you that I hold alieutenant's commission in the British navy."
"What!" cried Captain Jack, who could scarcely believe his ears.
"Exactly," said Frank, "and as such I have seen considerable activeservice beneath the sea as well as upon its surface."
"So much the better," declared Captain Jack. "You will be all the morevaluable. I need not fear to trust my ship in your hands."
At this moment there came sounds of confusion from above.
"Something wrong," said Captain Jack, and dashed away.
Frank and the two sailors followed more slowly. Captain Jack met themat the foot of the ladder that led on deck. He was laughing.
"Nothing serious," he said. "Half a dozen of my men encountered threestrangers back on the island and there was a fight. Seems thestrangers had the better of the encounter, killing two of my men andwounding two more. Through some sort of a truce the strangers agreedto accompany my men here, although they seem to have had theadvantage."
Captain Jack made as if to mount the ladder. Frank stayed him.
"One minute," he said. "Chances are your captives are friends of mine,my commander, and the fourth officer of the Albatross. Don't worry,"as Captain Jack laid a hand to his revolver, "they are with me inanything I do. But I thought we could have a little fun with them.Take charge of them like the pirate chief you are and tell them you areleaving their fate in the hands of your first officer."
"By Jove! Good!" cried Captain Jack, and he climbed on deck.
Frank led the way into what he made out was the pirate chief's cabinand unceremoniously took possession.
A few moments later several figures descended the ladder and approachedthe cabin. Frank caught Jack's voice.
"I was a fool to let these fellows get the upper hand," he said. "Wehad the advantage back there in the forest and threw it away. Notelling what they will do with us. Make us walk the plank, maybe."
Frank got to his feet as Jack, Williams and Captain Glenn, closelyfollowed by Captain Jack, entered the little cabin. Jack espied him onthe instant.
"Hello, Frank," he said, with a rueful smile.
"So they got you, too, eh?"
"No, they didn't get me," replied Frank, "but it seems we have got you,all right."
"What's that?" demanded Jack, believing he had not heard aright.
"I say," declared Frank, "that we've got you. I'm second in command ofthis pirate crew and I don't want you to forget it. You will addressme with civility."
"What's the joke?" asked Jack.
"No joke," returned Frank. "I'm the first officer of this submarine,and Captain Jack--that's your captor--has left it to me topronounce sentence on the men who have killed two of our good piratesand wounded two others."
"So you've joined the pirates?" said Jack, with a smile. "All right,we await the sentence. What is it? Walk the plank?"
"No," said Frank, "the sentence is that you become members of ourpirate crew."
"What," said Jack in mock seriousness, and supposing of course thatFrank was joking, "me a pirate? I guess not."
"Either that," said Frank, "or you shall be bound and securely guardeduntil we have returned from an imminent cruise."
"Look here, Chadwick," interposed Captain Glenn at this point, "allthis probably is very funny and all that; but tell us the joke so wecan laugh too."
"I'm telling you that it's no joke," replied Frank. "I am asking youwhether, for the moment, you will all become pirates and fare forthwith Captain Jack and myself in search of adventure, riches andGermans."
"Germans?" said Jack, pricking up his ears.
"Sure, we'll fare forth with almost any one in search of Germans.Explain, Frank."
"First," said Frank, "I want you to meet Captain Jack, a true pirate.Captain Jack, my friend and chum, Jack Templeton."
&nbs
p; "Seems we've both got a regular name, anyhow, doesn't it," said JackTempleton, as he shook hands with Captain Jack.
"It does," returned the latter with a grin.
The two took stock of each other, each realizing in the moment theirhands met that before him stood an antagonist worthy of his steel.
Frank introduced the others. Then he explained the situation.
"Now do you think I have done right to join the expedition?" he asked.
"You have done right, yes," said Jack slowly, weighing each word, "ifyou are sure you can trust our Captain Jack, here."
Captain Jack was on his feet with an angry gleam in his eyes, but Jackdid not quail. Before the look in the young Englishman's eye, thepirate chief stepped back. Then he looked the lad squarely in the faceand extended his hand.
"You've my word that I will play square," he said quietly, and addedhalf ruefully, "The word of a pirate!"
"I accept it!" said Jack, and grasped the hand.