CHAPTER II.
MUTINY.
Frank went over to the bunk and peered in. At that moment CaptainHarwood's voice broke upon his ear.
"Looking at my little long lost chum, are you, son?" he said in a low,gentle voice. "Well," and his voice grew suddenly harsh, "don't do it!You keep away from there! You hear me? You keep away or I'll feed you tothe little fishes!"
He aimed a vicious blow at Frank, which the lad avoided only by a quickbackward leap. The captain took a step forward as though to continue hisattack; then changed his mind and said:
"I don't want to hurt you, son, but you'll have to keep away from myproperty."
The captain turned on his heel and went on deck.
In spite of the captain's warning, Frank once more approached the man inthe bunk; but he kept a wary eye on the door. Putting his foot on theedge of the captain's bunk, he pulled himself up.
The bound man was still moaning feebly. Frank removed the gag from hismouth.
"Thanks," said the man in a low voice in English. "I didn't think Icould stand that thing in my mouth another instant."
"What's the matter, anyhow," demanded Frank. "Why are you kept aprisoner here?"
"It's a long story," was the reply, "and I haven't time to tell you now.But I can say this much, for I don't believe you will repeat it. I'm inthe English diplomatic corps and am on an important mission. My capturemust be the work of treachery. I suppose I am to be turned over to theGermans."
"I thought diplomacy was a thing of the past," said Frank. "Of what useis diplomacy now that practically the whole of Europe is at war?"
"That's just it," was the reply. "The whole of Europe is not at war.Italy is still neutral, but unless something happens she is likely tothrow in her fortunes with Germany."
"But what have you got to do with that?"
The man in the bunk was silent for a few moments.
"All I can say," he replied finally, "is that I am supposed to see thatsomething happens; or rather, I should say, I am to help."
"But how did you get here?"
"I was trapped. There is a traitor somewhere. It looks as though I amdone for. The Germans know me. They will show me no mercy."
"Surely, it's not as bad as all that!" exclaimed Frank.
"Worse, if possible," was the reply.
"But I can't believe Captain Harwood, an American, would be engaged inwork of that sort."
"Harwood!" exclaimed, the man in the bunk. "A more villainous piratenever lived. I know him of old. I don't know how he happened to besailing at this exact time. He certainly is not making this trip on myaccount alone. He's up to some other game."
Frank was struck with an idea.
"But the crew," he exclaimed. "Can't we get some help from them?"
"Don't you bank on that," was the reply.
"But----" began Frank.
The man in the bunk interrupted.
"Sh-h-h!" he cautioned. "Footsteps!"
Frank listened a moment; then with a quick spring jumped into his ownbunk just as Captain Harwood again appeared. The captain approached him.To all appearances Frank was sleeping soundly. The captain grunted andthen approached the man in the bunk.
"So!" he exclaimed. "I've got you again, eh! Well, this time you won'tget away. You don't think I've forgotten I spent two years behind thebars on your account, do you? I haven't. You hear me!"
He struck the helpless man a blow with his fist.
"Why don't you answer me?" he demanded; then smiled to himself. "Oh, Iforgot. Guess I'll remove that gag and let you say something."
He climbed up and leaned over the occupant of the upper bunk, thenstarted back with a cry.
"How did you remove that gag?" he demanded; then continued, "O-ho I see.Little Willie boy, eh! Well----"
He turned toward Frank and at the same moment the man in the bunk letout a cry of warning.
But Frank was not to be caught napping. As the captain turned toward himhe sprang to his feet and placed himself in an attitude of defense. Heknew that he was no match for the giant captain, but he determined togive a good account of himself.
"Well, well," cried the captain advancing, "little Willie is going tofight! What d'ye think o' that?"
He doubled his huge fists and took another step forward; but at thatinstant there came a fearful cry from on deck.
The captain paused, and Charlie's voice came down the hatchway in a loudwail:
"Help!"
Captain Harwood sprang toward the door, and as he went through it hehurled back over his shoulder:
"I'll 'tend to your case when I come back, son!"
A moment later there came cries from above and the sound of a furiousstruggle. Frank rushed up the hatchway to the deck, where a terriblesight met his eyes.
Surrounded by all six of the crew. Captain Harwood was battlingdesperately for his life. Time after time he struck out with his greatfists, but his blows failed to land. The nimble Italians skipped back,then closed in again. By the wheel, Frank saw the unconscious form ofCharlie.
Long, wicked-looking knives gleamed in the hands of the Italians.Bleeding from half a dozen wounds, the giant captain continued to fightoff his enemies.
"Great Scott!" exclaimed Frank. "I can't stand here and see him killed!"
He sprang forward and, before his presence was noted, struck down one ofthe Italians with a blow of his fist.
The captain noted with a nod this aid from such an unexpected source.
"Good work, son!" he exclaimed.
Frank turned to another of the Italians, but as he did so the man he hadknocked down arose, stooped and picked up a belaying pin that laynearby, and struck Frank a heavy blow on the head.
The lad dropped to the deck unconscious. At the same moment the otherItalians sprang upon the captain with even greater ferocity. In vain hetried to fight them off. Two he knocked down with hammer-like blows ofhis great fists. Then, seizing a descending arm, he twisted sharply anda knife fell clattering to the deck.
At the same moment another Italian sprang upon his unprotected back, andburied his knife to the hilt. Three times the captain spun around on hisheel, then fell to the deck on his face. Instantly half a dozen kniveswere buried in his back. The captain gave a great sob, shuddered, andlay still.
Roughly the Italians picked up the great body, carried it to the railand threw it into the sea. The body of Charlie was treated in a similarmanner. Then the Italians approached Frank.
As they picked him up he groaned. Consciousness was returning.
"He's still alive," came a voice. "What shall we do with him?"
"Overboard with him anyhow," came the reply.
"No," said another voice. "Let him live. Tie him up and put him belowwith the other prisoner. There is a good price on the head of one,according to what the captain said. The other may be worth something."
It was now dark; but suddenly the little schooner was the center of adazzling light and a shot rang out over the water. Dimly, could be madeout the outlines of a battle cruiser. A second shot rang out--a commandto heave-to.
"Quick!" cried one of the mutineers, apparently the leader of the gang."We must make a run for it. Tie this dog up and throw him below!"
Swiftly Frank was bound hand and foot and tumbled down the hatchway. Infalling the knot that bound his feet became unloosened and he freed hislegs with little difficulty. But try as he would he could not releasehis hands. He made his way to his bunk and lay down.
"What's the matter?" came the voice of the man in the bunk.
Frank explained matters to him.
"Good!" was the reply. "They can't get away from the cruiser. It isundoubtedly a British ship."
But both were doomed to disappointment. A heavy wind had sprung up andnow was blowing a gale. With all sails set, the little schooner soonlost itself in the darkness, and when morning dawned there was not thesign of a sail as far as the eye could see.