CHAPTER XVII
IN THE ADRIATIC
The Marie Theresa had not escaped unscathed in the combat, but, although her injuries were not serious, they were such as to prevent a pursuit of the second German cruiser, which was dashing away at full speed.
The crew set to work with a will wreckage, and finally the vessel was shipshape once more. Then, at a command from Captain Dreyfuss, she was put on her course toward the south.
Several uneventful days passed, during which Frank and Jack struck up quite a friendship with their fellow middies. The unkindly spirit of the young Frenchmen gave way to real comradeship, and all were now on the best terms.
It was on a bright, sunny morning that the Marie Theresa steamed through the entrance to the Adriatic Sea, where the French fleet, with one or two British warships, had the entire Austrian naval force cooped up. The Austrians had made several dashes, in an attempt to run the blockade, but so far all such efforts had been unsuccessful.
As the Marie Theresa steamed up to the other vessels of the fleet, she was greeted with a salute. A short time later Captain Dreyfuss put off for the flagship in a small boat to pay his respects to the admiral.
It was late when he returned aboard the Marie Theresa, and immediately he set foot on board a subdued air of excitement became apparent. The midshipmen, not being in the confidence of the superior officers, at first could not account for this; but they soon learned its cause.
The Marie Theresa had been ordered to try and get closer to the
Austrian fleet.
It was a well-known fact that all the Austrian ports had been mined, and that the heavy shore batteries of the enemy were more than a match for the big guns on the cruiser—that they outranged them—but, nevertheless, the crew of the Marie Theresa made what preparations were necessary with enthusiasm.
It was well after nightfall when the French cruiser moved slowly between the other vessels of the allied fleet, heading for the enemy. Not a light shone aboard the vessel, and there was not a sound to break the stillness of the night.
Beyond the rest of the fleet the Marie Theresa was forced to go more slowly, feeling her way cautiously to avoid being blown up by one of the many floating mines.
"This is ticklish work," said Jack to Frank, they moved slowly along.
"You bet," was the latter's reply. "This thing, of floating along, not knowing the next minute you are liable to be on the bottom, would try anybody's, nerves. By Jove! I can feel my hair standing end now."
"I guess it's not as bad as all that," laughed Jack.
"Well, I have a bad case of nerves, anyhow," replied Frank.
Suddenly, at a subdued cry from forward, the Marie Theresa came to a halt.
"Vessel of some sort dead ahead," the word was passed along.
A moment later a voice of command rang out:
"Pass the word for Mr. Chadwick and Mr. Templeton."
"Wonder what's up?" asked Frank, as they made their way to the bridge, where Captain Dreyfuss was standing.
"I guess we'll know soon enough," was Jack's reply.
They halted before their commander and came to attention.
"If I am not mistaken," said Captain Dreyfuss, pointing ahead, "that dark hull there is an Austrian vessel, whether a warship or not I cannot say. Now, the success of this venture depends upon silence. A shot from a big gun aboard that ship would mean failure for us. I have called you two lads to ask if you would like to undertake a dangerous task?"
"Yes, sir," replied Jack quietly.
"We shall be only too glad," said Frank eagerly.
"Well, then," continued, Captain Dreyfuss, "I believe that by a quick and silent dash you may be able to board her. If You are successful in getting aboard, your first duty will be to prevent the firing of one of the big guns. Luckily, we are still far from shore, so the sounds of a hand-to-hand struggle are not likely to be overheard. Are you willing to undertake this mission?"
"Yes, sir," replied both lads in a single voice.
"Good! You shall have fifty men. With the effect of a surprise,
I believe this should be enough."
Half an hour later, while the Marie Theresa remained stationary, not even showing a light, Frank and Jack, with five small boats at their command, were creeping silently toward the Austrian vessel. Nearer and nearer they approached, and at length the first boat scraped the side of the larger vessel.
So far their presence had not been discovered.
Softly and silently Jack led the way to the deck of the enemy, which, it was now plain, was a small Austrian cruiser. Frank and the French sailors followed close at his heels.
As Jack's head came even with the rail, he paused to look about. And it was well that he did so. For not ten paces from him stood an Austrian sailor.
His eyes were turned in the opposite direction, and so stealthily did Jack now lower himself to the deck that he was not heard.
"I hate to do this," he muttered to himself, "but—"
A moment later his revolver butt crashed down on the Austrian's skull. The man dropped like a log. Hastily the lad led the way to the bridge, where, by quick action, the man on watch was overcome without the sound of a struggle.
Then half of the French turned their attention to the commander's cabin, while the others hastened to see that all means of egress from below were barred.
With drawn revolver Jack entered the cabin first. His eyes fell upon two officers playing checkers, one evidently the commander of the cruiser. So quietly did the lad enter the room that his presence was not discovered until he spoke.
"Hands up!" he commanded.
The officers leaped to their feet with a single movement, and the hand of the commander fell upon his revolver, while the other, unarmed though he was, dashed straight at Jack.
Jack's revolver spoke sharply once, and the second Austrian officer tumbled in a heap to the deck. Before the commander could draw his weapon Jack had him covered.
"None of that," he said sharply, as the commander made another move as though to draw.
The Austrian commander evidently thought better of his act, for his hands flew above his head. Jack advanced quickly and relieved him of his weapons. Then he marched him to the bridge.
"Now," said Jack calmly, "you will signal the engine-room for half-speed ahead."
The officer started to protest, but at the sight of Jack's revolver, leveled right at his head, he reconsidered and did as ordered. Jack now motioned Frank to stand guard over the Austrian commander, and himself took the wheel.
Slowly the Austrian cruiser, her head describing a wide circle, gathered speed and turned in the direction of the allied fleet. Evidently those below had no idea that anything was wrong, for not a sound reached the ears of those on deck.
Now, at Jack's command, the commander signaled the engine-room for full speed ahead, and the pace of the cruiser increased. Swiftly she dashed along in the night, but was suddenly checked in her flight by a hail from across the water:
"What ship is that?"
Jack recognized the voice of Captain Dreyfuss, and called back:
"Captured Austrian cruiser, sir. This is Templeton. What shall
I do with her?"
"Take her on to the fleet," came the reply.
"Good work! I shall not wait for you to return but will continue immediately."
This was a disappointment to the two lads, who had banked on being aboard the Marie Theresa in her raid. However, orders were not to be disobeyed.
Day was breaking when the Austrian cruiser steamed in among the French ships. Jack went aboard the admiral's flagship and reported. It was while he was standing beside the admiral that a fearful commotion broke out on board the captured Austrian cruiser.
There was the sound of a big gun, and a shell screamed overhead.
"The fools!" exclaimed the admiral. "Can't they understand they have been captured?"
Evidently the Austrians could not, for a second shell screamed overhead.
Quickly the flagship signaled the French aboard the captured vessel to leave, and when they were over the side and well out of harm's way the French dreadnought opened fire on the cruiser.
Men now emerged from below on to the deck of the captured vessel, and rushed rapidly about.
An officer leveled a glass and took in the imposing sight of the
French gathered about on all sides of him.
In another moment a white flag was run up at the masthead. It was the sign of surrender.
The French admiral complimented both lads highly on the success of their venture; and congratulated them again personally that night, when the Marie Theresa, after a successful raid into the very midst of the Austrian fleet, returned unscathed—leaving at the bottom of the sea two Austrian torpedo boats.