"It should be, if I have been informed correctly. I'll have a look about. Hold to your course until I return."
He moved away. He was back in a few moments, however, with the announcement that there were four 12-pounders aft, as well as four forward.
"Enough to fight with," he announced gravely.
"But we haven't the men to man them, sir," protested Frank.
"We'll impress our prisoners into service if it's necessary. With a man to guard them they can handle the engine room."
"I am afraid it will come to that, sir," said Frank.
Von Ludwig shrugged.
"What will be, will be," he replied quietly.
And it did come to that, as Frank had predicted As the vessel still flew through the water at full speed, there came a sudden cry from the lookout forward:
"Cruiser off our port bow, sir!"