“Keep away, or I shall fire!”
As Jack did not immediately order his men to move away, the German officer in the boat exclaimed:
“You would better do as he says. Besides, the ship will sink in a moment, and the suction will draw us under if we do not move from here.”
At the same moment Frank, returning to the Sylph with his boat filled with survivors, called:
“Get back quick, Jack, or you will be drawn under!”
Jack looked once more at the German commander, who still stood with leveled revolver, and then turned to his men:
“Give way!” he commanded, and the little boat headed once more for the Sylph.
The small boat withdrew from the danger zone none too soon.
When still a few yards from the Sylph, Jack turned his face toward the sinking cruiser. As he did so, the sinking craft gave a convulsive shudder, then the sea closed over it. The last thing that Jack saw was the commander, standing calmly on the bridge, awaiting the end. He went to his death with bared head, standing at attention. Jack will remember the sight till his dying day.
“A brave man!” was all he said, lifting his cap from his head.