It was almost 6 o'clock in the evening when all on board were startled by a cry from the lookout.
"Submarine on the port bow, sir."
Instantly all became confusion on the big merchant ship. Passengers, of whom there were perhaps fifty, became greatly excited. Every man on board strapped on a life preserver, and waited for he knew not what.
The fact that, directly astern, the Essex, British destroyer, was in plain sight and trailing them, did not allay their fears. Came a shot from a gun mounted forward on the submarine, a signal to heave to.
"Obey it," said Jack, to Captain Griswold, on the bridge.
Captain Griswold ordered his engines stopped.
"I'll keep out of sight for a moment," said Jack. "The commander may come on board."
He stooped down in the shelter of the pilot house.
The submarine drew close to the Ventura, and a voice hailed Captain Griswold:
"Thought you'd get away did you, you Yankee pig."