"The raider, do you suppose?" asked Frank, who stood near the captain.
"How do I know?" demanded the captain angrily. "It may be and it may not be."
A moment later the searchlight of the approaching vessel picked the
Algonquin out of the darkness.
"Drat those searchlights!" shouted the angry captain. "If it wasn't for those things a man would have a chance."
The wireless operator hurried up.
"Message, sir," he exclaimed.
"Well, why don't you give it to me. What are you standing there for?"
"Vessel orders us to heave to or she'll put a shell into us, sir," said the operator, paying no attention to the captain's anger.
"She will, eh? What right has a bloodthirsty pirate like that to tell me what I can do? I won't do it."
Nevertheless Captain Stoneman gave the command to heave to.