“I will on one condition!” declared the boy. “If you get under way at once without any more monkey business I’ll keep it in my pocket. If you don’t I’ll use it! We are neutral and we’re going to remain neutral if we have to fight to do so!”
“Vhell, I guess dere’s no real goot reason vhy vhe shouldn’t go, anyhow!” decided the captain. “Mackinter don’d got no license to shtop us. Aber he don’d like id, he couldt lump id!”
“Now you’re talking sense!” declared Jimmie. “But, remember! No tricks, or we’ll feel like starting something ourselves!”
“All right!” consented von Kluck, secretly anxious to help the boys. “Chust come along und make me leaf port. Dot let’s me ouid!”
Upon von Kluck’s appearing at the companionway the crew immediately assumed an air of attention. Some were grouped about the capstan, where they were watching the sky and speculating on the character of the approaching storm. Others were occupied at various duties about the vessel. Every man seemed to stand in fear of the captain.
Bawling out a hoarse order, von Kluck at once assumed command of the deck. Lines were thrown down from the belaying pins. A group of men tailed onto the halyards, hoisting the foresail, staysail and jib.
The Lena Knobloch was a schooner-rigged vessel with two masts. The boys noted with a considerable degree of satisfaction that she was built along clipper lines, vastly different from the round-bowed type of vessel commonly seen in those waters.
Under jib, staysail and foresail the vessel swung around as the dock lines were let go. Gathering speed with the force of a favorable wind the little vessel plunged ahead. Von Kluck was evidently planning on leaving the harbor without the use of a tug—a somewhat difficult, if not dangerous, experiment.
Urged by the vociferous driving of the mate men were already hauling on the halyards of the mainsail. With the added press of sail the Lena Knobloch heeled over until her lee rail was nearly awash.
A strong wind was coming out of the northwest, favoring the maneuver of von Kluck, but kicking up considerable commotion on the harbor. Waves were running so high as to make navigation of small craft exceedingly difficult if not dangerous.