“Then, they’ll be glad to help us out, especially if they find that we intend to turn the ‘U-13’ over to their government!”
“I don’t know about that!” doubted Frank. “I see men running aloft. It looks as if they’re rigging out studding sail booms on the main yards. And I see others on the topsail yards,” declared the boy.
“Why, in that case, they’re trying to get away from us!”
“It certainly looks that way. Now I can see men setting the studding sails on the booms. They are putting on every rag the old hooker will carry!” cried the lad excitedly.
“I know why,” stated Harry. “They think we’re a German submarine chasing them and they’re trying to get away!”
“Let’s run up a white flag, then,” urged Ned. “They ought to know what that means. They’ll stop for that!”
In response to this suggestion the lads quickly overhauled the flag locker finding just what they sought. The white flag was at once brought to the deck where it was bent on to the halliards. It fluttered gaily at the top of the short flagstaff. Some difficulty was experienced in securing the staff because of an improperly fitting socket.
“Do they seem to be making any change?” inquired Harry presently.