The overhauling was soon accomplished, and the unarmed channel boat hove to, to the tune of a round shot across her bow.
Billy and Henri were not included in the boarding party. They had served their turn, and beyond that were not expected to serve.
They could not imagine what Roque had in mind when all hands were hustling in the transfer of numerous canvas rolls to the German deck, all labeled “music machines.” They well knew of the Teuton fondness for music, but here was a whole lot of trouble and expense to get what might have been easily and cheaply purchased in Hamburg.
Roque made no attempt to take prisoners or other plunder from the nonresisting commercial carrier.
The “music machines” were all he wanted, and, with a deck full of them, the German vessel broke its grapples and steamed away.
It never dawned upon the boys that the labels were not the true index of contents, until one of the parcels was broken open for inspection.
The wrappings enclosed rifles—hundreds of them.
CHAPTER XLVI.
THE FACE IN THE MIRROR.
“This man Roque must have a long reach to have known about that consignment of guns, how and when they were to be shipped, and make the strike he did within three days.”