“We keep on as we are going!” he exclaimed. “Rather than let this ship get into the hands of the English, I’ll send her to the bottom.”
“But the passengers!” exclaimed Jack; “surely——”
“Herr Ready,” said the captain, “I am in command of this ship. The orders are full speed ahead.”
CHAPTER V.
A CLOSE SHAVE.
Bill Raynor received Jack’s news with a shrug.
“I’m not surprised, to tell you the truth,” he said. “I’ve met a good many Germans in the course of my sea-going years, and that’s usually their idea,—rather sink the ship than give it up.”
“But the fearful danger, Bill,” protested Jack. “At any moment there may come a crash and——”
“We’ve got iceberg detectors,” said Bill, “and maybe they’ll sound the whistle and locate a big berg by the echo.”
“They won’t sound any whistle to-night,” declared Jack. “That skipper is determined not to give any cruiser the least inkling of his whereabouts. I’m going to take a run on the deck, the wireless bell will call me if something comes. Want to join me?”