I could not shake myself free of the old Adam as captain of a heavy steamer, even on board a U-Boat.
CHAPTER VI
OUT INTO THE OPEN
We had had more than enough of the North Sea by this time, and were now quite ready to get out into the open.
We were quite clear as to our route, thank goodness. Less so as to what might happen to us on the voyage; but we were prepared by now for any little surprises that might occur. For why travel in a submarine if there are no difficulties to be overcome? After all, many U-Boats had passed successfully through the North Sea and reached the open ocean. Moreover, they had had many dangerous duties to carry out, while we had only to take care not to be seen, and to slip out as quietly as possible.
As a matter of fact, it was not only that we had not to be seen. Our chief care was that we should not be recognised as a U-Boat trader.
The peculiar character of the "Deutschland" as a peaceful unarmed merchant trader would not have protected us in the least from being sunk at sight. Of that we were convinced, and how right we were was seen in the later English and French official declarations.
If we were once recognised as a U-Boat trader, we should have been not only in danger every minute, but our unhampered arrival at the American port of our destination would be highly endangered. We should have had a whole pack of thirsty bloodhounds in our wake. We hoped therefore to take the whole world by surprise by our arrival in America, and all our ambitions were strained towards this achievement.
Thus I meditated as we neared the danger zone.
We moved forward therefore with great caution. We saw a great deal in the process, were seen ourselves extremely seldom; recognised never. During the day we avoided several steamers by altering our course. At night we travelled with darkened lights, submerging when necessary.
The weather also favoured us. Once we sighted an English auxiliary cruiser some distance off; she was travelling in a definite direction with a zigzag course. For some time we held a parallel course with her, keeping her carefully under observation. But owing to the high seas, which must have made her navigation far from pleasant, we remained unnoticed.