Night had set in as we approached the danger zone. In front of us sparkled the steady fire from Cape Henry, while astern Cape Charles threw out her lights at short intervals through the darkness. With these as our bearings we went on calmly to face the decision.
Suddenly two searchlights flashed out over the water to starboard. The accursed rays passed quick as lightning over the dark waves. I counted several seconds mechanically, then the full glare of the searchlight struck us in the eye....
It was already too late to submerge, and the treacherous light held fast on to the "Deutschland."
A rapid glance passed between the two of us in the tower, our features showed up distinctly in the beautiful free illumination....
Then we saw that the rays of the searchlight, after they had made sure of us, rose twice high in the sky and suddenly disappeared. As our eyes grew accustomed to the darkness again, we discovered two black vessels to starboard which looked like fishing trawlers.
"The cursed gang!" murmured Krapohl, at my side; "now they have betrayed us!"
And he was right, unfortunately.
For over yonder on the coast a gigantic searchlight flashed high in the sky, obviously as a signal to the English cruisers waiting outside.
"Now was the moment," I thought.
"Make ready to submerge," my orders rang out.