There was a rush on the part of the Pelikan's men who were loading the sacks in the vessel's holds, so fierce was the influx of the sea.
Above their shouts of anger and surprise arose the ceaseless taunts of the British crew. Having fully made up their minds that no quarter would be given the stalwart men decided to die game, and in their opinion the spirit of independence was best shown in heaping sarcasm upon the baffled Teutons.
Already the hawsers and springs holding the two vessels were straining almost to breaking point. Reluctantly von Riesser gave the order to cast off, at the same time telegraphing to the engine-room for half-speed ahead.
Somewhat to the surprise of the collier's crew no attempt was made by the Pelikan to interfere with them. Taking to the boats they hoisted sail and in twenty minutes the little flotilla was lost to sight.
It was a long time before von Riesser got over his fit of bad temper. Precious time had been all but wasted, for the only result of the enterprise was the addition of roughly seventy tons of coal to the Pelikan's sorely-depleted bunkers.
"By Jove! that was a nasty knock," remarked O'Hara to his chum. "It's a wonder old von Riesser hadn't ordered those boats to be stove-in. The lip those fellows gave him was enough to make a British admiral commit an act of frightfulness."
"The old chap's frightened about something," replied Denbigh. "He's literally on toast. You see, what with Stirling's escape—for I feel confident that code message referred to his rescue—he's got to mind his p's and q's until he's through the cordon. Then, if he does, I guess he'll make it mighty hot for us."
Denbigh was right in his surmise, for as soon as Stirling had been taken on board H.M.S. Actæon and had made a report to the captain, the cruiser communicated with each of her consorts, giving the position of the Pelikan when last seen and the probable course.
Following this message another was transmitted to the Admiralty announcing the safety of Sub-lieutenant Charles Stirling, captured while on a passage home in the Japanese liner Nichi Maru. Instructions were asked as to the "disposal" of that officer.
Promptly came the reply temporarily appointing Stirling to H.M.S. Actæon as supernumerary, since it was recognized that his knowledge of the elusive raider might be of great assistance to the pursuing ship.