"I'd have blown the beasts to Hades!" he muttered.
"Down foresail!" ordered the sub. "Start her up."
Promptly the lateen yard was lowered on deck and the powerful motor began to throb and emit noisy explosions from her exhaust. Had the felucca to attempt to make dead to windward it was doubtful whether the engine would be of sufficient horse power to enable her to battle successfully against the force of wind and waves; but by running before the elements the "Georgeos Nikolaos" was adroitly manoeuvred close under the bow of the transport.
To leeward of the huge vessel there was comparatively still water. Unhesitatingly the felucca's helmsman placed her alongside the still crowded ship.
"Steady, lads!" shouted a strong voice without a tremor in the ringing tones. "Number Four platoon—dismiss."
Amidst the cheers of their comrades the sixty-odd men of the platoon scrambled, leapt, or swung themselves to the felucca's decks—bootless, coatless, and wearing lifebelts. The rescued troops were quickly sent below and the hatches battened down.
"Room for another thirty!" shouted the sub.
The required number fell out, the thirty-first patting the last of the party on the back and wishing him good luck. Then, deeply laden, the "Georgeos Nikolaos" backed away from the transport to the accompaniment of three ringing cheers from the two hundred-odd officers and men who, emulating the example of the "Birkenhead," remained drawn up upon the boat-deck.
"We'll try to keep in touch with the boats," declared Farrar, indicating the five deeply laden lifeboats that were drifting rapidly to lee'ard. "No sign of the U-boat?"
"Saw her founder just as we were rounding-to, sir," replied Sampson. "I guess there aren't any survivors from her," he added with grim satisfaction.