"It is, sir," agreed the warrant officer. "A high velocity and a flat trajectory. Did you notice something very peculiar? The projectile passed over us before we heard the report."
"Meaning that the velocity of the shell is greater than that of the sound."
"That's it, sir. Something new as far as U-boats' guns go."
Having made a trial shot the submarine fired again. This time the shell fell short, ricochetting and passing within fifty yards of the felucca's stern.
"She means business," declared Farrar. "There's only one thing to be done. Since she can do a good sixteen knots we can't give her the slip, so we'll try and close. Hoist the ensign. Bow gun open fire."
Sighted at the maximum elevation the felucca's four-inch replied to the U-boat's challenge. The projectile fell hopelessly short. Again the quick-firer spoke, with similar results. The gun was decidedly outranged.
For nearly twenty minutes the U-boat withheld her fire, maintaining her distance, and at the same time describing an arc of a circle in order to take advantage of the position of the sun. An overfed bulldog might just as well attempt to chase a greyhound as the felucca to close with her opponent.
With the White Ensign streaming proudly in the breeze the "Georgeos Nikolaos" maintained her vain attempt, firing with both guns at regular intervals. She was in a tight corner, for when the Hun settled down to work the result would be a foregone conclusion, unless aid from another source were speedily forthcoming. Already the felucca's wireless was sending out messages, but no responsive crackling came in reply to her call. The U-boat was jamming the wireless waves by means of her more powerful installation.
The men, although fully acquainted with their hazardous position, were in high spirits, laughing and chaffing as they lay prone upon the deck, for with the exception of the bluejackets serving the quick-firers they had been ordered to take the frail shelter provided by the felucca's bulwarks.
The "Georgeos Nikolaos" was now bows on to her opponent. Although unable to gain on the U-boat she nevertheless presented a smaller target than had she exposed the whole of her broadside. Under sail and power she was doing a good eleven knots, but it was practically useless compared with the submarine's sixteen or seventeen.