Raxworthy formed a shrewd idea of what had occurred, but he was too wary a skipper to leave much to chance. The approaching vessel bore the name Bronx City. It might or might not be her rightful tally. If, as might possibly be the case, the Alerte had captured the Yankee vessel, it was quite likely that the pirate submarine had turned over her crew and armament to her prize. Or the Bronx City might be the Alerte disguised.
On the latter point Broadmayne was able to inform his skipper that such was not the case. The Alerte, however cleverly camouflaged, could not assume the length and lofty superstructure of the approaching craft.
In double-quick time the Canvey was cleared for action. The guns were unmasked and trained upon the Bronx City. "Present use" ammunition was brought up on deck and placed beside the quick-firers, while the torpedo-tubes on the port side were charged with their deadly missiles, ready at the first sign of aggression to deliver a mortal blow at the huge target presented by the stranger's hull.
The Bronx City was still a mile off when a second vessel was sighted a good five miles astern of her. Although she, too, was evidently travelling fast, there was a noticeable absence of smoke from her funnel.
Borrowing the signalman's telescope, Broadmayne had a good look at her. He was bound to admit that the second stranger resembled the pirate submarine. There were a few trifling alterations in her appearance since the Sub had last seen her.
"She's the Alerte, sir," he declared confidently. Lieutenant-Commander Raxworthy was on the horns of a dilemma. Should the Bronx City prove to be manned by a piratical crew and he allowed her to go on her way while he headed off her supposed pursuer, the opportunity of laying the former vessel by the heels would be lost. On the other hand, if he stopped to examine the craft flying American colours, the presumed Alerte would seize the opportunity of turning tail and disappearing. Again, he was not justified in ordering a United States ship to heave to, for it might result in an unpleasant international incident between the Government of Great Britain and that sitting at Washington. Having been once tricked completely by the Alerte, he was doubly cautious lest there be a repetition of the ruse that had succeeded almost beyond belief.
At the captain's orders, a signalman taking up a conspicuous position on the roof of the chart-house semaphored to the Bronx City, suggesting that for her protection the American vessel should turn sixteen points to port and follow the Canvey at a distance of ten cables astern.
To this the Bronx City replied by the single word "Sure."
The two ships were now abeam of each other. The stranger in the offing had turned and was retracing her course—additional evidence that she was not an honest craft.
The lieutenant-commander of the Canvey immediately rang down for full speed. The chase—a stern one—had commenced.