"I draws the line at that," replied the third man, and his protest was taken up by several of the others.
"What are you men jawing about?" shouted Mr. Marchant, the gunner. "Look alive and get that ensign made up ready to break out."
To him the seamen voiced their protest. Even the gunner had his views upon the matter. He went to the captain and protested, stating that all hands were against using the German flag.
"Curse them!" exclaimed Captain Cain angrily. "What does that matter?"
"Matters a lot to them, sir," replied the gunner sturdily.
"All right then," conceded the pirate. "Hoist any flag you jolly well like. If this business is bungled, don't blame me.... Signalman, stand by to hoist the 'I. D.'... Gunner's mate, if I give the word to open fire, knock away her foremast. We'll have to stop her wirelessing at any cost if she won't give in tamely."
Throughout these preparations, Rollo Vyse and the Sub had been inactive. They point-blank refused to bear a hand, and the crew, now respecting their principles, let them severely alone. Captain Cain was quick to notice the change of attitude, and from fear of causing further discontent affected to be ignorant of the presence of the two chums.
The Surcouf had approached to within half a mile, when Captain Cain ordered the Alerte to be turned sixteen points to starboard. This had the effect of bringing her on a parallel course to that of the Frenchmen, although the distance between them when abreast was increased by the diameter of the pirate submarine's turning circle.
Up ran the two-flag hoist, the signal to heave to under penalty of being fired upon; simultaneously, the six-inch quick-firer was unmasked and trained upon the Surcouf.
The next instant Captain Cain experienced one of the worst surprises in his life—and he had had a few in his time.