Quickly all available hands got to work. The dummy funnel was lowered and preparations made to patch the gaping rent and repaint the "smoke-stack" a different colour. The gashes in the upperworks were hidden by means of oval metal plates, one inside, one out, drawn together by a butterfly nut and thread. The tabernacle of the mainmast was rebedded and a new mainstay prepared ready to set the "stick" up again.
The while a most anxious and careful watch was kept on the horizon and on the sky, since it was quite possible that units of the French aviation service might co-operate in the search.
Three-quarters of an hour after breaking off the engagement with the Surcouf a liner appeared in sight, bound up-Channel. The Alerte could have avoided her by altering helm, but Captain Cain decided upon a bold display of bluff. He held on.
"Union Castle liner, Mr. Pengelly," he remarked. "We'll signal her."
"What for?" demanded the astonished Pengelly. "Surely we've had enough for the present. Besides, she's British."
"Exactly," concurred the pirate skipper. "I'm going to ask her to take charge of our badly wounded cases. Signalman, hoist the NC."
The letters NC signify "In distress, need immediate assistance," are never purposely ignored. Corresponding to the wireless S.O.S., they would divert the largest liner or the humblest tramp.
Promptly the liner altered helm and slowed down. Passengers crowded to her side to look at the apparently battered tramp.
Standing upon the roof of the charthouse, the Alerte's signalman began to semaphore.
"Alerte of London, Grimsby for Corunna. Have been fired upon by vessel, nationality unknown, long. 3° 20' W., lat. 49° 50' N., at 10.30 a.m. to-day. Vessel disappeared steering W.S.W. Please report. Can you receive four badly wounded men?"