"I'll tell you where they'll go to if they don't pretty soon sheer off," rejoined Captain Restronguet grimly.
"Are you standing in pursuit, sir?" asked Devoran.
"Impossible under present circumstances, Mr. Devoran. Look, those motor-boats cannot make headway against wind and sea. They have too much to tow. Another hour will see the whole swarm of boats smashed to firewood unless we do something."
The "Noord Brabant's" boats were indeed in a perilous position. Those provided with oars were two overcrowded to allow the rowers to materially assist; waves were repeatedly breaking over the deeply laden boats, and every available article that could be used as a baler was pressed into use. All the while the flotilla was slowly drifting shorewards, the rearmost boats being almost inside the broad expanse of broken water.
Bringing the "Aphrodite" head to wind Captain Restronguet ordered a heavy grass warp to be veered out by means of a barrel. This one of the motor launches secured and made fast, while the second slipped half of the boats and transferred them to the care of the first towing craft. With a reduced number of boats in tow the second pinnace was then able to make headway.
"Easy ahead!" ordered the "Aphrodite's" captain, and with a long string of boats straining at the hawser the submarine, still on the surface, forged ahead.
"Steady, sir," ejaculated Kenwyn. "We're pulling them under."
Such was the case. The speed of the "Aphrodite" was sufficient to cause sheets of solid water to fly over the bows of the Dutch boats. To reduce speed was impossible, since that would have meant a backward movement on to a lee shore.
"Have we any oil to spare on board?" asked the sub.
"We might manage a barrel of lubricating oil," answered Captain Restronguet. "A good idea of yours, Mr. Hythe."