To attempt to hoist a heavy barrel of oil with the "Aphrodite" rolling like a barge would be hazardous both to the barrel and the men engaged in sending it up the hatchway. Accordingly the barrel was tapped and the centrifugal pump, worked by one of the auxiliary motors, threw the heavy oil over the side. Soon, instead of a turmoil of white crested wind-swept waves a broad belt of sluggishly heaving water trailed in the wake of the "Aphrodite," and through this patch of comparatively calm sea the boats of the "Noord Brabant" were towed in safety.
Long before the barrel of oil was exhausted the flotilla was clear of the broken water close to the land, and the risk of being swamped was reduced to a minimum.
"Now what's to be done," asked Kenwyn of Hythe, as the two stood on the wake of the after conning-tower watching the procession of boats. "We must return to Port Ibrahim with this little mob, I suppose?"
"If we do we'll have our work cut out," replied the sub. "As soon as we make for that port the wind will be broadside on, and the boats will again be in danger of swamping. All the oil we have on board would not save them, since it would drift to lee'ard. No, the only way I can suggest--and Captain Restronguet is apparently of the same opinion--is that we plug head to wind until some vessel comes along and picks up the survivors."
Just then the "Aphrodite's" wireless picked up a general message sent out by the "Persia" to the effect that she was going at full speed to the scene of the disaster.
Captain Restronguet's face lighted up when he heard the good news.
"We shall now have a free hand," he remarked. "But at the same time it is a mystery to me how our detector has failed to record the presence of the 'Vorwartz.'"
"Perhaps she has cleared off due south, while we are heading due west," suggested the chief officer.
"That is the only explanation, Mr. Devoran. It is five hours since the apparatus, sensitive enough in all purpose, has recorded any movement. Well, Carnon?"
"'Persia' in sight, sir," replied the quartermaster, who had taken up his position, telescope in hand, on top of the fore conning-tower.