The two captains shook hands, and Captain Restronguet and the sub entered the waiting boat, which had to pass over the upper edge of the torpedo nets that had to be lowered beneath the surface for the purpose.
Barely was the cruiser's boat clear of the "Topaze" when the order came "Out nets."
"Captain Sedgwyke is acting upon my suggestion," observed Hythe's companion. "It is the best plan, but honestly I favour the chances of the 'Vorwartz.'"
"You have a bias towards the advantage of submarines," said Hythe. "At the same time you must remember Karl von Harburg has, for the first time, to try conclusions with a British ship whose guns are sighted by trained seamen-gunners."
"We shall see," observed Captain Restronguet oracularly, and both men relapsed into silence until the boat ranged alongside the "Aphrodite."
"'Vorwartz' is now only eleven miles off, sir," announced Devoran. "We've cleared for action, I presume you will go straight for her, sir?"
"No," replied Captain Restronguet. "We are going to run away."
"Run away, sir?"
"Yes; in a moment of weakness I promised the captain of yonder cruiser to give him a free hand for one hour from the time the 'Vorwartz' gets within four miles of her. He wishes to distinguish himself. Accordingly we will run northward and put a good two miles between us. That, I think will be a safe distance, for on no account must we let the 'Vorwartz' spot us, or she will be off like a startled hare."
Hythe took up his position in the wake of the foremost conning-tower, whence he could command an uninterrupted view of the "Topaze." The British cruiser made a fine picture in the dazzling moonlight in spite of her ugly lines and the absence of masts and funnels. Already her boat had returned, but, instead of being hoisted to the davits, was made fast astern, while the remaining boats were being hurriedly yet methodically lowered into the water, one man being placed in each to act as boat-keeper. These were taken in tow of a motor-cutter, so that they would be safe from any explosions against the side of the ship.