Escorted by the two armed sailors, Schneider was led from the quarter-deck. Grimly defiant, he marched between his guards, till on arriving at the companion ladder one of the men preceded him, the other stepping one pace in the rear.
The prisoner descended two steps, then, suddenly turning, he butted the seaman at the head of the ladder. The man fell, and Schneider, seizing his advantage, sprang over his prostrate body, cleared the rail with a single bound, and leapt into the sea.
There was a rush to the side to see the termination of the tragedy, but the luckless man was never seen again.
"That has saved us a great deal of trouble," said Captain Brookes; "unless the mischief's already done," he added, under his breath.
On the following day the Olive Branch was running off the east coast of Patagonia, the rugged barren heights of that inhospitable country being plainly visible on the starboard hand.
"Ah, good morning, Mr. Tregarthen," exclaimed Captain Brookes as Gerald made his appearance on deck. He spoke with an affability that had been missing during the last few days, but on this particular morning his customary geniality seemed to have reasserted itself. "At last I think that this vessel is fit for action; that is, as far as her armament is concerned. Of course, there may be failures, but these can be easily rectified. I mean to make an experiment to demonstrate the power of the Olive Branch, beyond that of her electrical means of offence. In another hour we ought to sight Carlos Rock—you've heard of that, perchance?"
"No, sir," replied Gerald.
"Carlos Rock is a small uninhabited island of less than a quarter of a mile in extent, and towering to a height of 600ft. How many rounds from a 13.5in. gun would demolish it, do you think?"
"I cannot say, sir; but one hit would make a great difference in its appearance."
"Then you'll have an opportunity of seeing what our 6in. gun will do. By the bye, why are most of the British Dreadnoughts able to fire two more guns astern than they can ahead."