"I can rely upon enough men to make one crew at least, sir," replied Drake; but to his astonishment and immense satisfaction not only did every member of the complements of the four aero-hydroplanes signify their willingness to forgo their "stand-easy," but every seaman on board qualified as airmen literally clamoured to take part in the search.
Just before three bells in the second dog-watch (7.30 p.m.) the Mosquito was hoisted out; the Gnat, Tse-tse, and Flea followed in quick succession, and, rising gracefully from the surface, glided on their renewed quest.
Anxiously Drake scanned the horizon. Nothing except a waste of grey water, flicked here and there by white foam, was to be seen. The sun, low in the heavens, shone from a cloudless sky. There was every indication of a spell of fine but cold weather.
Five miles on the Mosquito's port hand the Gnat was flying steadily at an immense height, the other two aerial craft being a considerable distance on the Mosquito's starboard quarter. If anything, Drake's craft was well in advance of the rest of the little flotilla. With monotonous regularity the wireless reported "Nothing in sight" till the sun was on the point of setting.
"There she is, by Jove!" exclaimed Drake suddenly, pointing to a mere dot on the horizon.
"You're right, sir," replied the chief petty officer. "Leastways 'tis a lump of a ship, and we don't look to see big craft in these parts." Ordering the rest of the flotilla to concentrate and follow the Mosquito, Drake headed "all out" towards the distant vessel, and before another quarter of an hour had passed he was able to announce that it was the Impregnable, and that she was steaming slowly stern foremost, evidently badly damaged.
In obedience to signals the three aero-hydroplanes followed the movements of their leader, and came to rest on the surface of the sea. Bearings were taken of the position of the oncoming cruiser, and the four amphibians lay close till darkness set in.
Under ordinary circumstances Drake ought to have immediately reported the discovery of the Impregnable to his commanding officer, and wait till the Cerberus came up to take possession of the pirate-cruiser. But Drake had confidence in his ability to achieve his object. Each of the aero-hydroplanes carried ten men. Allowing two to remain on board there were thirty-two available for the task of capturing the much-sought-after prize. Drake realised that the business would be a comparatively simple matter, since only a small percentage of the original crew of the cruiser remained, and that they were without officers and greatly demoralised by the hardships and perils they had undergone.
As soon as darkness set in, the four vessels, with their air-planes securely folded alongside, formed up in line-ahead, and stole cautiously towards the oncoming ship. To Drake's surprise, the Impregnable was showing steaming-lights, a circumstance quite contrary to the procedure hitherto followed by the modern buccaneer.
Turning hard-a-port the flotilla eased down, and waited for the giant cruiser to pass.