Cervillo was furious. He knew that every moment was precious. By the aid of wireless not only were vengeful cruisers hastening in his track, but the transatlantic liners, from whom he hoped to take a heavy toll, would be warned, and take precautions accordingly.
A quarter of an hour elapsed, then Juan Cervillo's voice was heard.
"Señor Englishman!" he exclaimed.
Fielding did not trouble to reply.
"For your own sake, señor, put your eye this way."
Out of sheer curiosity the sub. raised the metal flap and looked out, then a muttered ejaculation brought Cardyke to one of the slits in the wall of the conning-tower.
Guarded by two armed seamen was Tom Hardy the coxswain. He was securely bound hand and foot, but so weak did he seem from the effects of the blow he had received that this precaution seemed unnecessary. Cervillo, stepping a few paces in front of the crowd of pirates, pointed to his prisoner in a manner that was diabolical in the extreme.
"Now, Englishmen, you vill come out an' surrendah, or we put your man ober de side—say, walk ze plank. Yes, señor, I mean as I say. Juan Cervillo has spoken. One minute I give to decide, or——" And the villain pointed meaningly over the side.
"Think he'll do it?" asked Cardyke, anxiously. "Couldn't we prevent him?"
"There is only one way, as far as I can see. To submit is out of the question. We can stay here till they starve us out, but by that time I hope a cruiser will overhaul this floating nest of rascals."