Utterly worn out, Cardyke and the two Japanese threw themselves on the hard floor, and were soon sound asleep. The sub. and the general, too fatigued even to talk, stood with their backs against the steel wall, and their faces towards the entrance to the circular metal compartment.
The day was hot, and in spite of the ship's speed through the water, the air within the conning-tower was exceedingly sultry. Once or twice Fielding found himself nodding, only to be aroused by the vigilant Oki.
An hour went by. Even the Japanese watcher was becoming drowsy. Fielding's head fell forward. This time Oki did not rouse his companion; and even when the sub. slid inertly to the ground the Japanese had not the energy to realise that anything was amiss. He saw, as in a vision, the Englishman drop—then utter oblivion.
A quarter of an hour later a squad of men entered the conning-tower without opposition. Six of the occupants were secured, and, like logs, were unceremoniously bundled into the open air, whilst Cervillo was carried upon the forebridge, where he soon recovered from his stupor. The dauntless six, able to hold their own in fair fight, had fallen victims to the insidious methods of their assailants. For fumes of chloroform had been forced through one of the voice-tubes that led into the conning-tower, and it had rendered the brave defenders absolutely helpless.
CHAPTER IX
HOLDING UP "L'ÉGALITÉ"
Arnold Cardyke was the first to recover from the effect of the noxious vapour. He had been sleeping nearest to the entrance to the conning-tower, and had thus more air than his companions. For some moments he lay wondering where he was. He tried to call out, but no sound came from his parched lips. Then, between him and the reddish light that seemed to encircle him, came a huge dark object that presently resolved itself into the shape of a man—one of the pirate officers. Good heavens! The partial truth swept across his mind. Desperately he struggled to rise and arouse his comrades, but realising that he was bound and weak, he rolled helplessly across the body of Hokosuka.
The weight of the mid.'s frame expelled a quantity of the chloroform fumes from the Japanese's chest, and with a grunt Hokosuka opened his eyes. In his effort to dislodge Cardyke the Asiatic prodded Fielding on the back, and the sub., already well on the road to consciousness, also began to realise his position.
"What's wrong, Cardyke?" he asked. "Why, I——" Then the truth was revealed in all its unpleasantness. He and his comrades were once more in the power of Juan Cervillo and his piratical crew.