"Yes, every man jack of you."
"Goot; den we surrender make."
One by one five Germans stumbled up the ladder, each man raising his hands high above his head as he appeared above the coaming. Mistrust was written upon their brutal-looking faces until they found that no attempt was made to harm them. Then their demeanour became insolently defiant towards the smiling young officer.
Webb stepped aside and conferred with the Portuguese captain. The latter nodded his head emphatically.
"Si, senhor; there were six," he declared.
The smile vanished from Webb's face.
"Which of you speak English?" he enquired of the five prisoners.
"Me," replied the man who had tendered the surrender. "Before der war I vos in der English merchantship——"
"Never mind about what you were," said Webb. "The point is: six of you boarded this vessel. There are only five on deck. How about it?"
"We tell you all about it when in the boat we vos," declared the spokesman, glancing over the side at the waiting cutter.