The signal was hoisted and the reply came: "British steamer Ann, Rio for Hongkong." At the same time the red ensign was hoisted at the stern.
"You say that when you first saw her she was flying the German flag?" Calamity inquired of Mr. Dykes.
"Yes, sir. I think she must have just passed another German ship, for the ensign was being hauled down when I sighted her."
"H'm, she was German a few minutes ago; now she's British. Signal her to stop, Mr. Dykes."
The signal was duly hoisted, but the steamer paid no attention and proceeded on her course, while from her funnel arose a thick cloud of black smoke, showing that the stokers were firing up. Although the skipper of the Ann might resent being called upon to stop by what looked like another merchant vessel, this sudden attempt to accelerate speed, coupled with an unusual freedom in the use of national flags, was suspicious to say the least of it.
"Put a shot through her funnel, Mr. Dykes," said Calamity.
With his own hands, the mate sighted the quick-firer on the bridge and then nodded to the boatswain, who was also chief gunner. Next moment a sheet of flame leapt from the muzzle, there was a terrific roar, and a shell struck, not the Ann's funnel, but the supporting guys and passed through a ventilating cowl above the engine-room. Despite this unequivocal hint, the steamer did not stop, and the foam under her stern showed that she was putting on speed.
"Aim for the chart-room and make a better shot of it," said Calamity.
Mr. Dykes, greatly chagrined at his first shot having gone wide of its mark, again sighted the gun. Meanwhile the Captain was bringing round the Hawk in the arc of a circle to get her in the wake of the retreating steamer.
Bang!