“Well, our white rag shows up as plain as daylight, and it ought to tell that we don’t mean them any harm,” said Amos, relieved; though he had to immediately laugh at the idea of that miniature boat being a menace to a super-dreadnaught.
Five minutes later, as they continued to advance, they discovered some object approaching at furious speed. Then, as it came in range of the searchlight, the boys saw that it was a torpedo-boat destroyer painted a gray color that could not be told from the surface of the sea at a certain distance.
“We’d better pull up, hadn’t we, Jack?” asked Amos. “They’re whooping it up direct at us. I hope they don’t mean to cut through this poor boat like a knife would a cheese. Me for the water if it looks that way, for there might be a great old blow-up if there’s any dynamite below deck here.”
Jack did shut off the power, although he had no idea anything serious was impending in the way his companion hinted.
Coming at the rate of thirty miles an hour it did not take the destroyer long to arrive within hailing distance of the Greek craft.
“I am sending a boat aboard to find out who and what you are, and why you venture in this forbidden zone!” roared a voice through a megaphone.
“Glad to know it, sir!” called Jack; and possibly the fact that the words were spoken in clear English must have surprised the commander of the torpedo-boat not a little.
Immediately the boys discovered a small boat dancing over the waves, propelled by a motor, and occupied by a number of sailors as well as an officer. It soon came alongside and one of the men sprang aboard, after which the officer followed suit.
He stared hard at the two lads as though hardly able to believe his eyes.
“Where is the crew of this boat?” he asked.