"Pardon me, captain," said a lieutenant.
"Well."
"I wish to make a suggestion."
"Do so."
"If the ship is sunk, she is no use to us."
"Quite so."
"Whereas if we capture her, she will be a very valuable prize, in fact, just the kind of a boat we want. Those men must know they have no chance. Call on them to surrender. They are almost within earshot now. Depend upon it if you offer them good treatment they will hand over their boat, and think they've got out of the hole they're in very well."
"Caramba! lieutenant, but you speak well. Ho! there!"
The captain spoke English, and as there was a lull in the firing he was able to make himself heard.
"Hold! there!"