“What could he do to prevent our going?” thought Phil nervously. “Nothing, he would not dare.”
“Very well, sir,” Lazar answered carelessly, and then he ordered the bugler to “call the ‘Vidette’ away.”
Ten minutes dragged by, and still the “Vidette” hung at the lower boom, motionless in the water.
A launch steamed by the battle-ship at fair speed, standing out of the harbor. Phil and Sydney strained their eyes in an endeavor to discover its identity, but the night was too dark and it was soon lost sight of in the distance.
Phil felt sure it was the cargo of arms. He could suppress his impatience no longer.
“Mr. Lazar,” he spoke abruptly, “may I go and find out what is holding the ‘Vidette’?”
“No, sir, I shall find out in plenty of time,” he sneered. “You young gentlemen seem to be in great haste.”
Finally he hailed the “Vidette” and inquired what was the trouble.
An answer came back in O’Neil’s voice.
“We can’t get any water in the boiler; the feed pump is jammed, sir,” he cried, in exasperation.