“Not all,” Impey confided mysteriously. “I have told him a great deal, but not being a military man it would do no good to try to convince him of the danger in the naval supremacy of Japan after acquiring the Chinese ships.”
“Captain Rodgers should be told this at once,” Phil exclaimed, rising and taking Impey’s arm. The lad’s manner had now entirely changed. The startling news made him now regard Impey as a friend and ally, trusting him as completely as he would have mistrusted him an hour ago.
“I am very sorry that I have misjudged you.” The lad’s voice was apologetic.
“I am only glad that I have been able to convince you of the danger to your country,” Impey answered quickly, “but wait; no good can be gained by going to Captain Rodgers. As I said before, he cannot act without orders, and orders cannot come, as all cablegrams will be stopped by the imperial government until Captain Inaba has secured the Chinese ships.”
The midshipmen stared helplessly at Impey, an anxious question in their eyes.
“The yacht ‘Sylvia’ is our only hope,” Impey whispered in an impressive voice. “She is faster than a scout cruiser, and is coaled and ready to sail. With her we can steam south until we get the fleet at Manila by wireless, and then send them the news. That would allow the American admiral to sail, intercept the Chinese squadron before Captain Inaba could reach them, and take the Chinese ships under the American flag into Manila Bay.”
The midshipmen paled at the daring of the plan.
“The admiral in Manila would not dare act without direct orders from Washington,” Phil cried earnestly, “and would Washington give such orders without knowing all?”
“There would not be time to wait for Washington to confirm the admiral’s decision. He would have to act promptly, using his own discretion and take the consequences. I think you will find the admiral will act without a second’s hesitation when he gets the wireless that we shall send him.”
“But,” Sydney exclaimed, “what right would our admiral have to seize the ships of a friendly country? If Japan chooses to set aside international etiquette and commit this act of piracy on the high seas, that is not sufficient warrant for us to do the same thing.”