Another outburst of cheering greeted the conclusion of the captain's speech, and the men were dismissed.
As Captain Brookes was about to descend the companion, Selkirk, the chief engineer, came towards him.
"We're running verra short of fuel, sir," he reported. "A matter of twa days will clear us oot o' the last drap."
"If she'll take a mixture of lubricating and paraffin maybe I'll screw another four hoors out o' the motors, sir; but the----"
"Very well, Mr. Selkirk. Economise as much as you can; meanwhile I'll see what's to be done."
Captain Brookes realised the gravity of the situation. At half speed it would be just possible to reach Malta, but it was deemed inadvisable to claim the hospitality of a British dependency at this early stage of reconciliation.
On the other hand, the _Olive Branch_ would soon be in a state of comparative impotence, since the running of her dynamos from which her offensive and defensive power was derived, would be seriously affected by the under-fuelled motors.
Consequently, Captain Brookes decided to take a bold step; he would shape a course for the Straits of Messina, intercept one of the many oil-tank vessels plying between Baku and the French Mediterranean ports, and by fair means or foul take possession of her cargo.
JUST before dawn the _Olive Branch_ gained the northern approach of the Straits of Messina. Away on the starboard quarter glimmered the lights of the Sicilian town of Milazzo, while well down in the northern sky a faint ruddy glare betokened the position of the smouldering fires of Stromboli.
"There's Cape Faro," observed Sinclair, pointing to a headland that loomed against the pale diffusing light. "We'll soon be in the thick of the shipping."
"The sooner the better," rejoined Lieutenant Palmer. "The chief has just been informed that we can only keep going another two hours."
"Port light showing, sir," shouted the look-out, as a faint red star moved slowly from behind the intervening headland.
"Be careful not to excite suspicion," cautioned Captain Brookes, as she gave a warning blast on her syren. "Ask her to make her number."
A reference to the code-book showed that the stranger was the British steamer _Bletchley Hall_.
"Done this time!" grunted Sinclair, as the _Olive Branch's_ helm was altered to show her red. Nor was the second venture more successful, the vessel in this case being the _Pluton_, from Zante to Castellamare.