In obedience to the captain's order the _Olive Branch_ was brought within hailing distance of the vessel she had befriended, and had in return received such despicable treatment.
"Heave-to," thundered Captain Brookes. "I'm going to send a boat."
"Mr. Slade," he added, addressing one of the lieutenants, "you will please board yonder craft and bring back Mr. Taylor at any cost. Mr. Tregarthen, will you also accompany Mr. Slade?"
The gig's crew scrambled into the boat with alacrity. Every man was armed with a cutlass, while from their somewhat exaggerated holsters peeped the butts of revolvers. The lieutenant was also provided with a pistol, but Gerald preferred to go unarmed.
As the boat drew near to the foreigner the bulwarks of the latter were lined with fair-complexioned, stolid-faced Germans, but no attempt was made on their part to encourage the men of the cruiser to board.
"Throw us a line, will you?" shouted Slade.
"What do you want?" demanded the master of the tramp.
"We want the person who deserted from our ship last night. We know that you aided and abetted him," replied the lieutenant.
"You no come aboard my ship," retorted the master, resolutely. "See dis flag; dis ship German territory," and he pointed aft to where the red, white, and black ensign fluttered from the staff.
[Illustration: The man staggered, clapped his hand to his shoulder, and fell to the deck, the weapon slipping from his grasp.]
"In bow! Oars!" ordered the lieutenant, and the boat ran alongside the towering wall-sided hull.
Taking advantage of the roll of the ship the bowman managed to obtain a hold with his boathook on the iron bulwarks. The next instant a sweep with a hatchet severed the head of the boathook and a lump of coal was hurled into the boat. Fortunately it struck one of the thwarts, which prevented the little craft from being stove in.
"Do that again, and I'll fire," he shouted. At this threat the Teutonic skipper leant over the bridge rails and flourished a revolver. "You pirates!" he drawled. "Stand off, or me fire!"
Then, on giving an order to his men, the cruiser's boat was saluted by a volley of coal and scraps of iron, some of the boat's crew receiving nasty injuries.
This was more than the lieutenant could stand. Without another moment's hesitation he drew his revolver, took a rapid aim, and pressed the trigger.