Enquiries of the released prisoners resulted in the information that they had been treated by their captors in a far better manner than the Huns generally deal with those unfortunate individuals who fall into their hands. The kapitan of the _Porfurst_ was no exception to the usual run of Germans. It was the possibility of capture--which had developed into a certainty--that had influenced him in his treatment of the crews of the sunk ships. Only the fear of just reprisals kept him within the bounds of civilized warfare, and having behaved in an ostentatiously proper manner towards the prisoners he received in return honourable treatment on board the _Tompion_.
When the convoy was within two days' sail of Table Bay another convoy was sighted steering north, while wireless orders were received for the _Tompion_ to escort the homeward bound ships and let the transports "carry on" under the protection of two destroyers sent from Simon's Town.
Upon receipt of these orders the captain of the cruiser signalled the _Zungeru_, asking her to receive on board the released crews of the sunk ships and to land them at Table Bay. Although wondering why the men should be set ashore at the Cape instead of being taken back to England the master of the transport offered no objection, and preparations were made to tranship the ex-prisoners.
Knowing several officers of the mercantile marine, Wilmshurst strolled into the _Zungeru's_ ship's office and asked the purser's clerk to let him have a look at the list of supernumeraries. There was a chance that some of his acquaintances might be amongst the released prisoners now on board the transport.
As far as the officers' names were concerned Dudley "drew blank." He was on the point of handing the type-written list back to the purser's clerk when he noticed a few names written in red ink--three civilians who had been taking passages in ships that had fallen victims to the raider _Porfurst_.
"MacGregor--Robert; of Umfuli, Rhodesia--that's remarkable," thought Wilmshurst. "That's the name of Rupert's chum. Wonder if it's the same man? There may be dozens of MacGregors in Rhodesia; I'll see if I can get in touch with this MacGregor."
That same afternoon the Rhodesian was pointed out to Dudley by the third mate as he strolled into the smoking-room.