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"Not when I can't see your uniform," laughed the mutineer, roughly. "I'm not going to argue with you any more. I've given you my orders. Do you intend to submit, or will you fight?" "We'll fight!" roared the mutineer. A hoarse cheer went up from his comrades. "They don't estimate our fighting power very highly," muttered Ennerling, in a low tone.
"Mutiny, by Jove!" murmured the Naval officer. He did not speak excitedly, but with a certain grim dryness. "Catch up with them as soon as you can, Captain Benson." "There they go, heading away from us," muttered Captain Jack. "From her present performance she doesn't look to be over a fourteen-knot boat," declared Ennerling. "You won't be long in running alongside." "What do you make out, sir?"
The watch that's kept aboard a Naval vessel under way, for one thing." "I'll try the trick, sir, if you'll stand for it." Ennerling turned to stare at the boy in amazement. "Benson, you've done several clever things, but now you're talking nonsense." "I don't say I can do the thing," rejoined Jack, "but would you like to see me try?"
"Going under full power, but shooting rockets," added Jack. "They've just sent up two from aft." "Distress sign, without a doubt," mused the Naval officer. "Wonder what it means?" Jack had reached for a pair of night glasses, which he now handed Commander Ennerling. Already the "Pollard" had swung to a bow-on course and was making straight for the steam yacht.
"Those brutes might fire on you, and the women, but it's worth trying," decided the Naval officer, instantly. "Over with you, then!" Captain Jack waited only long enough to shed coat and cap, then sprang to the rail. Hal was with him, instantly. "Sir," bellowed Commander Ennerling, "Have your women folks jump overboard. We'll pick them up in the water. Be quick about it!"
"You surrender, then?" demanded Ennerling, stiffly, though his heart must have bounded with joy. "Wise men! We're not going to put a prize crew aboard. You'll have to take the yacht in. Head about for the coast, taking the course as we signal it. Don't try any tricks, or any slowing down of speed. The least sign of treachery, and we'll sink you without further warning "
With that the "Pollard," which had been running not more than five feet below the surface of the water, rose gently. "Jove!" murmured Commander Ennerling. "Did you work by calculation, Benson, or guesswork?" "I calculated the distance as nearly as I could," replied Jack Benson quietly. "Then you're a marvel, lad," cried Commander Ennerling, admiringly.
"Tell 'em anything you like, except that the 'Pollard' is trying to tie up," responded Jack. "That all?" demanded Eph, with a grin. "If it is, I'm off to get into my traveling clothes." "Hurry," nodded Jack. "Send Hal up to the wheel, while I explain the whole thing to Mr. Farnum. But, commander, what if that shouldn't be a Navy vessel?" "It is," responded Ennerling, with emphasis.
They are worth two hundred thousand dollars a rich prize to desperate thieves." "What folly to tempt men so on the broad ocean!" muttered Commander Ennerling, under his breath. "The jewels were kept in a safe in the cabin," continued Mr. Lawton. "And there are the scoundrels just smashing in the cabin door," broke in Jack Benson. "There they go, piling below."
"Don't feel badly about it, gentlemen," laughed Commander Ennerling. "Jack Benson is the same lad who stole up under the battleship 'Luzon, and painted the name, 'Pollard, in sixfoot letters on the hull of the battleship as a reminder of his call. The lad is a sea-joker of the first order."
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