a
nuisance, equipped as they are with so many machines for our
destruction, it would be very disagreeable to make their acquaintance.
If they come, it is best to disappear. It is not worth the risk. We have
many more important duties ahead of us. It would be too bad to spoil a
good torpedo on such trash."

At the same time, I decided to rise so as to get a better observation
through the periscope and once more look around the horizon. I suddenly
observed in the northeast a peculiar, dark cloud of smoke. I, therefore,
did not give any orders to arise, but told "Centrale" by a few short
commands through the speaking tube the new turn of affairs and, with
added speed, went to meet the smoke cloud.

III

THE SINKING OF THE TRANSPORT

Soon the outlines of a ship told us that ahead of us was a large
steamer, steaming westward at high speed. The disappointment which we
experienced at first was soon reversed when it was clearly shown that
the fortunes of war had again sent a ship across our course which
belonged to a hostile power.

No flag could be seen--nor was it run up. Otherwise we would have seen
it.

"This is a suspicious circumstance," I reasoned with myself.

I called down to the "Centrale" all my observations through the
periscope at regular intervals, snapping them out in the same sharp,
brief style that the newsboys use in calling out the headlines to the
listening public. My words were passed in whispers from mouth to mouth
until all hands on board knew what was going on above the surface. Each
new announcement from the conning tower caused great excitement among
the crew, listening and holding their breath and, I believe, if you
could measure the tension on human nerves with a barometer, it would
have registered to the end of the tube, when, like hammer beats, these
words went down to the "Centrale":

"The steamer's armed! Take a look, mate."

I stepped away from the sights of the periscope. "Can you see the gun
mounted forward of the bridge?"

"Yes, certainly," he replied excitedly. "I can see it, and quite a large
piece it is, too."

"Now take a look at her stern--right by the second mast--what do you
notice there?"

"Thousand devils! Another cannon--at least a ten-centimeter gun. It's a
transport, sure."

"Drop the periscope! Port ten!" I commanded.

"Torpedo tube ready!" reported the torpedo master through the tube from
the forward torpedo compartment.

By this time I had the peri