e:

"Don't fire on them unless I do. They're helpless."

The "Reed," first to approach the submarines, steamed in between them.
Then as the "Grigsby" raced up, she received this message from Dalzell:

"Wish you would take charge of the nearer submarine. I'll handle the
other."

On both enemy craft, as seen under the searchlight, the German crews had
come out on deck. It was clear that they wished to surrender without
further loss of life.

So Dave ordered a launch cleared away, with a prize crew armed to the
teeth, Ensign Andrews in command.

"You men get as far forward as possible," Andrews shouted to the huddled
enemy. "Be careful not to have any weapons about you. We'll accept you as
prisoners of war, but any attempt at treachery will be sternly punished!"

As he spoke the ensign rested one hand on the barrel of a machine gun in
the launch's bow. Instantly the Germans began to move forward, only their
four officers remaining near the conning tower.

"Stand by to catch a line and make fast," called the ensign, as the
launch, under headway, lay in close.

Though they plainly understood, not one of the German officers made a
move to catch a rope. Instead, one of them called to the huddled seamen,
two of whom came back to take the line.

Making fast, Andrews stepped aboard, followed by some of his armed crew.

"You are the only officers of this craft?" Andrews demanded.

"Yes," sullenly replied the ober-lieutenant.

"Be good enough to hold up your hands while we search you."

Though their eyes flashed their rage, the German officers raised their
hands while a petty officer "frisked" them one after the other.

"None of them armed, sir," was the report.

"Then into the launch with them. Next, order the seamen and
engine-tenders aft and search them. The launch will carry about twenty
prisoners on the first trip."

Soon the score of prisoners had been delivered aboard the "Grigsby." A
second lot was sent over, after which Andrews decided that he could take
charge of the remainder on their own craft. He now had force enough with
him to keep this unarmed remainder in subjection.

Heading an armed party the ensign went below in the submarine to make an
inspection. He had already noted a shell-hole through the hull which had
made it impossible for this submarine to dive without drowning the crew.
But he found other matters to interest him. This was a mine-layer craft,
and at the present moment she had more t