one of the boats, made good use of
a small electric torch which he had managed to retain.

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.

Robert MacGregor was a man of about t