ir own, and in a
short time, at the speed they were making, the destroyer would be within
range of her heavy guns, one shell from which could break the frail
craft in two.

Jenkins and his crowd were busy, the man at the wheel was steering by
compass and looking ahead, and it was the wireless operator on
watch--Casey--who rushed on deck, looked at the battle-ship, and shouted
to Jenkins.

"Don't you see that fellow?" he yelled, excitedly. "I heard him before I
saw him. He asked: 'What ship is that?'"

Jenkins looked to the north, just in time to see a tongue of red dart
from a casemate port; then, as the bark of the gun came down the wind, a
spurt of water lifted from the sea about a hundred yards ahead.

"Port your wheel--hard over," yelled Jenkins, running forward. The
destroyer swung to the southward, showing her stern to the battle-ship,
and increasing her speed as the engine-room staff nursed the oil feed
and the turbines. Black smoke--unconsumed carbon that even the blowers
could not ignite--belched up from the four short funnels, and partly hid
her from the battle-ship's view.

But, obscure though she was, she could not quite hide herself in her
smoke nor could her speed carry her faster than the twelve-inch shells
that now came plowing through the air. They fell close, to starboard and
to port, and a few came perilously near to the stern; but none hit or
exploded, and soon they were out of range and the firing ceased, the
battle-ship heading to the west.

Jenkins came aft, and looked sternly at Denman, still smoking his cigar.

"Did you see that fellow before we did?" he asked.

"I did," answered Denman, returning his stare.

"Why didn't you sing out? If we're sunk, you drown, too, don't you?"

"You forget, Captain Jenkins, that I accepted my parole on condition
that I should neither interfere with you nor assist you."

"But your life--don't you value that?"

"Not under some conditions. If I cannot emerge from this adventure with
credit and honor intact, I prefer death. Do you understand?"

Jenkins' face worked visibly, as anger left it and wondering doubt
appeared. Then his countenance cleared, and he smiled.

"You're right, sir. I understand now. But you know what we mean to do,
don't you? Make the African coast and scatter. You can stand for that,
can't you?"

"Not unless I have to. But you will not reach the coast. You will be
hunted down and caught before then."

Jenkins' face clouded ag