Chapter THIRTY

For three days after her crew had placed Redmond on the shores of Patrocinio Island, the damaged cruiser “Farragut” limped steadily forward at the rate of twelve knots an hour toward Honolulu. Hers was probably one of the most forlorn voyages ever undertaken. When she left Honolulu every man on board was keyed up to the pitch of expectation, proud and eager to be in at the finish of the pirate whose depredations had aroused the entire world. Now their ship was slinking back to port in a crippled condition, rendered impotent by one of the defensive weapons of the pirate they had hoped to capture.

Immediately after Redmond had been placed ashore the crew of the “Farragut” stretched a tarpaulin around the shattered bows of their vessel to break the force of the water. Other temporary repairs were also made. Fortunately, the bulkhead between the second and third hold, which had not been damaged by the explosion, was still watertight and sufficiently strong to enable the ship to proceed at the reduced speed.

Realizing the desperate nature of the voyage before him, Captain Moore took the shortest possible course to his destination, and although it practically paralleled the regular trade route between Honolulu and Midway Island, not a single object was sighted to relieve the monotonous sameness of the vast sea throughout the dreary time that had elapsed since the return trip began. Several times the war-vessel had been very close to the various uninhabited rocks belonging to the Hawaiian archipelago, but none had been sighted. In fact, no effort had been made to approach them.

Early on the fourth day of the voyage, when sun observations showed the “Farragut” was approaching the elongated island of Niihau, Captain Moore sent instructions forward to the men on duty to keep a sharp watch for sight of land. This order had scarcely been issued when the look-out man in the fighting top of the foremast sang out to the bridge:

“There’s a ship about two points on the port bow, sir.”

Captain Moore was in the navigating room at the time. He immediately gave orders to the quartermaster, who promptly threw his helm over, so that the “Farragut” would approach the other ship. Within half an hour the two vessels were close enough to permit semaphore signalling to one another. Before that time, however, it was clearly evident that the stranger was a war-vessel of the fast light cruiser type.

Having ascertained the nature of the stranger, Captain Moore naturally surmised that she was on her way to take his place off Patrocinio Island, in response to the emergency message he had sent shortly after the explosion had damaged the bows of his ship.

In her subsequent signals the approaching cruiser said she was the “New Orleans”, under instructions to proceed to Patrocinio, and intercept the “Farragut” on the way. Her commander then added that he had orders for Captain Moore and asked the latter to come to in order that he could deliver them.

This was done immediately, and shortly afterwards a small launch was lowered from the “New Orleans”, which then started over toward the “Farragut.” When the launch came alongside the damaged cruiser Captain Simmons of the “New Orleans” came aboard and went into the navigating cabin. There, after customary greetings had been exchanged with Captain Moore, Simmons said:

“I have instructions for you from headquarters at Honolulu. Here they are.”

He then handed Captain Moore a sealed envelope and continued:

“As I understand it, we are to change commands and you are to take the “New Orleans” on to Patrocinio and carry out your original instructions.”

Captain Moore took the message and hurriedly read it. It confirmed, in regulation navy form, what Captain Simmons had just said. The two officers then went through the necessary formalities of transferring their commands. As soon as this had been completed they engaged in conversation for a few moments, during which Moore gave his colleague an outline of the explosion and the events that followed it.

“How is Mr. Ingleton now?” asked Captain Simmons.

“He’s improving wonderfully,” replied Captain Moore. “At first the doctor was afraid he had suffered internal injuries, but I understand that such is not the case. He is still laid up, suffering from the effects of the shock, but he is expected to recover pretty rapidly now, I believe.”

“Well, I’m glad to hear that. Was he disappointed at not being able to go ashore with Redmond to aid his daughter?”

“We haven’t discussed that situation with him at all. The doctor has asked us not to do so, and I think it would be a wise idea not to mention it to him. In fact, if I were you, I would not visit him at all because if he saw there had been a change of commanders he might suspect something and begin worrying. So far as I am aware, he is still under the impression that we are lying off Patrocinio. He can’t feel the ship’s vibration where he is lying. It will be best to let him recover first and then explain the turn of events to him afterwards.”

For the next few moments the conversation dwelt upon naval matters generally, in the course of which Captain Moore asked:

“What’s the latest in connection with operations against the pirate? Have any new plans been decided upon?”

“No! So far as I know, there is no change in the situation, except that I heard the experts in Washington have cabled that they have been successful in developing a new kind of bomb and shell that is to be used against him when everything is ready for the final operations.”

“What’s the nature of it?” inquired Moore.

“I don’t know exactly. I understand that it is a chemical bomb containing some liquid gas, probably something like those Levanter is reported to be using.”

“We haven’t heard a thing during the time we have been coming from the island,” said Captain Moore, “so we have been wondering whether anything unusual had happened, or whether the pirate had been out from his base at all.”

“There is nothing new,” replied Captain Simmons. “The pirate has been inactive ever since you left Honolulu. I imagine that he is undergoing periodical repairs. He is undoubtedly having great difficulty in obtaining the supplies he needs for his engines. The private companies are not taking any chances, and most schedules have been completely abandoned until there is a greater measure of security against him. Of course, I don’t know anything about the plans that are being made, but I have an idea that it won’t be very long now before a concentrated attack is made against the pirate. I know all kinds of pressure is being brought to bear on the government to move against him, and everybody is keyed up. You are a lucky dog. You’ll probably be right on the job when things are moving.”

“Well, I hope they move quickly,” said Moore, “it’s no cinch lying around off that God-forsaken place waiting for something to happen and not knowing anything. It can’t come too quick to suit me.”

“Well, I wish you luck anyway,” said Simmons as Moore rose to leave. A few minutes afterwards the latter was in the launch on his way to take over his new command and proceed back to the pirate’s nest.