Chapter I: Front Matter

THE SEA MONARCH

By

Percy F. Westerman

[Transcriber's note:

Mr. Percy F. Westerman has written this story for:

THE CAPTAIN
A MAGAZINE FOR BOYS & "OLD BOYS".

VOL. XXV
_APRIL to SEPTEMBER, 1911_

_London:_
GEORGE NEWNES, LIMITED, 3 to 12, SOUTHAMPTON STREET, STRAND.

The magazine was a periodical that appeared monthly and was also
sold in volumes of 6 months, in this case April to September
of 1911. In the index of this volume the story appeared as
follows:

*SEA MONARCH, THE.* By Percy F. Westerman 40
98, 217, 311, 386, 482

Each instalment, except the first, has a copyright-statement
at the bottom of the first page:

_Copyright_ 1911, _by George Newness, Ltd., in the United States
of America._

]

CONTENTS

CHAP.
I. THE MYSTERIOUS CASE OF THE "ZIETAN"
II. INTRODUCES THE "PLAYMATE" AND HER SKIPPER
III. RUN DOWN
IV. A PRISONER ON THE MYSTERIOUS SHIP
V. CAPTAIN BROOKES
VI. THE CONNING-TOWER OF THE "OLIVE BRANCH"
VII. RUMOURS OF WAR
VIII. TREACHERY
IX. AN ACT OF PIRACY
X. CLEARED FOR ACTION
XI. WIPED OUT
XII. THROUGH THE MINE FIELD
XIII. TRAPPED
XIV. RUNNING THE GAUNTLET
XV. A ONE-SIDED ENGAGEMENT
XVI. IN THE CLUTCHES OF THE PATAGONIANS
XVII. GERALD'S RUSE
XVIII. THE CAPTAIN'S REVENGE
XIX. GERALD'S PROMOTION
XX. THE AIRMAN
XXI. THE MISSING WIRELESS GEAR
XXII. THE TOUCHSTONE OF PERIL
XXIII. THE CRIPPLED SUBMARINE
XXIV. A FRUSTRATED PLOT
XXV. THE EMPIRE'S ORDEAL
XXVI. THE VINDICATION OF THE "OLIVE BRANCH"

ILLUSTRATIONS

Crash! The huge vessel, looming out of the fog, struck the little
yacht amidships. The stout planks were shorn through as if made of
match-board, and the water poured in a cataract over the lee side.

There was the sound of a hasty scuffling; then appeared the head
and shoulders of the owner of the _Playmate_

The mast snapped off close to the deck, and a block, hurtling
through the air, struck Gerald a terrific blow over the head.

Staggering to the door he threw it open. To his great surprise he
saw a burly sentry standing without.

In spite of his strenuous resistance they hauled the deserter out
of the empty tank, and then unceremoniously bundled him into the
gig.

"Look here, Mr. Schneider, you've come to the wrong box with your
sneaking complaints. So clear out!"

Bending over the instrument was a young officer, his head
practically covered with a metal cap fitted with receivers.

The man staggered, clapped his hand to his shoulder, and fell to
the deck, the weapon slipping from his grasp.

Schneider cleared the rail, and leapt into the sea.

The doomed vessel was instantly swept out of existence. The massive
outlines of the cruiser seemed to melt into a hundred thousand
fragments.

As night fell the searchlights played with unceasing vigilance upon
the harbour. Suddenly Captain Brookes turned to Gerald. "Does my
compact forbid me using the Z-rays?" he asked.

A party of natives appeared on the beach regarding the cruiser with
obvious amazement. In their hands they carried long slender spears,
which they brandished menacingly.

Like a terrier let loose amidst a swarm of rats the submarine
dashed towards the canoes.

A terrific detonation shook the ground, and a thick cloud of smoke
obscured the view of the pinnacle. In an agony of fear the natives
threw themselves face downwards in the dust.

Seated up to his waist in water was the aviator, clad in an
inflated rubber suit. The engine was lost to view, the tips of the
twin propellers just projected above the surface.

"Good shot!" yelled several of the officers on the _Olive Branch_.
For a full ten seconds the monoplane held on its course, then,
lurching like a wounded bird, it swooped swiftly downwards.

The searchlight revealed a huge circular turret with a pair of
monster guns. Slowly the submarine swung round, the light
travelling the length of the huge mass of weed-encrusted iron
and steel.

The four men threw themselves on the astonished foreigners, and
a desperate conflict ensued.

"In view of possible events I must ask you to take up your quarters
beneath the armoured deck," said Captain Brookes.

An admiral's pinnace was approaching the shattered _Olive Branch_.
Gerald hastened on deck to receive the distinguished officer.

THE SEA MONARCH

BY PERCY F. WESTERMAN

Author of: "A Lad of Grit," "The Quest of the Golden Hope," etc., etc.

_ILLUSTRATED BY E. S. HODGSON_