I have since been asked why the prisoners and Spaniards on the Spanish ship did not attack the prize crew and seize the ship when we were not in company with the _Wolf_. It sounds quite simple, but it must be remembered that although the prize crew was certainly a small one, they were well supplied with arms, bombs, and hand grenades, while the prisoners and Spaniards had no arms at all, as they had all been taken away by the Germans. Further, an attack of this kind would have been far worse than useless unless its absolute success could have been definitely assured. There were very few young and able men among the prisoners, while the German prize crew were all picked men, young and powerful. The working crew of the ship was composed of Spaniards and other neutrals, including a Greek and a Chilian. It would have been absolutely necessary to have secured the allegiance and support of every one of these. The plan of seizing the ship, which sounds so simple, was discussed among us many a time, but it was in reality quite impracticable. What would our fate have been if we had tried--and failed? And what of the women and children on board? CHAPTER VIII RUMOURS AND PLANS We had been encouraged by the Germans to think--they had in fact definitely told us--that the _Igotz Mendi_ with us on board was to be sent to Spain when the Germans released her. This news greatly rejoiced the Spaniards, who had naturally become very depressed, more especially as they knew that if no news were received of them for six weeks after the date on which they were due at Colombo a requiem mass would, according to Spanish custom, be said for them at their churches at home. On December 29th, all of which and the previous day, together with many succeeding days, were spent in transferring our cargo coal to our bunkers, the Germans on our ship and on the _Wolf_ ostentatiously bade each other good-bye, and letters from prisoners on the _Wolf_ were brought to us to post in Spain when we landed. The idea of the _Wolf_ remaining out till the war was over in six months was abandoned, and we were told the _Wolf_ would now go home to Germany. Why we were told this--the first time we had been informed of the _Wolf's_ plans--we never knew, except that it might have been an excuse to keep dragging us over the seas, for the _Wolf_ would never have allowed us to get ashore before she reached Germany. Now that we know that the Germans always intended taking us to Germany, it is obvious that it was quite immaterial to them if they told us their plans. They wished to keep us, and having told us of their future plans, it is plain they could not afford to release us.