"We're marked down as hostages," began the Irishman; but one of the seamen, bringing the butt end of his rifle down on the deck within a couple of inches of O'Hara's toes, rendered unnecessary the guttural "Verboten" that accompanied the action. In silence the three Subs watched the proceedings. Under the orders of their captors the Japanese seamen were compelled to transfer bullion stores from the _Nichi Maru_ into the boats. German seamen brought charges of explosives and placed them below. It was apparent that the destruction of the captured vessel was already decided. At length all preparations were completed. One of the _Nichi Maru's_ officers, acting under the authority of the ober-leutnant gave the order--first in Japanese and then in English--to abandon the ship. "Fifteen minutes only are allowed. Boats to be provisioned and manned. No personal property is to be taken. Women and children first." The Japanese captain was expostulating, firmly and in a dignified manner. He pointed out the inhumanity of sending women and children adrift in mid-Atlantic and under a tropical sun. His protests were in vain. "We will send a small vessel to pick up the boats," retorted the German lieutenant. "We will not sink a small one purposely. A little discomfort will do these English good. You yellow apes are used to it." The Japanese accepted the direct insult without signs of emotion. The disguise of his feelings was a national trait, but it would have gone hard with the arrogant Prussian had the captain of the _Nichi Maru_ not been hampered with a crowd of non-combatants. "Now, Englishmen," exclaimed the German. "Into that boat. Any trouble make and you dead men. Ach! You smile now: your trouble it only has just commenced." CHAPTER II The Last of the _Nichi Maru_ In silence the three Subs left the doomed _Nichi Maru_ and entered the waiting boat. At the word of command the men pushed off and rowed towards the modern pirate. The disguised vessel had now swung round and was lying motionless at a distance of two cables' length from her prize. The hull was painted a light yellow, with a broad black band. Her funnels were buff with black tops. On her stern were the words, _Zwaan_--Rotterdam. "She's no more the _Zwaan_ of Rotterdam than I am," cogitated Denbigh. He was right in his surmise. The vessel was originally the _Pelikan_--a supplementary Hamburg-Amerika Line boat. On the outbreak of the war she was homeward bound from South America, with, as was the case with all liners flying the German flag, an armament of quick-firers stowed away in her hold.