Lord Hastings bowed courteously. "Exactly," he replied. The German officer drew himself up indignantly. "That, sir," he said, "is hardly a fair thing to ask of a prisoner." "Perhaps not, you being the prisoner," replied the commander of the D-16. "Still, you may have heard that 'All's fair in love and war.'" "And if I refuse?" said the German. "Well, it's hard to say," replied Lord Hastings quietly. "But I can say this much: We cannot be burdened with any human excess." "You mean you will kill me?" "Oh, no; nothing like that. Rather, I should suggest setting you adrift in a small boat." The German was silent for some moments, musing. "And I might say," continued Lord Hastings, "that you would be given no water or provisions." "You might just as well shoot me outright," said the German. Lord Hastings shrugged his shoulders. "I couldn't quite do that," he replied. "Well," said the German officer, "if I must, I must, and that's all there is about it." "I am glad you are so sensible," said Lord Hastings. "Now, I shall turn the vessel over to you at once; but remember, at the first sign of treachery, there will always be a bullet waiting for you." The German bowed, but made no reply. Lord Hastings summoned a sailor, and instructed him to put the German officer in charge of the helm, but to keep close watch over him. The sailor and the German commander then left Lord Hastings' quarters. "Great Scott!" exclaimed Frank when they had gone. "Do you mean to tell me that you would have carried out your threat?" "Well, hardly," replied his commander with a laugh. "However, as you see, a threat in the proper place often works out advantageously." "Still," said Jack, "I am not exactly satisfied that he means to play straight with us. He gave in too easily to suit me." "The same thought struck me," declared Frank. "Oh, I guess he'll put us through," said Lord Hastings. "I'm not so sure," from Frank skeptically. "Well," said Lord Hastings, "we'll watch him carefully, and his first false step will be his last. We can't afford to take chances now. One of us must be near him all the time." Thus it was arranged and Jack volunteered to take the first watch. Frank elected to take the second and Lord Hastings announced that he would take the third. This watch, it was agreed, would be maintained until they had passed through the canal. Jack made his way at once to the helm, where he took up his station, while Frank and Lord Hastings turned in. Here the lad sat for four straight hours, not once relaxing his vigilance. Then Frank relieved him. All went well in this second watch until there was but an hour of it left. Then the German commander turned to Frank. "I'll have to ask you to rise three fathoms," he said. "Rise?" said Frank. "What for?" "Because," was the reply, "the water is very shallow just ahead, and we shall run aground. We are now approaching the entrance to the canal."