The Fight for Constantinople: A Story of the Gallipoli PeninsulaWesterman, Percy F. (Percy Francis)
History
The Fight for Constantinople: A Story of the Gallipoli Peninsula
Westerman, Percy F. (Percy Francis)
Adventure stories; Great Britain. Royal Navy -- Juvenile fiction; World War, 1914-1918 -- Juvenile fiction
"You know too much," he said. "I must find out de soldier what tell
you about de Englis sailors who broke de wreck to bits, so no good to
Ottoman."
"Look here, Ahmed," continued the Sub. "You asked me a question the
other day. Now I want to ask you one. What happened to the rest of my
men when we were taken prisoners?"
The man looked suspiciously at his questioner.
"Me no tell," he said slowly, "No can do. P'lap I tell if you say how
many Englismans come to fight us on land. P'laps if dey too many we
Ottomans no fight. Me no want more fight, an' plenty odders no fight."
Dick was sitting on the of his during the conversation. Now he stood
up, erect and determined.
"Look here, Herr Major," he said sternly, hazarding the German's rank
since the two captains had saluted the pseudo-Turkish seaman. "Don't
try to bamboozle us. It can't be done. You haven't the pluck to sail
under your own colours: you must needs pretend you're a Turk--and a
precious rotten pretence it is. You told your pals you were going to
have one more attempt. You've done so, and made a horrible mess of it.
Now try your other plan; but take it from me, you've a couple of
Englishmen to deal with. Clear out!"
Too astounded for words, the German could only look sheepishly at the
man who had given him a "dressing-down". His mouth worked as if he
were trying to utter some malediction. Then, cowed by the Sub's bearing
and obviously frightened at Dick's clenched fists, he backed towards the
door.
On the threshold he paused, with his hand on the key.
"Swine, English swine!" he shouted. "You'll be sorry for this."
Amid the scornful laughter of Dick and the midshipman the German
slammed the door and locked it.
"That's done it," remarked Dick. "Now for reprisals, I suppose."
"He was in a tear!" said Farnworth, with a laugh at the thought of the
fellow's discomfiture. "But, by Jove, sir, how you kidded him over
that submarine business!"
"It was quite a fluke," explained Dick. "I had my doubts about the
capture of one of our submarines, but evidently one has been lost.
Naturally our fellows wouldn't let a thing like that remain in the
hands of the enemy, and by that Teuton's admission it is pretty certain
that we've destroyed the craft to prevent her being made use of by the
Turks. Hello, the fun's going to commence!"
This remark was caused by the sounds of the tramp of feet in the
corridor. The door was unlocked, and a party of Turkish soldiers,
headed by a German in the uniform of a captain in the Ottoman service,
burst unceremoniously into the room.
Not a word was spoken. The German pointed to various articles and to
the door. Acting upon this mute order the soldiers removed the British
officers' beds, chairs, and other pieces of furniture.
A couple of lithe Turks seized each of the prisoners and stripped them
of their uniforms. In five minutes Dick and his companion were left
standing in nondescript garments in the midst of a bare room.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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