River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1914-01-08

manned by crew of lusty sailors, and
in the stern sat an officer in the uni
form of German naval captain. We
drew alongside and opened our deck
He stepped aboard.
Lieutent Won Beeman Sprang to his
side and began to pour out the story
of our attempt The captains brows
contracted as he listened; incredulous
at first, he grew more and more i'm
passive and cold At last he turned
TO Nikolai
What have you to say" he asked
1T is true,' said my companion,
What are you going to do?"
The captain spoke more coldly.
more formally than before. Nicolai
turned to me.
HE says that he intends to hang
us at his yard-arm before breakfast
he explained.
looked around me desperately
Dawn was already flushing the east
the stars were paling, and, on the port
bow, outlined against the saffron
sky, was the long Toast line of Eng
land.
He cannot hang spies--even if we
are spies-in peace time" ] muttered
1T is against the code"
Nikolai translated, but the captain
did not deign to notice me. 1t was
the lieutenant who interposed.
"As for that fellow" he said, point.
ing to me, 'let him hang if you pre-
fer, captain. But not this other, who
is evidently high officer in the Eng
lish service. Curse him." he shrek.
ed, losing his self-control again. He
insulted me in the streets of Kiel. He
called me sleeps head-and | was
in uniform.
Calls head, not sleeps head.
Nikolai interposed.
Il demand satisfaction" shouted
Won Beeman.
Il am afraid. lieutenant" said the
captain, that the honor of Germany
must take precedence of yours"
IF it will be any satisfaction" said
Nikolai. Il am no officer. l am an un
official spy in nobody's service but
my own"
lis that true?' cried Won Beeman
with apparent eagerness, staring al
Nikolai. My comrade nodded. The
lieutenant leaped forward with cry
of triumph.
1T is true" he exclaimed. Il CUES
toned his veracity, and he showed nc
resentment. An officer does not lie
He is no officer Well, do you wish
my evidence, sir, at the court-mar
tial?"
There will be no court-martial
lieutenant" the captain answered
They will be hanged Immediately. Lie
to until you see them at the yard
arm; then return to Kiel and repor'
yourself to the commandant OF the
port. And now unite those fe!
lows
At the word from Won Beeman the
sailors began to free us from our
bonds. Meanwhile the German cap
tain moved leisurely about the subma
rine, examining the mechanism with
professional interest. When we were
free he signed to us to precede him
into the boat. We took our places
and the sailors began to row us back
to the man Of war 1t was almost
light now. Behind US the submarine
tossed heavily upon the waves. Look
ing backward, could see Won Beeman
standing amidship, gazing implacably
after us. Then Nikolai nudged me
and pointed furtively to the German
captain.
He was beaming upon US, and in
his expression there was something
as near a wink as imagine the naval
regulations would allow. While
watched him. amazed, / heard one
of the sailors, who had missed his
stroke with the oar, utter hearty
curse in purest English.
But we were at the ships side and
ascending the ladder before J. could
draw the necessary differences from
what | had seen. The captain walk
ed forward toward his quarters, sign
ing to us to follow him. Presently
we were alone with him in his cab
III.
ruptly.
well done, SIR" he said heartily
II shall report your courageous &C
ton to the admiralty. Not only have
you performed an act unparalleled IL
the history of the fleet, but you afford
ed me an opportunity to discover the
complete secret of the mechanism Of
the new submarine"
"With your permission, sir, | viii
explain matters to my friend" saiC
Nikolai, turning to me. But already
the whole affair had become clear tt
me. 1t was an English battleship, and
by the ruse of the German flag, its
captain had discovered the secre
which England had wanted so badly
We were in friendly hands.
did you fulfill this mission by the
direct suggestion Of the admiralty
the captain asked
mo. sir" said Nikolai. 1T was ouI
own enterprise, and we trusted to thu
generosity of the English nation t.
reward us adequately.
The captain started.
"What?" he cried. Does nobody II
England know that you embarked
upon this perilous adventure?"
Nobody but yourself and your men
sir" Nikolai answered.
The captains manner changed II
a way comical to see.
well, my men," he said, you hav
had a fortunate escape. Now tel
you what l shall do. In five minutes
dinghy will be lowered from the side