White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1929-06-07
CHAPTER lI.-Continued


One of the mechanics helpers,
Schmidt by name, / had taken for q
principal role in our strategy. He
was slender, beardless, and of delicate
appearance, and could pass well
enough in woman's clothes. NorWe-
gian shippers often take their wives
with them on their voyages. The cap
tain's wife aboard the false Maleta
would seem natural and tend to dis
arm suspicion, and, besides, British
naval officers are always courteous
and considerable toward women. In
the presence Of the captains wife,
prize officer who might board us would
be more obliging toward us all. We
had blonde wig for Schmidt and
an outfit of women's clothes. We took
great pains in schooling him to play
the part of the captains wife correct
ly. One difficulty was his big feet.
There was, unfortunately, no way to
make them smaller, so we arranged
that the captains wife should be
slightly i'll and remain seated during
any possible search and have rug
thrown over her feet to keep them
warm. The other difficulty was
Schmidt's voice. 1t was too deep, and
he knew no Norwegian. Well, the cap
tain's wife can't talk because she has
an awful toothache. A wad Of cotton
stuffed into Schmidt's cheek, and there
was the swelling. He did know enough
English to say "all right" We trained
him to say a high-pitched "all right"
something like a woman with tooth
ache. Except for that phrase, he was
to keep his mouth shut. We had a
large photograph made of Schmidt in
his costume, signed it ''thy loving Jo-
sephine," and hung it in my cabin.
Now the Britishers could compare the
photograph of the captains wife with
the lady in person. So from now on
poor Schmidt's name was "Josefeena"
as the Norwegians pronounce 1t.
We were ready to sail when, by Joe,
what comes but telegram from the
kaisers aide. am to report imme-
diately direct to his majesty. guessed
what was up. had gone into the
navy from the mercantile marine in
stead of through the usual cadet route.
| I had been a common ordinary sailor,
and this had aroused lot of antag-
onism in naval circles. There had been
jealousy about my getting an indie
pendent command-highest of all ma
val honors. So attempts were being
made to have my assignment annulled.
Even to appear in the imperial pres
ence was trying ordeal for most Off
GERS. Many took refuge in rigid "at-
tention." Well, had never quite got
used to high-class manners at sea, and
the ramrod ATTENTION" left me more
embarrassed than otherwise. Even in
the emperor's presence, kept the
same brusque manner of an old-time
seaman that was natural to me.
The kaiser spoke bluntly.
"Well, Luckner, at the admiralty
they now tell me 1t is madness to at
tempt the blockade with sailing ship.
| What do you think?"
"Well, your majesty, If our admi-
rally says it's impossible and ridicu-
lous, then I'm sure it can be DONE =
| 1 replied. 'For the British admiralty
will think it impossible also. They
won't be on the lookout for anything
50 absurd as raider disguised as q
harmless old sailing ship"
The emperor looked at me with a
frown, and then his face relaxed into
a smile.
"You are right, Luckner. Go ahead
And may the hand Of the Almighty
be at your helm"
knew now that there would be no
more official interference. The true
Maleta was now due to sail in day,
so we made ready to pull up anchor.
Then wireless came from the admi-
| rally:
y "Wait till the Deutschland makes
port"
Our giant merchant submarine, the
Deutschland, was on her way home
from her famous transatlantic cruise
to America. In an attempt to cut her
| off, the British had set double watch.
So the Seeadler would have to slip
past twice as many cruisers and de-