Inside of three minutes all was ready, the warp was cast off, and the steel hatch in the conning tower dropped with a clang.  In a trice G2 began to sink, and within an incredibly short space of time she had dipped out of sight beneath the sea, and the boat lay alone on the surface, rocking slightly to the send of the small gray waves.

For the first time Ken had leisure to glance round at his companions.  Including Roy, himself, Williams, and Johnston, the full number was twenty-three, and of them all there was not one who did not look keen and eager for the fray.  All had suffered at the hands of the enemy, some had lost all they had in the world.  Every man was anxious to get a little of his own back.  By the way they gripped the cutlasses that had been served out, by their grim faces, and eager eyes, Ken felt certain that there would be no hesitation when the critical moment arrived.

‘What is the craft?’ asked Roy, who was crowding close beside him.

‘Nothing but a launch,’ Ken answered.

‘She looks pretty big for a launch,’ said Roy, staring at the vessel which was now near enough to see the shape of her.

’Oh, I dare say she’s a fifty-footer.  And no doubt she carries a good few men.  And a gun, too.  It’s not going to be any picnic, old chap.  Our only chance is a surprise.’

’And there won’t be much surprise about it, if we let them see how many men we have aboard,’ cut in Captain Carrington briskly.  The years had dropped away from him, and he was again the naval officer.

’Get down, Ken, and you too, Horan.  Williams and Johnston, hide yourselves under that tarpaulin forward.’

Very shortly all the younger men of the party were stowed away, some under the thwarts, others under a couple of tarpaulins which Strang had put in for the purpose.  All weapons were carefully hidden, and the dozen older men, who were all that were left in sight, were directed to loll about, as though suffering from long exposure or fatigue.

The haze was thickening, so there was little danger of the people aboard the launch noticing the manoeuvre.

The launch had, however, sighted the boat.  There was no doubt about that, for she had altered her course, and was coming straight towards them.

‘Beastly fuggy under here!’ growled Roy in Ken’s ear.

‘Take it easy, old chap.  We shan’t have long to wait.’

Ken’s father heard, and bent down.

‘She’s within a mile.  Mind you don’t move till I give the word.’

‘All right, dad,’ came the muffled response from under the tarpaulin.  ’How big is she?’

’A good size.  She looks as if she carried a score of men.  And there’s a 6-pounder in her bows.’

Soon she was so near that Ken clearly heard the beat of her engine.  His breath came quick and short.  The critical moment was very near.

The revolutions slackened, and a man hailed from the launch, speaking, to Ken’s dismay, in harsh German.