The Coming Conquest of England

A >> August Niemann >> The Coming Conquest of England


"It is now noon," said Heideck. "We ought to be in Brindisi to-morrow.
Instead, we shall be in La Valetta, unless the captain changes his
course again and trusts to the speed of the Caledonia to reach Brindisi
in spite of the Forbin."

Then a loud shout was heard. The look-out man reported a ship on the
port side, and in a few minutes two other vessels suddenly appeared.

One of them afterwards proved to be the French second-class cruiser
Arethuse; the others were the protected cruiser Chanzy and a
torpedo-destroyer.

The Caledonia could not possibly get past the French in the direction of
Malta, for the destroyer was much faster and capable of making, at
full speed, twenty-seven knots an hour. The captain had no choice; he
accordingly turned round, and began to make for Alexandria again.

While the great vessel was wheeling round, those on board perceived that
the French had seen her and had started in pursuit.

Meanwhile the Forbin had approached considerably nearer and was
attempting to cut off the Caledonia. The captain accordingly gave orders
to steer further south.

Heideck, standing with Edith on the promenade-deck, followed the
movements of the vessels.

"What would happen to us if the French overtook us?" asked Edith.
"Surely they would not fire on an unarmed ship?"

"Certainly not. But they would call upon us to discontinue our journey,
and then they would take the Caledonia to the nearest French port."

"Is that the rule of naval warfare? Is the general law of nations so
defective that a passenger steamer can be captured? The Caledonia is not
a combatant. She is taking home wounded men and harmless passengers."

"Our captain doesn't seem to have much confidence in the laws of naval
warfare or nations in this case," said Heideck. "In fact, nothing is
more uncertain than these definitions. Strictly speaking, there is no
such thing as international law; the stronger does what he likes with
the weaker, and the only check on the arbitrariness of the victor is the
fear of public opinion. But this fear does not weigh much with him who
has might on his side, especially as he knows that public opinion can be
bribed."

"Then," said Edith, with a pitiful smile, "international law is very
like the law which is generally practised amongst human beings on land."

"Besides, the French would not make a bad catch if they brought in the
Caledonia," continued Heideck. "Of the eight hundred passengers about
three hundred belong to the army, and I have heard that there are large
sums of money on board."

The promenade-deck was full of first-class passengers, who anxiously
followed the movements of the ships. The second-class and steerage
passengers were equally anxious. In the most favourable circumstances,
if the Caledonia escaped her pursuers, her passage would, of course, be
considerably delayed. But it was hardly to be expected that she would
reach Alexandria; for though the Chanzy (travelling about twenty-two
knots) was obviously outpaced, the destroyer kept creeping up and the
Forbin was dangerously near.

Then a fresh surprise was reported. Two steamships were coming towards
the Caledonia. All glasses were directed to where the tiny pillars of
smoke appeared above the surface of the water, and it was soon seen
beyond doubt that they carried the British flag.

The second officer informed the passengers that they were the
first-class cruiser Royal Arthur and the gunboat O'Hara. He expressed
his hope that the Caledonia would reach their protection before the
French overtook her.

The water was fairly calm. Sky and sea had ceased to shine and sparkle
since the Caledonia had left the Suez Canal and emerged into the
Mediterranean. The grey colouring, peculiar to European latitudes, was
seen instead, and streaky clouds scudded over the pale-blue sky. The
movements of the ships could be closely followed by this light.

The English vessels approached rapidly. When the distance between the
Royal Arthur and the French destroyer was about two knots and a half
the cruiser opened fire from her bow-guns upon the destroyer, which only
stood out a little above the surface of the water. One of the heavy shot
whizzed so closely past the Caledonia, which was now between the two,
that the passengers could plainly hear the howling noise of the shell as
it cut through the air.

The Frenchman, without returning the fire, slackened speed, to wait till
the Chanzy came up. Meanwhile the Forbin advanced from the north
and opened fire from its bow-guns upon the British gunboat, and soon
afterwards the Chanzy fired its first shot. The position of the vessels
was now as follows: the gunboat lay broadside opposite the Forbin, the
two cruisers were firing with their bow-guns on each other, while the
destroyer kept in the background. In the meantime the Caledonia had
advanced so far that she was completely protected by the British guns.

If the captain had now continued his course he would probably have
reached Alexandria in safety. But he wished to avoid the delay, which
would have been considerable, and the entreaties of the passengers,
who, greatly excited, begged him to remain near the scene of action,
coincided with his own wishes.

Accordingly the Caledonia slackened speed, and took up a position to the
south-east of the field of battle, whence she could make for Brindisi or
Alexandria as soon as the result was decided.

For some time neither side gained the advantage. The Chanzy and Royal
Arthur had turned broadsides to each other and fired, but the effect was
not visible from the Caledonia.

Suddenly the Royal Arthur began to move in a northerly direction, firing
upon the enemy from her stern-guns.

"It almost looks as if he meant to help the O'Hara," said Heideck to
Edith, who was standing by his side with a field-glass. "The gunboat
is clearly no match for the Forbin, and has perhaps been hopelessly
damaged."

In fact, the Royal Arthur continued her course northwards, maintaining
an incessant fire upon the Chanzy and the destroyer, which still kept on
the watch in the rear, and made for the Forbin, on which she immediately
opened fire with her bow-guns.

As the scene of action thus shifted further and further north, the
captain of the Caledonia resolved to turn westwards again. It did not
seem advisable to call at Malta, but assuming that the Royal Arthur
could hold the French ships for a considerable time, he might fairly
hope to reach Brindisi, his original destination.

But the course of events disappointed his hopes. A ship was reported
ahead, which proved to be the Arethuse, bearing down straight on
the Caledonia. To avoid meeting her the captain immediately headed
northwards. This brought the Caledonia closer to the scene of action
than had been intended, so close that a British shell, discharged at the
destroyer lying to the east, flew over the low French vessel, and fell
into the sea right before the bows of the Caledonia, raising great jets
of water.

A few seconds later the French destroyer moved rapidly in the direction
of the Royal Arthur, and the passengers of the Caledonia, and all the
sailors on the now more restricted field of operations, witnessed a
fearful sight. The destroyer had seized the right moment to attack, and
from one of its tubes had launched a torpedo with splendid aim against
the enemy. In the centre of the Royal Arthur, just above the water-line,
a tiny cloud of smoke was seen, and then a large column of water
spurting up. At the same time a dull, loud report was heard that shook
the air for a considerable distance round and drowned the thunder of the
guns.

It looked as if the cruiser was being torn asunder by the hands of
giants. The enormous hull split in two. Slowly the prow leaned
forwards, the stern backwards. Immediately afterwards both parts righted
themselves again, as if they would close up over the gaping breach. But
this movement only lasted a few seconds. Then the weight of the water
rushing in drew the gigantic hull into the depths. The Royal Arthur sank
with awe-inspiring rapidity. Now only her three funnels were seen above
the surface of the water; a few minutes later nothing was visible save
the top of the mast and the top-pennants hoisted for battle. Then a
mighty, foaming billow rose on high, and only the breaking of the waves
marked the spot where the proud cruiser lay.

The guns had ceased firing, and deep silence reigned on all the ships.
The passengers were paralysed by overwhelming horror. The captain
ordered all the boats to be launched to go to the assistance of the crew
of the Royal Arthur. The Chanzy also was seen to be letting down boats.
The O'Hara fled, to avoid falling into the hands of the superior French
forces, and withdrew from the scene of action in an easterly direction,
pursued by the Forbin, which sent shot after shot after her. If the
captain of the Caledonia had abandoned all idea of flight, he was not
only following the dictates of humanity, but obeying the signals of the
destroyer, ordering him to bring to. He knew that there was no longer
any chance of escape for the steamer entrusted to his care, since the
shells of the Royal Arthur had ceased to threaten the enemy.

The struggles of the unhappy men, who had reached the surface from the
gloomy depths, and were now making desperate efforts to save themselves,
presented an affecting sight. Those who could not swim soon went under,
unless they succeeded in getting hold of some floating object. Every
second more of the numerous heads, which had been seen above the water
immediately after the sinking of the cruiser, disappeared, and there was
no doubt that the crews of the boats, though working heroically, would
only be able to save a small part of the crew.

Meanwhile the commander of the Chanzy's gig lay to at the gangway of the
Caledonia. The first officer, with four marines and a non-commissioned
officer, boarded the steamer and saluted the captain with naval
politeness.

"I greatly regret, sir, to be compelled to inconvenience you and your
passengers. But I am acting under orders, and must ask you to show me
your papers and to allow me to search the ship."

"It is yours to command, as things are," replied the Englishman
gloomily.

He then went down with the Frenchman into the cabin, while the
non-commissioned officer remained with the soldiers on the gangway. The
proceedings lasted nearly two hours, during which the work of rescuing
the crew of the Royal Arthur was continued unremittingly. A hundred and
twenty soldiers and sailors and five officers, besides the commander,
were saved. Most of the officers and crew were lost.

Unusual steps were taken to secure the prize. The captain, with the
first and second officers, was taken on board the Chanzy. The first
officer of the Chanzy took command of the ship, and two lieutenants
and fifty men were transferred to the Caledonia. These precautions were
sufficiently justified by the great value of the cargo. According to
the ship's papers, the Caledonia carried no less than 20,000,000 rupees,
some in specie, others in silver bars, consigned from Calcutta to
England. The French commander was naturally very anxious to take so
valuable a cargo safely to Toulon.

A further triumph fell to the lot of the French. The British gunboat,
flying the tricolour in place of the Union Jack, was brought back to the
scene of action by the Forbin. All four French ships accompanied the two
captive vessels on the voyage to Toulon--full steam ahead.




XXIV

THE ADVENTURES OF THE CALEDONIA


The passengers of the Caledonia were in a state of hopeless dejection
and violent exasperation. An attempt was made to throw the blame of
their misfortune on the unpardonable carelessness of the responsible
military authorities, rather than attribute it to an accident that could
not have been reckoned upon.

"Here we have another striking example of English lack of foresight,"
said Mr. Kennedy. "The idea of allowing the Caledonia to travel without
protection! Think of all the men-of-war lying idle at Bombay, Aden, and
Port Said! And yet nobody thought there was any occasion to send one
or more of them to escort this splendid ship, with nearly a thousand
Englishmen on board, and a cargo worth more than a million. Had our
commanders no suspicion that the French ships were so near?"

"Our commanders relied upon there being enough English ships cruising in
the Mediterranean to prevent such enterprises," said the General.

But this excuse was not accepted, and bitter were the reproaches hurled
at the English way of managing the war. When night came on the majority
of the passengers, utterly exhausted by the exciting events they had
gone through, retired to their cabins. But Heideck remained on deck for
some time, cooling his heated forehead in the delightful night breeze.
The squadron quickly pursued its course through the gently rushing
waves, the position of each ship being clearly defined by the
sidelights. On the right was the Chanzy, on the left the Arethuse, in
the rear the Forbin and the O'Hara, manned by a French crew. Nothing
could be seen of the destroyer. At length Heideck, tired of hearing the
regular steps of the French sentries pacing up and down the deck, went
down to his cabin. He was soon asleep, but his rest was broken by uneasy
dreams. The battle, of which he had been a spectator, was fought again.
His dreams must have been very vivid, for he thought he heard, without
cessation, the dull roar of the guns. He rubbed his eyes and sat up in
his narrow berth. Was it a reality or only a delusion of his excited
senses? The dull thunder still smote on his ear; and, having listened
intently for a few moments, he jumped up, slipped on his clothes, and
hurried on deck. On the way he met several passengers, who had also been
woke by the report of the guns. As soon as he reached the deck, he saw
that another violent naval engagement was in progress.

The night was rather dark, but the flash from the guns showed fairly the
position of the enemy, which became perfectly clear, when a searchlight
from the Arethuse played over the surface of the water with dazzlingly
clear light. The huge hulks of two battleships, white and glittering,
emerged from the darkness. In addition, there were to be seen five
smaller warships and several small, low vessels, the torpedo-boats of
the British squadron, which was advancing to meet the French. Then,
bright as a miniature sun, a searchlight was turned on also by the
English. It was an interesting spectacle to notice how the two electric
lights, slowly turning round, as it were lugged each ship out of the
darkness, showing the guns where to aim.

The French squadron, whose commander was well aware of the enemy's
superiority, began to bestir itself rapidly. All the vessels, the
Caledonia included, turned round and retreated at full speed. But the
heavy English shells from the guns of the battleships were already
beginning to fall amongst them, although the distance might have been
three knots. Suddenly, when the Caledonia, in the course of a turning
manoeuvre, showed a broadside to the British fire, a sharp, violent
shock was felt, followed by the report of a violent explosion. The
Caledonia stopped dead, and loud cries of agony were heard from the
engine-room. The passengers, frightened to death, ran about the deck.
It could not be concealed from them that the ship had been struck by a
shell, which had exploded.

But it proved that the Caledonia, although badly injured, was in no
immediate danger. Only her speed and manoeuvring capacity had suffered
considerably owing to a steampipe having been hit.

The French warships retired as rapidly as possible, leaving the
Caledonia and the prize crew on board to their fate, since it was
impossible to take her with them. They were obliged to abandon the
valuable prize and rest content with their great success in the
destruction of the Royal Arthur and the capture of the O'Hara. The
Caledonia, being recognised by the searchlight thrown upon her, had no
fear of being shot at again. She moved slowly northwards, and in the
early morning was overtaken by two British cruisers. An officer came on
board, declared the French prize crew prisoners of war, and was informed
by the third officer, who was now in command, of the events of the last
twenty-four hours.

While the British squadron followed the French ships the Caledonia,
only travelling eight knots an hour, made for Naples, which was reached
without further incidents. The passengers were disembarked, the large
sum of money was deposited in the Bank of Naples to the credit of
the English Government, and only the cargo of cotton, carpets, and
embroidered silkstuffs was left on board.

The Kennedys and Mrs. Irwin went to the Hotel de la Riviera. They were
accompanied by Heideck, who intended to stay only one day at Naples, and
then to take the through train to Berlin.

Although he had said nothing to her about going to Berlin Edith
suspected his intention. A few hours later she spoke to him in the
reading-room, where he was eagerly studying the papers.

"Any news of importance?"

"Everything is new to me. Up to the present we have only had a glimpse
of what has been going on; these papers have given me a comprehensive
view of events for the first time."

"And now, of course, your only desire is to see your colours again? I
know that it is only ambition that guides you."

"Can you reproach an officer for that?"

"Yes, if he forgets humanity as well. But make your mind easy, I shall
not attempt to hinder you. I will not stand in the way of your ambition,
but neither will I sacrifice myself to it."

"Certainly you should not do so. We shall be happy when the war is over.
I will be as true to you as to my duty. If I return alive my existence
shall be devoted to making you happy."

"Love is like a bird; it must not be allowed too much freedom. Remember,
I have always told you I will never leave you."

"But, dearest Edith, that is utterly impossible! Have you any idea what
war is like?"

"I should have thought I had seen enough of it."

"Yes, in India and on sea. But in Europe war is carried on somewhat
differently. Every seat in the trains is calculated exactly; it is the
same in barracks, cantonments, and bivouacs. There is no room for a
woman. What would my comrades say of me if I appeared in your company?"

"You can say I am your wife."

"But, Edith, the idea is not to be seriously thought of. As a Prussian
officer I need permission before I can marry. How can I join my regiment
in the company of a lady? Or how could I now get leave to marry?"

"Quite easily. Many officers marry at the beginning of a war."

"Well, but even if I get leave now, according to the law we could not be
married for some months. I have already proposed that you should go to
my relatives at Hamburg and wait there till the war is over, and I still
think that is the only right thing to do."

"But I will not go to your relatives at Hamburg."

"And why not?"

"Do you think that I, an Englishwoman, would go and live in a German
family to be stared at? Do you think I could bear to read all the lies
about England in the German newspapers?"

"My uncle and aunt are people of great tact, and my cousins will show
you due respect."

"Cousins! No, thank you! I should be out of place in the midst of the
domestic felicity of strangers."

"If you won't go there, you might stop at a pension in Berlin."

"No, I won't do that either. I will stay with you."

"But, dearest Edith, how do you think this could be managed?"

"I will have nothing to do with conventionalities; otherwise life in
Germany would be intolerable. I should die of anxiety in a pension,
thinking every moment of the dangers to which you are exposed. No, I
couldn't endure that. I have lived through too much--seen too much that
is terrible. My nerves would not be strong enough for me to vegetate
in a family or a Berlin pension in the midst of the trivialities of
everyday life. Have pity on me, and don't leave me! Your presence is the
only effectual medicine for my mind."

"Ah! dearest Edith, my whole heart is full of you, and I would gladly do
as you wish. But every step we take must be practical and judicious.
If you say you will stay with me, you must have some idea in your mind.
How, then, do you think we can manage to be together? Remember that on
my return I shall be an officer on service, and shall have to carry out
the orders I receive."

"I have already thought of a way. Prince Tchajawadse had a page with
him; I will be your page."

"What an absurd idea! Prussian officers don't take pages with them on
active service."

"Never mind the name. You must have servants, like English officers; I
will be your boy."

"With us soldiers are told off for such duties, my dear Edith."

"Then I will go with you as a soldier. I have already gone as a rajah."

Heideck knitted his brows impatiently. The young woman, whose keen eyes
had noticed it, went on impetuously: "Although it seems you are tired
of me, I will not leave you. Distance is love's worst enemy, and you are
the only tie that binds me to life."

Heideck cast down his eyes, so as not to betray his thoughts. Since
he had read the papers, which gave him a clearer idea of the political
situation, his mind was fuller than before of warlike visions. He loved
Edith, but love did not fill his life so completely as it did hers. The
news in the Italian and French papers had put him into a regular fever
after his long absence from Europe. The dissolution of the Triple
Alliance, and Germany's new alliance with France and Russia, had caused
a complete alteration in the political horizon. He heard the stamping
of horses, the clash of arms, the thunder of cannon. The war was full of
importance and boundless possibilities.

It was a question of Germany's existence! Her losses up to the present
were estimated at more than three milliards. All the German colonies had
been seized by the English, hundreds of German merchant-men were lost,
German foreign trade was completely paralysed, German credit was shaken.
Unless Germany were finally victorious, the war meant her extinction as
a great Power.

He sprang up.

"It must be, dearest Edith; we must soon part!"

She turned pale. With a look of anguish she caught at his hand and held
it fast.

"Do not leave me!"

"I must have perfect freedom--at present. After the war I belong
entirely to you."

"No, no, you cannot be so cruel! You must not leave me!"

"We shall meet again! I love you and will be true to you. But now I ask
a sacrifice from you. I am a German officer; my life now belongs to my
country."

She slid from her chair to the ground and clasped his knees.

"I cannot leave you; it will bring you no happiness, if you destroy me."

"Be strong, Edith. I always used to admire your firm, powerful will.
Have you all at once lost all sense, all reason?"

"I have lost everything," she cried, "everything save you. And I will
not give you up!"

"Mrs. Irwin!" cried a voice of horror at this moment, "can it be
possible?"

Edith got up hurriedly.

Mrs. Kennedy and her daughter had entered unobserved. They had witnessed
the singular situation with utter astonishment and heard Edith's last
words.

"Good Heavens, can it be possible?" stammered the worthy lady; then,
turning to her daughter, she added, "Go, my child."

Edith Irwin had quickly recovered her composure. Standing up, her head
proudly raised, she faced the indignant lady.

"I beg you to remember, Mrs. Kennedy, that no one should pass judgment
without knowing the real state of things."

"I think what I have seen needs no explanation."

"If there is anything blameworthy in it, I alone am responsible,"
interposed Heideck. "Spare me a few minutes in private, Mrs. Kennedy,
and I will convince you that no blame attaches to Mrs. Irwin."

"I want no one to defend me or intercede for me!" cried Edith
passionately. "Why should we any longer conceal our love? This man,
Mrs. Kennedy, has saved my life and honour more than once, and it is no
humiliation for me to go on my knees before him."

Perhaps there was something in her face and the tone of her voice that
touched the Englishwoman's heart, in spite of her outraged sense of
propriety. The stern expression disappeared from her features, and she
said with friendly, almost motherly gentleness--

"Come, my poor child! I have certainly no right to set up for a judge of
your actions. But I am certainly old enough for you to trust in me."

Edith, overcome by this sudden kindness, leaned her head on Mrs.
Kennedy's shoulder. Heideck felt it would be best to leave the two
ladies to themselves.

"If you will permit me, ladies, I will leave you for the present."

With a rapid movement Edith laid her hand upon his arm.

"You give me your word, Captain Heideck, that you will not leave without
saying good-bye to me?"

"I give you my word."

He left the room in a most painful state of mind. It seemed as if, in
the fulfilment of his duty, he would have to pass over the body of the
being who was dearest to him on earth.