Page:Cruise of the Dry Dock.djvu/310

 All of Germany's naval plans depend on her destroying us.”

“It does—and, faith, may Oi ask why?”

“If we get to Antigua and report this to the British admiralty, how long would this Sargasso reshipping arrangement last?”

“Right you are there, Misther Madden,” agreed Hogan at once. “We'd woipe 'em out, wouldn't we? We'll make it, too. If we stood off th' little didapper all night, you know we can all day.”

Madden considered the fleet little vessel. “No, I rather think she will capture us.”

“And how's that?”

“The Sargasso doesn't extend indefinitely. In fact we are nearing the southern limit. Have you taken a look forward?”

“No, I haven't,” said Hogan, taking vague alarm at Madden's tone. “What's wrong?”

“I don't see many more big seaweed fields ahead. If she gets us in open water——”

“Why bad luck to it! Bad luck to it, Oi say!” cried Hogan as the wind whistled about him; “running us out o' the bushes loike a swamp rabbit.”