Page:War's dark frame (IA warsdarkframe00camp).pdf/279

Rh shrubbery through which the wind permitted an innocent light to gleam intermittently. The men lost their caution, murmuring from time to time. The commander spoke to them sharply. Then a sudden sound aroused the crew. It was magnified in the black silence, suggesting the scraping of a hard object on sand, and after a moment came a guttural laugh, followed by a prolonged hiss for silence.

"Hold that searchlight ready," the commander cautioned. "Not till I give the word. We'll wait a while longer."

A stealthy stroking of oars rewarded him. A small boat was making from the beach for the entrance of the cove. It would have to pass close to the trawler.

"Now!" the commander cried.

And the light flashed out, circling the cove with a white eagerness, catching at last at the end of its ray a collapsible boat filled with men. The men stared up at the trawler open-mouthed. One cursed in German. Another laughed foolishly in a feminine note. The commander couldn't believe his ears, for a third commenced to sing a rollicking chanty.

They knew they were caught. They permitted themselves to be lined up on the deck of the trawler while the commander examined their col-