"They can't be far ahead of us," he said. "Evidently they are not aware they are being pursued, for they apparently have been traveling slowly."

The British became more wary. Frank divided his men into two bodies, one of which he placed under Jack's command, while he himself led the other.

For another hour or more they continued, still without sign of an enemy.

The two British forces were now separated by at least a quarter of a mile, when Jack unexpectedly came to the edge of the forest.

There, just ahead of him, lay the entire German command in a little opening surrounded on all sides by large trees.

Jack raised his hand and his men came to a halt. Frank, at the head of his command, perceived this movement, and also halted his men. Then he covered the distance to where his friend stood peering through the trees as quickly as possible.

Without a word Jack pointed out the Germans. Frank took a quick look, and together the two boys drew back into the shelter of the trees. They had not been seen.

"I believe I have a plan that will deliver the whole bunch into our hands, possibly without bloodshed," said Jack.

"What is it?" demanded Frank.

"Well," said Jack, "you will notice that the opening in which the Germans lie is entirely surrounded by trees. My idea is to completely surround them, and, at a given signal, fire a volley over their heads. Believing that our force is much greater than it is, and apparently cut off from escape in all directions, the Germans may surrender."

"A good idea," exclaimed Frank. "We will act upon it at once."

Quickly he scattered his men in a wide circle around the German camp. Then, when he felt that all was in readiness, he gave the signal--a shot from his revolver.

Immediately there was a fierce volley from the British, aimed high. The German troops sprang to their feet in a moment; then, at a command from their officer, dropped quickly to the ground again.

Whatever idea Frank had had of a bloodless victory was quickly dispelled, for the German troops--lying flat on their stomachs, fired volley after volley into the woods at their unseen opponents.

This was ineffective, however, because the British were well protected by the great trees. At a command from Frank, which was pa.s.sed rapidly along the British line, the sailors trained their rifles upon the enemy and fired.

The effect was fearful. Germans toppled over on all sides, and some jumped to their feet and ran toward the trees. Bullets greeted them from all sides, however, and, after making one last stand, the entire German force threw their weapons to the ground as one man.

"We surrender!" called the officer in command.

Slowly the circle of British emerged from the forest and closed in on them. The German officer delivered his sword to Frank without a word; then, at the lad's command, the British surrounded the prisoners and started on their return journey to Boak, where they arrived after a three hours' forced march, and were greeted with acclaim by the sailors who had been left behind. Not a single sailor had been killed in the short but decisive battle, though two had been wounded.

Captain Marcus, and the commander of the Dwarf also, complimented the lads highly upon the quick success of their expedition. The village had been thoroughly searched for arms and ammunition during their absence, and all was now ready for a quick departure.

"Get the prisoners into the boats, and we will start down the river at once," ordered Captain Marcus.

This was soon accomplished, and the little flotilla was on its way back toward Duala. At Duala a second search was made for arms, ammunition and other munitions of war. This done, the commander of the c.u.mberland turned to Frank.

"You will go aboard that German merchantman in the harbor," he said, "and take her to London. You are in command, and Mr.

Templeton shall be your first officer. The others you may select yourself. A prize crew will be put aboard immediately."

Frank was somewhat taken aback at this good fortune.

"But I am not a navigator," he said in some confusion, wishing now that he was.

"That makes it different," was Captain Marcus' reply.

"But I am, sir," Jack interrupted. "I have studied navigation for years."

"Good then!" said Captain Marcus. "In that event, I shall appoint you to take command and your friend as first officer."

"But--" Jack started to protest, when Frank interrupted him.

"I shall be glad to serve under him," he said.

So it was arranged, and several hours later the two lads found themselves aboard the German steamer Lena. For the first time in his life Jack trod the bridge of his own ship, and he could not but be proud of that moment; Frank, too, was elated at his good fortune.

With this parting injunction, Captain Marcus dropped over the side of the Lena:

"Make straight for London. Although you carry some guns, if attacked do not fight back unless absolutely necessary. Show the enemy your heels, if possible. However, if you do have to fight, fight as the true sons of Great Britain."

"We shall, sir," replied both lads grimly, and Captain Marcus realized that he could not have put the ship in better hands.

From among the crew Jack now selected a sailor named Jennings for second officer, and another by the name of Johnson for third officer. There was a hissing of steam from below, slowly the cable was loosened, and the Lena put off down the river.

The two British commanders followed in small boats. At the entrance of the river the steamer slowed down, and the boys watched the two commanders go aboard their respective cruisers.

A moment later guns on both ships boomed loudly. It was a salute, carrying a cheery "Good luck" to the ears of the two lads. As they sailed out to sea they could perceive that the cruisers also were getting under way, and were heading in the same direction as the Lena.

The Lena quickened her pace and sped off toward the north, heading for the open water. Night fell and still she steamed rapidly on, the cruisers following in her wake.

Frank took the first watch, and Jack turned in. The sea was perfectly smooth and the Lena steamed on, rolling gently on the even swell of the waves.

At 7 o'clock, the sun streaming high in the heavens, Jack appeared on deck. A moment later Frank who had been relieved by the second officer during the night, also emerged from his cabin.

Both turned their eyes over the stern, where the night before the two British cruisers had been following, offering protection in whatever danger threatened.

The cruisers were not in sight. There was not even a cloud of smoke to show their presence anywhere on the wide sea. They had turned off on another course during the darkness.

"Well," said Jack, "it's up to us to get into port safely. We have been thrown upon our own resources."

"Yes," Frank agreed. "Captain Marcus has put great confidence in us. It's up to us to make good."

"Well," declared Jack slowly, "we'll do it."

"Yes," said Frank, "we will!"

CHAPTER XII

QUELLING AN OUTBREAK

Among the prisoners who were being sent home to England on the Lena was the German commander who had been captured at Duala, Colonel Von Roth. He had given his parole, and accordingly had not been put in irons with the other prisoners in the hold, but had been given a cabin to himself near the one which Frank and Jack shared jointly.