FISHERMEN IN WAR TIME 



skipper was on board, about an hour and a quarter, 

 he gave orders to the crew. Three men were beside 

 him, with large glasses, with which they continu- 

 ously swept the sea, obviously keenly watchful for 

 any sign of a British war vessel. 



The submarine began to move off, gaining speed, 

 and ultimately travelling at the rate of seventeen or 

 eighteen knots an hour. In the meantime the officer 

 who had boarded the drifter joined the skipper and 

 closely questioned him concerning the other vessels. 

 He asked whether any of the lights that were visible 

 were from the coast, and was told that they were 

 the lights of fishing-vessels. 



" Are there any trawlers amongst them?" asked 

 the German. 



The skipper replied that there were none. 



" Did any of the fishing vessels carry a gun?" 

 continued this inquisitive Teuton, doubtless with a 

 somewhat quickened beating of his brave heart. His 

 fear on that important point having been set at rest 

 another question indicating trepidation was put — 

 When had the skipper last seen a war vessel ? Not 

 since he left the Tyne, the skipper answered. 



These replies seemed to reassure the agitated Ger- 

 man, who then, with more composure, shared in the 

 acceptable task of giving close attention to another 

 helpless vessel which they were approaching. 



The skipper of the Jane Stewart was now informed 

 that he and his companions were to be put on board 

 this vessel. That intention, however, was frus- 

 trated in an unexpected fashion, for the skipper of 



142 



