The whole business was over almost before Burgoyne and his companions realized that an action was in progress. Within a few minutes from the time when the _Malfilio_ opened fire her disintegrated remains were foundering to the bed of the Pacific.
For fifteen minutes the searchlights were kept playing upon the spot where the pirate cruiser had disappeared on the faint chance that there might be survivors. Civilization decrees that a pirate can be hanged or shot, but he must not be allowed to die a lingering death by drowning. But the search revealed no trace of any of the crew of the _Malfilio_.
"On bow and steaming lights! Wireless the rest of the squadron to take up pre-arranged positions off the secret base!"
Then at a modest fifteen knots, the _Armadale_, bearing evidences of the scratches she had received, steamed westward. One part of her mission was accomplished: the destruction of the hornet. There remained more work for her to do: to assist in the wiping out of the hornet's nest.
"Yes, I'll admit that," conceded Captain Blair to Captain Davis, late of the S.S. _Kittiwake_. "We've had bad weather. It blew like great guns twelve hours after the life-boat got away from here. But Burgoyne knows what he's about. He's used to small sailing craft and so are the other fellows. He'll win through."
"A good many days have passed since the boat left," remarked Captain Davis. "He has had time to fetch the Marshall Islands and get a warship here long ago. Of course, he might have escaped the gale, or even struck the tail end of it."
The two skippers were having their after-supper yarn, and as usual conversation turned upon the subject of Burgoyne's dash with the life-boat. Both men had their doubts, but Captain Blair refused to admit his. The skipper of the _Kittiwake_, sanguine for the first fortnight, was beginning to express grave concern as to the possible fate of the life-boat and her crew.
"That bilious-faced Strogoff isn't back yet," continued Captain Blair. "There's no doubt about it, he's in pursuit of Burgoyne. If he'd found him he'd be back before this, especially as the _Malfilio's_ expected back at any moment."
"Mind you, I'm only speculating on it," said Captain Davis. "But I've a notion that Strogoff took that Canuk passenger of yours along with him. When did you see the lubber last?"