Calmly the lithe, brown-skinned seamen lowered themselves over the side or plunged into the water. Many were caught by the propellers as the ship, by some inconceivable means, threw her stern in the air and plunged bows foremost beneath the waves, dragging down many of the swimmers in the smoke-enshrouded whirlpool that marked her grave. Then a deafening roar, as the water came in contact with her boilers, gave place to an ominous silence. The _Azizieh_ was no more.
That was the end of the action. The rest of the Turkish vessels immediately went about and made off at full speed towards the Dardanelles; while the Grecian admiral, having made a signal thanking the _Olive Branch_ for her intervention--an acknowledgment that Captain Brookes deliberately ignored--retired southward.
Thus the near Eastern difficulty was settled with a promptitude hitherto unknown; but, though Captain Brookes was unaware of it, the averting of a European war was not complete. The inevitable struggle was ere long to be diverted through another channel.
"See here, Mr. Tregarthen," remarked the American airman, a few days after this occurrence, "I'd just like to have a look inside that wonderful conning-tower. Can you work it?"
"I'm afraid not, Mr. Flew; at least, not without Captain Brookes's permission. Why don't you ask him?"
"Thanks, I just won't," was the reply. "Don't mention it to him."
Five minutes later the captain appeared on deck.
"Why is that Yank so keen on knowing what is within the conning-tower, Mr. Tregarthen?"
Gerald flushed with surprise. The perception of the captain of the _Olive Branch_ seemed beyond comprehension.
"Don't look so flabbergasted, Mr. Tregarthen. You are not the first person that fellow has broached on the matter. "However, I've made up my mind to get rid of him at the earliest possible opportunity. He may be all right, but, bluntly, I don't like his inquisitive manner."
[Illustration: "Good shot!" yelled several of the officers on the _Olive Branch_. For a full ten seconds the monoplane held on its course, then, lurching like a wounded bird, it swooped swiftly downwards.]
"Inquisitiveness is one of the traits of the American character, sir."
"That I can make allowance for. But why didn't he come straight to me with his request?" Just then Flew, who was promenading the port side of the quarter-deck in company of Lieutenant Palmer, came abreast of the spot where the captain and Gerald were talking. In response to a sign from Captain Brookes the airman crossed the deck.