The latter was nearer than Ken had thought, and by this time it seemed
that her whole crew were in the boats, and the ship herself entirely
deserted.
'Ah, Carrington,' said the commander. 'You're the man who talks Turkish. I
can't quite make out whether the skipper of this old tub thinks his boats
can make the shore or whether he wants a tow. Ask him, will you?'
The Turkish skipper, a greasy-looking ruffian, was in a boat close by. He
was gesticulating wildly.
Ken at once hailed him, and asked the necessary question. The man burst
into violent speech.
Ken listened, and there was a smile on his face as he turned to the
commander.
'He's only swearing at us, sir, and asking what right we have to sink his
ship.'
'Tell him he'd better inquire of Enver Bey,' was the grim reply, and Ken
faithfully repeated the remark, only to hear a volley of curses called
down on Enver's head as well as on his own.
'He can't do anything but swear, sir,' said Ken.
'Well, we've no time to waste,' said the officer impatiently.
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