



Produced by R.G.P.M. van Giesen




[Illustration: cover of "The Captain" volume XXV]




THE SEA MONARCH

By

Percy F. Westerman




  [Transcriber's note:

    Mr. Percy F. Westerman has written this story for:

    THE CAPTAIN
    A MAGAZINE FOR BOYS & "OLD BOYS".

    VOL. XXV
    _APRIL to SEPTEMBER, 1911_

    _London:_
    GEORGE NEWNES, LIMITED, 3 to 12, SOUTHAMPTON STREET, STRAND.

    The magazine was a periodical that appeared monthly and was also
    sold in volumes of 6 months, in this case April to September
    of 1911. In the index of this volume the story appeared as
    follows:

    *SEA MONARCH, THE.* By Percy F. Westerman 40
                        98, 217, 311, 386, 482

    Each instalment, except the first, has a copyright-statement
    at the bottom of the first page:

    _Copyright_ 1911, _by George Newness, Ltd., in the United States
    of America._

  ]




         CONTENTS

    CHAP.
      I. THE MYSTERIOUS CASE OF THE "ZIETAN"
     II. INTRODUCES THE "PLAYMATE" AND HER SKIPPER
    III. RUN DOWN
     IV. A PRISONER ON THE MYSTERIOUS SHIP
      V. CAPTAIN BROOKES
     VI. THE CONNING-TOWER OF THE "OLIVE BRANCH"
    VII. RUMOURS OF WAR
   VIII. TREACHERY
     IX. AN ACT OF PIRACY
      X. CLEARED FOR ACTION
     XI. WIPED OUT
    XII. THROUGH THE MINE FIELD
   XIII. TRAPPED
    XIV. RUNNING THE GAUNTLET
     XV. A ONE-SIDED ENGAGEMENT
    XVI. IN THE CLUTCHES OF THE PATAGONIANS
   XVII. GERALD'S RUSE
  XVIII. THE CAPTAIN'S REVENGE
    XIX. GERALD'S PROMOTION
     XX. THE AIRMAN
    XXI. THE MISSING WIRELESS GEAR
   XXII. THE TOUCHSTONE OF PERIL
  XXIII. THE CRIPPLED SUBMARINE
   XXIV. A FRUSTRATED PLOT
    XXV. THE EMPIRE'S ORDEAL
   XXVI. THE VINDICATION OF THE "OLIVE BRANCH"




  ILLUSTRATIONS

  Crash! The huge vessel, looming out of the fog, struck the little
  yacht amidships. The stout planks were shorn through as if made of
  match-board, and the water poured in a cataract over the lee side.

  There was the sound of a hasty scuffling; then appeared the head
  and shoulders of the owner of the _Playmate_

  The mast snapped off close to the deck, and a block, hurtling
  through the air, struck Gerald a terrific blow over the head.

  Staggering to the door he threw it open. To his great surprise he
  saw a burly sentry standing without.

  In spite of his strenuous resistance they hauled the deserter out
  of the empty tank, and then unceremoniously bundled him into the
  gig.

  "Look here, Mr. Schneider, you've come to the wrong box with your
  sneaking complaints. So clear out!"

  Bending over the instrument was a young officer, his head
  practically covered with a metal cap fitted with receivers.

  The man staggered, clapped his hand to his shoulder, and fell to
  the deck, the weapon slipping from his grasp.

  Schneider cleared the rail, and leapt into the sea.

  The doomed vessel was instantly swept out of existence. The massive
  outlines of the cruiser seemed to melt into a hundred thousand
  fragments.

  As night fell the searchlights played with unceasing vigilance upon
  the harbour. Suddenly Captain Brookes turned to Gerald. "Does my
  compact forbid me using the Z-rays?" he asked.

  A party of natives appeared on the beach regarding the cruiser with
  obvious amazement. In their hands they carried long slender spears,
  which they brandished menacingly.

  Like a terrier let loose amidst a swarm of rats the submarine
  dashed towards the canoes.

  A terrific detonation shook the ground, and a thick cloud of smoke
  obscured the view of the pinnacle. In an agony of fear the natives
  threw themselves face downwards in the dust.

  Seated up to his waist in water was the aviator, clad in an