He spoke an excellent French, so that
the Serbian captain could not butt in and interfere, as was his habit.
Fabiano said that it would take a long time to get a wire to Brindisi,
where we had heard were several ships of the English fleet, very bored
and craving for something to do; we had hoped to get into communication
with them. Then Jan had a brain wave.
"Is not the wind good for Durazzo?" asked he.
"Splendid," said Fabiano, "and no submarines to-day."
"Could we not get a fishing boat?"
"I will send and see."
While we were waiting he told us that he was sheltering the crew of the
ship which had been transporting the English mission's kit. The captain
of the little transport had set fire to the benzine which his boat was
carrying, which act so enraged the submarine captain that he fired three
torpedoes into her, and afterwards mounted his conning tower and fired
ten full clips from his revolver at the swimming men. Luckily revolver
shooting requires much practice. The men had clung to an overturned boat
and had all eventually reached shore, after which they had to march a
day and a half without boots or food, often fording rivers which came to
their waists.
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