A reply to this message was not long coming. It read:
"Lord Hastings: Sorry you are aboard, but I must sink you."
To this Lord Hastings replied:
"It can't be done."
Now the Emden put about and headed for the Sylph. Quickly also the Sylph came about and headed westward.
"If he'll only follow long enough, we'll lure him into the path of some British vessel," said Lord Hastings.
"Well," said Jack, "I don't believe he will. As soon as he finds he cannot overtake us, he'll continue on his way."
"And he'll try to lose us in the night," said Frank.
"That is my idea," said Lord Hastings. "To prevent that we must be on the alert continually. We'll follow him for months, if necessary. At nights we shall have to close up a bit, and take a chance that they cannot hit us."
It was nearing dusk when the Emden finally gave up the chase of the Sylph as futile, and once more put about. Immediately also the Sylph's head came about, and she once more set out, to trail the German. Occasional messages were exchanged between Captain von Mueller and Lord Hastings.
Night fell, and now the Sylph began to draw closer to her quarry. She closed up the distance gradually, until Lord Hastings decided that they were near enough; and this position the Sylph maintained, her searchlight playing upon the Emden and making her as light as day.
All night and all the following day the Sylph followed the Emden. Several times the Emden put about, and made as if to give chase, but on each occasion the Sylph also changed her course. The relative positions of the two vessels remained the same, except that in the light of day the Sylph put more distance between her and her quarry.
Night drew on once more, and again the Sylph approached closer. It was plain that this remorseless pursuit was worrying the commander of the Emden and that he did not know which way to turn to avoid his pursuer.
Lord Hastings sniffed the air.
"Feels like there would be a fog tonight," he said. "I hope it is not so dense as to dim the glow of the searchlight."
But in this he was doomed to disappointment. The fog descended, but still those on the Sylph could dimly make out the outline of the Emden. But with the approach of morning, while Jack had the bridge, the fog suddenly thickened, and blotted out the pursued vessel entirely.
Quickly Jack summoned Lord Hastings.
Immediately Lord Hastings ordered the searchlight extinguished and all lights on board put out.
"We don't want to let him know where we are," he said. "I feel absolutely certain that Captain von Mueller will double back and try to come up upon us in the fog. We must avoid that at all hazards, and at the same time must so maneuver as to be near enough to pick him up when the fog lifts."
Lord Hastings altered the course of the Sylph slightly, but continued to go forward. Six o'clock came and no sign of the Emden, and then seven. And then the fog lifted as suddenly as it had descended, and at that moment there was the sound of a big gun and a shell whistled over the stern of the Sylph.
A mile in the offing, having put about, was the Emden. She had maneuvered even as Lord Hastings had figured, and had run clear by the Sylph in the darkness.
"Full speed ahead!" commanded Lord Hastings.
The Sylph leaped quickly forward, as the bell tinkled the signal to the engine-room, running rapidly to get out of range of the Emden's guns and torpedoes.
Several times, without reducing the speed of his ship, LordHastings swerved in his course, and thus spoiled the aim of theGerman gunners. And then the Emden's shells began to fall short.The Sylph was out of range.
For an hour the Emden continued her pursuit, and then once more put about and herself became the pursued, the Sylph following relentlessly on her heels.
It was near noon when the wireless operator aboard the Sylph approached Lord Hastings.
"Have just picked up the Australian cruiser Sydney, sir. I gave him our identity and Captain Glossop pays his respects to you, sir."
Lord Hastings jumped to action in a moment.
"Where is he now?"
The operator gave the position of the Sydney.
"A hundred miles away," mused Lord Hastings.
He led the way to the wireless room.
"Send this in code," he told the operator, handing him a slip of paper on which he had written a few words, "and instruct him to reply in code."
The operator did as he was commanded.
The reply was plain to Lord Hastings, himself an operator upon occasion.
"Good!" he said to himself.
He turned to the boys.
"I gave the Sydney our position and told him we were trailing the Emden. He replied that he would head for us immediately; for us to keep up the chase and keep him constantly informed of our position."
"But don't you suppose the Emden has picked up the message, sir."
"Undoubtedly; that is why I sent it in code. Von Mueller may surmise what we are up to, but he cannot be sure."
That the commander of the Emden had picked up the message became apparent a few moments later.
"Emden has signaled the Sydney her presence not needed, sir," said the operator, "and signed the message Hastings."
Lord Hastings scribbled rapidly.
"Send this," he ordered.
The message read:
"Disregard all communications not in code. Emden trying to throw you off the track."
The Sydney acknowledged the receipt of this message, and LordHastings and the two lads returned to the bridge.
"What do you suppose Captain von Mueller will do now?" askedJack.
"Run as long as he can," replied Lord Hastings.
"However, the Sydney is considerably faster, so it is only a question of time till we get him."
The Emden now headed east, on a course that eventually would land her, if she maintained it, somewhere along the Malay archipelago. The Sylph gave chase.
Continual messages were flashed between Lord Hastings and the commander of the Australian cruiser, and it became apparent that the latter gradually overhauling them.
Came a message to Lord Hastings from the commander of the Emden:
"Sorry you were afraid to fight it out."
Lord Hastings wired back:
"I wasn't afraid, but I will take no chance of losing you."
All day and all another night the chase continued; and it was near noon of the following day that the lookout gave the welcome cry:
"Ship off the stern, sir!"
Quickly all eyes were turned in the direction indicated. A smudge of smoke could be seen off the horizon. Came a message from the Sydney:
"Have sighted you."
But the Sydney was still far in the rear when land came in sight.
"What do you make it, sir?" asked Frank of Lord Hastings.
"I should say it is one of the Cocos Islands group," was the reply.
The Emden headed straight for it. Two hours later she landed, and the Sylph stood off.
"Do you suppose Captain von Mueller will desert the ship or sink her?" asked Jack.
"Not without a fight," replied Lord Hastings positively.
It was three hours later before the Emden lifted anchor and put to sea again. Those on board did not know it then, but a landing party from the Emden had destroyed the wireless station on the island while there.
Slowly but surely the Sydney overhauled the Sylph, and at length drew up on even terms with her. Then she forged slowly ahead, drawing closer and closer to her prey.
Now, realizing that escape was impossible, the Emden turned.Brought to bay, Captain von Mueller had decided to give battle.
"Will we go into action, sir?" asked Jack of Lord Hastings eagerly.
"Not unless it is absolutely necessary," replied the commander of the Sylph. "The Sydney can handle the Emden alone."
Both lads were disappointed, for they had felt certain, that when the Emden was brought to bay they would have a hand in putting an end to her.
"Well," said Jack, "we can at least see the battle."
"Right," said Frank, and fortifying themselves with glasses, they took posts of vantage.
Now the Emden steamed forward to meet the Sydney, and the Sylph hove to. The crew, relieved from duty, scattered about the decks, seeking advantageous places to witness the encounter.
Slowly the two cruisers approached each other.
The Emden already has been described, and a few words here concerning the Sydney will not be amiss.
The Australian cruiser Sydney carried a main battery of eight 6-inch guns, thus giving her an advantage over the German ship. She had a complement Of 400 men. She was 400 feet long and was much greater in the beam than her antagonist. She carried several smaller guns and a number of rapid-firers. As did the Emden, the Sydney carried two submerged torpedoes.
Across the water came the call of a bugle, as the crew of the Sydney made ready for action. She was almost within range now. There was no question but that she outranged the Emden slightly, but the German cruiser was steaming rapidly forward to overcome this disadvantage as quickly as possible.
Now there was a puff of smoke from the bow of the Sydney."Boom!" came the sound of a big gun.
The Sydney, within range at last, had opened the battle.
"Now for it!" cried Jack, as the first shell from the British cruiser splashed up the water only a few yards in front of the Emden.
A second concussion was heard and an English shell struck the heavy armored side of the German cruiser.
The sailors and officers raised a loud cheer. It was first blood for the Sydney, and the sailors aboard that vessel also let out a yell of delight.
So far the Emden had not answered the Sydney's fire. However, she was dashing rapidly ahead, seeking to get within range. Two more shells from the Sydney struck the Emden before she finally managed to get within range, and opened fire with the 4-inch guns in her forward turrets.
The results of the first salvos from the German guns were nil.The range finders on the Emden had evidently not calculatedproperly. The water leaped into white sprays ahead of theSydney, indicating that the Emden's first fire had been wasted.
But the next attempt o the Emden met with better success. A solid shot struck the Sydney, squarely on the bow. The Sydney's armor was, too strong for the German guns at this distance, however, and while the vessel staggered slightly, she was not damaged to any extent.
It became apparent early in the battle that the marksmanship of the Sydney's gunners was much superior to that of the foe. The range-finders were attending to their work with coolness and precision. The fire was deliberate and accurate. It was slower than that of the Emden, but far more deadly.
A shell struck upon the Emden's deck near the forward smokestack and burst. Iron and steel flew high in the air and came down in a deadly hail, killing and maiming many members of the crew. The smokestack toppled to the deck, pinioning many more beneath it.
Quickly a squad of men sprang forward and soon cleared away the wreckage. But the carrying away of the smokestack now hampered the draught of the Emden and made progress much more difficult. Nevertheless, she still continued to pour her shells against the armored sides of the Sydney.
Now the first shot landed among the gun crew of the Sydney, putting one of the guns out of commission, killing three of the crew and wounding several others. Those three men were the only ones killed on the Sydney in the whole course of the battle.
Suddenly those aboard the Sylph became aware that the fire of the enemy was not as rapid as before. The reason for this they soon made out. One of the forward guns of the Emden had been, silenced by the well-directed fire of the Sydney.
A moment later another of the enemy's guns became silent—and then another. Up to this moment the Emden had been rushing as rapidly as possible toward the Sydney, but now she paused in her advance, almost stopped, swung about in a wide circle, and made off in the other direction.
It was plain that she had had enough. A cheer went up from the British sailors, both on the Sydney and aboard the Sylph. But Captain Glossop, of the Sydney, had no mind to let his prey escape. The Sydney dashed in pursuit of the enemy at full speed, and a fierce running battle ensued.
The Emden's stern guns continued to play upon the Sydney as she made a wild dash for the distant shore. She was headed for the nearest point of land, and the question that now rose in the minds of the spectators aboard the Sylph was whether the Sydney could come up with her before she could find a certain amount of refuge in what appeared to be a small cove.
The excitement aboard the Sylph was intense. Men shouted and yelled, calling words of encouragement and advice to the fellow sailors aboard the British battle cruiser, forgetting their voices could not be heard.
As the Emden turned and made off, Jack cried out:
"She's running! She's liable to get away!"
"Don't you believe it!" called Frank excitedly. "The Sydney'll catch 'em!"
"What's the Emden heading that way for?" asked Jack of LordHastings, who stood beside the lads.
"My idea is," replied the commander of the Sylph, "that vonMueller intends to beach the ship."
"In that event will he and his men try to escape inland?"
"I suppose so."
The Sydney continued her chase, seeming to gather additional speed at every furlong. Her heavy shells played a merry tattoo upon the stem and deck of the fleeing German cruiser.
But the Emden was now gradually drawing toward land. Suddenly, she swerved and headed straight for a huge reef that could be seen protruding above the surface of the water. A cry of dismay went up from those aboard the Sylph.
But the cry was uncalled for. For even as the Emden swerved in her course, a British shell burst squarely upon the bridge of the German cruiser.
At the same instant a second found 'its way through the various compartments to the engine-room.
There was the sound of terrific explosion, and a red sheet of flame sprang above the cruiser. Even above the cries of battle came the cries of German sailors, maimed and suffering horribly.
Another salvo from the Sydney put the steering apparatus of the Emden out of commission, and now instead of steering straight for the rocky reef, she turned her broadside toward it.
Swiftly she floated toward this dangerous projection. Almost helpless as she was, Captain von Mueller evidently had no thought of surrender. The three guns still in commission aboard the vessel continued to hurl their messages of defiance at the Sydney.
Suddenly rapid movements of those aboard the Emden told that one of the submerged torpedoes, still undamaged, was about to be launched. Quickly the Sydney maneuvered a trifle to the left, and the huge explosive sped on to the sea beyond, doing no damage. Now the second torpedo was launched, but it had no better success.
Now the Sydney made use of her own torpedo tube, and a moment later this engine of destruction sped through the water toward the Emden. There was no need for a second. A terrible explosion told that the torpedo had found its mark.
High above the burning cruiser a second sheet of flame flared up, and at almost the same instant the Emden beached. There was a loud crunching sound as the cruiser grounded on the rocky reef and was battered by the heavy waves against the uneven projections.
To launch the small boats in this place and make for the shore was impossible. The boats were launched, and the crew tumbled in. One made off toward the shore, but it could not live in the fierce breakers, and in a moment disappeared.
The other boats, warned by the fate of the first, put off toward the open sea.
"Do you suppose Captain von Mueller will remain and perish with his ship?" asked Frank of Lord Hastings.
"I do not believe so," was the reply. "There is no need for it. If the ship were sinking, it would be another matter, but as you see, it is not. It appears to be caught hard and fast on a ledge, and is burning up."
It was true. Stuck suddenly fast on a rocky ledge, the Emden was almost stationary. Flames continued to leap on all sides of her, and it was plainly apparent that it would not be long before they would reach her magazine; and when they did reach it, that would be the end.
As the German small boats headed seaward, the Sydney ceased firing at the now helpless vessel, and bore down on them. It was plain that Captain Glossop was bent upon capturing the survivors.
Small boats and the Australian cruiser were now probably a mile from the burning vessel, and the Sylph had started forward also to pick up some of the German sailors.
At this moment the flames reached the magazine of the Emden. There was a blinding flash, a terrific detonation. The Emden sprang from the sea like a thing alive, seemed to hang in the air for a brief moment, then turned and dived head-first into the sea. The waters closed over her with an angry hiss, and the German cruiser Emden, for months a terrible menace to British, French and Russian shipping, "The Terror of the Sea," was no more.
"A fitting end for so noble a vessel," was Lord Hastings' only comment as the cruiser disappeared from the world's ken.
The Sylph was nearing the little flotilla of small boats, and several were put off from the vessel to join the small craft of the Sydney and take the surviving Germans prisoners.
Frank and Jack were in the first boat. As they, drew closer, Jack made out a uniformed figure in one of the German boats that he felt sure was the commander of the Emden.
He steered his boat closer. It was plain that there would be no further resistance from the Germans, and Jack finally managed to steer his boat alongside that of Captain von Mueller.
The latter made no protest when Jack ordered him to step aboard the Sylph's small boat, and did so without a word. Immediately, the little craft turned about and put back to the Sylph, leaving the other small craft to attend to the rest of the German survivors.
Of the Emden's crew Of 361 officers and men, there were less than 75 left alive. Dead and wounded alike had gone to a deep-sea grave when the German cruiser took her death plunge.
Lord Hastings stood at the rail of the Sylph as the little boat drew alongside.
Jack and Frank clambered over the side of the ship ahead of the German commander and, with Lord Hastings, stood waiting to receive him.
As Captain von Mueller clambered over the rail, Lord Hastings advanced to meet him with outstretched hand.
"It is indeed a pleasure to receive you aboard the Sylph!" he exclaimed, with real pleasure in his voice.
Captain von Mueller grasped the outstretched hand and wrung it heartily.
"And I am glad to see you," he returned quietly, "though I would rather it were under more fortunate circumstances. But the battle is over and with your permission, we will not refer to it again."
"Agreed," replied Lord Hastings, and led the way to his cabin, motioning for Captain von Mueller, Frank and Jack to follow.
He introduced the lads to the great German commander, and the latter expressed his pleasure at seeing them. At this moment the third officer entered and spoke to Lord Hastings.
"Launch from the Sydney coming alongside, sir," he said.
"Show Captain Glossop here when he comes aboard," he said.
The third officer withdrew. He appeared again a moment later, however, followed by the commander of the Sydney. Introductions followed.
"Captain von Mueller," said Lord Hastings at length, "it will be necessary for me to turn you over to Captain Glossop. You will go with him aboard the Sydney. Were I returning direct to England, it would give me pleasure to have you accompany me. However, the Sydney will go straight back to Melbourne, and you will be taken there and held as a prisoner of war."
Captain von Mueller signified his understanding of the situation.He expressed pleasure at having met Lord Hastings again, and thatthe fortunes of war had made him the prisoner of such gallantEnglishmen.
After some further talk, Captain von Mueller and Captain Glossop disappeared over the side of the Sylph, and put off toward the Sydney. Before either vessel proceeded on its way, several further messages were exchanged between the commanders of the Sydney and the Sylph; but at length the Sydney began to draw away toward the east.
"And so," said Lord Hastings to the two lads, as they stood leaning over the rail, after the Sylph was once more under way, "so goes the 'German Terror of the Sea.'"
The Sylph now turned her head once more to the west, and started on her journey back toward the Mediterranean. She steamed along slowly, Lord Hastings, greatly satisfied with the success of his mission, being in no particular hurry. They put in at Ceylon for coal; then once more resumed their journey.
It was the second day after leaving Ceylon that the lookout made a startling discovery.
"Submarine off the starboard bow, sir!" he called.
Instantly there was excitement on board the Sylph, for there was no telling whether the submarine were friend or foe. At length those on the bridge were able to make out the periscope of the vessel, close to the water. And at this very moment it stood higher and higher in the water. The submarine was coming to the surface.
The Sylph had been quickly stripped for action, for Lord Hastings had determined to give battle should the submarine prove to be an enemy. All available guns were turned upon the spot where the submarine was rising.
But hardly had the under-sea craft come to the surface than aBritish ensign was run up.
Lord Hastings breathed easier.
"Good!" he exclaimed. "I wouldn't care much to encounter a submarine."
The commander of the submarine, Captain Nicholson, came aboard the Sylph to pay his respects to Lord Hastings.
"I suppose you are aware," he said during the course of the conversation, "that Turkey has declared war on England, France and Russia?"
"What!" cried Lord Hastings. "Turkey has declared war! I hadn't heard of it."
"Well, it's true, nevertheless," replied Captain Nicholson.
Lord Hastings smiled grimly.
"I guess it will be 'The Sick Man of Europe's' last illness," he said pointedly.
Captain Nicholson laughed.
"It will," he said briefly.
"But what are you doing in these waters?" asked Lord Hastings, having already explained his own presence there.
"Well," said Captain Nicholson, "I understand that there are at least three Turkish cruisers anchored in the mouth of the Euphrates, in the Persian gulf. I suppose they are there to protect Bassora, about 70 miles up the river, from possible attacks. I had thought of attempting to sink them."
"What, alone?" said Lord Hastings.
The captain of the submarine shrugged his shoulders.
"Why not?" he wanted to know.
"Well," said Lord Hastings, "it's a desperate venture, but if you are successful, it will be a feather in your cap."
"I'm not looking for glory," replied Captain Nicholson. "But I would give my right arm to destroy those Turkish cruisers, guarded as they are by a fort. And I mean to have a try at it."
"I'd like to go with you," said Lord Hastings, "but the Sylph would be worse than useless in such an encounter."
"True," said Captain Nicholson. "But I have an idea. Have you ever been aboard a submarine in action?"
"I have been aboard many submarines, yes," replied Lord Hastings, "but one in action, no."
"Then why not come with me?"
"I would like to," said Lord Hastings, "but what of the Sylph?"
"Your first officer could take command until you returned."
"No," said Lord Hastings, "it can't be done." He was struck with a sudden idea, and turned to Jack and Frank. "How would you two lads like to make such an excursion?" he asked.
"We would like nothing better, sir," replied Frank.
"Indeed, we would like it immensely," agreed Jack.
Lord Hastings turned again to Captain Nicholson.
"Why not take these two lads as substitutes for me?" he asked.
The commander of the submarine looked somewhat dubious.
"Oh, I'll guarantee they won't be in the way," said Lord Hastings with a laugh, and he proceeded to relate to the astounded commander some of the things the lads had already accomplished.
Captain Nicholson arose, and took each lad by the hand.
"I shall account it an honor to have you with me,"' he said quietly.
"So be it, then," said Lord Hastings. "I shall remain here with the Sylph until you return."
Both lads thanked Lord Hastings heartily for giving them this opportunity of seeing something of under-the-sea fighting aboard a British vessel.
"How soon do you plan to start?" Lord Hastings inquired ofCaptain Nicholson.
"Immediately," replied the commander of the submarine Y-3.
"And how long do you figure it will be before you can return here?"
"Not more than thirty-six hours."
Lord Hastings turned to the two lads.
"You had better take a few clothes with you," he told then. "Do you prepare now, while I have a few words with Captain Nicholson."
The lads hastened to their own quarters, and rapidly threw a few belongings together, so anxious were they to be off.
"Lord Hastings is a brick!" exclaimed Jack.
"I should say he is!" agreed Frank. "He agrees to wait in this outlandish spot two days just to give us this opportunity. How many other commanders do you suppose there are who would go to all that trouble?"
"Not many," replied Jack dryly.
"I guess not. Are you ready;"'
"Yes."
"Come on then, let's go back to Lord Hastings' cabin."
Captain Nicholson was already on his feet, ready to go, when the lads re-entered the commander's cabin.
"I see it didn't take you long," he observed.
"We are very anxious to go, sir," Jack explained.
"They are always quick and prompt," said Lord Hastings.
"An excellent trait," commended Captain Nicholson.
Lord Hastings accompanied Captain Nicholson and the two lads to the rail.
"All you two lads have to do," he said, "is to, look on. You are not supposed to do any fighting, just keep out of everybody's way and make no trouble. Also, keep out of mischief."
"Very well, sir," replied Jack.
The three clambered over the rail and dropped into the little boat that was rising and falling gently with the swell of the waves on the sea below.
Quickly the launch put off toward the submarine.
Lord Hastings raised his voice and shouted after them.
"I'll wait here until you return. Don't be gone any longer than you can help."
"We'll be back within the time I mentioned," Captain Nicholson called back.
Lord Hastings signified that he was satisfied, and waved his hand to the departing boat.
Jack and Frank waved in return.
"I have not yet told the men what I propose to do," CaptainNicholson informed the boys, ass they made their way aboard theY-3.
Captain Nicholson introduced the lads to the man at the helm.
"Old Jansen," he said with a flourish of his arm.
The boys acknowledged this introduction, and Old Jansen touched his cap.
"Jansen," said the commander, "we are going to attack the Turkish battleships at the mouth of the Euphrates."
The old man let out a siren-like yell, and turned crimson all over his pink and white face.
Captain Nicholson turned the submarine over to him, and, followed by the two lads, made his way below.
"I never knew eighteen throats could make so much noise," saidFrank to Jack, after the crew had been informed of their project.
And it was indeed a terrific noise the men made when they learned they were about to go into action.
"The 'subs' aren't like the big ships," Captain Nicholson explained. "With such a small crew I know the men personally, and I know I can count on each and every one of them, particularly Old Jansen, and Brown, the gunner's mate. I need not caution the engine-room crew for special watchfulness. Every oiler aft knows a warm bearing would condemn him forever in the eyes of his shipmates."
A few moments more and the submarine was racing along toward the mouth of the Euphrates, where the enemy was known to be. Just as dusk was setting in, Brown, the gunner's mate, reported an aeroplane to leeward. Captain Nicholson, Jack and Frank, who stood on the bridge, could just make it out with binoculars.
"I hate to use any electricity out of my batteries now," saidCaptain Nicholson, "for it is likely to be very precious later.However, I don't want to run chances of being discovered. We'lldive."
The three made their way below. The entrance was hermetically closed, and soon the tanks were being filled. A moment later the Y-3 began to submerge.
At a depth of 60 feet Captain Nicholson trimmed down, and f or an hour the vessel ran along at eight knots, the commander wishing to make sure of complete darkness before coming up.
"How do you manage to keep your course under water, captain?" asked Frank.
"Simple," was the reply. "Gyroscopic compass."
At that moment the man on watch at the bell receiver reported the sound of a ship's propellers above. Captain Nicholson turned his place at the periscope over to his first officer and listened himself.
The steady rhythmic beat was well off the port bow.
At Captain Nicholson's command, the main ballast tank was emptied until the conning tower was well awash. Then the commander, Frank and Jack went up to have a look around, for the airship, as well as for the vessel.
"Those sky pilots," said the commander, "maintain that they can see us and get us with bombs at any depth. However, I see nothing of our friend. Looks like he had lost his bet this time."
They returned below, and Frank put his eye to the periscope.
Almost instantly he made out the outline of large vessel of some kind. He reported this to Captain Nicholson, who brushed him quickly aside and peered into the periscope himself.
"Merchant vessel of some kind," he said aloud. "We haven't time to fool with him now. May be able to get him as we come back."
Once more now the three made their way to the bridge. The clouds had gradually thickened and it was very dark.
"I wish it would rain," mused Captain Nicholson, "or that we would at least have a dull sunrise, for it will be better suited for our work. Brown says he's sure we'll be favored with suitable weather because of the righteousness of our cause; but I am pinning my faith to the barometer, which has already fallen two points."
"Well, I hope everything goes all right," said Jack.
"It will," said the commander grimly. "You can bank on that, son. Might as well give the men a little rest," he added.
He poked his head down and called out:
"Turn in and pipe down!"
Then the commander and the two lads stood watch on the bridge.
At 2 o'clock, according to the captain's reckoning, the submarine was well off the mouth of the Euphrates.
"Can we find our way in by the navigation lights?" asked Frank.
"Not much," replied Captain Nicholson. "We'll stand off and on near where I place the shore line till we have daylight enough to see what we are about. Anyhow, I don't suppose there will be any lights, or if there are, they will likely be misplaced, to lure somebody to death."
Now the commander went below and bent over the charts for perhaps the hundredth time.
"About two miles off yet!" he muttered.
The chart gave the bottom on the sandbar in front of the entrance as shell and hard sand.
"Lucky," Captain Nicholson told the boys when he returned to the bridge. "This will allow us to run with very little under our keel in no fear of rocks."
"Is it very deep along here?" asked Jack.
"No," replied the commander. "That's what worries me. The chart shows a bare six and a half fathoms over the bar, continuing slightly deeper until it sheers off into the deep basin that is the inner harbor."
"And how much water does the Y-3 draw?"' asked Frank.
"From the top of her periscope to the bottom of her keel," replied Captain Nicholson, "the Y-3 displaces exactly 20 feet. It will be ticklish work to navigate in those six and a half fathoms (39 feet) without being drawn down by suction and striking bottom so hard as to rebound up to the surface, where the Turks are sure to see us."
At 4:30 o'clock in the morning there was light enough to make out the small gray fort guarding the entrance to the Euphrates. The submarine did not lie more than a mile away.
"It's up to us to get out of sight before the fort watchers see us," said Captain Nicholson.
Being satisfied of how far his run should be and verifying his course by the compass while still on the surface, Captain Nicholson quickly ordered the vessel trimmed down to a depth of 60 feet, and then started forward at about four knots—as low a speed as was consistent with good handling.
"Lucky it's high tide; just beginning to ebb," said Captain Nicholson. "We'll find all the water on the bar that is ever there."
There was to be no more sleep now on the Y-3. From the gunner's mate down every man of the crew was on the qui vive.
As the submarine neared where the bar was charted, it came up till the pressure gauge showed only ten feet of water above.
"Ten feet to hide us from the forts' lookouts and guns," explained Captain Nicholson.
Suddenly there was a jar that stirred all on board off their feet. There was a sensation of sinking. As previously instructed, the diving rudder man immediately gave the submarine up-rudder. Captain Nicholson ordered full speed ahead, although he knew it would mean that the vessel's periscope would show, giving the enemy a good look at the vessel.
"If we hadn't come up," said Captain Nicholson, "we would have been sucked down solidly into the sand, and good-bye to our chances at those men-o-war inside."
He was silent a moment and then added: "This is what I call tough luck. We shall have to porpoise."
In a second the submarine was again down in the deep basin beyond the bar. The vessel hadn't been up long enough for the commander even to get a look around.
"Here's where we get busy," said Captain Nicholson. "It's up to us to rush the work along before the men in the fort, who must have seen us, can take measures against us."
The submarine ran along at a speed of ten knots at a depth of forty feet and in almost no time at all had covered the mile from the entrance to where the men-of-war lay.
"Now's the time," said Commander Nicholson.
Quickly the torpedoes, 18-inch superheaters, were placed in the tubes. It only remained to arise, sight the enemy and fire.
Quickly the little vessel rose until her periscope gave the commander a view of the first Turkish cruiser. The commander gave the word for a quick rise and the submersion, and took a firm grip on the periscope.
Through the spray that broke, the keen eyes of the commander made out the form of his first target. There, on the port side of the submarine, was a large Turkish cruiser, stern to.
Midstream, to starboard, lay a light cruiser of the first class, and 800 yards up the basin, between the two, a small armored cruiser.
The flat country was thickly veiled with mist and a drizzling rain. A choppy sea added to the chances of making the first attack on the Turks unobserved.
Captain Nicholson steered a course straight to the starboard side of the first Turkish cruiser, to launch the torpedo just forward of amidships at a distance of about 300 yards.
The lookout on the cruiser had not picked up the submarine. Captain Nicholson saw an officer at the stern, sighting the fort with his glass. The Y-3 crept on unnoticed.
Suddenly a seaman on the forecastle of the cruiser made out the periscope of the submarine, waved his cap frantically and ran toward an officer.
All this, as it progressed, Captain Nicholson repeated to the lads, who stood just behind him.
Jack glanced at the range scale. It read 349 yards.
The cross wires of the periscope were on her middle funnel.Captain Nicholson jerked the firing valve for No. 1 torpedo.There was a hiss of air and a rush of water.
The first torpedo had been launched!