"Why does it still keep at this angle?" asked Ralph.
"Have you forgotten the stuff we carried back into the stern?" replied Alfred.
"Do you think that really is the trouble?" asked Ralph.
"Yes; it is out of balance, and I suppose we may look out for another job," said the captain. "That may be the opportunity we are seeking. Furthermore, what is to be done must be done just as soon as possible."
"What makes you think so?" eagerly inquired Alfred.
"Several things. The first is, that we are now in the English Channel under the guidance of a man much less skilful than the lieutenant; and, secondly, the lieutenant, although badly wounded, may recover sufficiently to be able to direct affairs," replied the captain.
"When I was out there talking with the seaman," said Alfred, "I learned that the lieutenant was in a very low state."
"I should judge so, too," rejoined the captain, "for the reason that the doctor has not left the room once since the lieutenant was taken there. In making a calculation of the forces against us I have considered that the lieutenant, the cook and the doctor are disposed of, so far as being of any aid to the crew. Three others are also so badly injured that they do not need to cause us much worry. I am not certain in my mind, however, where they are at this time."
"Do you mean the men who were injured?" asked Ralph.
"Yes."
"Two of them are in the bunks behind the compressed air tanks," answered Ralph.
"Are you quite sure of that?" queried the captain.
"I know it," was the answer.
"Well, that makes six accounted for, so that there are twenty-one we must meet. Now I shall give a few general instructions before we proceed. The sub-lieutenant has gone into the conning tower. As he entered I tried to get a glimpse to ascertain whether or not the sun had risen, but was unable to decide, but I should judge that it is not yet daylight or he would not be running on the surface. As a precautionary measure we must have the weapons ready, and have the revolvers put away so as not to expose them before we are ready."
"Here they are," said Ralph, who cautiously brought them to the room.
"Shall we load them?" asked Alfred.
"By all means; and let me warn you of one thing: when you aim be sure to hit. There must be no pretense about it. The matter is too serious for anything but strict business. I hope we shall not have the opportunity or necessity for using the revolvers. Now pay attention to the details: the sub-lieutenant must be the first one captured, and he must be taken into the conning tower. I suggest that you, Ralph, take your place beneath the stairway, hiding, as much as possible, behind the amidship tank, while you, Alfred, remain at the door of our room here."
"Shall I stay here so I can be seen or keep out of sight?" asked Alfred.
"Remain under cover inside the room, but in sight of the stairway. You have probably noticed that the under officer makes frequent trips to the conning tower, and that on returning each time he turns a short lever below the hinge," said the captain.
"I have noticed that several times and wondered what it was for," said Ralph.
"That is for the purpose of holding the hatch door so that it can be opened by him when he again ascends the stairway. Now, when the under officer opens the hatch and comes down the hatch stairs, will be the time for you to come out of the room and take up your position at the forward corner of the room; that will completely hide you from the eyes of the officer. I shall then go into the room, the moment he reaches the last step, andthus he will not suspect me. The moment he reaches the passageway opposite the door, I will hold him up with my revolver, and compel him to enter the room. The moment that is done you will push the door shut, as you will see that it has a spring lock. Do you fully understand the instructions so far?" asked the captain.
"I think so," answered Alfred, "although I don't exactly understand why I am to go into the room first, and then come out the moment the hatch is being opened."
"For the reason that we must not be suspected by the others, some of whom are at all times not far away, and if, while we are waiting, some of the crew should pass the end of our room they would be sure to see you and consider that a peculiar place for you to be in. Do you understand it now?" replied the captain.
"Then, after that what will take place?" asked Ralph, his breath coming thick and fast.
"I shall go up the stairway, followed by Alfred. While this is going on it will be your duty, Ralph, to watch the workers at the dynamo and the aft tank. They are the only ones who will be able to see the stairway clearly. If you see any look of alarm on their faces, or see that they notice what is going on, move around into the opening, and level both revolvers at them, without, however, making any sound. Hold them in that position until I raise the trap-door and warn the sub-lieutenant. Alfred will follow close and hold the trap-door from being sprung. Then move up thecompanionway as fast as you can. There, he is going up now. Take your place, Ralph."
The crucial time had come. Alfred retreated into the little room as the captain leisurely moved along the narrow passageway toward the dynamos. Thus they waited and waited, five, ten minutes. Ages seemed to pass. Then the hatch door opened slowly. Alfred came out quietly without looking around, moved forward, and then walked back and slid into the corner of the room.
The petty officer closed the hatch and moved down the steps, brushing past the captain. As he did so the captain entered the door and immediately turned with the revolver pointing at the officer's breast.
"Not a sound, or I fire," said the captain in a voice which could not be heard a dozen feet away. The captain stepped aside, and pointed to the open doorway, at the same time indicating by motions that the German should enter it. The officer gritted his teeth and finally obeyed. As the captain stood there with the revolver at his side, but pointed at the man, Alfred slowly closed the door.
The captain now turned and moved up the stairway. With his revolver drawn he pushed open the trap-door quietly, and, in a quiet voice, said: "Hands up!"
The sub-lieutenant turned quickly, to look into the muzzle of the revolver. His hands reached out to seize a lever.
"Stop!" said the captain, and the officer quickly raised his hands.
Alfred was now in the tower, and Ralph, walking up backwards, had his head through the hatch opening, when a shot was fired. He dropped one of his revolvers, and Alfred quickly seized him by the shoulders and drew him up. The hatch cover came down with a bang.
"Are you hurt?" asked Alfred, as Ralph dropped down, but he was reassured as the latter arose. For the moment the captain's gaze was averted, when, quick as thought, the officer's hand touched a lever.
The captain smiled, as he said: "I am afraid the valve of the submerging tank will not work; I prefer running on the surface. But, in the meantime, as I am commander of this vessel, and I notice that you are trying to interfere, I shall have to restrict your movements somewhat."
Saying this he drew a small cord from his pocket and instructed Alfred to bind the arms at the wrists. The hands of the officer were then carried around to the back and the cord fastened to a stanchion at one side, where he was out of reach of the instrument board.
This gave the captain an opportunity to examine Ralph's wound. The latter had quickly rallied. It was the shot, coupled with the extreme tension, which caused him momentarily to collapse, for it was found that the wound had passed through the fleshy part of the arm above the elbow.
"I suppose you want the destroyers to sink us," said the officer.
"Not at all," replied the captain. "Unscrewthe bolts of the door, Alfred. And now a word more, Mr. Officer. Where are your flags?"
"I refuse to inform you," said the officer, with a look of determination in his face.
"I expect a shot every minute," said the captain, "for I know as well as you do that there is a cruiser on our port side. I shall give you another opportunity; where are the flags?"
"You must open the hatch for them," said the officer.
"All the bolts are out," said Alfred, turning to the captain.
"Guard the officer while I go out and signal," said the captain.
Before the captain reached the door there was an ominous boom in the distance. Alfred could see the officer's face grow pale. A shower of sea water sprayed over the deck, and some of the water entered the open door. Looking out he saw the captain, who had thrown off his coat and vest, and was now drawing off his white shirt, which he held up and waved to and fro, just as the second shot boomed.
Fortunately, the shot was too far away to be at all dangerous, as Alfred thought, but the voice of the captain explained it.
"Signal to stop!"
"Which lever?" inquired Alfred.
The latter hesitated. He glanced out the door and then at the boy. To refuse meant that the ship was doomed and his companions below without hope of rescue.
The captain, with the white signal in his hand, stepped to the door, and with the revolver pointing full into the face of the officer, said: "Stop the ship or you will never have an opportunity to save yourselves or your companions."
"Pull the second lever," he said, and Alfred did as directed.
"Reverse!" demanded the captain.
"The lever below," said the officer.
A mile away was a small, speedy craft, sailing around the submarine. It seemed fairly to skim over the surface of the water, and cast the spray astern like a mist. It had come up unnoticed by the captain.
"Look at the little boat," shouted Ralph, who had now recovered and had moved to the open door.
The captain turned quickly toward the stern, waving the white flag in a frenzy. It must have been regarded as a remarkable thing to those on board the little cutter to see a German submarine hoisting a surrender flag. It seemed too good to be true. They evidently supposed the white flag was a ruse of some kind, for they did not venture nearer.
Meanwhile, the cruiser, which had fired the two shots, came up behind the little craft, and the latter cautiously steamed up. The small vessel was one of the speedy torpedo boat chasers, carrying two three-inch guns, and drawing less than six feet of water. The safety of these boats lies in their great speed and in the shallow draft, whichprevents the submarine from reaching them with their torpedoes.
Once abreast the commander called out: "I am sending a boat for your officers."
"I have only one here, that we can get at, at present," shouted the captain.
"What is that?" asked the commander of the chaser.
"I have one of the chief officers in the conning tower, and the others are below," said the captain.
"Who are you?" asked the commander.
"Captain Leclere, of the French service," replied the captain.
"Captain Leclere!" almost shouted the German officer in the conning tower.
"That's the man," said Alfred.
"Then I am not surprised," said the officer in a low voice.
"Surprised?" said Ralph. "Did you say 'surprised?'"
The officer sighed, turned his head away, and was silent.
A lieutenant and four seamen reached the side of the submarine, and were drawn aboard.
"Ah! it was your ship that went down in the bay last Wednesday," said the chaser's lieutenant.
"Yes; we were picked up by the submarine, together with my two young friends here," said the captain.
"And how does it happen that you are in command of this vessel?" he asked in surprise.
"We captured it about a half an hour ago, and have the chief officer and the crew below," replied the captain.
"That is certainly a remarkable exploit," replied the lieutenant. "I suppose you will be glad to meet the commander ofl'Orient?" said the lieutenant.
"Ah! Captain Tournai, you mean! I recognized the French colors. But I supposed he was in the Mediterranean; it will be quite a pleasure, indeed. Do me the honor to signal him," said the captain.
The lieutenant gave the necessary instructions, and the flags wig-wagged from the bridge of the little vessel.
The sub-lieutenant was called out of the conning tower, and Alfred directed to unloosen the cords.
"I suppose you will take charge of the prisoners," said the captain.
"I should be glad to do so, with your permission, although you have a right, of course, to turn them over tol'Orient," said the lieutenant.
"No; it is sufficient gratification to know that we have the vessel," said the captain, "and I shall be glad to leave to you the disposition of the men and the vessel."
"What procedure would you suggest?" asked the lieutenant.
"I shall give an order to the sub-lieutenant directing the men to come out of the hold," said the captain. Then, turning to the sub-lieutenant, he said:
"You will inform the men below that they are to present themselves at the hatch."
The officer bowed, and entered the conning tower He immediately descended. Before he had, reached the bottom the captain said:
"Halt! Notify them from where you are. I shall not permit you to go any farther."
All the men were found to be stationed near the hatchway steps. One by one they appeared, and were escorted out, a dozen marines in the meantime having appeared in two boats. As they emerged from the door they were escorted to the side and directed to take their places in the ship's boats.
"That makes twenty-one," said Alfred.
"Shall I go down and assist in bringing up the lieutenant?" said the sub-lieutenant, as the doctor of the submarine passed out.
"No; I have decided that he shall not be removed until this evening," said the captain. "In the meantime the doctor may return, and give him such aid as is necessary."
The sub-lieutenant's face turned pale, and he trembled. This was the first show of weakness that he exhibited. The boys looked at the captain, and turned their glances toward the officer of the chaser. They could not understand it. The captain continued:
"I believe the chief machinist is also injured, as well as two of the machine tenders. They may also remain until after the lieutenant is brought up."
All present noticed the wrought-up condition of the sub-lieutenant, and the latter soon exhibited evidence that he was breaking down. At last he remarked with trembling voice:
"At what time can they be brought up?"
"I cannot tell at this time; possibly not untiltomorrow," said the captain, directing a searching glance at the officer.
"He is very ill," said the doctor.
"I have no doubt of it," replied the captain. "The length of their stay in the submarine will depend on the length of the fuse attached to the time explosive in the hold."
The sub-lieutenant almost dropped as the captain uttered these words, and the boys exchanged significant glances, while the lieutenant of the chaser smiled.
"You did not think," continued the captain, "that I would be so lax in my duty as to permit you to plant a mine under our feet?"
The sub-lieutenant dropped his eyes without answering. The captain gazed at him intently, as he continued: "For the present you will be detained, and the time of the removal of the lieutenant with his companions will be decided within the next two hours."
With this decision the sub-lieutenant was put in charge of the marines, while he descended to enter the boat. As he was about to step aboard, he turned to the captain and said: "It will be too late if you defer the decision for two hours."
"Ah!" said the captain with a faint smile, "you have thought better of it. Will the fuse last an hour?"
The sub-lieutenant nodded. The captain waved his arms and directed the officer to proceed. The latter unceremoniously pushed the sub-lieutenant into the boat.
"I will see to it that the fuses are taken out," said the sub-lieutenant, recovering from his sullen attitude.
The captain paid no attention to the remarks of the officer. As soon as the sub-lieutenant was well out of hearing, the captain turned to the boys and said: "It may be a difficult and trying duty to you to perform, but it is the only safe thing to do. As you know almost every part of the submarine from the investigation you have made, I would ask you to follow me, and I will tell you what to do."
The boys nodded their heads, and entered the conning tower with the captain. The latter turned, before descending, and said:
"You will have observed, no doubt, that the scheme was to turn over the submarine to us as soon as possible, leaving a time fuse, which, within a specified time, would have blown the ship to atoms. By so doing they would accomplish two purposes, namely, destroy the ship, and save their own lives. We must not put confidence in any statement they may make."
"But wouldn't it be a good idea to let the sub-lieutenant remove the fuses, as he said he would do?" asked Ralph.
"Would you be willing to rely on that?"
"Well, I wouldn't," replied Alfred. "I could tell by the way the sub-lieutenant acted that he would play a trick if he could."
"That is just why I want you to assist me in check-mating," said the captain.
"Tell us just what to do, and you may depend on us," replied Ralph.
"As you know many of the dark places below I want you to go down with me and find several where you can secrete yourselves. I will then send the sub-lieutenant down, and order him to remove the fuses. I want you to be particular to observe every step he takes, and, as far as possible, note what he does at each place; do you understand?" said the captain.
"Perfectly," replied Ralph.
Together they descended. All were well aware that the lieutenant, the doctor, and the three wounded men were still in the dining galley, the door of which had been closed and locked by orders of the captain, after the last of the submarine crew reached the upper deck.
"I know one good place where a fellow can hide and still see what is going on," said Alfred.
"Where is that?" asked the captain.
"At that tank by the side of the dining galley," replied Alfred.
"That would be a good vantage point," answered the captain. "It is the aft trimming tank, and if you can find a place of concealment it would, at the same time, enable you to overhear any conversation that might possibly take place, when the sub-lieutenant is performing his unwelcome duty."
"Then maybe I ought to get somewhere forward of the main hatch?" proposed Ralph.
"I suppose you have your revolvers with you?" said the captain.
"I know mine is all right," replied Ralph.
"So is mine, I think," said Alfred, "although I haven't had an opportunity to try it so far."
"I hope there will be no necessity for anything of that kind," said the captain. "However, we are dealing with men who are desperate, and who have been taught that they must do desperate things to accomplish their purposes, hence the safe rule, in all cases, in dealing with them, is to do the very opposite of that which they wish you to do."
"Is that the reason why you refused to let him remove the fuse?" asked Alfred.
The captain laughed quietly, as he replied: "He thinks I have refused to let him do so, but he will be surprised to get the order to remove the fuses, and be permitted to go down into the vessel unaccompanied."
"Then he is to come down here without you?" said Ralph in surprise.
"Why, certainly; and that is why I want some one here to watch proceedings," said the captain.
"Oh! I understand now," replied Alfred. "That's a good idea. If anything happens we'll find out what it is if any one can."
"I believe it," answered the captain. "And now select your places. I will go up and send him down within the next fifteen minutes."
Alfred took up his station at one side of the aft trimming tank, and Ralph, after some investigation, upturned one of the boxes which was still lying in the passageway directly to one side of the steps leading to the conning tower, and after alittle search, found two more, which were drawn together, thus forming a retreat which enabled him to observe the movements of any one on three sides.
All this was done in silence, and all preparation having been made, the captain ascended. After reaching the deck-house of the chaser, he requested the sub-lieutenant's presence. As he approached, between the two guards, the captain said: "I have concluded that you may go down and remove the fuses, and I shall depend on your honor to do it effectually."
The sub-lieutenant bowed stiffly, and was led to the boat, followed by the captain. As they reached the conning tower, the captain continued: "I will remain here. I shall give you ten minutes' time to do the work."
The sub-lieutenant descended, and was somewhat surprised to find himself alone in the interior. The electric lights were burning brightly. Ralph was the first to view his movements. The officer first moved to a point directly opposite, and with a key opened a door, which Ralph had never theretofore noticed. In a moment the door was again closed and Ralph saw a short section of a fuse, which the officer quickly pushed into a dark recess below.
From that point he moved toward the stern, stopping at the motors; then he quickly turned around and glanced about in a suspicious manner. As he stooped down, Ralph made a slight noise on one of the boxes, and the officer straightened uplike a shot. The movement indicated a guilty act, and Ralph divined that the purpose was to injure the motors.
The sub-lieutenant moved cautiously to the rear, and in a few moments was abreast of the dining galley. Here he was within hearing of Alfred behind the aft trimming tanks. He saw the officer go to the door, and give three quick knocks. "Herr Schwoger!" he said in a subdued voice. In another moment a voice within replied: "The fuses; you must not forget them."
To this the sub-lieutenant answered: "I have been ordered to remove them; what shall I do?"
"Take out all but the forward fuse, and report," said the voice. "Tell us what has happened," continued the voice, which was now recognized as the doctor's.
"They have complete command, and two warships are outside," was the reply.
From this point the officer crossed over to the starboard side of the vessel and at a large stand-pipe stooped down. Alfred tried to ascertain what he was doing, but was unable to detect the nature of his work. The sub-lieutenant then crossed back to the other side, and, working his way quickly to the motors, stooped down. Ralph could no longer restrain himself. He quickly and quietly moved toward the officer, as he saw him with a long tool of some kind in his hand reach down to the base of the motor.
"Hands up!" shouted Ralph.
The tool dropped from the hands of the officer with a click.
Alfred was at the side of the sub-lieutenant in an instant. "You may go on deck," said Ralph.
The officer glanced at Alfred, whom he had seen emerge from the aft hiding place, and then turned a look of contempt on Ralph.
"Move!" said Ralph, pointing to the gangway.
Alfred cocked his revolver and menacingly pointed it at him.
There was only one thing to do and he did it. He was met by the captain at the head of the stairway.
The boys followed quickly. The captain looked on at the leveled revolvers and appeared to be surprised.
"What does all this mean?" he asked.
"It means that he tried to destroy the motors, and we caught him at it in time," said Ralph.
"That is not so," replied the officer.
"What is this for?" asked Alfred, as he held up the tool which the officer had dropped.
"But you have removed all the fuses, of course?" said the captain, apparently not heeding the tool referred to.
"I have," said the officer, straightening up.
"All but the one at the forward part of the vessel," replied Alfred.
The officer turned, with a look of surprise and chagrin on his face. "He does not know what he is talking about," said the officer.
"Then you are lying to me as you are to thecaptain," said Alfred. "You told the doctor in the galley that you had removed all but the forward one. Did you lie to him?" asked Alfred.
A blush seemed to suffuse the officer's face, as the captain said:
"We will go down together. There may be some more work to do; come on," said the captain, as he indicated the way. "You may go first, Ralph, the sub-lieutenant will follow."
There was no help for it. Once below the captain said: "You will save yourself considerable trouble by removing the fuse from the forward bomb, and that without further waste of words."
The officer knew that the manner in which the words were uttered meant business. Without waiting for the second warning, he led the way, opened another secret door, and removed the tell-tale fuse.
"Ah, ha! cut for two hours! Now, while we are about it you might as well start the motor; we have some use for it," said the captain.
"I cannot do that," replied the officer.
"So you succeeded in injuring it," said the captain.
"No," was the reply.
The captain picked up the tool, which Alfred was so particular to carry along. "And what was this used for?" he asked.
"Yes; I have disarranged the motor fields so that they are useless; and I don't deny it," said the officer, straightening up and looking at the captain defiantly.
"There; that is something like it; but you haven't deceived me in the least. I have brought a very useful article with me," continued the captain, drawing from his pocket a paper and presenting it to the officer. "It contains instructions, which I expect you to follow, for your own safety. I shall see to it that the fuses you removed are again put into place and the mechanism set for one hour. Of course, I shall hold the keys. Under those conditions you may remain locked below, and I shall expect you to obey my signals, as we intend to navigate the vessel to port, which will, as you know, occupy about fifty minutes of time. Do you know where the fuse boxes are?" said the captain, turning to the boys.
Ralph marched to the side wall and pointed to the place where the sub-lieutenant opened the first box.
"Open it!" ordered the captain, turning to the sub-lieutenant.
The latter hesitated. The captain stared at him sternly and repeated the order. As he made no motion, the captain continued: "Why do you hesitate?"
The officer now saw that he was dealing with a man who understood the motives of those aboard the submarine, and it was also evident that the sympathy of the boys was turned from the young man. The latter had played his part to the ultimate.
"You have now done all and more than is required of you," said the captain, as he altered his tone of voice. "You have set the automatic device, which, in due time, would have sent this vessel to the bottom. I understand all these devices, and they will not avail you. I understand, as well as you do, that to open that box will cause an explosion; but it is necessary to make an example of you." Then, turning to the boys, he said: "You may go on deck. As for you, Mr. Officer, I shall detain you below a sufficient length of time to be sure that the automatic device gets in its work. We really have no use for the submarine."
He turned and started up the stairway, when the sub-lieutenant, with trembling voice, said: "I am powerless to prevent the explosion,——"
"Unless," interrupted the captain.
The officer nodded his head. "I supposed so!" continued the captain. "The lieutenant in the galley has the key which controls the automatic device. You may open the door and get the key, and from this time forward, if I find that you deceive me in the slightest degree, or make any attempt to injure the vessel, I will make it your grave without a moment's hesitation, and without the least compunction."
The sub-lieutenant moved toward the galley, and opened the door. In a moment he reappeared with the key and followed the captain to the conning tower.
Below the switchboard was a tiny slot. Into this the key neatly fitted, and upon giving a turn, a set of switches was exposed.
"These are the control circuits," he said.
"Turn them off and open the boxes below!" ordered the captain. This was done.
"Who are the men that operate the trimming tanks?" asked the captain.
"The machinist Scholer and his assistant Bracher," was the reply.
"Lieutenant," said the captain, addressing the commander of the chaser; "send those men on board."
When they appeared the captain continued: "You will go below with these men, and obey my signals, as we take the vessel to port, and remember, that if any part of the machinery is destroyed I will not guarantee to deliver you safely on shore."
As they disappeared, the trap-door was closed, and the boys were free, for the first time since the eventful morning, five days previous to this time, when they stepped aboard the submarine.
They now realized, in a particularly pointed manner, that while the air in a submarine seems to be fairly pure, it is filled with the most noxious fumes, due to the petroleum and lubricants, as well as to the odors due to cooking, all of which cannot be gotten rid of, however constantly the air-circulating apparatus of the ship is in operation.
The greatest efforts have been made to automatically discharge these odors, but the hundreds of dead corners within a hull of this character make it impossible to effect a thorough discharge, and when the trap-door finally closes down there is a peculiar feeling, not unlike seasickness, which seemed to attack one.
"I understand your feelings," said the captain, as he noticed the pale faces of the boys. "It is wonderful how you have been able to keep up, and not exhibit symptoms before this. I will have two seamen come over to assist me in the conning tower."
"I wish you wouldn't do that," said Alfred, as he placed his hand on his temples. "I am sure we will get over this in time."
"No, no; we want to stay with you, if you don't mind," insisted Ralph. "I am all right now," and he tried to smile, but it was not a very successful effort.
"Then I suppose I shall have to accede; yes, lieutenant, we can take care of the boat, but I shall expect you to act as our convoy," replied the captain.
The lieutenant directed his men to pull for the chaser, and the captain turned to the operating board. "Forward," the word was plain. The signal was made by two distinct rings. The propellers turned. The captain, with his hands on the wheel, turned to starboard and made a short turn. This brought the vessel alongside the chaser. A slight turn to port, then forward, and they glided alongsidel'Orient.
The crew had been lined up on the port side, and the captain at the end of the bridge raised his cap in salute as they passed by.
"Where are we going?" asked Ralph, as he saw the prow pointing to the south. "Are we going to France?"
"What are those funny things bobbing up there for,—that whole line?" asked Alfred.
"They are the floats for the torpedo nets," replied the captain. "We are now on our way to go through the gates, and thus avoid the nets."
"Is that why we are following the torpedo chaser?" asked Ralph.
"Yes, and when once inside the lane, we will change our course and reach the English base for craft of this kind," said the captain.
The submarine followed the wake of the chaser for fully a half hour, when, for some reason, that boat stopped. As they neared it they noticed thesailors and marines aboard on the port side, and intently engaged in looking forward.
"What's up now, I wonder?" said Alfred, as he opened the door of the conning tower and stepped on the deck.
"Look at the floats ahead," said the captain.
On investigation two of them were noticed moving back and forth, and occasionally dipping in an unaccountable manner.
"Look at those fellows with the guns on the deck of the chaser," said Ralph.
Alfred looked up. He saw the gun crews at their stations, with the officers in charge of the guns standing at one side in attitudes of expectancy.
"I know," said Alfred. "They have caught one of them."
"Yes; and they are making the same efforts to get away that we were engaged in only a few hours ago," said the captain.
The chaser steamed back and forth in a quiet, determined way, the men never for a moment relaxing their watch.
"What are they trying to do with that funny-looking, big, fat gun on the side near the front end of the deck?" asked Ralph.
"That is a howitzer," answered the captain.
"What in the world do they want a howitzer for?" asked Alfred.
"To use it on the boat if it should get free from the net," replied the captain.
"Why don't they use it now?" asked Ralph.
"Because they do not want to destroy the boat unless it is absolutely necessary," answered the captain.
"But how will they know whether the boat gets away?" asked Alfred.
"By the condition of the floats," answered the captain. "You will notice that the two floats within range of the submarine's action are being dragged down. If the floats should be in a normal condition, or float on their true water line, which you can readily observe by glasses, it is evident that the submarine is free."
"And then that would be the time they would use the howitzers?" suggested Alfred.
"But how could they reach the submarine?" asked Ralph. "Do they know just where the vessel is now?"
"Yes, they can locate it within a hundred feet; but that would be near enough for their purpose," replied the captain.
"Do you mean," asked Alfred, "that they would send the shell from the howitzer anywhere near them, and that it would destroy the submarine even though it didn't hit it?"
"Yes; the detonating or rupturing effect of the high explosive in the shells is such that even though the explosion would take place a hundred feet from the hull, it would put it out of commission at once, and, in all probability, crush in the sides like an egg shell," said the captain.
"Why are they signaling?" asked Ralph, as the wig-wagging began.
"I think that'sl'Orientin sight on the port side," replied the captain, after gazing in the direction indicated.
"Then the cruiser will take the position of the chaser?" said Alfred.
"Quite likely," answered the captain.
"Look at the smoke; she's coming this way," shouted Ralph.
The captain waved his hand to the lieutenant on the chaser, as he shouted: "They have responded to your signals."
Asl'Orientapproached and took up position, the chaser, with a parting salute, turned and started for its former course along the line of buoys. The boys looked back and kept their eyes on the moving buoys as far as they could see them.
"It will never get away," said the captain.
The chaser described a long curve, and changed its course due east, and, following it, they were at the entrance which had been left free. Beyond were several other small vessels, two of which dashed up and steamed alongside. The crews cheered as the boys emerged from the conning tower and waved their caps.
The lieutenant quickly informed the officers aboard the other boats of the prize, which had been taken by those aboard of her, and the news redoubled their noisy welcome. The tell-tale number on the side of the conning tower, U-96, was sufficient to inform the crews of the passing vessels that another of the dreaded boats was out of action.
Once within the lane, as the path between the two lines of buoyed nets is called, they turned and steamed north. Vessels were passing and repassing; transport and hospital ships; immense freight carriers, and saucy little tugs drawing barge-like flat-boats; innumerable fast launches and large war vessels, going to and fro between the shores of England and France.
Within a half-hour they again approached the place wherel'Orientwas watching the struggles of the entangled submarine. The boys thought of the trying hours when they, too, were thus imperilled, and could hardly refrain from shuddering at the thought of the human beings in the narrow prison house below the waves.
Evidently, something exciting was taking place, for the cruiser was constantly manoeuvering, and the men at the howitzers were keenly alive. Occasionally, there would be a lull in the movement of the buoys and it was during those moments that the most intense activity was shown on board the guarding vessel.
"I don't understand how it is that the submarine can get fastened to the nets," said Ralph to the captain, as they leaned over the rail of their vessel.
"The meshes of the nets are very large,—that is, of sufficient diameters to permit the ends of the submarines to pass into them," replied the captain.
"But, if that is the case why cannot the submarines back out in the same way that they went in?"
"They can, if the mesh is too small to take more than the bow of the vessel; but, in the event the mesh is large enough to permit the bow to enter, and the net once gets behind the fins of the submarine, that is the end of them, for the vessel cannot, in that case, free itself," responded the captain.
"How was it in our case?" asked Ralph. "Do you think the fins of our ship got caught?"
"I did not explain it to you at the time, as I did not wish to alarm you; but this vessel had one of its fins through the net. Evidently we struck the nets at an angle, and the tide helped us in keeping the hull against the net at the proper angle. The lieutenant knew this, for he adopted the only method known to free the ship under those circumstances," said the captain.
"So you think the lieutenant knew that only one fin had caught, and for that reason he tried to up-end the ship?" inquired Alfred.
"Yes; but not that alone. I observed one thing that you may have overlooked," remarked the Captain. "He was particular to store all the boxes which we helped to carry aft, on the starboard side."
"I noticed that," said Ralph hurriedly, "and that wasn't all. Every time a box was brought in he would ask: 'Heavy or light,' and I have many times wondered why he did so."
"I did notice one thing, though," said Alfred, "and that was, when the rear end of the submarine shot upward, and the boxes came tumblingdown, that the hull seemed to roll around to the left."
"That was our salvation," replied the captain. "I then knew we had a chance."