A CURIOUS THRONG CROWDED TO THE RAIL OF THE WARSHIP.—Page 28.A CURIOUS THRONG CROWDED TO THE RAIL OF THE WARSHIP.—Page 28.
Mark sprang up the iron ladder that led to the opening in the deck of thePorpoiseand threw back the cams that held the heavy iron in place. Then he swung the cover back and stepped out on the small platform, followed by the professor, Andy and Jack. They looked up to find themselves observed by a curious throng that crowded to the rail of the warship.
"What are you trying to do? Ram me with a new-fangled torpedo?" asked an angry voice, and a man in a gold laced uniform, who, from his importance plainly showed himself to be the captain of the ship, shook his fist at Mr. Henderson.
"I might ask what right your ship has to get in my path," replied the inventor. "It was all an accident."
"Mighty queer," muttered the naval commander. "Looks very suspicious. How do I knowbut what you're a torpedo from some foreign nation?"
"Because this is not a torpedo," replied Mr. Henderson. "It is a new submarine boat of my invention, and I was giving it a trial spin."
"I guess you'd better come aboard and do your explaining," went on the captain. "I don't like the looks of things. Lower a boat!" he shouted, "and bring those chaps to my cabin. I want to question them."
It did not suit Professor Henderson to have his plans upset in this fashion. Nor did he care to give a detailed description of his ship to officers of the war department. He had many valuable inventions that were not patented. So he determined to outwit the pompous commander of the cruiser.
The noise made in preparing the small boat for lowering over the side of the big ship could be plainly heard.
"Go below, all of you, and as quietly as you can," whispered Mr. Henderson.
Andy, Mark and Jack obeyed. At that instant the side of the warship was almost deserted, for the sailors who had gathered to observe thePorpoisehad gone to lower the small boat.
No sooner had Jack, who was in the rear, disappeared through the manhole than the professor, with a quick jump, followed him.
"Here! Come back!" shouted the warship's captain as he saw Mr. Henderson's head disappearing from view. "Come back I say!"
But with a quick movement the inventor pulled down the manhole cover and clamped it. Then he sprang to the conning tower, and, with a jerk, opened the levers that admitted water to the tanks. ThePorpoisebegan to sink slowly, and then more suddenly, so that, in less than a minute, she was out of sight beneath the waves, and the angry, gold-laced captain was staring in wonderment at the place where the submarine had been. The spot was marked only by a few bubbles and some foam.
"I guess he'll wait some time for an explanation," spoke Mr. Henderson, as he started the big screw and sent thePorpoiseahead at a swift pace.
"That was rather a narrow escape," observed Jack, standing at the foot of the conning tower stairs and talking to Andy and Mr. Henderson, who was steering.
"It certainly was," agreed the professor. "I have not yet become used to seeing things very far ahead in the dimness caused by being under water. But we'll soon get used to it. Luckily, thePorpoisewas not damaged by the shock."
For several hours thePorpoisewas kept on her course. She behaved handsomely, and nothingexcepting slight and easily remedied defects were found. The professor steered well out to sea, increasing both the forward speed and the depth to which the vessel sank. Presently the craft came to a stop with a little jolt.
"What's the trouble?" asked Mark, somewhat alarmed.
"Nothing at all," replied the professor with a smile, as he stepped out of the conning tower and entered the engine-room. "I thought it was time for dinner so I stopped the ship. We are now resting on the ocean bed, about half a mile below the surface. Look!"
As he spoke he slid back the slides covering the plate glass windows. The boys saw that the ship rested in the midst of an immense forest of sea weed. Some of the stalks were as large around as trees. In and out among the snake-like, waving branches swam big fishes. It was a weird, but beautiful sight.
"Come, Washington, serve dinner," ordered Mr. Henderson, and the colored man soon had a good meal prepared. Few repasts have been eaten under such strange circumstances.
Desiring to be back at his secluded dock by nightfall, Captain Henderson soon started thePorpoiseup again. Without any accidents the return trip was made and by nine o'clock thePorpoiserode safely at the dock where she had beenlaunched.
The night was spent in the cabin on shore. Early the next morning Mr. Henderson paid a visit to the ship, to make a thorough examination by daylight, and see if the craft had suffered any damage.
"I think you and Mark will have to make a trip to town," he said to Jack at the breakfast table. "I need a new monkey wrench and some other tools and some small pieces of machinery. I'll give you a list of them, and you can bring them back in a valise, for they will be quite numerous."
After the meal the inventor made a record of what he needed and the boys started off.
"In case the machine shop does not have everything and you have to wait for something, you had better stay in the town all night," the captain of thePorpoisesaid. "It is quite a long trip and I don't want you traveling after dark. Put up at the hotel if you are delayed."
Provided with money for their purchase, and a large valise in which to carry them, the boys started off. They had to walk two miles to where a trolley line was built that ran to the town of Easton, where they were to get the tools and parts of machinery.
They made the trip safely and without incident. When they gave the machinist, to whom they hadbeen directed by Mr. Henderson, the list of the things needed, the man looked puzzled.
"I'll have to make one piece," he said. "You'll have to wait for it. Can't promise it before to-morrow morning about eight o'clock."
"That will be all right," remarked Mark. "We'll call for it then."
So, bearing in mind Mr. Henderson's instructions, the boys engaged a room at the hotel, which was quite a large one, for Easton was a favorite summer resort and the town was filled with visitors. The lads strolled about the town, had their dinner, and then went for a bath in the surf. They retired early, for they were tired.
In the middle of the night Mark began to dream that he was on board thePorpoiseand that the submarine blew up. There was a loud noise, he saw a bright flash of flame, and saw rolling clouds of smoke. So vivid was the vision that he thought he tried to leap out of the boat, and awoke with a jump, to find Jack shaking him.
"What's the matter?" inquired Mark.
"The hotel's on fire!" shouted Jack.
Mark sprang out of bed and with Jack rushed to the window, for their room was filled with thick smoke. They could see the dull glare of flames, which every moment were becoming brighter.
The next instant a loud explosion shook thebuilding. It swayed and seemed likely to topple over. Outside the boys could hear excited shouts and the puffing and whistling of fire engines.
"Quick! Run!" yelled Mark. He opened the door leading into the corridor, but was driven back by a rush of flames and smoke that almost stifled him.
"We must try the fire escape!" shouted Mark.
"Don't forget the valise with the tools;" exclaimed Jack, and Mark hastened to where he had placed it under the bed.
Then the two boys rushed to the balcony on which their front windows opened, and whence the fire escapes led down to the streets. The lads had only time to slip on their coats, trousers, shoes and caps.
As they were preparing to clamber down the iron ladders they heard someone on the balcony next to them shout:
"Here, you boys! Stop! I want you!"
"We haven't time now!" yelled back Mark, looking in the direction of the voice, and seeing a short, stout man, who appeared greatly excited.
"Stop or I'll shoot!" the man exclaimed.
"The fire must have made him crazy," said Jack. "Go on, Mark, it's getting hot up above!"
Mark did not linger on the ladder and soon the two boys were in the street, surrounded by an excited crowd.
"Are you hurt?" asked several.
"I guess not," replied Mark. "What caused the fire?"
"Some sort of an explosion," answered a policeman. "Part of the hotel was blown up. If you boys wish you can go to a station house where you'll be comfortable until morning."
"I guess we will," said Mark.
They started to work their way through the crowd but did not notice that the strange man followed them. The fire was now burning fiercely,and once they had gotten clear of the press the lads halted to look at the spectacle.
The hotel was now a mass of flames and the firemen were kept busy. What with the puffing of engines, the whistling of the steamers, the roar of the flames, and the shouts of the crowd, pandemoniumreigned.
The boys watched the fire for some time. Gradually the flames came under the control of the men and the leaping tongues died out.
"I guess we'd better go to the police station," suggested Jack.
Mark agreed this would be a good thing to do, as both of them felt rather chilly in the night air with only half of their clothes on. They inquired their way of the first policeman they saw, and he volunteered to escort them.
"Sure an' you'll have plenty of company," he said. "The hotel was full an' the people have no place to go except to the lock-up. Some swells will be glad to take a place behind the bars to-night I'm thinkin'. I wonder how some of those English aristocrats will like it?"
"English aristocrats?" repeated Jack. "Are any here?"
"Sure. There's a lot of them burned out. Lord Peckham was stoppin' at the hotel with a big crowd of people, an' their apartments was alldestroyed. Some of 'em went to the police station."
The boys followed their uniformed guide through the streets of Easton, and were soon at the station house. There they were received by the sergeant in charge, while the matron gave them each a cup of hot coffee, a large pot of the beverage having been brewed.
"I'll have to give you boys one bed between you," said the sergeant. "We're rather crowded for room to-night."
"Anything will do us," said Jack with a laugh.
Just then there was some excitement at the entrance of the police station.
"I tell you they're in here! I will see them!" a voice exclaimed. "I want them arrested at once!"
"Go easy now," counseled the doorman as he tried to hold back a short, stout, excited man who was pushing his way into the station.
"There they are!" exclaimed the man, pointing to Jack and Mark.
"Why those boys are from the burned hotel," said the doorman.
"I know it! They are the very ones I want!"
"What do you of us?" spoke up Mark. He recognized the man as the one who had called to him as he and Jack were escaping.
"I charge you with being sons of James Darrow, the notorious English anarchist!" cried the little man, pointing his finger at the boys, "and I accuse you of trying to kill Lord Peckham with a bomb, the explosion of which set fire to the hotel!"
For a moment the surprising charge so astonished every one that not a word was said. Then the little man, advancing toward the boys went on:
"I arrest you in the name of His Royal Highness, Edward VII, King of England, Scotland and Wales."
He threw back the lapel of his coat and showed a badge.
"King of England, Scotland and Wales, is it!" exclaimed the doorman with a twinkle in his eye. "An' why didn't ye say Ireland into the bargain."
"Ireland, of course," went on the little man. "I'm an officer of His Most Gracious Majesty," he added, "and I demand the assistance of the United States authorities in general and the police of Easton in particular in taking these desperate criminals into custody!"
"Hold your horses," advised the desk-sergeant. "Those boys are not liable to run away. They're to stay here over night, and if you have any chargeto make against them why you'll have to come and see the judge in the morning."
"But they are sons of an anarchist! They are anarchists themselves!" exclaimed the man, "I must arrest them!"
"You're not going to arrest anybody," said the sergeant, "until you get a warrant from the judge. This isn't England."
"Then I'm going to stay with these boys the rest of the night," insisted the man. "I can't take any chances on their giving me the slip."
"This place is going to be crowded with people from the burned hotel," objected the sergeant. "There will be no room for you. Besides, how do I know these boys are anarchists?"
"Look in their valise," cried the stranger. "It is filled with bombs."
"You can't look in this satchel," exclaimed Jack, for he remembered the valise contained parts of the professor's secret machines.
"What did I tell you?" cried the Englishman with triumph in his tones. "They are the guilty ones. They are afraid to open their valise."
"We are, but not because it has bombs in it," said Mark. "It has parts of an unpatented machine and the owner does not want any one to see them," for Mark remembered Mr. Henderson's strict injunctions to let no one but themechanist to whom they had gone catch a glimpse of the parts that were to be duplicated. The machinist was sworn to secrecy.
"It's none of our affair," said the sergeant, though he seemed a little impressed by the Englishman's words and the reluctance Mark and Jack showed to letting the valise be opened. "The boys will be here until morning, and then you can see the judge. Now you'll have to get out. You boys get to bed."
Muttering threats, the stranger went from the station house, and Mark and Jack, in response to a nod from the doorman, followed him upstairs to a part of the police station used to detain witnesses. They were shown to a small room with a single bed.
"Are ye really anarchists?" asked the doorman.
"Not a bit," replied Jack, and he told as much of their story as he dared.
"I was kind-of hopin' ye was," said the officer with a twinkle in his eye. "It wouldn't do any harm to scare that uppish Englishman a bit. Sure he an' his kind have done enough to poor old Ireland."
"I'm sorry we can't oblige you," said Mark with a laugh.
"I guess ye're all right," went on the doorman. "I hope ye sleep good the rest of the night."
Then he left them alone. What with the excitement of the fire and the startling accusation against them, the boys' brains were too excited to let them sleep much. They had a few fitful naps throughout the remainder of the night.
It was just getting daylight when Mark was awakened by some one shaking him.
"What is it?" he asked. "Another fire?"
"Not this time," replied a voice, and Mark, now that his eyes were fully opened, saw the doorman bending over him.
"What's the matter?" asked Jack waking up in his turn.
"Easy!" exclaimed the doorman in a whisper. "I happened to think ye might want to be leavin'."
"Leaving?" asked Mark in bewilderment.
"Yes. Ye know that Englishman is liable to be back any minute, an' he may make trouble for ye. I know ye're innocent lads, an' I'd hate to see ye mixed up in a mess with that fellow. So I slips up here early, an' ye can leave by the back door if ye want to, an' the officer of His Imperial Majesty, King Edward VII, will never know a thing about it."
"It looks like running away," objected Jack.
"Sure there's no charge agin ye," went on thedoorman. "Ye're free to come an' go as far as we're concerned, an' ye'd better go whilst ye have the chance."
Jack reflected. It was true that the charge of the Englishman, baseless as it was, might make trouble for them, and cause them endless delays in getting back to Professor Henderson. Suddenly Jack made up his mind.
"Come on Mark," he said.
"Are you going to leave?" asked Mark.
"Certainly. There is no use staying here and getting mixed up in something that Englishman thinks we have done. It's easier to go away quietly and let him find out his mistake."
"All right," agreed Mark. "I wonder who he is, anyhow?"
"He thinks he owns the earth, whoever he is," returned Jack.
"He's some sort of a special detective traveling with Lord Peckham's party," explained the doorman. "He told us a lot about himself last night after you boys went to bed. He came back to inquire how early the judge would be here.
"He went on to tell how some English anarchists have vowed to kill Lord Peckham because he foreclosed a lot of mortgages on some poor people in Ireland where he owned property," added the doorman. "There was some sort of explosions in the hotel, near where Lord Peckham had his rooms. Maybe it was a bomb and,maybe ag'in it was only the boiler. Anyhow, this detective jumped to the conclusion that anarchists had done it, and he thinks you are responsible. But you'd better be goin' now. It's gettin' daylight."
So Mark and Jack, with what scanty clothes they had, and carrying their valise, went quietly out of the back door of the police station.
"We'd better go to the machine shop for the rest of the stuff," suggested Mark, "and then we can take the first trolley we see and get back to the professor."
Through quiet side streets the boys made their way toward the machine shop. They were somewhat amused to think how they had fooled the detective, but they would not have felt so jolly had they seen the roughly dressed man who had darted after them as soon as they left the police station.
"I'll get you yet," the man muttered. "You needn't think to escape with the aid of these bloomin' American police."
The lads found the machinist just opening his shop though it was quite early. The pieces of apparatus were finished and, after paying for them Mark put the parts in the valise.
"Quite a fire in town," observed the machinist.
"Yes," answered Mark, not wishing to get into a long conversation.
"Heard the hotel was blowed up by anarchists and that the police are after 'em," proceeded the man.
"I believe I did hear something like that," admitted Mark. "I guess we'll be going."
He signalled to Jack, and the two hurried out of the shop. As they did so, the trampish-looking man glided from behind a tree where he had been hiding and took after them.
"Say," exclaimed Jack, "I forgot we haven't had any breakfast yet."
"That's so," said Mark, rubbing his stomach and making a wry face.
Near by was a bakery, and there the lads got some coffee and rolls which tasted fine. When they finished their simple meal a trolley came past and they ran to catch it. So did the man who had been following them, but this person bore no resemblance to the spruce little detective who had wanted to arrest the boys.
"A couple of hours now and we'll be back at the cabin," spoke Mark. "My, but I must say we have had strenuous times since we started away!"
There were few passengers on the trolley so early in the morning and not many stops to make,so the motorman turned on the power full and made the vehicle speed along.
Mile after mile was covered and finally the car reached the top of a long hill. At the foot of this the line came to an end, and the boys had a two mile tramp before them to reach the lonely spot where thePorpoisewas docked.
Down the hill the car started. The motorman shut off the electricity and let the vehicle run by its weight.
Faster and faster it ran, the dust flying in a cloud about it.
"Better put the brakes on a bit," called the conductor. "It's gettin' kinder speedy, Hank!"
The motorman twisted the handle. There was a grinding noise as the shoes took hold on the wheels. Then a chain snapped and the car seemed to leap ahead.
"The brake's busted! I can't stop the car!" yelled the motorman.
Vainly he twisted at the handle. Then, seeing he could not stop the trolley car he made a desperate jump off the vehicle and landed in a heap on the side of the road, rolling over and over.
"Reverse the current!" cried one of the passengers, to the conductor. "That ought to stop her!"
The conductor made his way to the front platform and turned the reversing lever. Then he applied the current. But it was no use. With a blinding flash and a report like that of a gun a fuse blew out, and that crippled the car completely so far as the electric current was concerned.
"Everybody jump!" cried the conductor. "There's a curve at the foot of the hill, and we'll all be killed if we stay on!"
One by one the passengers leaped from the car. Several were badly hurt by the falls they got. Meanwhile the trolley was tearing down the hill at a terrific rate of speed.
"Shall we jump?" asked Mark of Jack.
"We'll be killed if we do," was Jack's answer.
"And we'll be killed if we stay aboard," said Mark.
"Not if I can help it," cried Jack as he started for the rear platform.
"What are you going to do?" asked Mark.
"Put on the other brake. They never thought to try this one! Maybe it will work and stop the car!"
Then Mark saw what Jack was up to and went to help him. The shabbily dressed man seemed undecided what to do. He stood up, holding to the straps to prevent himself from being tossed from side to side as the runawaytrolley swayed. He watched the boys curiously.
The lads, reaching the rear platform, twisted at the brake handle with all their strength. They could feel that the chain was still intact. But would the shoes grip the wheels with force sufficient to stop the car?
There was a shrill screech as the brakes were applied by the boys. With all their might they turned the handle, winding the chain up tighter and tighter. At last they could not budge it another inch. Then they waited anxiously.
The car never slackened its speed. So great was the momentum that had both sets of brakes been in working order it is doubtful whether they would have stopped the vehicle. The speed was so great now that one of the journals became hot and the oily waste that was packed in it caught fire, making what railroad men term a "hot box".
"I guess we're done for," groaned Mark.
"We certainly haven't checked the speed any," Jack admitted. "But wait a minute."
He began stamping on the floor of the platform.
"What you doing?" cried Mark, for he had to shout to make his voice heard above the roar and rattle of the car.
"Putting on the sand," replied Jack, as he kicked at the plunger which, being depressed, let a stream of fine gravel out on the rails. "Thewheels are gripped I think, and are slipping on the rails. This may help some."
"Let me give you a hand," exclaimed a voice, and the boys turned to see the shabby man standing with them on the platform. He grasped the brake handle, and gave it an additional turn. His strength seemed remarkable for so small a man.
The speed of the car was checked a little, but the vehicle was still speeding along at a rate that would soon bring it to destruction if not halted before the curve was reached.
"That's a little better," observed Mark. "It's a good thing you were here."
"Good for me, not so good for you," said the man with a peculiar smile.
"What do you mean?" asked Mark.
"I mean that I shall have to place you under arrest for attempting to assassinate Lord Peckham!" exclaimed the man. "I am Detective Ducket, of Scotland Yard!"
He stripped off a false beard he had donned, and threw back his coat, displaying his shield. He was the same man who had attempted to arrest the boys in the police station at Easton.
"I've got you just where I want you now," Detective Ducket went on. "There are none of those blooming American police to interfere."
The next instant the car gave a sudden lurch.Then it seemed to rise up in the air. Jack felt himself flying through space, and he observed Mark, who was clinging to the valise, following him.
There was a terrific crash, a ripping, tearing splintering sound, and the runaway trolley smashed into a big oak tree at the foot of the hill. The vehicle had completely jumped the track at the sharp curve.
Jack's eyes grew dim, and he seemed to be sinking down in some dark pool of water. He heard a splashing beside him and began to strike out, trying to swim. He seemed to be choking. Then the blessed air and daylight came to him, and he found he was floating on the surface of a pond.
He dashed the water from his eyes and saw, over on the bank, the wreck of the trolley. Then he noticed that Mark was swimming beside him.
"What happened?" asked Jack.
"A little of everything," panted Mark. "Lucky we weren't killed. We must have been flung off the rear platform into this duck pond."
The boys soon made their way to shore, unhurt except for the wetting. The fall into the water had saved their lives.
"Where's the valise of machinery?" asked Jack.
"There it is," answered Mark pointing to where it had fallen at the back of the pond.
"And what became of Detective Ducket?"
"He's here, at your service!" exclaimed a voice. "Consider yourselves under arrest and don't you dare to leave this place without me."
The boys looked in the direction of the sound and saw the English officer lying on the grass not far away. He seemed in pain, but had raised himself on his elbow and was pointing his finger sternly at the boys.
"Are you hurt?" asked Jack.
"I think my leg is broken, but otherwise I'm not damaged," replied the detective. "Even if I am disabled, it makes no difference, you are my prisoners. I command you to stay here until help comes."
The boys did not know what to do. They did not like to see even an enemy suffer, but, at the same time, they knew he had no right to arrest them.
"Here comes a wagon," said Mark, catching the sound of wheels.
"Well, fo' de land sakes! Gollyation! What terrible catafterme hab occurred in dis unapproachable manner?" a voice demanded.
"It's Washington!" cried Mark, as he saw Professor Henderson's colored assistant driving along the road.
"Dat's who it am!" exclaimed Washington as he noticed the boys. "My! My! But am you boff dead?"
"No, only one of us," said Mark with a laugh, as he and Jack ran toward the wagon.
"Ha! Ha! Dat's one ob yo' jokes," said Washington. "But hurry up, boys. De perfessor he done sent me to meet you. He reckoned you'd becomin' ober on an early trolley. He's in a hurry to git away."
"Don't you boys dare to leave!" exclaimed Detective Ducket.
"Who's dat?" asked Washington.
"Never mind," said Mark. "He was hurt in the trolley smash, but not badly. We'll send help, from the first farm house we come to. Come on, Washington, we'll go with you."
The boys jumped into the wagon, and Washington started off. He explained that the inventor was anxious to make a start that day, as there would be an unusually high tide which would be followed a little later by a low one, and that would make it difficult to cross the harbor bar.
"So I hired dis wagon an' come after you," said the colored man.
At the first house they came to the boys stopped and told about the accident. The farmer agreed to go and get the detective and the others who were hurt and take them to a hospital.
"I guess we're rid of that detective now," observed Jack, as they started off again.
"Yes, but we're getting away under a cloud on our characters," said Mark. "I'd like to stay and see the thing through, if we had time."
"But we can't, and there's no use worrying over it," spoke Jack.
In a short time they were at the inventor's cabin, and related to Mr. Henderson all that had occurred.
"Well I guess your detective friend will have a hard time to find you in a few hours," said the old man. "We start on our trip for the south pole this evening."
There were busy times for the next few hours. Many supplies had to be placed on board, and, while the boys, with Tom and Bill, saw to this, the professor and Washington were occupied with putting the last touches to the submarine boat's machinery.
Most of the supplies from the cabin were placed in thePorpoise, including food and clothing and a good quantity of minerals that, with sea water, generated the gas that made steam.
An early supper was made on shore, as the professor said they might be so busy for the first few hours of the starting trip that they would get no chance to eat. Then the cabin and buildings where the submarine had been built, were securely fastened.
"I guess we're all ready," announced the professor, taking a last look around.
One by one they went aboard thePorpoisecrawling down through the man hole. The inventor was the last one to enter. He clamped the cover on by means of the cam levers and switched on the electric lights. Then he took his place in the conning tower with Andy Sudds.
"Forward, to the South Pole!" exclaimed Mr. Henderson.
With a turn of his wrist the inventor started the engines. The big screw in the shaft revolved, pulling the water in at one end of the craft and sending it out in a swirling stream at the other. The trip was fairly begun.
For several miles thePorpoiseglided along on the surface of the ocean. It was a calm evening, and the boys down in the cabin of the craft could look into the reflecting mirrors on the wall, which were connected with observation magnifying glasses in the conning tower, and view what was going on, though their heads were below the surface of the sea.
As it grew darker the view of shore and water faded away. The engine kept up its speed with Washington to see to it every now and then, oiling the bearings, some of which did not run quite smoothly because of their newness.
"I'll send her down a bit now," observed the professor. "I don't want to run into any more warships or scare the crews by making them think we are a foreign torpedo boat."
He opened the sea cocks in the ballast tanks and soon thePorpoisesunk about two hundred feet beneath the waves. The craft, which had been pitching and tossing under the influence of a ground swell, became more steady and quiet once it left the surface.
The searchlight in the conning tower was turned on, and in the glare of it Andy and the professor were able tosteerproperly, aided by the compass which gave them the true southern course.
It was now quite dark. Additional electric lights were switched on in the cabin, engine and dining room. Andy came out of the conning tower and announced that Captain Henderson wanted Washington to get supper.
All the cooking was done by electricity, and, in addition to a supply of the usual and ordinary kinds of food, there was a big lot of patent condensed victuals to draw on. Soup, broiled steak, potatoes, hot biscuits, rice pudding and coffee made up the repast which was enjoyed by all.
Toward the close of the meal Professor Henderson began to sniff the air of the cabin.
"What's the matter? Do you smell a storm brewing?" asked Andy.
"No, but the air is not as fresh as it should be," replied the inventor. "Washington, release a little more of the supply from the compression tanks."
The ship, which had been left to steer itself automatically while the professor was absent from the conning tower, was moving along at about half speed. The gage showed they were going at twenty miles an hour, and were three hundred feet below the surface.
"Washington and I will share the first night's watch between us," said the inventor, after the supper things had been cleared away. "There will not be much to do, as the ship willsteerautomatically in whatever direction I set her. Still I want to see how she behaves. The rest of you might as well go to your bunks."
The two boys were especially glad of a chance to go to bed, as they had had but little sleep the night before on account of the fire. So they lost no time in undressing and rolling up in the blankets, for it was quite cool so far down under the water.
"Well, we've slept on the earth, above the earth and now we're under the waters," observed Jack.
"There's only one place more to spend your time taking a snooze," said Mark.
"Where's that?"
"Inside the earth."
Then they fell asleep. During the night and the next day thePorpoiseforged on underneath the waves. Washington relieved Mr. Henderson in the conning tower and reported the machinery to be working well.
"Keep her headed due south," was the order of the inventor, and the colored man did so.
It was about four o'clock one morning that Washington felt a slight jar to the submarine.
"Hope we ain't goin' to hit no more battleships," he said.
He glanced at the speed-indicating gage. To his surprise it stood at zero. The craft was not moving forward a foot! Yet the engines were going at half speed!
In great alarm Washington shut off the power and ran to acquaint Professor Henderson with the news.
"Suffin's ketched us!" cried the colored man.
"Nonsense!" said the inventor, yet he seemed alarmed as he slipped on his clothes and hastened to the conning tower.
He peered ahead along the path of water illuminated by the glare of the searchlight, butnothing was to be seen. Then he started the engine, increasing the speed gradually until the big screw in the shaft revolved more than one thousand times a minute. Still thePorpoisenever stirred. She remained in the same position, as if some giant hand grasped her.
"Reverse the engine," said the professor.
Washington did so. To the surprise of both of them the ship shot backward like a frightened crab.
"Now forward!" exclaimed the old inventor.
But this time thePorpoisedid not move. It was as if she was up against a stone wall.
"What's the matter?" asked Mark, who had been awakened by the excitement on board.
"I do not know," replied Mr. Henderson gravely. "Something mysterious has occurred. We can go no further!"
"Stop the engine," the captain commanded after he had peered through the lens in the conning tower for some time. "We must see what is the matter."
He glanced at the depth gage and noted that they were now four hundred feet below the surface. Then he consulted some charts.
"There is a depth of one thousand feet about here," he remarked. "Lower the ship, Washington. Let us see if by getting on the ocean bed we can get away from this obstruction."
The colored man opened wider the sea cocks by which the tanks were filled. The increased ballast sunk thePorpoisestill lower, and, in a few minutes a slight jar told the navigators that they were on the bottom of the ocean.
"Now we will see if we have cleared the obstruction," said the professor.
He started the big screw to revolving, but the ship did not move. It shivered and trembled throughout its length but remained stationary.
"Maybe dar's a debil fish what hab circumulated dis ship in de exteror portion ob his anatomy," suggested Washington, rolling his eyes until only the whites were visible.
"I presume you mean that a giant squid or cuttle fish has attacked us," spoke the professor.
"Yas, sir," replied Washington.
"That's nonsense," went on the inventor. "However, we must make an investigation."
"How are you going to do it?" asked Mark. "You can't see the end of the tube from inside the ship, and, even if we went to the surface it would still be under water."
"We are going to look at it while here, under the ocean," said the inventor.
"Well, maybe you're a good swimmer," put in Jack, "but I don't believe you can stay under, in this depth of water, long enough to see what the trouble is."
"I think I can," answered Mr. Henderson.
"How?"
"I'll show you. Washington, bring out the diving suits."
The colored man, his eyes growing bigger every minute, went to a locker and brought out what seemed quite a complicated bit of apparatus.
"With the aid of these," said the professor, "I will be able to go out, walk along the ocean bed,and investigate the mystery. Do you boys want to come along?"
"Is it safe?" asked Mark, who was inclined to be cautious.
"As safe as any part of this under-sea voyage," replied the professor. "These diving suits are something I have not told you about," he went on. "They are my own invention. Besides the regular rubber suits there is an interlining of steel,—something like the ancient suits of chain mail—to withstand the great pressure of water. Then, instead of being dependent on a supply of air, pumped into the helmet from an apparatus in a boat on the surface, each person carries his own air supply with him."
"How is that?" asked Jack, and Mark also asked the question.
"Simply by attaching a little tank of the compressed gas to the shoulder piece of the suit," said the inventor. "There is enough air in the tank to last for nearly a day. It is admitted to the helmet as needed by means of automatic valves. In other respects the diving suit is the same as the ordinary kind, except that there is a small searchlight, fed by a storage battery, on top of the helmet."
In spite of their fears at venturing out under the great ocean, the two boys were anxious totry the suits. So, after some hesitation, they donned them.
"Here, take these with you," said the professor, before theirhelmetswere screwed on. He held out what looked like long sticks.
"What are they?" asked Jack.
"Electric guns," replied the professor. "But come on now, we have no time to lose."
Further conversation was impossible, for the boys had their heavy copper helmets on, and they were as tightly enclosed as if inside a box. They grasped their weapons and waited for the next move.
The professor led the way to the stern of the ship. The boys found it hard to walk, as they were weighted down by the heavy suits, and also the boots, the soles of which were of lead.
They followed the inventor into what seemed a small room. Inside they found themselves in darkness. There was a clanking sound as Washington fastened and clamped the door shut. Then came a hissing.
The boys felt water rising about them. They could experience its coldness, even through the diving suits. They were much afraid, but the professor put a reassuring hand on their shoulders.
They seemed to feel a great weight. It gradually lessened, however, and, in a few minutes, theysaw something move in front of them. The professor pushed them gently forward.
In another instant they were walking on the bed of the ocean, having stepped from thePorpoise. They had gone into a locked compartment, the inner door of which had been tightly closed, after which water from outside had been gradually admitted until the pressure was equal, and then the boys and the professor had merely to emerge out into the bottom of the sea when the outer portal was swung aside by Washington, who worked the lever from inside.
The boys were in intense darkness, but, suddenly a light glowed about them, and they saw that the professor had switched on his miniature search lamp. They remembered how he had told them to work the apparatus, and soon tiny gleams shot out from their helmets.
The professor pointed ahead, for not a sound could be heard, and the boys followed him.
It was a new sensation, this walking along the bed of the ocean. At first the great pressure of water, even though the steel lined diving suits kept most of it off, was unpleasant. Gradually, however, the boys became used to it. They had to move slowly, for the water was denser than the air and impeded their progress.
In a few minutes they reached the forwardend of thePorpoise. Now they were to solve the mystery of what had stopped the submarine. For a few moments they could distinguish nothing.
Suddenly the boys felt the professor grasping their arms. They looked in the direction he pointed. There in the diffused glare from the search light and the illumination of their helmet lamps they saw, wrapped about the forward shaft opening a gigantic squid or devil fish. Its soft, jelly-like body completely covered the opening of the shaft preventing any water from entering, and thus stopping any forward motion to the ship.
This was what had caused all the trouble. ThePorpoisehad run into the monster, who feeling what it must have thought an enemy, had grasped the submarine with its long sinuous arms.
The professor hesitated a moment. Then he slowly raised his electrical gun, and took aim at the hideous mass. The boys followed his example. At Mr. Henderson's signal they all fired together.
From the muzzles of the guns darted small barbs that carried with them a strong shock of electricity, from storage batteries in the shoulder pieces of the weapons. Three of them were enough to produce death in an animal as large as a whale.
The devil fish quivered. Then the water about it suddenly grew black, and the boys and the professor were in dense darkness, for the squid had dyed the ocean with a dark liquid from the sack it carried for the purpose.
The explorers groped their way to the left, having fortunately grasped hands after firing their guns, to prevent being separated in case the terrible fish began a death struggle.
Luckily Professor Henderson went in the right direction and managed to locate thePorpoise. Then, feeling along her steel sides, he led the boys through the inky blackness to the water chamber by which entrance could be had to the interior.
In a few minutes all three were safely inside and had removed their diving suits. The others crowded about, anxious to learn what had happened. The inventor related it briefly.
Once more the engines were started. This time there was no hanging back on the part of thePorpoise. The big screw revolved, the water came in the shaft and was thrust out of the rear end, making a current that sent the craft ahead swiftly. The gigantic fish had been killed, and its body no longer obstructed progress.
"Now we'll rise to the surface and see how it feels to sail along that way for a while," said the professor as he started the pumps that emptiedthe tanks. In a little while the ship was floating on the waves.
It was now night, and the clouds overhead made it so dark that it was hard to see ten feet in advance. The professor did not want to use the searchlight for he did not care to have his presence discovered by curious persons. So he ran the ship at half speed.
"Where are we now?" asked Mark, who had entered the conning tower, where the professor wassteering.
"Somewhere's off the coast of South Carolina," replied the inventor.
The next instant there was a sudden shock and jar. The ship quivered from stem to stern, and came to an abrupt stop.
"We've hit something!" exclaimed the professor, shutting down the engines with a jerk of the lever.
On board thePorpoisethere was great excitement. Washington, with Andy, Tom, Bill and Jack came running from the engine room.
"What is it?" cried Jack.
"I don't know," answered the professor as calmly as he could. "We'll soon see, however."
He switched on the searchlight and peered from the conning tower.
"Can you see anything?" asked Andy, anxiously.
"I can," announced the inventor.
"What?"
"Land," replied Mr. Henderson. "We've hit the coast."
"I hope we ain't done no damage," put in Washington.
"Do you mean to the coast or to us?" asked the professor, with a smile. "I guess there isn't much danger in ramming the shore excepting to thePorpoise. However, we do not seem to be in any immediate trouble."
He tested various wheels and levers, and announced that, aside from the jar, which might have started some of the machinery, thePorpoisewas unharmed.
The cover of the man-hole was loosened and, one after another, the adventurers crawled out on the small deck or platform. It took them a little while to become accustomed to the darkness, but soon they were able to make out that they had run on the muddy bank of the ocean beach. The tide was low and thePorpoisehad rammed her nose well into the soft muck, which accounted for the lack of damage.
"Well, I guess there is nothing to do excepting to wait for morning," said Mr. Henderson. "It doesn't look like a very lively neighborhood about here. I don't believe we'll be disturbed."
Save for the splash and lapping of the waves and the sound of the wind, it was as quiet as the proverbial graveyard. Not a light showed on shore, and the gleam from the search lamp of thePorpoisecut the darkness like a small moonbeam.
"If there's nothing to do I'm going to turn in," said Andy. "I'm tired."
The professor said this was a good suggestion, and, leaving instructions that Washington and Bill were to divide the night's watch between them, the inventor sought his bunk.
The boys remained on deck a few minutes longer.
"We certainly are getting our share of adventures," remarked Jack.
"I should say so," answered Mark.
"Gollyation yes!" exclaimed Washington. "You-uns done most been eat by dat air koslostrous specimen ob a parralleledon! I'm glad I didn't go. But I'se brave enough!"
"What's that?" asked Mark suddenly, pointing to an object floating on the water.
Washington turned to behold something white drifting along.
"Oh my good land ob mercy! It's a ghost!" the colored man yelled. "It's a ghost! Land a' massy! Hide me some where, quick!"
Washington fell on his knees and stretched up his clasped hands in supplication. The boys gazed curiously at the white object that was slowly floating toward the stranded ship.
It rose and fell on the waves, with an odd motion.
"I wonder what it is," said Mark.
"We'll soon see," spoke Jack. "It's coming this way."
"Don't go near it! Don't touch it, boys!" pleaded Washington. "It'll put de evil eye on yo', suah! Turn yo' haids away!"
But the boys were not so easily frightened. The white thing did look queer, but Jack reasoned correctly that the darkness of the night magnified it, and made it appear stranger than it probably was.
"I'm going to try to get it," said Mark.
The white thing was now quite close. It resembled a bundle of rags, floating on top of the water, and, as it came nearer, it seemed to take on a curious form.
"It's a baby! It's de ghost ob a little dead baby!" cried the colored man. "Let it alone, I tell you!"
Indeed, now that Washington had suggested it, the boys could see a resemblance to a child in the white object. But this did not deter them. Jack secured a boat hook from where it was fastened to the platform. With it he gently poked at the white thing. The object seemed to collapse and Jack was conscious of a strange feeling. Then, with slow motions, he drew it close to the side of the ship.
Lying on his face he was able to get a good look at the thing. He muttered an exclamation.
"What is it?" cried Mark.
"Nothing but a newspaper!" announced Jack with a laugh, as he threw it on the deck. "All our trouble for nothing."
"I shore thought it were a ghost," cried Washington as he got up from his knees.
The boys went to their bunks. They were the first ones awake the next morning, and Jack followed Mark on deck.
"There's the paper you rescued from drowning," said Mark.
"So it is," came from Jack. "I wonder if there's any news in it."
The sheet had dried out and Jack spread it open. No sooner had he scanned the first page than he uttered a whistle.
"Something startling?" asked Mark.
"Startling! I guess yes! Look here!"
Mark looked over Jack's shoulder. Staring at them, from amid a mass of other news was the announcement in big black type: