Part 13 (2/2)

CHAPTER IX

A STRANGE VISIT

Clearly visible to the members of the crew on the Lena k.n.o.bloch the great cloud of smoke slowly spread over the vessel.

Directly a sullen ”Boom” reached their ears. As the smoke spread away the lads could see a great rent in the side through which water was rus.h.i.+ng.

Already the s.h.i.+p was listing heavily.

Two small boats were being pulled away from the vicinity by the crew of the doomed vessel. The small craft were handled in a seamanlike manner.

They made good progress in spite of the still heavy sea.

”By golly!” e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Von Kluck, drawing a long breath. ”Maybe vhe get id next, vhat? Dere ain'd no vay of tellin'!”

”Why do you think that, Captain?” questioned Ned.

”Dot verdom 'U-13'!” grunted Von Kluck. ”Vhe'll pe lucky,”--here his excitement grew so intense that he delivered himself of several great sailor's oaths--”if vhe make a port in England alretty!”

”Keep a sharp lookout, boys,” said Ned. ”Maybe we can get a sight of the 'U-13' if it's still in this neighborhood.”

Scarcely had the boy uttered the words before the lookout hailed the deck. His voice vibrated with excitement and fear.

”Vot is, aloft, dere?” roared Von Kluck.

Excitedly jabbering in his intense emotion the lookout frantically pointed in the direction of the sinking s.h.i.+p. Without waiting for orders he came sliding down the halliards. As he landed on deck he turned an ashen face toward the captain. Again he pointed seaward.

”The 'U-13'!” he gasped in an agony of terror.

A glance in the direction indicated showed the boys an object like a spar buoy apparently standing upright in the water. The next moment a swell rolled over something beneath the upright object.

The next wave disclosed a long, rounded steel hull. In the center the conning tower showed plainly. A moment later the outlines of the dreaded submarine were distinguishable as the craft was propelled to the surface.

Each wave broke clear over the arched back of this terror of the seas leaving the black hull gleaming in the faint light. Only the upper portion of the conning tower escaped a ducking.

Presently the hatch was opened. A man in uniform stepped out onto the narrow confines of the small deck. His attention was directed toward the schooner. After what seemed to the boys to be an almost endless examination of their vessel the man turned to address a remark to some one evidently close to the hatch but out of their vision.

”What is he saying?” Ned asked von Kluck.

”He iss telling dot odder feller dot vhe iss das Lena k.n.o.bloch!”

”What next, I wonder?” speculated Jimmie aloud.

”Next?” almost screamed von Kluck. ”Next, vhe iss ordered to get by our boats into und row far enough avhay so dey couldt blow up us!”

In his intense agitation the captain began pacing up and down the deck.

The submarine drew close alongside the schooner easily keeping pace with the sailing vessel at the rate they were progressing.

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