Part 14 (1/2)

”Von Kluck is certainly worked up about it,” remarked Harry as he noted the captain's distracted manner. ”He's almost bughouse!”

”Well, so would you be, too, if all you had were about to be sent to the bottom of the ocean!” declared Ned. ”It's tough luck!”

”Maybe we'd better be getting our kits in shape,” suggested Jack moving toward the cabin. ”I don't want to leave everything!”

”I had to leave everything,” put in Frank, ”when they sunk the s.h.i.+p I was on. I felt lucky to get away with my life!”

”Let's make a try for it, anyway,” continued Jack.

”Wait a minute!” cried Ned, ”let's see what they're going to do. The man is going below again! Why don't he hail us?”

Strangely enough the officer was descending the hatchway without speaking a word to those on board the schooner.

This procedure puzzled von Kluck, but did not serve to reduce in any degree the excitement under which he was laboring.

”Lay aft a couble of handts und make reaty der boats!” he shouted. ”Come on, hurry oop! Lifely, now, men!”

In obedience to this command two members of the crew sprang towards the stern of the schooner to make preparations for launching the boat lashed at the stern. Two others frantically loosened the las.h.i.+ngs of the upturned boat lying amids.h.i.+ps.

A clanking sound indicating that the hatchway of the ”U-13” had been closed attracted the attention of the boys in that direction.

”What are they going to do now?” questioned Jimmie eagerly.

”I fancy they are going to pull away a little so as to launch a torpedo at us,” stated Ned. ”It don't look as if they're going to be kind enough to let us get off the vessel before they blow it up!”

”Then it isn't the same crew I met!” declared Frank firmly. ”They treated the men fine! While I must admit that I don't admire their way of sinking merchant s.h.i.+ps, I will have to say that they gave the people a chance to get out of danger!”

”Well, is it the same submarine you saw?” asked Ned.

”It looks exactly like it. Besides,” the boy continued, ”I see the figures 'U-13' painted on the side of this one, too. I believe it is the very same vessel. Maybe they won't sink us!”

With hatch closed the submarine was preparing to execute some maneuver.

Gathering speed the craft plunged ahead quickly leaving the schooner alone. Scarcely had the bow of the sailing vessel been pa.s.sed ere the submarine was so far beneath the water as to show only the periscope. In a moment there was but a swirl to indicate where that had been. Presently it, too, disappeared. The ”U-13” was gone.

For some time the boys stood at the rail eagerly scanning the water to discover evidence of the submarine's return. Their search was fruitless.

Nothing was found to indicate the presence of their late visitor. The waves rose and fell without hint of its location.

”Oh, Captain von Kluck!” Ned called. ”They have gone!”

”Vhat?” asked the captain in a tone expressing doubt.

”Yes,” continued the boy. ”They have slipped back into the ocean again and have left us. Possibly they think we're too small for them to waste a torpedo on. Torpedoes cost a lot of money, you know!”

”Vh.e.l.l, dot's lucky!” answered the captain, much relieved.

”Sure is!” a.s.sented Jimmie, throwing out his chest. ”You see, Captain, we're mascots for you. We've brought you good luck!”

Joining in the laugh that greeted this remark the captain ordered the men who had been at work upon the boats to cease their operations. A hand was again posted aloft to act as lookout.

After a short consultation between von Kluck and the mate it was decided to proceed on the course traveled by the steamer from which Frank Shaw had recently escaped. They intended to pa.s.s between the Shetland islands and the coast of Scotland in an attempt to make a port on the west side of England, believing that there would be less danger in this procedure.