Part 26 (2/2)

”I'm mighty glad we're away from that inquisitive gunboat!” put in Frank.

”Now, what's the next thing for us to do?”

”I move that we keep below the surface for a while. If we hold on a general southeasterly course, as has been suggested, we can't fail to bring up somewhere on the English coast.”

”That sounds like the most reasonable plan,” agreed Frank. ”I propose that we put on speed and hurry along. Let's get somewhere!”

”Here we go!” cried Harry, increasing the speed with a touch on the levers. ”Let's keep a sharp lookout, though!”

About half past three o'clock the boys decided to rise to the surface for the necessary airing of the vessel and storing of another supply of fresh air in the tanks provided for that purpose.

In furtherance of this plan, the rudders were s.h.i.+fted while Harry slowed the engines. Directly the craft ascended. The gauges indicated a depth of about eight fathoms when Jimmie, who was at the helm, requested that the rudders be again deflected.

”What's the matter?” questioned Ned, stepping forward.

”I can see the light reflected down through the water, and there's a big shadow up there!” declared Jimmie.

”What do you think it can be?” asked Ned wonderingly.

”Probably it's a big vessel of some sort. It may be a war s.h.i.+p, or it may be only a cargo carrier. In either event I don't want to get tangled up in the propellers. Let's sheer off a bit.”

”All right,” agreed Ned. ”I'll go to the periscope. Maybe I can find out something as we rise slowly to the surface.”

Cautiously creeping nearer the surface, the lads put the periscope into action. By its aid Ned made out that the craft was an armed vessel. The new ”U-13” lay just submerged about a s.h.i.+p's length to starboard of the stranger. They maintained about the same speed.

Ned declared that he could make out the British flag at the stern of the other vessel. He stated that he could also notice a number of people aboard the steamer.

”Can you see what they look like?” asked Jimmie.

”They are regular sailors and marines,” answered Ned. ”Why,” went on the lad excitedly, ”that looks like Mackinder at the rail!”

Curiously the others crowded about the object gla.s.s of the periscope.

Each declared in turn that they recognized Mackinder.

”Now, I wonder what he's doing aboard that vessel!” mused Jack.

”Quite likely this s.h.i.+p met the fis.h.i.+ng boat and took him off so as to save the other the trouble of going clear back to England!”

”No doubt that's it,” agreed Jack. ”But look!” he continued, ”he's discovered us! See him pointing toward us!”

”Better get ready to dive, then,” cautioned Harry. ”If he's able, he'll get them to shoot at us. If they hit the 'U-13' it'll be a long way to Tipperary for us! We don't know how thick this armor is!”

”Down we go!” shouted Jimmie, seizing the wheel. ”Lively, now!”

Even as the boy spoke, a m.u.f.fled roar was distinctly heard by the lads in the submarine. A crash that reverberated through every portion of the vessel told that they had been hit by a projectile.

With a quick, startled glance at his companions, Ned hastened aft to examine the possible damage. He could discover no leak.

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