Part 29 (1/2)
”I'm sure I can't say,” returned the other. ”I think it is! Of course, we're somewhat below it. Besides the difference in perspective from this angle the water has a great deal to do with changing the appearance of everything. The general outlines appear similar, however.”
”Then we're in a ticklish position!” declared Ned. ”Suppose those fellows take it into their head to torpedo us?”
”If they do,” stated Frank decisively, ”they'll play havoc!”
”They're going over the wreck!” stated Jimmie in a whisper.
”Let's rise a little and see which way they head for,” proposed Frank.
”We can then go in the opposite direction for a while.”
”I think we'd better slide right along to the southwest,” stated Jimmie.
”I know I'm meeting a good deal of opposition, but I've a hunch that we'll be better off if we get right away from this spot!”
”Been reading that dream book again, little man?” asked Ned, with a laugh. ”Sorry, Jimmie, but the majority seems to be against you!”
”All right, Boss!” returned Jimmie with a smile. ”I'm game to stick with the bunch! You'll find me right here smiling all the while!”
”Jimmie,” gravely stated Ned, ”I wish we could all get some of that sunny disposition of yours. We need a lot of your optimism.”
”Thanks!” was Jimmie's reply, delivered with an excess of politeness.
”Now, I'm at the wheel, Captain. Where to, sir?”
”Let's rise first and see what the other is doing!”
”Ding, ding!” cried Jimmie. ”Touch up the mule, Harry!”
Harry's manipulations of the levers brought the false ”U-13” rapidly to a level with the Wanderer's deck. Through the port lights the boys could see the other submarine across the sunken s.h.i.+p. It seemed to be gradually descending toward the bottom.
”Let's follow them and see where they go!” proposed Jack.
”At your service, sir!” cried Jimmie, saluting. ”We'll proceed to proceed!” he added with a grin. ”Here goes after the real 'U-13'!”
”Go ahead slowly, Harry,” cautioned Ned. ”We don't want to overtake them yet. We're in the shadow here, so they probably won't see us if we hang back a little. Just give the wheel a little kick.”
Slowly the vessel carried the boys over the sunken Australian. They were pa.s.sing between the main and mizzen rigging at a level slightly lower than that of the main yard.
”What's that just ahead of us?” queried Jack, at the porthole.
”I don't see anything,” replied Ned. ”What and where is it?”
”Right here,” declared Jack, pointing. ”No, you're too late! I thought it looked like a snake in the water at first, but I see it was only a piece of rope hanging from the rigging. It's all right!”
”Possibly it has been hanging down all the time but the current caused by the pa.s.sage of the other vessel swung it outward,” ventured Ned. ”It will no doubt slip past in a moment!”
But this prediction was not fulfilled. With a sudden lurch, the stern of the false ”U-13” rose, tilting the deck sharply forward.
With a groan the propellers stopped.
CHAPTER XVIII