Part 35 (1/2)

”Sure enough!” exclaimed Jimmie. ”Why didn't I remember our arrangement on the Sea Lion? And then, too, we saw you walking about on the decks of the Wanderer! I guess I'm going daffy!”

”What do you say, boys, will you join the expedition?”

”We don't stand much chance of getting home right away,” stated Ned. ”I guess we might as well--” what he would say was cut short by the sound of a cannon shot booming through the gathering darkness.

”What's that?” inquired Jack anxiously, jumping to his feet.

”I'll bet it's that bloomin' steamer we saw!” cried Jimmie. ”That must be another of those gun boats and they're chasing us!”

”I'll go up to the deck and see!” offered Ned.

”Be careful, don't let them get you!” warned Jack.

”I'll watch out for that,” laughed Ned, mounting the iron ladder.

Directly the little group at the foot of the ladder were startled to hear their companion's voice. A note of anxiety vibrated through his words.

”Boys,” Ned cried, ”there's a gunboat out there, and I think I see another submarine. It looks to be like the 'U-13' for all the world. What shall we do?”

”Here,” urged Jimmie, ”take the gla.s.ses and have a good look. If it is that Dutchman, I'm for beating it out of here mighty quick!”

For a tense moment Ned gazed through the gla.s.ses at the strange vessels.

At length he lowered the binoculars and turned toward his companions.

With a shake of his head and a quick indrawing of breath, he said:

”It's the 'U-13' as sure as can be!”

”Let's go!” was Jimmie's only comment as he turned toward the switchboard with outstretched hand.

”I'm with you!” declared Ned, quickly descending the ladder to join the group. ”Go ahead slow, though. Don't break the hawser, or we'd lose the other vessel.”

”Perhaps we would do better to abandon your vessel,” Mackinder suggested as he prepared to go on deck. ”Let me have the gla.s.ses, if you please.

I'll look them over.”

Jimmie paused, with his hand on the starting switch.

Suddenly all were startled by a cry from their host.

”Go ahead! go ahead!” he shouted down the hatchway. ”That other fellow has launched a torpedo at us!”

”Let go the line, then!” urged Ned. ”We'll have to run for it! Full speed, Jimmie!” he added.

Mackinder was casting off the hawser with rapid motions. Jimmie, in response to Ned's command, threw the switch over. The ”U-13” began to gather headway.

All were startled to hear the report of a cannon shot. This was followed almost instantly by a shriek from the man on deck.

”Mackinder's. .h.i.t!” gasped Ned, turning a blanched face to his chums.

”What shall we do?”