Part 35 (2/2)

As if in answer to his query, the voice of Mackinder reached the ears of the lads.

”Bring an axe!” he shouted. ”I'm fast in the bight!”

Wrenching an axe from its pocket on the bulkhead, Ned sprang up the ladder at his best speed. On deck he found Mackinder caught in a bight of the hawser by which the other vessel had been towed. His leg was jammed against the fairleader. Only one glance was required to show the boy that serious injury had been done.

Without waiting for words, the lad stepped to the side of the fallen man.

Swinging his axe quickly, he struck at the taut bond of hemp. A shower of sparks followed the ringing thud of the axe upon the steel deck.

Mackinder dropped back upon the deck, limp and helpless, as the singing of the parted line told of his release.

With tender solicitude the boys mounted the ladder to a.s.sist their injured friend to the room below. Scarcely had the boys gained the deck when they were startled by a terrific explosion. As Ned afterward declared, it seemed as if they had been caught in a volcano of water.

”What has happened?” queried Jack, releasing his hold upon Mackinder.

A flood of sea water descending upon the little deck prevented an answer to his question. In a moment the lads were able to look about.

”Where's our 'U-13'?” asked Harry.

”Gone!” stated Ned, his voice trembling. ”I'll bet that German torpedoed it! I'm glad we are on this 'U-13'!”

Echoing this sentiment, the lads hastily proceeded to lower Mackinder through the hatchway. This done, the injured man was deposited on a couch, the hatch was closed, and Ned began first-aid ministrations.

”What course shall I hold?” asked Jimmie.

”Better head on a southwest course,” stated Ned, briefly glancing up from his work over Mackinder's leg.

”I can do that all right,” responded Jimmie. ”The gunboat and the submarine can fight it out alone.”

”We've got a clear field, Jimmie, so shove the little wagon along for all she's worth,” put in Jack.

Mackinder had been exercising wonderful command of himself, but in spite of his best efforts a groan now and again escaped. The injured leg was proving a painful matter.

”We'll do all we can for you, Mackinder,” Ned offered, ”but we need better skill than is available here. Would it not be best to make at once for some port where we can secure the services of a surgeon?”

Mackinder's only reply was a nod. His teeth were closed tightly to suppress the cry of anguish from his hurt.

”Keep on the surface, boys,” urged Ned as he went about making the man comfortable with such simple means as were at hand. ”I believe we are not far from the coast.”

Surrendering the wheel to Frank, and with Jack at the engines, Jimmie insisted upon mounting to the deck again to look about them.

Cool and sweet the air gushed down the little open hatchway upon the injured man. Under its influence and aided by the ministrations of Ned, the proprietor of the third ”U-13” rapidly gained control of himself.

”Head west southwest,” he instructed Ned. ”We'll be mighty apt to find the mouth of the Thames on that course. There are many places I'd rather go, but you are right--we must have a surgeon!”

Giving the course to Harry, Ned proceeded to do everything in his power to ease the hurt of their friend.

”On deck, there!” announced Jimmie presently, his face at the hatchway.

”h.e.l.lo!” answered Ned. ”What is it?”

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