Part 23 (1/2)
Half an hour later, Frank, forward, made out a dark hulk lying low in the water a short distance ahead. He immediately called Lord Hastings'
attention to the object.
The latter acted quickly.
”Extinguish all lights quickly,” he called sharply.
The order was obeyed, and at a second command, _The Hawk_ was slowed down so that she was barely moving.
”What's the matter, sir?” exclaimed Jack, in great surprise.
”Matter is that there is a submarine dead ahead of us,” was his commander's reply.
”You mean that dark object there?”
”Yes.”
”And are we going to sink her, sir?” asked Jack.
”We'll have a try at it,” was the reply. ”In this darkness we can go very close without fear of being seen, _The Hawk_ is so small.”
Fifty yards from the submarine, which lay quietly in the water, _The Hawk_ came to a stop and the forward gun was made ready for action.
”Funny there isn't some one on deck,” muttered Frank.
”By Jove! So it is,” declared Lord Hastings. ”Must be something wrong. I wonder what?”
”I have it, sir,” declared Frank. ”It's one of the vessels that those other motorboats--the ones we sunk--were to have reported to.”
”I believe Frank is right,” agreed Jack. ”It probably comes to the surface here every night, awaiting their return.”
”In that event the chances are that most every one aboard is asleep,”
remarked Lord Hastings.
He gave the command for _The Hawk_ to proceed.
”What are you going to do, sir?” asked Frank.
”See if we can't capture her,” replied Lord Hastings quietly.
Frank gave a low whistle. It was a plan after his own heart, but he was keenly sensitive to the danger that it involved.
”Very well, sir,” he said quietly.
”This,” declared Jack, manifesting a show of enthusiasm, ”is where we have a little fun.”
CHAPTER XIII.
A DESPERATE VENTURE.