Part 28 (2/2)

”Shooting at us I guess.”

”Why do they want to shoot at us? We haven't done them any damage.”

”Perhaps they think we are a torpedo boat,” suggested Jack. ”Maybe that vessel's nation is at war with some other one and wants to sink us if it can.”

”I believe you're right!” exclaimed Mr. Henderson. ”But this will never do. They must stop!”

Once more the big gun on the s.h.i.+p was fired and the sh.e.l.l came dangerously close. At the same time several other reports, less in volume were heard, and the water all about the submarine began to bubble as the missiles from the machine guns cut the waves.

”Maybe it's an English vessel sent to capture Mark and me because of that anarchist trouble at the hotel,” Jack went on.

”Nonsense!” exclaimed the captain. ”But whatever it is, we must stop it, or they will sink my s.h.i.+p. Wave your handkerchief, Jack.”

The boy sprang to the top of the conning tower, in order to permit those on the vessel to see him more plainly, and vigorously shook the white rag. That it was observed was evident when some one on the steamer wig-wagged back a reply. In a few minutes a boat was seen to put off from the s.h.i.+p, and soon a little launch, in command of a lieutenant in uniform, drew up alongside the _Porpoise_.

”Who is captain of this craft?” asked the lieutenant as he came aboard.

”I am,” replied Mr. Henderson. ”What do you mean by firing on me?”

”I am Lieutenant Muchmore,” said the other, saluting. ”Captain Wackford, of the _Sylph_, in His Britannic Majesty's service, presents his compliments, and asks you to pardon the occurrence. You see we took you for a derelict and were trying to sink you.”

”I thought perhaps war had broken out between some country and the United States since we left port,” went on Mr. Henderson, ”and that you were trying to make a capture.”

”No, it was only that we thought you a waterlogged craft, and a danger to navigation,” repeated the lieutenant. ”But what sort of a s.h.i.+p have you?”

”Come below and I'll show you the finest submarine that ever was built,”

answered the inventor with pardonable pride. ”If you don't mind, give your launch orders to go back to the s.h.i.+p, and I'll show something that will make you open your eyes.”

Anxious to see what the strange little craft could do Lieutenant Muchmore sent his launch back, and went below with Captain Henderson. He was astonished at what he saw, and unlike most Englishmen was willing to say so.

Mr. Henderson then went to the conning tower. He directed the man-hole cover to be clamped on, and then filled the tanks. The s.h.i.+p sank fifty feet below the surface and then shot forward.

Seated in the cabin the lieutenant was observing with wonder showing on his face at the accomplishment of sailing along under water. Suddenly the lights were shut off, and the shutters moved back from the bull's-eye windows. The sea, glowing in the beams of the search light, was alive with fish, large and small, beautiful and hideous.

”Wonderful!” exclaimed the Englishman.

The bull's-eyes were closed, the lights switched on, and then, speeding the engine almost to the top notch the captain steered the submarine straight for the war-s.h.i.+p.

He had carefully noted her direction before starting his own craft, and he resolved to do a little manoeuvering that would still further astonish the visitor. By careful reading of the different gages Mr.

Henderson was able to come to the surface right in front of the _Sylph_, to the no small astonishment of the men on the deck of the vessel.

Then, just to show what the _Porpoise_ could do, the inventor darted around the war-s.h.i.+p in a circle. He sunk below the surface, went under the keel of the _Sylph_ and came up on the other side. Then he went the whole length of her, under water, starting at the stern and ending at the bow, where he brought the submarine to a rest in a smother of foam.

”Great! Wonderful! Surprising!” were some of the adjectives Lieutenant Muchmore used as he stepped from the conning tower, with Captain Henderson, onto the deck.

At the appearance of the officer and the inventor a group of those on the _Sylph_ gave three cheers for the little vessel.

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