Part 29 (1/2)

”Well, we are by no n drily

He led the way to the forward torpedo rooht in the bow of the boat andlevers were everywhere At the farthest end of the steel-walled chamber was a sort of derrick contrivance This was the piece ofthem into the tubes

Like the other machinery on the _Peacemaker_, the derrick was operated by electricity A pull of a lever and Mr Barr had set its machinery in motion The torpedoes were placed on racks so that it was a si chain of the derrick First one and then another of the polished steel implements of deadly warfare were raised to the mouths of the torpedo tubes which projected into the chaht, the torpedoes were placed within the tubes with notwo cartridges into the breech of his gun

In ten minutes from the time the party entered the torpedo chamber, the steel implements of death had been ”rammed home” and the breech of the tubes clamped and fastened On the _Peacemaker_ type of subive the torpedoes a start, although, of course, they contained the usual h the water after they left the tubes

There followed asound, rushed into the tubes

Mr Barr, deadly pale but without a tremor in his voice, announced that all was ready

The ensignthe tubes at an acuter angle to the body of the subht now,” he said presently

”Very well,” spoke the inventor, his hand on a lever, ”when you say the word, I'll discharge the torpedoes”

”You ht noas the response

The inventor, with hands that shook, swung the lever back

There was a hissing sound and a slight tremor as the compressed air shot the torpedoes from the tubes Less than a second later, simultaneously it seemed, the submarine was rocked and swayed by a terrific convulsion

The boys and their elders were thrown right and left with a force that almost knocked them senseless

It was but a few n Hargreaves uttered a shout that thrilled the!” he cried ”My plan succeeded after all!”

”I think that we ought to give thanks to Providence,” said Mr Barr reverently ”As the ensign has said, the plan succeeded, but it was taking one chance in a thousand Had that cliff not been shaken so as to release us, we ht have perished miserably and left our fate atower by the conclusion of Mr Barr's words The barograph showed the a hundred feet aScouts, but each grasped the other's hand in a firazed into the other's eyes There was no necessity of speech Both realized that they had passed through the gravest peril that even they had experienced in all their adventurous lives

When the _Peacemaker_ reached the surface once ratitude for the miraculous chance that had saved their lives, her occupants headed the speedy diving craft back for the island at top speed The _Peaceh the supre

”I tell you what, Barr,” declared Ensign Hargreaves, as they neared the familiar island, ”you have the ot_ to have it My report goes in to Washi+ngton to-uess what it will contain”

”Thank you,” said the inventor si his hand

CHAPTER XXIX

INTO THE JAWS OF DEATH