The Boy Volunteers with the Submarine Fleet
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"I am considering more the character of the men who are able to handle the boat, and who know the intricacies of the mechanism. I can see where men of that sort will be able to make it very interesting for us if we should attempt to capture the officers and crew," said the captain thoughtfully.
It was evident that the vessel was slowly righting itself, for every minute or two there would be a slight sinking movement, which was very gratifying.
"Where are the revolvers?" asked the captain.
"I found a dandy place for them, and can get them in a minute, if wanted," said Ralph.
"Captain, I wanted to ask you some time ago what you meant by saying that the sub-lieutenant didn't know any more about submarining than he ought to. What did you mean by that?" asked Alfred.
"One of the things I had in mind was, when he was trying to start the propellers, that he could have found an easier way to learn whether they were in the water or not," was the answer.
"How so?" asked Ralph.
"The indicator board in the conning tower shows just how far the vessel is under water," replied the captain.
"But," said Alfred, "would that tell it correctly if one end of the vessel should be up and the other down, as this is?"
"Why not? It would indicate how far down in the water the hull would be amidship, and it would not require much involved calculating to figure out where the stern of the vessel would be if he knew the angle at which the hull was resting," answered the captain.
"I would just like to know how far we are down," said Ralph, looking up the stairway into the conning tower.
"Do you think you could spot the right dial face if you went up?" asked the captain.
"I think I could," said Ralph, rather doubtingly, it must be admitted.
"Then I'll give you a little hint, if you'd like to try to make an investigation," said the captain. "Directly forward of the table, which contains the chart, and below the three levers, you will see a glass column with red colored liquid in it,–"
"I know what you mean now," said Ralph, interrupting.
"Well, simply get the number on the card on the right side of the glass column. Do you understand?" remarked the captain.
"Yes; but why not take the numbers on the left side also?" asked Ralph.
"They merely indicate the pressure. Depth below the surface is all we want," rejoined the captain.
"Well, here goes; and I hope they won't catch me at it," said Ralph, as he slowly moved out.
"One moment," said the captain, as he put forth a restraining hand. "What will you do, or how will you act if some one should catch you in the tower?" he asked.
Ralph hesitated: "I hadn't thought of that; why,—well,—I suppose I should try to explain it in some way or other," he said.
"I am afraid that would not do. Allow me to make a suggestion. Go up boldly, as though you had a perfect right to, or that you did not suspect it was a forbidden place; if some one accosts you look at him in a surprised way, make an apology, and retire; I give you this pointer because you may be flustrated and unable to make a prompt reply, and that would show guilt of some kind," said the captain.
Ralph went out and loitered about, gazing at the various pieces of machinery, and finally stood on the steps of the conning tower, which, at the angle of the boat in its inclined position, were almost horizontal. He stretched himself out on the stairs, and turned his head. From that point he could see the red liquid in the glass column, but it was difficult to read the figures.
The glare from the electric light interfered with his sight, and before he had an opportunity to get a glimpse of the figures from his new position, one of the petty officers crawled along the passageway, and, noticing him lying on the stairs, peremptorily ordered him to get down.
Ralph glanced at the man, smiled at him, and promptly complied, chagrined at his failure. As he entered the little room the captain eagerly questioned him: "What did it say?" he asked.
"That fellow ordered me away before I could make out the figures," said Ralph, "but I'm going to try it again."
"How near was the liquid from the top of the glass tube?" asked the captain.
"Well, I should say about so far," replied Ralph, indicating space between his thumb and finger. "I guess it was about an inch."
"How long do you think the tube is?" asked the captain.
"I think it must be a foot long; probably more," was the answer.
"I asked you to give me an estimate of the length of the entire tube so as to give me some assurance that you knew the value of an inch. You were right; those tubes are twelve inches long. Now let me see; I ought to know what figures are an inch from the top!" remarked the captain thoughtfully.
"Pardon me, Captain, but how does it come that you know all about these boats?" asked Alfred.
"I used to be an officer on a French submarine," he replied in a quiet tone, and immediately proceeded to make certain mental calculations. Then he continued: "One inch below the top! That is twenty."
"Twenty what?" asked Ralph.
"Twenty feet; the Germans have the English foot on all their boats. I wonder they didn't think about that, and make a change before starting out."
"Maybe it's twenty meters," said Alfred, with a slight laugh.
"Oh, no," replied the captain. "That would be too Frenchy for the Germans. Besides, it would be too much by all odds. I am sure the conning tower is not more than twenty feet below the surface of the water."
"Then the stern of the submarine must be sticking out of the water," remarked Alfred.
"Unquestionably," replied the captain.
"How far, do you suppose?" asked Ralph.
"We can easily figure that out," said the captain. "Let me see; we must first get the angle at which the boat is lying."
The Entangled Submarine
After looking about for some time he continued: "The door jamb is built in vertically; that is sure. A string, or piece of thread will make a plumb-bob; here it is: now let us see; according to the plumb line the boat is at an angle of 33 degrees, as nearly as our imperfect device indicates. There, now this line A shows the top of the boat and B the base of the conning tower. A line C, from the top of the water to the center of the conning tower, measuring 20 feet, shows where the water line is. Do you understand how I am doing it?"
"That is very plain," said Alfred, "and it is an interesting way to get at it, too. Then how far is the tail of the boat out of the water?"
"I should say it is about nine feet," replied the captain.
"No wonder the propellers didn't do any good when they sent them spinning!"
"There is one thing I forgot about," said the captain, as he shook his head. "Why didn't I tell you to note the time. We are in the greatest danger, I fear."
"Why, what makes you think so?" asked Ralph.
"This accident happened during the night, and we have now been in this condition for at least four hours. If we are caught here at daylight it is all up with us," remarked the captain.
"Why, is it any more dangerous then than now?" asked Alfred.
"Because the patrol boats and submarine chasers will spy us, and then a shot, and all will be over," replied the captain with a solemn voice.
"Then I think we ought to do something right away," said Ralph, as he half rose and glanced out.
"I am afraid that will put the burden of getting out of the nets on our shoulders," replied the captain. "No, let them work at it, as long as they care to, but we must try by some means to determine the time."
"Do you think the seamen would object to telling us?" inquired Alfred. "Just let me alone; I am going to try it on, anyway," he said, as he slipped out of the door, picked up a box and stowed it away snugly at one side out of the way of a young fellow who was making his way up the incline toward the stern.
Alfred struck up a conversation, and asked: "Can I help you in any way? Tell me what to do."
The request seemed to warm up the fellow, and the information was given that the officer had instructed him to remove the stray boxes from the machinery. The two engaged in this work for more than fifteen minutes. Finally Alfred said: "How are you, pretty tired? You haven't had much sleep so far?"
"Oh, no; but we're used to that," he replied, "why, in the last run we had hardly an hour's sleep in the last four days before reaching port."
"That must be very trying," rejoined Alfred. "But it must be near daylight."
"It is just about an hour off; and when the day comes I don't know what will happen," remarked the seaman.
"Why, what are you afraid of?" asked Alfred, appearing to be greatly alarmed.
"They have caught us this time for good, as I heard the lieutenant,–"
The sentence was never finished, for at that moment there was another rasping sound, and the stern of the boat came down with a sudden spring, then rebounded, and after two or three oscillations, rested quietly in the water, still at quite an angle.
The sub-lieutenant sprang toward the conning tower as fast as he could scramble. The signal was given to reverse, the motors began to hum and the ship vibrated. It was a glorious feeling, and the captain grasped the hands of the boys in an ecstacy of joy.
CHAPTER IX
THE CAPTURE OF THE SUBMERGED VESSEL
"Why does it still keep at this angle?" asked Ralph.
"Have you forgotten the stuff we carried back into the stern?" replied Alfred.
"Do you think that really is the trouble?" asked Ralph.
"Yes; it is out of balance, and I suppose we may look out for another job," said the captain. "That may be the opportunity we are seeking. Furthermore, what is to be done must be done just as soon as possible."
"What makes you think so?" eagerly inquired Alfred.
"Several things. The first is, that we are now in the English Channel under the guidance of a man much less skilful than the lieutenant; and, secondly, the lieutenant, although badly wounded, may recover sufficiently to be able to direct affairs," replied the captain.
"When I was out there talking with the seaman," said Alfred, "I learned that the lieutenant was in a very low state."
"I should judge so, too," rejoined the captain, "for the reason that the doctor has not left the room once since the lieutenant was taken there. In making a calculation of the forces against us I have considered that the lieutenant, the cook and the doctor are disposed of, so far as being of any aid to the crew. Three others are also so badly injured that they do not need to cause us much worry. I am not certain in my mind, however, where they are at this time."
"Do you mean the men who were injured?" asked Ralph.
"Yes."
"Two of them are in the bunks behind the compressed air tanks," answered Ralph.
"Are you quite sure of that?" queried the captain.
"I know it," was the answer.
"Well, that makes six accounted for, so that there are twenty-one we must meet. Now I shall give a few general instructions before we proceed. The sub-lieutenant has gone into the conning tower. As he entered I tried to get a glimpse to ascertain whether or not the sun had risen, but was unable to decide, but I should judge that it is not yet daylight or he would not be running on the surface. As a precautionary measure we must have the weapons ready, and have the revolvers put away so as not to expose them before we are ready."
"Here they are," said Ralph, who cautiously brought them to the room.
"Shall we load them?" asked Alfred.
"By all means; and let me warn you of one thing: when you aim be sure to hit. There must be no pretense about it. The matter is too serious for anything but strict business. I hope we shall not have the opportunity or necessity for using the revolvers. Now pay attention to the details: the sub-lieutenant must be the first one captured, and he must be taken into the conning tower. I suggest that you, Ralph, take your place beneath the stairway, hiding, as much as possible, behind the amidship tank, while you, Alfred, remain at the door of our room here."
"Shall I stay here so I can be seen or keep out of sight?" asked Alfred.
"Remain under cover inside the room, but in sight of the stairway. You have probably noticed that the under officer makes frequent trips to the conning tower, and that on returning each time he turns a short lever below the hinge," said the captain.
"I have noticed that several times and wondered what it was for," said Ralph.
"That is for the purpose of holding the hatch door so that it can be opened by him when he again ascends the stairway. Now, when the under officer opens the hatch and comes down the hatch stairs, will be the time for you to come out of the room and take up your position at the forward corner of the room; that will completely hide you from the eyes of the officer. I shall then go into the room, the moment he reaches the last step, and thus he will not suspect me. The moment he reaches the passageway opposite the door, I will hold him up with my revolver, and compel him to enter the room. The moment that is done you will push the door shut, as you will see that it has a spring lock. Do you fully understand the instructions so far?" asked the captain.
"I think so," answered Alfred, "although I don't exactly understand why I am to go into the room first, and then come out the moment the hatch is being opened."
"For the reason that we must not be suspected by the others, some of whom are at all times not far away, and if, while we are waiting, some of the crew should pass the end of our room they would be sure to see you and consider that a peculiar place for you to be in. Do you understand it now?" replied the captain.
"Then, after that what will take place?" asked Ralph, his breath coming thick and fast.
"I shall go up the stairway, followed by Alfred. While this is going on it will be your duty, Ralph, to watch the workers at the dynamo and the aft tank. They are the only ones who will be able to see the stairway clearly. If you see any look of alarm on their faces, or see that they notice what is going on, move around into the opening, and level both revolvers at them, without, however, making any sound. Hold them in that position until I raise the trap-door and warn the sub-lieutenant. Alfred will follow close and hold the trap-door from being sprung. Then move up the companionway as fast as you can. There, he is going up now. Take your place, Ralph."
The crucial time had come. Alfred retreated into the little room as the captain leisurely moved along the narrow passageway toward the dynamos. Thus they waited and waited, five, ten minutes. Ages seemed to pass. Then the hatch door opened slowly. Alfred came out quietly without looking around, moved forward, and then walked back and slid into the corner of the room.
The petty officer closed the hatch and moved down the steps, brushing past the captain. As he did so the captain entered the door and immediately turned with the revolver pointing at the officer's breast.
"Not a sound, or I fire," said the captain in a voice which could not be heard a dozen feet away. The captain stepped aside, and pointed to the open doorway, at the same time indicating by motions that the German should enter it. The officer gritted his teeth and finally obeyed. As the captain stood there with the revolver at his side, but pointed at the man, Alfred slowly closed the door.
The captain now turned and moved up the stairway. With his revolver drawn he pushed open the trap-door quietly, and, in a quiet voice, said: "Hands up!"
The sub-lieutenant turned quickly, to look into the muzzle of the revolver. His hands reached out to seize a lever.
"Stop!" said the captain, and the officer quickly raised his hands.
Alfred was now in the tower, and Ralph, walking up backwards, had his head through the hatch opening, when a shot was fired. He dropped one of his revolvers, and Alfred quickly seized him by the shoulders and drew him up. The hatch cover came down with a bang.
"Are you hurt?" asked Alfred, as Ralph dropped down, but he was reassured as the latter arose. For the moment the captain's gaze was averted, when, quick as thought, the officer's hand touched a lever.
The captain smiled, as he said: "I am afraid the valve of the submerging tank will not work; I prefer running on the surface. But, in the meantime, as I am commander of this vessel, and I notice that you are trying to interfere, I shall have to restrict your movements somewhat."
Saying this he drew a small cord from his pocket and instructed Alfred to bind the arms at the wrists. The hands of the officer were then carried around to the back and the cord fastened to a stanchion at one side, where he was out of reach of the instrument board.
This gave the captain an opportunity to examine Ralph's wound. The latter had quickly rallied. It was the shot, coupled with the extreme tension, which caused him momentarily to collapse, for it was found that the wound had passed through the fleshy part of the arm above the elbow.
"I suppose you want the destroyers to sink us," said the officer.
"Not at all," replied the captain. "Unscrew the bolts of the door, Alfred. And now a word more, Mr. Officer. Where are your flags?"
"I refuse to inform you," said the officer, with a look of determination in his face.
"I expect a shot every minute," said the captain, "for I know as well as you do that there is a cruiser on our port side. I shall give you another opportunity; where are the flags?"
"You must open the hatch for them," said the officer.
"All the bolts are out," said Alfred, turning to the captain.
"Guard the officer while I go out and signal," said the captain.
Before the captain reached the door there was an ominous boom in the distance. Alfred could see the officer's face grow pale. A shower of sea water sprayed over the deck, and some of the water entered the open door. Looking out he saw the captain, who had thrown off his coat and vest, and was now drawing off his white shirt, which he held up and waved to and fro, just as the second shot boomed.
Fortunately, the shot was too far away to be at all dangerous, as Alfred thought, but the voice of the captain explained it.
"Signal to stop!"
"Which lever?" inquired Alfred.
The latter hesitated. He glanced out the door and then at the boy. To refuse meant that the ship was doomed and his companions below without hope of rescue.
The captain, with the white signal in his hand, stepped to the door, and with the revolver pointing full into the face of the officer, said: "Stop the ship or you will never have an opportunity to save yourselves or your companions."
"Pull the second lever," he said, and Alfred did as directed.
"Reverse!" demanded the captain.
"The lever below," said the officer.
A mile away was a small, speedy craft, sailing around the submarine. It seemed fairly to skim over the surface of the water, and cast the spray astern like a mist. It had come up unnoticed by the captain.
"Look at the little boat," shouted Ralph, who had now recovered and had moved to the open door.
The captain turned quickly toward the stern, waving the white flag in a frenzy. It must have been regarded as a remarkable thing to those on board the little cutter to see a German submarine hoisting a surrender flag. It seemed too good to be true. They evidently supposed the white flag was a ruse of some kind, for they did not venture nearer.
Meanwhile, the cruiser, which had fired the two shots, came up behind the little craft, and the latter cautiously steamed up. The small vessel was one of the speedy torpedo boat chasers, carrying two three-inch guns, and drawing less than six feet of water. The safety of these boats lies in their great speed and in the shallow draft, which prevents the submarine from reaching them with their torpedoes.
Once abreast the commander called out: "I am sending a boat for your officers."
"I have only one here, that we can get at, at present," shouted the captain.
"What is that?" asked the commander of the chaser.
"I have one of the chief officers in the conning tower, and the others are below," said the captain.
"Who are you?" asked the commander.
"Captain Leclere, of the French service," replied the captain.
"Captain Leclere!" almost shouted the German officer in the conning tower.
"That's the man," said Alfred.
"Then I am not surprised," said the officer in a low voice.
"Surprised?" said Ralph. "Did you say 'surprised?'"
The officer sighed, turned his head away, and was silent.
A lieutenant and four seamen reached the side of the submarine, and were drawn aboard.
"Ah! it was your ship that went down in the bay last Wednesday," said the chaser's lieutenant.
"Yes; we were picked up by the submarine, together with my two young friends here," said the captain.
"And how does it happen that you are in command of this vessel?" he asked in surprise.
"We captured it about a half an hour ago, and have the chief officer and the crew below," replied the captain.
"That is certainly a remarkable exploit," replied the lieutenant. "I suppose you will be glad to meet the commander of l'Orient?" said the lieutenant.
"Ah! Captain Tournai, you mean! I recognized the French colors. But I supposed he was in the Mediterranean; it will be quite a pleasure, indeed. Do me the honor to signal him," said the captain.
The lieutenant gave the necessary instructions, and the flags wig-wagged from the bridge of the little vessel.
The sub-lieutenant was called out of the conning tower, and Alfred directed to unloosen the cords.
"I suppose you will take charge of the prisoners," said the captain.
"I should be glad to do so, with your permission, although you have a right, of course, to turn them over to l'Orient," said the lieutenant.
"No; it is sufficient gratification to know that we have the vessel," said the captain, "and I shall be glad to leave to you the disposition of the men and the vessel."
"What procedure would you suggest?" asked the lieutenant.
"I shall give an order to the sub-lieutenant directing the men to come out of the hold," said the captain. Then, turning to the sub-lieutenant, he said:
"You will inform the men below that they are to present themselves at the hatch."
The officer bowed, and entered the conning tower He immediately descended. Before he had, reached the bottom the captain said:
"Halt! Notify them from where you are. I shall not permit you to go any farther."
All the men were found to be stationed near the hatchway steps. One by one they appeared, and were escorted out, a dozen marines in the meantime having appeared in two boats. As they emerged from the door they were escorted to the side and directed to take their places in the ship's boats.
"That makes twenty-one," said Alfred.
CHAPTER X
THE SECRET KEY TO THE BOMB FUSE
"Shall I go down and assist in bringing up the lieutenant?" said the sub-lieutenant, as the doctor of the submarine passed out.
"No; I have decided that he shall not be removed until this evening," said the captain. "In the meantime the doctor may return, and give him such aid as is necessary."
The sub-lieutenant's face turned pale, and he trembled. This was the first show of weakness that he exhibited. The boys looked at the captain, and turned their glances toward the officer of the chaser. They could not understand it. The captain continued:
"I believe the chief machinist is also injured, as well as two of the machine tenders. They may also remain until after the lieutenant is brought up."
All present noticed the wrought-up condition of the sub-lieutenant, and the latter soon exhibited evidence that he was breaking down. At last he remarked with trembling voice:
"At what time can they be brought up?"
"I cannot tell at this time; possibly not until tomorrow," said the captain, directing a searching glance at the officer.
"He is very ill," said the doctor.
"I have no doubt of it," replied the captain. "The length of their stay in the submarine will depend on the length of the fuse attached to the time explosive in the hold."