The Boy Volunteers with the Submarine Fleet
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The sub-lieutenant almost dropped as the captain uttered these words, and the boys exchanged significant glances, while the lieutenant of the chaser smiled.
"You did not think," continued the captain, "that I would be so lax in my duty as to permit you to plant a mine under our feet?"
The sub-lieutenant dropped his eyes without answering. The captain gazed at him intently, as he continued: "For the present you will be detained, and the time of the removal of the lieutenant with his companions will be decided within the next two hours."
With this decision the sub-lieutenant was put in charge of the marines, while he descended to enter the boat. As he was about to step aboard, he turned to the captain and said: "It will be too late if you defer the decision for two hours."
"Ah!" said the captain with a faint smile, "you have thought better of it. Will the fuse last an hour?"
The sub-lieutenant nodded. The captain waved his arms and directed the officer to proceed. The latter unceremoniously pushed the sub-lieutenant into the boat.
"I will see to it that the fuses are taken out," said the sub-lieutenant, recovering from his sullen attitude.
The captain paid no attention to the remarks of the officer. As soon as the sub-lieutenant was well out of hearing, the captain turned to the boys and said: "It may be a difficult and trying duty to you to perform, but it is the only safe thing to do. As you know almost every part of the submarine from the investigation you have made, I would ask you to follow me, and I will tell you what to do."
The boys nodded their heads, and entered the conning tower with the captain. The latter turned, before descending, and said:
"You will have observed, no doubt, that the scheme was to turn over the submarine to us as soon as possible, leaving a time fuse, which, within a specified time, would have blown the ship to atoms. By so doing they would accomplish two purposes, namely, destroy the ship, and save their own lives. We must not put confidence in any statement they may make."
"But wouldn't it be a good idea to let the sub-lieutenant remove the fuses, as he said he would do?" asked Ralph.
"Would you be willing to rely on that?"
"Well, I wouldn't," replied Alfred. "I could tell by the way the sub-lieutenant acted that he would play a trick if he could."
"That is just why I want you to assist me in check-mating," said the captain.
"Tell us just what to do, and you may depend on us," replied Ralph.
"As you know many of the dark places below I want you to go down with me and find several where you can secrete yourselves. I will then send the sub-lieutenant down, and order him to remove the fuses. I want you to be particular to observe every step he takes, and, as far as possible, note what he does at each place; do you understand?" said the captain.
"Perfectly," replied Ralph.
Together they descended. All were well aware that the lieutenant, the doctor, and the three wounded men were still in the dining galley, the door of which had been closed and locked by orders of the captain, after the last of the submarine crew reached the upper deck.
"I know one good place where a fellow can hide and still see what is going on," said Alfred.
"Where is that?" asked the captain.
"At that tank by the side of the dining galley," replied Alfred.
"That would be a good vantage point," answered the captain. "It is the aft trimming tank, and if you can find a place of concealment it would, at the same time, enable you to overhear any conversation that might possibly take place, when the sub-lieutenant is performing his unwelcome duty."
"Then maybe I ought to get somewhere forward of the main hatch?" proposed Ralph.
"I suppose you have your revolvers with you?" said the captain.
"I know mine is all right," replied Ralph.
"So is mine, I think," said Alfred, "although I haven't had an opportunity to try it so far."
"I hope there will be no necessity for anything of that kind," said the captain. "However, we are dealing with men who are desperate, and who have been taught that they must do desperate things to accomplish their purposes, hence the safe rule, in all cases, in dealing with them, is to do the very opposite of that which they wish you to do."
"Is that the reason why you refused to let him remove the fuse?" asked Alfred.
The captain laughed quietly, as he replied: "He thinks I have refused to let him do so, but he will be surprised to get the order to remove the fuses, and be permitted to go down into the vessel unaccompanied."
"Then he is to come down here without you?" said Ralph in surprise.
"Why, certainly; and that is why I want some one here to watch proceedings," said the captain.
"Oh! I understand now," replied Alfred. "That's a good idea. If anything happens we'll find out what it is if any one can."
"I believe it," answered the captain. "And now select your places. I will go up and send him down within the next fifteen minutes."
Alfred took up his station at one side of the aft trimming tank, and Ralph, after some investigation, upturned one of the boxes which was still lying in the passageway directly to one side of the steps leading to the conning tower, and after a little search, found two more, which were drawn together, thus forming a retreat which enabled him to observe the movements of any one on three sides.
All this was done in silence, and all preparation having been made, the captain ascended. After reaching the deck-house of the chaser, he requested the sub-lieutenant's presence. As he approached, between the two guards, the captain said: "I have concluded that you may go down and remove the fuses, and I shall depend on your honor to do it effectually."
The sub-lieutenant bowed stiffly, and was led to the boat, followed by the captain. As they reached the conning tower, the captain continued: "I will remain here. I shall give you ten minutes' time to do the work."
The sub-lieutenant descended, and was somewhat surprised to find himself alone in the interior. The electric lights were burning brightly. Ralph was the first to view his movements. The officer first moved to a point directly opposite, and with a key opened a door, which Ralph had never theretofore noticed. In a moment the door was again closed and Ralph saw a short section of a fuse, which the officer quickly pushed into a dark recess below.
From that point he moved toward the stern, stopping at the motors; then he quickly turned around and glanced about in a suspicious manner. As he stooped down, Ralph made a slight noise on one of the boxes, and the officer straightened up like a shot. The movement indicated a guilty act, and Ralph divined that the purpose was to injure the motors.
The sub-lieutenant moved cautiously to the rear, and in a few moments was abreast of the dining galley. Here he was within hearing of Alfred behind the aft trimming tanks. He saw the officer go to the door, and give three quick knocks. "Herr Schwoger!" he said in a subdued voice. In another moment a voice within replied: "The fuses; you must not forget them."
To this the sub-lieutenant answered: "I have been ordered to remove them; what shall I do?"
"Take out all but the forward fuse, and report," said the voice. "Tell us what has happened," continued the voice, which was now recognized as the doctor's.
"They have complete command, and two warships are outside," was the reply.
From this point the officer crossed over to the starboard side of the vessel and at a large stand-pipe stooped down. Alfred tried to ascertain what he was doing, but was unable to detect the nature of his work. The sub-lieutenant then crossed back to the other side, and, working his way quickly to the motors, stooped down. Ralph could no longer restrain himself. He quickly and quietly moved toward the officer, as he saw him with a long tool of some kind in his hand reach down to the base of the motor.
"Hands up!" shouted Ralph.
The tool dropped from the hands of the officer with a click.
Alfred was at the side of the sub-lieutenant in an instant. "You may go on deck," said Ralph.
The officer glanced at Alfred, whom he had seen emerge from the aft hiding place, and then turned a look of contempt on Ralph.
"Move!" said Ralph, pointing to the gangway.
Alfred cocked his revolver and menacingly pointed it at him.
There was only one thing to do and he did it. He was met by the captain at the head of the stairway.
The boys followed quickly. The captain looked on at the leveled revolvers and appeared to be surprised.
"What does all this mean?" he asked.
"It means that he tried to destroy the motors, and we caught him at it in time," said Ralph.
"That is not so," replied the officer.
"What is this for?" asked Alfred, as he held up the tool which the officer had dropped.
"But you have removed all the fuses, of course?" said the captain, apparently not heeding the tool referred to.
"I have," said the officer, straightening up.
"All but the one at the forward part of the vessel," replied Alfred.
The officer turned, with a look of surprise and chagrin on his face. "He does not know what he is talking about," said the officer.
"Then you are lying to me as you are to the captain," said Alfred. "You told the doctor in the galley that you had removed all but the forward one. Did you lie to him?" asked Alfred.
A blush seemed to suffuse the officer's face, as the captain said:
"We will go down together. There may be some more work to do; come on," said the captain, as he indicated the way. "You may go first, Ralph, the sub-lieutenant will follow."
There was no help for it. Once below the captain said: "You will save yourself considerable trouble by removing the fuse from the forward bomb, and that without further waste of words."
The officer knew that the manner in which the words were uttered meant business. Without waiting for the second warning, he led the way, opened another secret door, and removed the tell-tale fuse.
"Ah, ha! cut for two hours! Now, while we are about it you might as well start the motor; we have some use for it," said the captain.
"I cannot do that," replied the officer.
"So you succeeded in injuring it," said the captain.
"No," was the reply.
The captain picked up the tool, which Alfred was so particular to carry along. "And what was this used for?" he asked.
"Yes; I have disarranged the motor fields so that they are useless; and I don't deny it," said the officer, straightening up and looking at the captain defiantly.
"There; that is something like it; but you haven't deceived me in the least. I have brought a very useful article with me," continued the captain, drawing from his pocket a paper and presenting it to the officer. "It contains instructions, which I expect you to follow, for your own safety. I shall see to it that the fuses you removed are again put into place and the mechanism set for one hour. Of course, I shall hold the keys. Under those conditions you may remain locked below, and I shall expect you to obey my signals, as we intend to navigate the vessel to port, which will, as you know, occupy about fifty minutes of time. Do you know where the fuse boxes are?" said the captain, turning to the boys.
Ralph marched to the side wall and pointed to the place where the sub-lieutenant opened the first box.
"Open it!" ordered the captain, turning to the sub-lieutenant.
The latter hesitated. The captain stared at him sternly and repeated the order. As he made no motion, the captain continued: "Why do you hesitate?"
CHAPTER XI
OPERATING THE SUBMARINE WITH A CAPTIVE CREW
The officer now saw that he was dealing with a man who understood the motives of those aboard the submarine, and it was also evident that the sympathy of the boys was turned from the young man. The latter had played his part to the ultimate.
"You have now done all and more than is required of you," said the captain, as he altered his tone of voice. "You have set the automatic device, which, in due time, would have sent this vessel to the bottom. I understand all these devices, and they will not avail you. I understand, as well as you do, that to open that box will cause an explosion; but it is necessary to make an example of you." Then, turning to the boys, he said: "You may go on deck. As for you, Mr. Officer, I shall detain you below a sufficient length of time to be sure that the automatic device gets in its work. We really have no use for the submarine."
He turned and started up the stairway, when the sub-lieutenant, with trembling voice, said: "I am powerless to prevent the explosion,–"
"Unless," interrupted the captain.
The officer nodded his head. "I supposed so!" continued the captain. "The lieutenant in the galley has the key which controls the automatic device. You may open the door and get the key, and from this time forward, if I find that you deceive me in the slightest degree, or make any attempt to injure the vessel, I will make it your grave without a moment's hesitation, and without the least compunction."
The sub-lieutenant moved toward the galley, and opened the door. In a moment he reappeared with the key and followed the captain to the conning tower.
Below the switchboard was a tiny slot. Into this the key neatly fitted, and upon giving a turn, a set of switches was exposed.
"These are the control circuits," he said.
"Turn them off and open the boxes below!" ordered the captain. This was done.
"Who are the men that operate the trimming tanks?" asked the captain.
"The machinist Scholer and his assistant Bracher," was the reply.
"Lieutenant," said the captain, addressing the commander of the chaser; "send those men on board."
When they appeared the captain continued: "You will go below with these men, and obey my signals, as we take the vessel to port, and remember, that if any part of the machinery is destroyed I will not guarantee to deliver you safely on shore."
As they disappeared, the trap-door was closed, and the boys were free, for the first time since the eventful morning, five days previous to this time, when they stepped aboard the submarine.
They now realized, in a particularly pointed manner, that while the air in a submarine seems to be fairly pure, it is filled with the most noxious fumes, due to the petroleum and lubricants, as well as to the odors due to cooking, all of which cannot be gotten rid of, however constantly the air-circulating apparatus of the ship is in operation.
The greatest efforts have been made to automatically discharge these odors, but the hundreds of dead corners within a hull of this character make it impossible to effect a thorough discharge, and when the trap-door finally closes down there is a peculiar feeling, not unlike seasickness, which seemed to attack one.
"I understand your feelings," said the captain, as he noticed the pale faces of the boys. "It is wonderful how you have been able to keep up, and not exhibit symptoms before this. I will have two seamen come over to assist me in the conning tower."
"I wish you wouldn't do that," said Alfred, as he placed his hand on his temples. "I am sure we will get over this in time."
"No, no; we want to stay with you, if you don't mind," insisted Ralph. "I am all right now," and he tried to smile, but it was not a very successful effort.
"Then I suppose I shall have to accede; yes, lieutenant, we can take care of the boat, but I shall expect you to act as our convoy," replied the captain.
The lieutenant directed his men to pull for the chaser, and the captain turned to the operating board. "Forward," the word was plain. The signal was made by two distinct rings. The propellers turned. The captain, with his hands on the wheel, turned to starboard and made a short turn. This brought the vessel alongside the chaser. A slight turn to port, then forward, and they glided alongside l'Orient.
The crew had been lined up on the port side, and the captain at the end of the bridge raised his cap in salute as they passed by.
"Where are we going?" asked Ralph, as he saw the prow pointing to the south. "Are we going to France?"
"What are those funny things bobbing up there for,—that whole line?" asked Alfred.
"They are the floats for the torpedo nets," replied the captain. "We are now on our way to go through the gates, and thus avoid the nets."
"Is that why we are following the torpedo chaser?" asked Ralph.
"Yes, and when once inside the lane, we will change our course and reach the English base for craft of this kind," said the captain.
The submarine followed the wake of the chaser for fully a half hour, when, for some reason, that boat stopped. As they neared it they noticed the sailors and marines aboard on the port side, and intently engaged in looking forward.
"What's up now, I wonder?" said Alfred, as he opened the door of the conning tower and stepped on the deck.
"Look at the floats ahead," said the captain.
On investigation two of them were noticed moving back and forth, and occasionally dipping in an unaccountable manner.
"Look at those fellows with the guns on the deck of the chaser," said Ralph.
Alfred looked up. He saw the gun crews at their stations, with the officers in charge of the guns standing at one side in attitudes of expectancy.
"I know," said Alfred. "They have caught one of them."
"Yes; and they are making the same efforts to get away that we were engaged in only a few hours ago," said the captain.
The chaser steamed back and forth in a quiet, determined way, the men never for a moment relaxing their watch.
"What are they trying to do with that funny-looking, big, fat gun on the side near the front end of the deck?" asked Ralph.
"That is a howitzer," answered the captain.
"What in the world do they want a howitzer for?" asked Alfred.
"To use it on the boat if it should get free from the net," replied the captain.
"Why don't they use it now?" asked Ralph.
"Because they do not want to destroy the boat unless it is absolutely necessary," answered the captain.
"But how will they know whether the boat gets away?" asked Alfred.
"By the condition of the floats," answered the captain. "You will notice that the two floats within range of the submarine's action are being dragged down. If the floats should be in a normal condition, or float on their true water line, which you can readily observe by glasses, it is evident that the submarine is free."
"And then that would be the time they would use the howitzers?" suggested Alfred.
"But how could they reach the submarine?" asked Ralph. "Do they know just where the vessel is now?"
"Yes, they can locate it within a hundred feet; but that would be near enough for their purpose," replied the captain.
"Do you mean," asked Alfred, "that they would send the shell from the howitzer anywhere near them, and that it would destroy the submarine even though it didn't hit it?"
"Yes; the detonating or rupturing effect of the high explosive in the shells is such that even though the explosion would take place a hundred feet from the hull, it would put it out of commission at once, and, in all probability, crush in the sides like an egg shell," said the captain.
"Why are they signaling?" asked Ralph, as the wig-wagging began.
"I think that's l'Orient in sight on the port side," replied the captain, after gazing in the direction indicated.
"Then the cruiser will take the position of the chaser?" said Alfred.
"Quite likely," answered the captain.
"Look at the smoke; she's coming this way," shouted Ralph.
The captain waved his hand to the lieutenant on the chaser, as he shouted: "They have responded to your signals."
As l'Orient approached and took up position, the chaser, with a parting salute, turned and started for its former course along the line of buoys. The boys looked back and kept their eyes on the moving buoys as far as they could see them.
"It will never get away," said the captain.
The chaser described a long curve, and changed its course due east, and, following it, they were at the entrance which had been left free. Beyond were several other small vessels, two of which dashed up and steamed alongside. The crews cheered as the boys emerged from the conning tower and waved their caps.
The lieutenant quickly informed the officers aboard the other boats of the prize, which had been taken by those aboard of her, and the news redoubled their noisy welcome. The tell-tale number on the side of the conning tower, U-96, was sufficient to inform the crews of the passing vessels that another of the dreaded boats was out of action.
Once within the lane, as the path between the two lines of buoyed nets is called, they turned and steamed north. Vessels were passing and repassing; transport and hospital ships; immense freight carriers, and saucy little tugs drawing barge-like flat-boats; innumerable fast launches and large war vessels, going to and fro between the shores of England and France.
Within a half-hour they again approached the place where l'Orient was watching the struggles of the entangled submarine. The boys thought of the trying hours when they, too, were thus imperilled, and could hardly refrain from shuddering at the thought of the human beings in the narrow prison house below the waves.
Evidently, something exciting was taking place, for the cruiser was constantly manoeuvering, and the men at the howitzers were keenly alive. Occasionally, there would be a lull in the movement of the buoys and it was during those moments that the most intense activity was shown on board the guarding vessel.
"I don't understand how it is that the submarine can get fastened to the nets," said Ralph to the captain, as they leaned over the rail of their vessel.
"The meshes of the nets are very large,—that is, of sufficient diameters to permit the ends of the submarines to pass into them," replied the captain.
"But, if that is the case why cannot the submarines back out in the same way that they went in?"
"They can, if the mesh is too small to take more than the bow of the vessel; but, in the event the mesh is large enough to permit the bow to enter, and the net once gets behind the fins of the submarine, that is the end of them, for the vessel cannot, in that case, free itself," responded the captain.
"How was it in our case?" asked Ralph. "Do you think the fins of our ship got caught?"
"I did not explain it to you at the time, as I did not wish to alarm you; but this vessel had one of its fins through the net. Evidently we struck the nets at an angle, and the tide helped us in keeping the hull against the net at the proper angle. The lieutenant knew this, for he adopted the only method known to free the ship under those circumstances," said the captain.
"So you think the lieutenant knew that only one fin had caught, and for that reason he tried to up-end the ship?" inquired Alfred.
"Yes; but not that alone. I observed one thing that you may have overlooked," remarked the Captain. "He was particular to store all the boxes which we helped to carry aft, on the starboard side."
"I noticed that," said Ralph hurriedly, "and that wasn't all. Every time a box was brought in he would ask: 'Heavy or light,' and I have many times wondered why he did so."
"I did notice one thing, though," said Alfred, "and that was, when the rear end of the submarine shot upward, and the boxes came tumbling down, that the hull seemed to roll around to the left."
"That was our salvation," replied the captain. "I then knew we had a chance."
CHAPTER XII
THE DEATH BLOW TO THE SUBMARINE
Let us try to get some idea of the situation. Ahead of the boat on which the boys were watching the scene, and probably not more than eight hundred feet distant, was l'Orient. Between them was the row of buoys, as far as the eye could see, stretching from the shore of England to the coast of France. To their right, and not two hundred feet distant was the saucy little chaser, which acted as their convoy.
At a point which might be termed midway between the three vessels thus described, were the two buoys, which moved with spasmodic jerks, due to the action of the imprisoned vessel below. As they looked along the bobbing buoys in either direction, small vessels were observed, patrolling to and fro, in the tiny mast, or lookout of each, being two or more men, with glasses, constantly scrutinizing the floats as the ships slowly moved past.