“We have submerged and placed ourselves on the bottom. We are in no
hurry. Why should we not for once give ourselves a little rest? Our
resting-place was rather deep, but therefore safer and calmer.
“This night on the bottom of the sea was truly a recreation for us all.
One could for once take a good wash and go to bed in peace, without
fearing to be frightened at the next moment with a ‘Hey-a’ in the
speaking-tube.
“But before resting we had a regular banquet. Both the phonographs were
playing and the glasses were raised, filled with French champagne.
“Our good Stücke, who was our steward, kitchen boy, and maid of all
work, at the same time served us in such a dignified manner as if he
were still a steward in the dining-room of the _Kronprinzessin Cecile_,
as if he had never been in French captivity for nearly a whole year, in
order to develop his ability in our company at the bottom of the sea.
“Again we come to the surface the next morning. The pump is working
with a hissing noise as we climb upward. On the twenty-meter depth the
boat loses its stability.
“First, we can see it on the manometer, then it is noticed on the depth
rudder, which becomes more difficult to handle. And as the boat at
times moves in unexpected jumps we realize there must be a considerable
sea above.