THE "VORWARTZ" IS SIGHTED.
"Then there is a great possibility of a scrap, sir?" asked Hythe, his
face flushing and his eyes glistening at the prospect.
"Undoubtedly von Harburg will do his best to annihilate the
'Aphrodite,'" replied Captain Restronguet. "Perhaps, after all, I ought
to have landed you. It is hardly fair to expose you to danger on my
account. But it is not too late. We can put you aboard one of those
fishing-luggers."
"I am not afraid, sir," exclaimed Hythe, rather indignantly, for the
suggestion was not one that he could bear without more than a formal
protest.
"I never for one moment had that idea," remarked Captain Restronguet.
"The point I raised is that it would hardly do for me to place you in a
dangerous situation while you are my guest on board. It is also unfair
to your employers--the Admiralty. Good, bad or indifferent though a
naval officer may be he has cost the country a large sum for his
professional education, and it seems inconsistent that you should be
given a chance of being knocked out in a petty feud."
"From what you have just told me the business is more than a private
feud," objected the sub. "In order to carry out my part and learn all I
can about the vessel it is only reasonable that I should see her under
every possible condition. Therein I am doing my duty to My Lords. If I
am to be killed in action, well, there's an end of it."
"A bit of a fatalist, eh?"
"In a limited sense. I believe in taking care of myself. For
instance----"
A telephone bell ringing loudly interrupted Hythe's remark. Captain
Restronguet took up the receiver and held it to his ear; then without
replying replaced the instrument.
"I thought we should not be mistaken," he announced. "The 'Vorwartz' is
bowling along in our direction. Our detectors make it appear that she's
less than ten miles off and running beneath the surface. There is no
time to be lost if we want to clear for action."
So saying Captain Restronguet hastened to the fore conning-tower.
Whether he meant to take the sub with him or otherwise Hythe did not
know; so pending directions he remained in the cabin.
Every officer and man of the "Aphrodite's" crew knew exactly what had to
be done. As if by magic the stanchions and rails were cleared away, the
"week's washing" bundled down the fore-hatch and placed in a compartment
artificially heated. In two minutes the Upper Platform was deserted,
and the water-tight hatches placed in position and properly secured.
One touch of an electric push and all the circular scuttles in the
vessel's side were simultaneously closed and covered with metal plates.
A bell tinkled in the after conning-tower, where Mr. Devoran was in
charge. It was the signal that all was in readiness for diving.
"How is she lying?" asked Captain Restronguet of his chief officer by
means of the telephone.
"Less than two miles due north, sir," replied Devoran, after giving a
hasty glance at the electric detector that by means of two indicators
automatically recorded the course of the "Vorwartz."
Captain Restronguet waited no longer. The time had arrived for the
"Aphrodite" to dive and intercept Karl von Harburg's submarine, and only
by the fact that the gentle rolling of the vessel had ceased did Hythe
realize that she no longer floated on the surface.
Left to himself the sub was beginning to get "jumpy." It was a feeling
akin to the sensation he experienced on the occasions when he saw the
submarine at Spithead and in Cawsand Bay--not fear but nervous
excitability. Had he been in the conning-tower he would no doubt have
been as cool as a cucumber, being able to see what the others were doing
and what was going on outside, as far as the limited range of vision
would permit. But to be cooped up in a cabin, utterly alone, and with
the possibility of the "Aphrodite" coming off second-best in the
encounter that was to ensue did not at all suit the young naval officer.
Suddenly he staggered and only saved himself by grasping a corner of the
table. The "Aphrodite," running at great speed, had ported her helm.
So sensitive was she to the action of the rudder that she turned round
almost on her heel, and the effect upon Hythe was similar to that of a
man standing in a railway carriage when the train takes a sharp curve.
The sub braced himself together. He realized that in his opinion he
ought to be taking part in the fun instead of remaining cooped up in a
cabin, incapable of raising a finger to save himself should anything
occur. He had no doubt as to the justifiability of his resolve; had
there been only a private feud between Captain Restronguet and Karl von
Harburg he would have hesitated, but the German had been guilty of
international outrages. He had actually committed damage to the
property of a foreign Government, and by so doing had very nearly
succeeded in drawing Great Britain into a dreadful war. On that account
Karl von Harburg was a pirate, a national enemy, and as such might be
captured or destroyed.
Having quickly made up his mind Hythe left the cabin and hurried along
the alley-way; but before he had traversed half its length a dull thud
seemed to strike the port side of the submarine. The "Aphrodite"
staggered under the blow and heeled over to starboard. For some moments
the vessel showed no signs of recovering, then slowly she righted and
swung over to port, ere she settled in her normal position.
At first Hythe thought the "Aphrodite" had been hulled in the for'ard
compartment. He expected to see the submarine settling by the bows, and
it was to his surprise and relief to find that such a catastrophe had
not occurred.
When he came to the after bulkhead watertight door he found it secured.
To attempt to open it would probably jeopardize the safety of the
vessel, and Hythe was too good a sailor to tamper with the securing
bars.
"Might have known that," he growled. "Now, what's to be done."
Another thud, this time to starboard, made the "Aphrodite" tremble
again, but there was no disconcerting heel following the shock. Hythe
had no doubt about it; the concussions were caused by explosions, either
of torpedoes or floating mines, outside the vessel.
"I wonder how many of these she'll stand?" he muttered, clambering up
three or four rungs of a ladder and trying a manhole above his head.
"Well, here goes. I'll try this hatchway. The cover isn't locked."
Back slid the metal slab, and the sub saw that he had opened a means of
communication with the after conning-tower. The place was in
semi-darkness, only the subdued light from the pale green water
filtering in through the observation scuttles. As the electric-light
from the alley-way flashed upwards one of the occupants of the
conning-tower glanced down and gave an exclamation of annoyance,
adding:--
"Hurry up and cover that hatchway. How can you expect me to see ahead
with that glare under my eyes?"
"Sorry, Devoran," replied the sub, hastily skipping up the remaining
portion of the ladder and replacing the cover.
"Oh, it's you, is it?" said the chief officer. "Sorry, I thought it was
Polglaze. Can't talk now. Stand here, if you will."
Devoran indicated a place on his left, so that Hythe could see out of
the for'ard and port scuttles. It was some time before his eyes grew
accustomed to the half-light; then by degrees he saw that the
"Aphrodite" was tearing through the water at a great speed. A hundred
feet in front of him he could discern the fore-conning-tower, and beyond
that nothing but water that faded into extensive gloom. No sign of the
"Vorwartz" was to be seen.
Hythe stood and waited. Without doubt the "Aphrodite" was in chase of
the rival submarine, so that the latter had attempted strong measures to
beat off her pursuer, but the absence of anything to be seen came
somewhat like a disappointment to the young naval officer.
Suddenly there was a wild disturbance in the water less than twenty
yards abeam. Again the sickening concussion even more noticeable within
the conning-tower than down below.
"Torpedo!" ejaculated Devoran. He had no time for further explanation,
and Hythe was at a loss to understand how the dangerous missile had
exploded without actually coming into contact with the metal plating of
the submarine.
"What's that, by smoke!" ejaculated the chief officer, as in place of
the almost inaudible purr of the motors came a most discordant clanging,
jawing, and groaning of machinery, while by observing the compass Hythe
saw that the "Aphrodite" was describing a wide circle to starboard.
"You've buckled one of your propeller shaftings," said the sub. "I've
had some before. I know what those noises mean."
"I hope not, by Jove!" replied Devoran, and almost at that moment the
telephone bell operator from the motor room rang. "You're right,"
continued the chief officer. "It is the propeller shaft; we're knocked
out for the time being."
Captain Restronguet remained in the fore conning-tower till the
indicator of the detector showed that the "Vorwartz" had put a safe
distance between her and her pursuer; then leaving the course in the
hands of a quartermaster, he gave orders for the "Aphrodite" to be
brought to the surface.
Hythe would have forborne to question the captain at such an anxious
time, but to the former's surprise Captain Restronguet hailed him quite
genially and in a manner that showed no trace of his annoyance at being
temporarily baffled.
"Well, Mr. Hythe, wherever have you been?" he asked. "I thought you
were following me when I left the cabin, and never missed you till ten
minutes ago. You see, I had to keep all my attention on what was going
on."
"You said nothing about my accompanying you, sir," replied the sub. "As
a matter of fact I took the liberty of going up into the after
conning-tower."
"That was better than remaining below," agreed Captain Restronguet.
"Only there was not so much to be seen. From the for'ard tower we
caught sight of the 'Vorwartz' on two occasions."
"I should have thought you had her in sight the whole time, sir,"
remarked Hythe. "Otherwise I cannot see how you kept in her track."
"By means of the detectors. I can fix the position of the 'Vorwartz' to
a nicety, and no doubt that scoundrel of a von Harburg can do the same,
thanks to my invention, of which he basely availed himself. I suppose
you know he let loose four torpedoes?"
"Yes; but it puzzled me to know why they exploded so far from the ship."
"The 'Aphrodite' can, when desired, be protected by a belt, as it were,
of electric fluid, so long as she remains under water. Any explosion
brought within that zone would be spontaneously ignited. It was a weak
current that knocked all the stuffing out of you, when you were nearly
run down at Spithead."
"Then, this submarine is practically invulnerable?"
"When submerged, yes. A mine or a torpedo cannot harm her, and at a
depth of fifty feet she is out of all danger of being run down. On the
surface she might, if perceived, be a target for a quick-firing gun, or
she might be cut in two by a large, swiftly-moving steamer. Von
Harburg, did he but know it, has a unique opportunity now our propeller
shafting is gone; he might wait till we rose to the surface and then ram
us."
"But why didn't you torpedo his 'Vorwartz'?" asked Hythe. "Your
torpedoes would easily overtake that vessel."
"It was in my power to do so," replied Captain Restronguet calmly. "But
I refuse to do so in the interests of humanity. It is part of my creed
that human life is sacred, and should not be sacrificed unless
absolutely necessary."
"But you vowed you would destroy the 'Vorwartz'?"
"Most certainly. What I wanted to do, and what I will, I hope,
eventually be able to do, is to play with that wretched counterfeit of
my submarine, and drive von Harburg into a state of panic. Then as soon
as I can pursue the 'Vorwartz' into comparatively shallow water I will
sink her--but if humanly possible, I will save her crew. Come on deck,
Mr. Hythe. You will then be able to see how we tackle repairs of this
description."
The sub followed his host on deck, where about half of the crew were
engaged in rigging up a pair of sheer-legs over the stern. At the same
time the water ballast was being ejected from the ballast tanks in the
sternmost section of the vessel, while the bow compartment tanks
correspondingly filled.
Lower and lower sank the for'ard portion of the "Aphrodite," while the
after end rose out of the water till the blades of the polished
propellers were exposed to view. From the head of the sheer-legs a
double block was fixed, the tackle being brought to bear upon the
damaged shafting.
"We're in luck, sir," shouted Kenwyn, who had lowered himself over the
stern. "The metal is not fractured; it's a length of tarred rope wound
round and round the boss of the propeller."
"Take axes and cut the rope through," ordered Captain Restronguet,
addressing Carclew and Gwennap. "We'll soon clear that."
Hythe was not so sanguine. He had known rope to baffle the efforts of
half a dozen men working for two hours in a similar case, for the strain
is so great that the entanglement is compressed into a solid mass almost
as hard as steel.
"Might I suggest a hack-saw?" he said. "That will do better, since there
is less danger of harming the metal than with an axe. If you have no
objection, sir, I will bear a hand."
"Certainly," replied Captain Restronguet.
Glad of an opportunity of doing something the sub borrowed a working
suit, and with a bowline under his arms was lowered over the stern,
where the two men were already astride the propeller brackets.
Hitherto the sea had been fairly calm, but with provoking suddenness the
wind piped up, and vicious little wavelets began to splash over the
energetic toilers. Desperately they hacked at the stubborn rope,
removing the coils piece-meal. Higher and higher rose the waves, till
the work became hazardous.
"Pass me that long marline-spike, Gwennap," exclaimed Hythe. The man
leant forward with the pointed piece of steel in his hand. As he did so
a sea swept over him; he dropped the marline-spike and grabbed
frantically at one blade of the propeller; missed it, and the next
instant was struggling in the sea.
[Illustration: "HE GRABBED FRANTICALLY AT ONE BLADE OF THE PROPELLER."]
One glance sufficed to show the sub that the unfortunate man could not
swim a stroke. However competent he was underneath the sea in his
diver's dress it was a certainty that he was absolutely helpless when it
came to keeping on the surface. He raised his hands above his head, and
in consequence sank. By the time he came to the surface again, the
submarine, now light and high in the water, had been blown ten yards
astern. The officers and men on deck were all equipped in heavy
working-suits and sea-boots, while the dinghy, the only above-water
life-saving appliance on board, was down below. There was not even a
rope handy that was long enough.
Captain Restronguet, Devoran, and several others were struggling to cast
off their cumbersome clothing and boots, but they were too late, for
Hythe, slipping out of the bowline, dived into the water. Although more
than fully clad, since he had donned overalls over his uniform, he
fortunately was not wearing sea boots.
Striking out vigorously he gained the spot where Gwennap had sunk just
as the man appeared for the second time. Bearing in mind the
instructions laid down in official directions for saving life Hythe used
a fair amount of precious breath in bawling in a loud voice that the
drowning man was safe. Gripping Gwennap by the collar he jerked him on
to his back, the man struggling furiously the while. Hythe, realizing
that once the frantic and powerful fellow gripped him, it would be "all
up," had his work cut out to avoid the man's arms. One glance showed
him that the "Aphrodite" was drifting fairly fast to leeward; his
assurance that the drowning man was safe seemed a hollow mockery.
"Don't struggle, you idiot!" spluttered Hythe, as the crest of a wave
broke over his head. "Don't you see you'll do for the pair of us?"
But Gwennap evidently did not see, for if anything he struggled the
more.
The sub came to the conclusion that the situation was a desperate one.
He was rapidly becoming weaker; his clothes, now thoroughly waterlogged,
seemed like leaden weights. He had lost all sense of direction; he knew
not where the "Aphrodite" lay. It seemed as if he were left with a
frantic, drowning man in the lone sea. But not for one moment did Hythe
intend to abandon the man he had so gallantly attempted to rescue. If
only he could prevail on Gwennap to keep fairly still a chance yet
remained; but the man showed no signs of ceasing to struggle.
"Let go!" shouted Hythe, as loudly as he could, as Gwennap's huge fist
seized him by the shoulder, followed by an iron grip on his coat-sleeve.
In his effort to shake himself clear the sub sank. As he did so
Gwennap's grip became a close embrace. Down, down, down; it seemed as
if Hythe had sunk a full twenty feet ere the downward motion ceased.
His lungs seemed ready to burst with the pressure. Even if he would he
could not now free himself from the relentless grasp.
Once more his head appeared above the surface. He drew in a deep,
reviving draught of air, even though it was salt-laden; then with a
sudden effort he wrenched his right arm clear, drew back his fist, and
planted a tremendous blow upon Gwennap's temple, and his struggles
ceasing he was now practically harmless.
"Pity I didn't think of that before," thought Hythe dimly. "I wonder if
I've killed him, but there was no other way."
"Cheer up, Hythe!" exclaimed a hearty voice that the sub recognized as
Devoran's. Turning his head the well-nigh exhausted rescuer saw close
to him the chief officer and O'Shaunessey, who, having divested
themselves of the greater portion of their clothing, had dived overboard
to aid their comrades.
"That's right, you hang on to me," continued Devoran, "O' Shaunessey
will look after that lubber. The captain will give him a dressing-down
when we get aboard again."
Hythe was too done up to inquire why Gwennap should be reprimanded. He
was only too glad to rest his hand upon Devoran's brawny shoulder.
"We'll be all right in a brace of shakes," said the chief officer
encouragingly. "The water's quite warm, and we are fresh enough. They
are turning the 'Aphrodite' and will bring her to windward of us."
Ten minutes later, the submarine, with her upper platform barely three
feet out of water, glided slowly up to the group of immersed men. Ropes
were thrown and caught by Devoran and O' Shaunessey, and by this means
Gwennap and Hythe were hauled on board. Captain Restronguet was waiting
to congratulate his guest upon his heroic action, but instead he sprang
forward and grasped Hythe by the arms, just in time to prevent the sub
from falling helplessly to the deck.