X-9 that night. As the boys were just about to tumble into thei

hat few clothes he had removed, and dashed from the c

boys' presence, although they were rudely thrust a

at's up?"

ank, "unless they have s

us hope not,"

d been sighted in the distance, and Captain Von Cromp was preparing to attack the unsuspectin

foot of the periscope, where t

angry waves. The water lifted up the little vessel with t

d then passed in front of a single lantern. From out the engine room, already under water, aro

e of the submarine, standing high above the vessel, and covered with heavy canvass. The officer in

eding ahead. On both sides of the ship long waves formed, shimmering with light foam in

Cromp, with his experienced eye, tried in vain to penetrate through this wall of solid blackness. The wind kicked up the sea and the bridge was ent

at gray bulk, swinging high above the submarine

covered. A heavy boom rang out, bu

her and securely fastened. The periscope was fixed at its proper height. Then the entrance through the combined bridge and conning tower was hermetically sealed. A moment more and th

e interior of the boat was now lighted with two small electric bulbs. They made the darkness visible, but gave no light outside. Everywhere was th

carried around his wrist. Intently the men all watched the signboard on the wall in front of them. The storm without mad

ld go down with a last look at the world about him. Below, nothing could be seen, nothing cou

sailors and officers, was thinking along similar lin

air and discomfort. Following the gaze of the sailors, the lads turned t

enti

ch would release the first deadly projectile already in the tube. The

illness. Both realized the tragedy that was about to be enac

ors, but each, after a moment's reflection, realized the futility of

nly the first sign on the board disappeared. A moment later and a second command a

them in the face, in re

ir

nse and inaction any longer, leaped upon him. There was a short, metallic click, the noise of water rushi

ust in time to grapple with

s too quick for him, and his right fist went crashing into the German's fac

stance, they were soon overpowered by the numerical

sness of further struggling

, now approached and stood over them. Perceiving they were no lo

se and faced

I shall overlook your attack upon me. I would have done as you did. I could not stand by and see a German shi

ailors, others had pushed a second torpedo into the tube. And a sailor shou

three hundred, four hundred. Under the water no sound penetrated. W

the captain, officers and all, were almost thrown from their feet

ment and the regular purring of the engines was

n her way

tleship was at the