United States or Uruguay ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
The sea-valves had been opened only enough to let the water in slowly. Almost at the outset, however, the keel slanted downward, for most of the water was coming into the tanks the bow of the boat. "Help! Help, quick!" roared Benson at the top of his voice. The side ports were not open, but the manhole was, and the ventilators were in place.
Then the flimsy wooden props holding the bonnets of her sea-valves in place were to be kicked aside, the helm put hard to starboard, and the starboard bower anchor let go. This would steer the ship directly across the channel and check her headway.
She comprehended, also, that whoever had tied the boy in this fashion must have thrown the sea-valves partly open. That floor was fast becoming an unsteady platform. "You turn on the compressed air with a wrench, don't you?" she demanded, swiftly. "Yes," nodded the submarine boy. Then added, instantly: "But you're a woman. These risks are not for you. Rush up through the manhole and escape.
Depending wholly on the light of a dark lantern that lay on the floor of the shed, Owen, with two or three tools, was swiftly, wickedly tampering with one of the sea-valves belonging to one of the forward water compartments of the submarine. This valve, if leaking badly when the craft lay submerged, would let in enough water to cause the "Pollard" to lurch and then go, nose-first, to the bottom.
And now, he's locked up tight, thanks to you, an' the constables are chasin' me from cover to cover, lookin' for me everywhere. Howsomever, this settles the account!" Jack Benson's heart seemed to stop beating as he realized what the rage-crazed fellow was up to. Josh Owen deftly handled the mechanism that opened the sea-valves to let water into the diving tanks.
Then Hastings, shifting the wrench to another part of the compressed air apparatus, opened the sea-valves of the amidships water tanks to expel water. Briefly, now, they knew that the "Pollard" had risen. Also, she was resting on an even keel. Hal, bedewed with cold perspiration, darted up the stairs to the conning tower.
Now, the sea-valves of the forward diving tanks were opened. As the water rushed into them, changing the balance of the boat, the bow shot downward, making it difficult for all to keep their footing. It was as though they were sliding down an inclined plane. Another lurch, and down they shot under the water, where men's nerves may well be tried!
The gasoline motor had just been shut off, the submarine now running at less speed under power from the electric motor. Handling the controls in the conning tower, Mr. Farnum, not without a swift, shooting thrill of dread, opened the sea-valves to the water tanks. As the tanks filled the "Pollard" settled lower and lower in the water. They were beginning to go down.
"Henderson," called Captain Jack, "steer north by northeast, one point off north." "Aye, aye, sir," came from the seaman in the conning tower. "Hold fast! Make ready to dive!" called the young captain. Then, at the signal, Hal Hastings turned open the sea-valves into the diving tanks. Down shot the "Pollard," the young captain standing by the gauge to watch until they were fifty feet below.
The warning was needful. In the exhilaration of that plunge Farnum was in danger of forgetting. In a twinkling, now, however, he threw open the sea-valves of other tanks, amidships and aft, until the gauge showed that they were running on an even keel and forty feet below the surface. Their speed was now about five miles an hour, but could be increased.
Word Of The Day