CHAPTER XII
A NEW "U-13" APPEARS
Eagerly the lads gazed at the strange sights before them. On their rightrose several huge buildings; evidently workshops. On the left they couldsee a field devoted to the erection and testing of several giganticdirigibles. Everywhere they saw bustling activity on the part of thenumerous workmen. Sentries paced about with arms in readiness.
"That fleet of submarines looks to me as if Germany were preparing todestroy every ship in the world!" stated Jack presently, as the destroyeron which they stood passed the undersea craft.
"The workmen seem to be fitting out some of the divers, too!" venturedJimmie. "See them carrying packages aboard that outside one!"
"Maybe the grocer is coming to deliver the goods in the rear!" laughedNed. "Those packages look like groceries in disguise!"
"I'll bet Mackinder would like to see those submarines!" Harry said."He'd give his eyes almost for one good long look at them!"
"Mackinder won't see enough to carry any news back home from this place!"declared Frank. "Didn't you see the officer take him below?"
"Yes, I did! I also saw the black look he gave us as he was being takenaway from this deck house. He likes us a lot--nit!"
"I believe the commander of this craft is favorably disposed toward us,"put in Ned. "He probably realizes that we want to be neutral and that ourpresence in this neighborhood is due to our misfortune and not to ourfault. I do wish, though," the lad added, "that we could leave!"
"How much would you give to get away?" questioned Jimmie.
"I'd give a good deal!" replied Ned. "I don't like the idea of remainingon this island a prisoner for any length of time!"
"Well, if you'll make it worth while," Jimmie offered, "I'll take youalong as a passenger. You must behave, though!"
"Ah!" smiled Ned, thinking Jimmie was indulging in another of his jokes."May I ask when your ship leaves?"
"I'm thinking of leaving about midnight or a little after," statedJimmie, gravely. "It will depend somewhat on the wind and weather. If itcomes on to blow and the sea is rough I believe we'll get out on time.However, if this breeze should die away, we may not go!"
"You're rather reversing the order of things," commented Ned. "Mostcaptains want clear weather and smooth seas for their departure!"
"Well, if it remains stormy, as it has every prospect of doing and youwant a swift ride, you just keep watch of your uncle!"
"Thanks!" laughed Ned. "You may surely count on me!"
"May we go along, too, Jimmie?" asked Harry.
"Sure, you may all go!" answered the lad. "But I warn you right now," headded, "that you'll have to work your passage!"
"That suits me!" returned Harry, greatly amused at carrying on what heconsidered as a pleasant joke to while away the time.
But to Jimmie, at least, the matter was not by any means to be regardedas anything but a serious proposition. The lad had quickly formulated aplan of escape. The very daring of his intended action was its bestguarantee of success. Failure meant disaster, but Jimmie was prepared torisk all in the attempt.
For a time the lad said no more. His tightly shut jaws showed thedetermination that possessed him. The others became absorbed in observingand discussing the monster Zeppelin dirigibles, hence they said nothingmore upon the subject. There was much to attract their attention.
Directly they were summoned before the commander. As they entered thecabin the Sturmvogel drew up alongside a dock.
"Young men," the officer began as the lads entered the cabin, "I regretkeenly the circumstances that seem to make it necessary for us to detainyou. I understand how anxious you must be to reach your homes, but it isnot possible to permit you to depart at this time. You will be givenevery consideration during your stay at this place."
"Can't we go with you when you leave here?" asked Frank.
"No, that is impossible!" the other replied, shaking his head.
"Then maybe some other vessel will call and we can get passage on it? Weare not particular about the class of accommodations!"
"You forget that for some distance in every direction the sea is mined.No vessels approach this island unless they know the channels."
"Then I guess we'll have to be contented," sighed the lad.
"Is Mackinder going to remain here also?" questioned Ned.
"I am very sure of it!" smiled the commander. "I believe that severalmembers of the guard are quite prepared to insist upon his staying hereuntil the knowledge he now possesses would be of no use to his owncountry. Yes," he added, "Mackinder will remain!"
"I hope matters will be arranged so that we shall soon be able to leavefor home," stated Ned. "We are not anxious to leave good company, but wewould like to get away from the scene of so much trouble. We want toremain strictly neutral, and think the best place for that is at home!"
"I haven't a doubt of your neutrality!" declared the officer heartily."You may be assured that I shall do everything to help you. I believe Ican arrange so that certain privileges will be granted. It will not benecessary, I am sure, to confine you to one of the buildings."
"Thank you!" replied Ned, gratefully. "You are most kind."
"And now, if you please, we will go ashore to meet the officer in chargeof this place," stated the other. "You will like him, I'm sure."
Congratulating themselves on the kindness shown in their behalf the boysprepared to leave the Sturmvogel. They collected the kits of the four whohad left Amsterdam on the Lena Knobloch. As they gained the dock theyfound the small boat in which they had left the schooner. It wasevidently being preserved as evidence of the circumstance of the rescue.
Already the work of provisioning and fitting the vessel was in progress.The wireless had been busily used during the last few hours of theirvoyage to the end that just the supplies needed were waiting at thewharf. A huge coal barge fitted with a "whirlie" had drawn up alongside.Great buckets of coal were pouring into the bunkers, while porterscarried all sorts of stores and supplies aboard. Cases of ammunition werebeing hoisted aboard and stowed in their proper compartments.
Stepping along the dock, dodging wagons loaded with fresh provisions andstores, the boys kept pace with their friend, the commander.
Presently they reached one of the buildings given over to the use ofoffices. Here they were admitted into a room, where they found theofficer in command of the island.
A short conversation in German served to inform this gentleman of thesituation so far as the commander of the destroyer could report. At theend of the recital the boys were addressed by the one they had beenbrought to visit, who had been introduced as General Gruenwold.
"I understand that you young gentlemen lost an airship when the schoonersank?" he inquired of Ned, motioning the boys to chairs.
"Yes, sir!" replied Ned. "It was, of course, a complete loss."
"Then you understand machinery pretty well?"
"We have always thought so," was the modest reply.
"And electricity?"
"Yes, sir. We understand wireless, also."
"Then I am fortunate. Perhaps you would consent to assist us in somedifficult technical tasks we have on hand."
"We shall be glad to do what we may to reimburse you for our keep if youwill be good enough to assist us to return to the United States!"
"Let us discuss that at another time, if you please," replied Gruenwold."Just now we are short of practical electricians. If you will offer yourservices in that direction we shall be very grateful. You may be surethat we shall not be forgetful when it is possible to reciprocate."
"Thank you," replied Ned in acknowledgment of the indirect promise. "Now,if you will show us what you want done we shall be most happy to proceed.I believe we have nothing else to do."
"Here are some plans," stated the other, opening a cabinet at one side ofthe room. "In these compartments are plans of certain vessels. You willobserve on these sheets marked 'elek.' complete diagrams of the plan ofwiring. Take this one, for insta
nce. Do you think you could understandwhat is meant by these tracings?"
Ned studied the diagram for a few moments. The other boys leaned over hisshoulder. Presently, after conferring with his friends, the lad announcedthat he understood the drawings perfectly, even though he was unable toread the explanations which were in the German language.
A smile lighted the face of Gruenwold as this statement was made.Evidently the need for completing the work was urgent.
"In that case, we will ask you to accompany this orderly on board thevessel and proceed with the work. I will write an order directing theones in charge of the vessel to admit you and render such aid as may benecessary. Later I will send a man who can speak English."
While the general was writing the necessary order to the ones in chargeof the vessel to which he had referred the boys were busy communicatingwith each other by means of the mute language, in which they were quiteadept. By supreme efforts they were able to suppress the excitement underwhich they were laboring.
"What a piece of luck!" rapidly signalled Jimmie to Ned.
"Keep cool!" cautioned Ned in reply. "Don't give it away!"
"Insist that we stay together on the job," returned Jimmie.
"You may be sure I shall do that!" came the answer instantly.
"I hope the storm increases!" was Jack's contribution.
"Now, gentlemen," announced the general, "if you are ready to proceed youmay accompany this man. He will direct you to the work."
Ned bowed in acknowledgment and the party turned to accompany theorderly, who appeared in answer to the summons of his superior.
They were led away from the dock at which the Sturmvogel lay. In a shorttime they had traversed a goodly distance toward the mouth of the harbor.Their destination proved to be the building adjacent to the group ofsubmarine vessels. By inquiries both direct and indirect Ned and hiscompanions decided that the orderly was unable to comprehend English, butfor the sake of absolute safety they continued to use the sign languagelargely in their conversation as they proceeded.
In a short time they had been admitted to the outermost craft, which laymoored to its fellows. Communication had been established between thevessels by means of a row of planks laid from deck to deck.
Once inside the submarine the boys made a hurried yet thoroughexamination of every part, taking a complete inventory of the exact stateof affairs. Frank and Jimmie managed to overhaul the stores. Harry andJack looked over the mechanical equipment. Ned, with the plans in hishands, went carefully over every detail of the electric system.
"I say, fellows," announced Ned at length, as all the lads met beneaththe hatch, "this wagon is nearly complete. It looks a lot like the'U-13'!"
"That's what it does!" agreed Jimmie. "What more is needed?"
"A few pieces of wire and about an hour's work for me."
"Frank and I have found enough food to last a couple of months if we cancount hardtack, sausage, and the supply of canned goods."
"Jack and I," announced Harry, "have found the engines and pumpsapparently ready for duty in a moment. My idea is that they are trying toget this vessel ready for a cruise at the first possible moment."
"It looks as if they are expecting a crew from some place and want theboat ready for duty as soon as the crew arrives!" stated Ned.
Further conversation was cut short by the arrival of the orderly.
"Essen?" he inquired, pointing at his mouth and rubbing his belt.
"Don't say it twice!" cried Jimmie. "We heard you the first time!"
The boys prepared to follow the orderly, who evidently intended to escortthem to the mess hall, where they would secure dinner.
As they turned toward the iron ladder leading to the hatch Jimmie, whohad followed close upon the orderly's heels, cried out:
"Hello, Mackinder, where you from?"