CHAPTER XXII
MORE MYSTERY
"What do you see now, Jimmie?" asked Ned anxiously, stepping to the footof the ladder.
"There's a small steamer coming up rapidly from the starboard side,"replied the lookout.
"Perhaps we'd better dive again," suggested Ned.
"Aw, go on!" protested Jimmie. "What's the use of diving every timeanything comes along? We're neutral!"
"We are, yes," agreed Ned, "but this 'U-13' name is not neutral, and ifthe steamer is an English vessel they'll probably not stop to askquestions."
"Why not swing a white light at 'em, then?"
"That's a good idea, too!" agreed Ned. "If they seem to be heading towardus, just get a white flag going."
"They are not showing any light at all," announced Jimmie. "They're justsneaking along like an express train."
"Let us know at once if anything happens," Ned responded, turning back tohis patient.
The boys had not long to wait.
Out of the gathering darkness Jimmie saw a burst of flame which lightedup a portion of the approaching steamer. A bright flash in a wave somedistance in advance of the "U-13" next attracted his attention. The sharproar of a cannon came to the ears of all.
"Are they shooting at us?" asked Ned, again approaching the ladder.
"Don't know!" Jimmie replied briefly. "I saw the flash and heard thenoise. There was a splash some distance ahead of us in the water. Maybethey can't aim straight."
Ned mounted the rungs of the ladder without further delay. He closed hiseyes as he did so, the better to accommodate his vision to the changefrom the light below to the darkness outside. In a moment he was peeringin the direction indicated by Jimmie.
"Can you make her out?"
"Yes," replied Ned. "I can just see a sort of thick place in thedarkness. My eyes will be all right soon."
"I don't believe they were shooting at us at all!" commented Jimmie,musingly. "They can't see us!"
As if to disprove this statement, another flash lighted up the forwardportion of the other vessel.
Ned grasped Jimmie's arm and pointed straight ahead.
Skipping from wave to wave, throwing up a fountain of spray from each,the shot from the steamer plowed its way across the path of the "U-13,"passing so close that the boys were struck by the flying drops of water.
"That means that we are to stop!" declared Ned. "Next time they'll shoot_at_ us!"
"And hit us, too!" excitedly put in the other.
Without waiting for orders from Ned, the lad leaned over the coaming ofthe little hatch.
"Shut her off, Jack!" he cried. "Back on your engines. That guy thinks weare Germans!"
Jack at once complied with the request, and soon the "U-13" was gentlyrolling in the trough of the sea.
Frank sprang from the wheel to the ladder, mounting to the deck just as abeam of flame from a powerful searchlight aboard the steamer swept the"U-13" from end to end.
In the glare of the light the three boys stood plainly visible. Theycould not, however, distinguish the details of the other vessel becauseof the flaming eye regarding them with unwinking stare.
For a few moments they stood close to each other, uncertain what to do.At length a voice hailed them.
"Submarine, ahoy! What vessel is that?"
"Shall I tell them our name?" asked Ned anxiously.
"No," urged Jimmie. "Don't say 'U-13'!"
"They've seen it on the side, anyhow!" scorned Frank.
"Don't let them think we're Germans. Don't you see they're English?"queried Jimmie.
"It doesn't signify they're English, even if they do speak the language,"returned Ned. "Can't you answer?"
"Ahoy, there!" came an impatient voice.
"Steamer, ahoy!" replied Ned. "We're a peaceful submarine manned byneutral noncombatants!"
"A likely yarn, indeed!" laughed the stranger. "Stand by to receive aboat. I shall send an officer aboard to investigate."
"All right, Captain," consented Ned. "Glad to meet you!"
Still standing under the unwinking eye of the searchlight, the littlegroup waited expectantly for the arrival of the boarding party.
A splash of oars preceded the boat which soon shot out of the darkness.
In another moment an officer in uniform had mounted the little deck.Wonderingly he glanced about the group, now augmented by the arrival ofJack and Harry.
"Where is your commander?" he inquired somewhat stiffly, addressing noone in particular.
Indicating Ned, the boys silently waited.
"Are you in charge of this vessel?" asked the officer, with just a traceof amusement.
"I am and I am not," replied Ned, with dignity.
"That's very enlightening, I'm sure," returned the other. "But time isshort, and I must see the person who is in charge, and that at once."
"The owner is lying in the cabin with a broken leg which he received aswe were escaping from a German submarine," explained Ned. "We boys aretrying to get to some port where we can secure the services of asurgeon."
"Oh," exclaimed the officer, "escaping from a German?"
"Yes, sir. They torpedoed another submarine that we were towing, and incasting off the towing line the gentleman below was caught in the line.His leg is badly broken."
"Who is this other person?"
"He gave us the name of Mackinder."
A frown settled over the face of their questioner. Stepping forward, withflashing eyes he addressed Ned in a low voice vibrant with emotion.
"Now, if you have all the lies out of your system," he gritted, "we'lllisten to the real story."
"That is the real story!" protested Ned. "Step below, if you don'tbelieve me, and you may see for yourself."
"We have already seen enough to discredit such a wild yarn as that!"declared the other. "Too many of our brave sailors have been killed andset adrift by the 'U-13.' Besides, the man you mention is certainly notin the cabin. I can swear to that. Now, will you tell me the truth?"
"I say, Mister," put in Jimmie, "suppose you go fifty-fifty with us. Whoare you, and what right have you to stop us?"
A short laugh was the man's only answer. He turned to hail the vesselfrom which he had just come.