CHAPTER XVI.
OVER A VOLCANO.
If ever a man felt like kicking himself it was Arnold Hythe at thatmoment. He had missed his appointment; and in Captain Restronguet'seyes he would be regarded as a waster devoid of any sense of honour orgratitude.
"Have you seen anything of two divers?" he asked, addressing the crowdthat lingered about the landing; for, though the time fixed for hisdeparture had been kept a secret, a curious throng had loitered therenearly all day.
"Yes," shouted a dozen voices in chorus, and amid a babel ofvociferations the sub contrived to gain the information that they hadappeared quite half an hour ago, had waited ten minutes and haddisappeared.
"Are you quite sure they went before six?" asked Hythe.
"Perfectly sure, sir, it was exactly ten minutes to six when they wentdown," replied a sailor confidently.
Then the thought flashed across his mind, perhaps Captain Restronguethad purposely marooned him? An instant later he banished thesuggestion, yet why should Kenwyn and Gwennap have returned before theappointed time?
Hythe resolved to wait and see if anything fresh transpired. The crowdincreased, several naval officers and dockyard officials mingling in thethrong. Presently the Admiral came down and asked if he should orderanything to be done to attract the "Aphrodite's" attention.
"They may come back even yet, sir," replied the sub. "I'll wait alittle longer."
"If you hear nothing by seven you may as well have dinner at AdmiraltyHouse, Mr. Hythe," observed the Admiral.
Just at that moment two men in uniform arrived carrying Hythe's trunk.The thief had been caught and was under lock and key.
"That's something to be thankful for," soliloquized the sub. "To loseone's belongings and one's ship at one time is a bit too thick."
A sudden shout of exclamations from the crowd caused him to turn andlook towards the slide of the Mole. Like a huge porpoise the twinconning-towers and flat deck of the "Aphrodite" appeared upon thesurface, the water pouring in cascades from her smooth substance. Aseasily as a ship's pinnace she ran alongside the steps, her after-hatchwas thrown open and Captain Restronguet appeared.
"Come on, Mr. Hythe!" he exclaimed.
The sub waited for no second bidding. With a bound he gained the UpperPlatform, and turned and saluted the astonished Admiral. Having seenhis belongings passed on board he followed his host below.
Fifty seconds later the dense crowd of spectators were gazing dumfoundedat the unbroken wavelets. For the first time had human eyes, other thanthose of her crew, seen the redoubtable "Aphrodite" at close quartersabove the surface of her natural element.
* * * * *
"Yes, I was certainly surprised when Kenwyn returned with the news thatyou were not at the rendezvous, Mr. Hythe," said Captain Restronguet."Then the thought suddenly struck me."
"What thought, sir?"
"Might I ask what time you went by?"
"The local time; my watch had stopped. By Jove! I see what happened.Gib. time is 21 minutes 28 seconds slower than Greenwich."
"Just so. I guessed the mistake arose that way; so, as a considerableamount of precious time would be wasted in sending Kenwyn and Gwennapashore again, I took the unusual course of bringing the 'Aphrodite'right alongside the New Mole. It will give the Scorpions something totalk about."
"And the naval authorities as well, sir. The Admiral was there."
"Now we are off as hard as we can pelt for the Eastern Mediterranean. Imean to keep at good depth till clear of the patrols of the Straits. The'Vorwartz' is reported in the Black Sea, so I suppose the Russians willget excited. Anyway, I hope to be able to arrive in the AEgean Sea andintercept Herr Karl von Harburg as he returns through the Dardanelles."
Night had fallen ere the "Aphrodite" rounded Europa Point, and with thefavouring east-going current was well beyond the cruising ground of theBritish submarines.
Two days later she was between Cape Bon on the Tunisian shore and thewestern extremity of Sicily. Captain Restronguet had, in view of recentdevelopments, decided not to touch at Malta, but proceed as fast as hecould to Grecian waters, where he hoped to be able to replenish hisaccumulators and be in a state of readiness for his hated rival.
Hythe had retired to his bunk. He had had a heavy day in theconning-tower, where, in reply to his host's invitation, he had stood awatch in order to acquaint himself with the delicate organization ofelectrical mechanism that controlled the submarine.
The "Aphrodite" had been running on the surface during the day, but toobviate the risk of being struck by passing vessels she was submerged tonine fathoms at sunset.
Suddenly the sub found himself struggling on the steeply listing floorof his cabin. The place was in utter darkness. All around him wereweird noises caused by various articles breaking adrift, mingled withthe shouts of the alarmed crew, while from without came an awe-inspiringrumble.
Struggling to his feet the sub groped for the electric light switch.The current was off. More and more became the list till his feetslipped from under him, and he fell into the angle formed by the floorand the fore and aft bulkhead of the cabin. Above the noise he coulddistinguish the captain's voice shouting for the emergency ballast tanksto be emptied.
"Good heavens! She's been struck. We're done for this time," exclaimedHythe, with lively recollections of the ill-fated "La Flamme" fresh inhis memory. He gained his feet and made for the door, but ere he couldfling it open the "Aphrodite" spun round as if pivoted amidships. Fulllength went the sub once more, his hands grasping the knob of the door,which had come off in the strain. The racket of the shifting gear wasredoubled. Every moment Hythe expected the enormous pressure of water,since he was fully certain that the vessel was plunging downwards, wouldburst in the sides of the submarine.
Another nerve-racking twist and the "Aphrodite" began to dip her bowstill this time the sub found his sliding movement checked by the foreand aft bulkhead. Then, with a rattle and clank of her complicatedmachinery, the propellers began to race, while the vessel danced aboutlike a gigantic cork. Instead of plunging down the submarine had beenraised to the surface, and was being tossed about on the crests of anangry sea.
After considerable trouble Hythe succeeded in opening the door. Outsidein the alley-way all was in darkness. He groped his way towards thefore conning-tower, staggering against the metal wall with each abnormalheave of the vessel. Before he had traversed many feet he came intoviolent contact with a man whom he recognized by his voice as the chiefofficer.
"What's up, Devoran?" he asked.
"Heaven only knows, Mr. Hythe. Until we get the light switched on itwill be difficult to find out. One thing, we are afloat, and ridingeasily."
"Much too easily for my liking," remarked Hythe, although he feltconsiderably reassured that the "Aphrodite" had risen.
"Where are you going?" asked Devoran.
"To the for'ard conning-tower."
"No use," replied the chief officer laconically. "All principalwatertight doors are closed. Captain's for'ard. Best to go to the afterconning-tower if you want to see anything. I left Kenwyn there."
The sub made for the steel ladder communicating with Kenwyn's post, andas he did so he heard Devoran raise the flap of the hatchway to themotor-room and ask Carclew what in the name of Pontius Pilate'sgrandmother was the matter with the light?
"Plug fused, sir. I am replacing it," shouted Carclew.
"Then for goodness' sake hurry up!" replied the chief officer.
Hythe found Kenwyn staring out of the scuttle at nothing. It was sopitch dark that without the conning-tower everything seemed animpenetrable mass of darkness--sea and sky a chaos of invisibility. Allthe while the submarine was pitching and tossing like an empty barrel.
"That you, Mr. Hythe," exclaimed the second officer, unmistakably gladto have some one to speak to. "Isn't this a set-to? I don't know wha
tcan be happening."
Just then a brilliant flash of lightning played upon the turmoil ofbroken water without. In the pale-blue glare it seemed as if thesurface of the angry sea was one expanse of tall, steep waves--anexaggerated tidal race.
"Ah, that's better," ejaculated Hythe, as the hiss of incoming watercould be faintly distinguished above the hammering of the waves againstthe "Aphrodite's" sides and upon her deck. "We're diving once more."
At twelve fathoms the motion, though still erratic, became less marked,and the condition of things was vastly improved when the electric lightwas once more connected up.
Every available search-light was switched on, and as the powerful beamswere directed through the scuttles Hythe and Kenwyn gave a simultaneousexclamation of surprise. Eddying through the water as far as the raysof light could penetrate were columns of smoke mingled with bubbles fullof gaseous vapour. Now and again dark masses would shoot upwards withthe velocity of a meteor.
"A submarine eruption, by Jove!" declared Hythe. "We're over the mouthof a submerged crater. That accounts for the earthquake shocks in Maltaand elsewhere. Those black objects we see whizzing by must be lumps oflava."
Kenwyn placed his hand upon the side of the conning-tower. The metalfelt quite warm to his touch. The thermometer registered eighty-fivedegrees.
"We'll be boiled alive if this lasts," he exclaimed. "The sea must bequite hot. Ah! that's better," he added, as the propellers began torevolve. "We ought to get out of this natural saucepan as soon aspossible."
Just then Captain Restronguet's voice was heard at the telephoneinquiring if Mr. Hythe were in the conning-tower.
"He is, sir," replied Kenwyn.
"Ask him to step this way. The watertight doors are now open."
"Have you noticed the sudden rise of temperature, Mr. Hythe?" asked thecaptain when the sub reached the fore conning-tower. "You have? Ithought you would. We've had a most unusual experience; we have passedalmost over the mouth of a submarine volcano at the moment of aneruption. The 'Aphrodite' was almost drawn into the vortex caused bythe rush of water to fill the cavity formed by the expelled lava fromthe crater."
"I wonder if another island has been created, sir?"
"If there has been the 'Aphrodite' has narrowly escaped being left highand dry upon it, Mr. Hythe. It was in the last century that an islandsuddenly appeared almost in this latitude and longitude. The British, Ibelieve, claimed it and so did the Italians; but before the question ofownership was decided the island settled the matter by disappearing.If----"
"Look ahead, sir!" exclaimed the quartermaster in horrified tones.
The water was now slightly less smoke-laden, and the two for'ardsearch-lights made a tolerable clear path for nearly a hundred yardsahead. Into that double ray of light came the hull of a sinking vessel.It was sinking stern foremost with a slight list to starboard. Hytherecognized the type of craft, a Sicilian fishing-boat. Her mast hadsnapped off about three feet above the deck, while her lateen sail,extended by the upward tendency of the wooden yard was almost as rigidas a sheet of metal. Lashed to the tiller was the helmsman--adark-skinned, curly-haired Italian. The sub could even distinguish hisgold ear-rings. The poor fellow was still struggling desperately yetaimlessly, for he made no effort to cast off the rope that bound him tohis post of duty. His hands clutched wildly at the yielding water.Amidships were two other men, similarly secured, but they were evidentlyalready drowned since they were making no attempt to save themselves.
But for a brief instant did the distressing vision last, for with aquick movement the quartermaster placed the helm hard over, the"Aphrodite" swerved, and the parallel beams shone upon a waste ofunbroken water.
Captain Restronguet muttered something under his breath.
"Can nothing be done to save them?" asked Hythe.
The captain shook his head.
"Nothing," he replied deliberately. "Nothing. Had there been a ghost ofa chance we would have taken the risk."
For several moments the occupants of the conning-tower stood in silence,gazing fixedly at the chaos of water before their eyes. By this timethe "Aphrodite" had passed the influence of the eruption, for she nolonger rolled and plunged on her submarine course.
"The danger is now over, Mr. Hythe," said Captain Restronguet at length."Perhaps you would care to resume your bed? I am afraid that everythingis in a fearful mess 'tween decks, though."
"It is lucky for us it is no worse, sir. For the moment I----"
A dull thud upon the deck of the submarine caused the sub's remarks toremain incompleted. The shock literally caused the "Aphrodite" to reel.
"Bring her up, sir, bring her up!" exclaimed Devoran's voice at thetelephone. Captain Restronguet did not wait for an explanation.Ordering the quartermaster to trim the horizontal rudders he himselfpressed the lever controlling the emergency ballast tanks. Up rose thesubmarine, though not with her accustomed rapidity, and soon she waspounding sluggishly in the still agitated sea that swept her fore andaft and washed over on all sides.
"A craft of sorts has foundered right on top of us, sir," continued thechief officer. "There are men still alive in her--or, at least, I fancyso."
Captain Restronguet and Hythe waited to hear no more. Leaving theconning-tower in charge of the quartermaster they rushed off to whereDevoran was stationed. The fore-scuttle of the rearward conning-towerwas obstructed by the bulky quivering hull of a large fishing-vessel.She was lying on her port bilges, her keel being wedged in between thedeck and the base of the conning-tower, but so insecure was her balancethat every movement of the "Aphrodite" in the furious sea threatened toslide her once more into the depths.
"Are the men still there?" asked Captain Restronguet.
"They were, sir, when she settled on our deck."
The sound of the concussion had brought the rest of the crew aft, and ina crowd they stood at the foot of the steps leading to the tower. Thecaptain leant over the circular aperture and hailed them.
"Men," said he, "who will take the risk and venture outside?"
A dozen voices replied in the affirmative, even that of Gwennap, thenon-swimmer.
"You, Polglaze, and you, Lancarrow. A couple of life-lines there, andtwo men to tend them."
Quickly Polglaze and Lancarrow sprang up the ladder and entered theconning-tower.
"There's a boat or small craft lying across our deck," explained CaptainRestronguet. "I believe there are some of her crew still aboard. I wantyou to investigate, and should there be any men bring them back."
Deftly the two members of the "Aphrodite's" crew secured the life-linesround their waists. Devoran unlocked the lid of the aperture in theconning-tower. As the hatch opened a wave burst through, flooding thefloor to a depth of two inches--the height of the coaming round thetrap-door leading to the Number Two Platform. Before a second wave hadtime to add to the mischief already Polglaze and Lancarrow were battlingtheir way up the shelving, slippery sides of the stranded vessel. Togain her deck there were no other means, for her keel extended farbeyond the side of the submarine. Twice Lancarrow slipped, but aided byhis companion, who was already astride the fishing-boat's shatteredbulwarks he succeeded in scaling the wall of wood.
Just then a heavy sea came inboard. The wrecked craft rocked, seemed onthe point of lurching once more into the depths, when a correcting heelof the "Aphrodite" saved the situation and the lives of the two heroes.
Peering through the almost closed hatch Devoran and Hythe saw Polglazeslide down the boat's hull, grasping what looked like a bundle ofclothing in his arms.
"Keep a strain on the life-line," ordered the chief officer. "Smartlynow--haul away."
Another sea flooded the deck and swirled past the base of theconning-tower. The strain on Polglaze's life-line was enormous, butfortunately the rope was a sound one. As the smother of foam subsidedPolglaze's face appeared at the almost closed hatchway.
"Here you are, sir," he exclaimed breathlessly. Hythe and th
e firstofficer instantly opened the lid, and the bundle--the body of a boyabout ten years of age--was thrust into their arms. Ere another wavehurled itself upon the rescuer Polglaze was safe within theconning-tower.
And now Lancarrow's burly form appeared sitting astride thefishing-craft's bulwarks. He evidently had a weightier burden, for inspite of his efforts the powerful Cornishman could not at first raise itclear of the sides. Thrice he essayed the task and the third time wassuccessful. His burden was the _padrone_ or master of the wreckedcraft.
Just then a formidable sea, higher than the rest, came hissing andfoaming down upon the submarine. Lancarrow with his back turned to itwas unaware of the danger, but both Hythe and Devoran saw it and shouteda warning. Their voices were drowned in the howling and shrieking of thegale.
With a smother of hissing foam the wave burst. Lancarrow, stillgrasping his burden, was hurled from the bulwarks and thrown upon the"Aphrodite's" deck. The same wave sent the fishing-boat back into thedepths, thus depriving Lancarrow of the slight shelter hitherto affordedby the hull, and hurled him across the slippery deck. Fortunately he wasnot stunned by the impact and did not relinquish his hold of the man hehad rescued, while the life-line saved both from being washed overboard.
Realizing the danger Hythe fastened round his own waist the rope thatPolglaze had cast off, and bidding Kenwyn and Devoran to open the hatch,he dashed to the aid of the rescuer and rescued.
Another wave flung him back just as he was on the point of grippingLancarrow round the chest. The rush of water swept all three againstthe conning-tower. The slack of the life-lines were hauled in, and thereceding water left them close to the hatchway.
"I've got him," spluttered the sub, as he laid hold of the unconsciousItalian. "You look after yourself, Lancarrow."
With a heave Hythe lifted the _padrone_ within reach of those within theconning-tower, the Cornishman followed, and by a display of remarkableyet undignified agility the sub succeeded in gaining safety ere atremendous breaker hurled itself in vain against the massive metalplating.
The "Aphrodite" was quickly submerged to a depth of nine fathoms anddriven ahead at a modest seven knots, while steps were taken to restorethe rescued man and boy to life. It did not take long for the latter toopen his eyes, but in the case of the old man three hours of unremittingtoil failed to give any sign of success. More than once Hythe shook hishead doubtfully, but Captain Restronguet had no intention of admittingdefeat. As fast as one of the operators showed signs of fatigue anothertook his place in their efforts to restore the action of breathing.
After exactly three hours and ten minutes' steady work the old Italianshowed signs of respiration.
"We've managed it," exclaimed Kenwyn joyfully, in the tone of a man whohas fought a hard struggle and has won the victory.
"Avast there!" ordered the captain to Gwennap who was still pressing andrelaxing the pressure on the patient's body. "Watch him carefully."
But in less than a minute the natural breathing ceased, and the effortsto restore respiration had to be renewed. It was not until half an hourlater that the _padrone_ was able to be put to bed and allowed to sleep,Kenwyn and Hythe volunteering to stand by and keep a watch over thepatient.
It was now daylight. The fury of the waves had abated, and only a longsullen roll served as a reminder of the terrific agitation of the sea afew hours previously.
Captain Restronguet, therefore, decided to bring the "Aphrodite" to thesurface, so that the loss of time during the period when the submarinewas in the zone of the volcanic disturbance could be made good.
"The deck looks different to me, sir," remarked the quartermaster whenCaptain Restronguet entered the conning-tower. "I've noticed it eversince it grew light."
"How do you mean different?" asked the captain going towards one of thescuttles. A moment later he shouted to the chief officer.
"Hurry up and open the fore-hatch, Mr. Devoran, if you please. We're infor a run of bad luck, it seems."
Well might Captain Restronguet exclaim thus, for instead of theprotective garb of light absorbing metal the submarine from stem tostern and from the top of the conning-tower to the keel was as black asa lump of coal.