G. Harvey Ralphson

“ But a tiny speck of deck house was visible. The stacks were low. Great billows of black smoke vomited forth from the short funnels came drifting down the wind.
In a short time the vessel approached near enough so that the boys could distinguish a small gun mounted at the bow.
“I know what that ship is!” announced Jimmie, directly. “That’s what they call a torpedo boat destroyer or despatch boat!”
“I believe you’re right, Jimmie,” decided Ned. “They certainly have got the speed!” he added admiringly as the craft approached.
“Get ready to hail ’em!” cried Frank. “Get out a flag!” ”

“ In the cabin a lamp swung wildly from a beam overhead, throwing weird, dancing [75] shadows on the bulkheads. Here the noises of the wind were hushed. Only a moaning from the taut rigging reached the ears of the four lads. But the cabin was full of eerie sounds of creaking timbers and straining planks. For some time the boys lay on lockers listening to the confusion of noises. Presently they fell asleep.
They were wakened by the sound of tramping feet on deck, and knew that some maneuver was about to be executed. ”

“ One look over the rail showed that the swimmer was losing control of his muscles. Both hands went up into the air only to disappear beneath the crest of an oncoming wave. The boy stayed under.
“Stand by to get me, boys!” shouted Jimmie.
A splash told that he had gone overboard. His companions crowded eagerly to the rail, watching for his reappearance. In a moment they were relieved to see his red head come up close to the spot where the other had sunk. Emptying his lungs of the pent up air with a loud “Whoosh!” the boy instantly refilled them to plunge again under water. ”

“ As if in answer to his query, the voice of Mackinder reached the ears of the lads.
“Bring an axe!” he shouted. “I’m fast in the bight!”
Wrenching an axe from its pocket on the bulkhead, Ned sprang up the ladder at his best speed. On deck he found Mackinder [237] caught in a bight of the hawser by which the other vessel had been towed. His leg was jammed against the fairleader. Only one glance was required to show the boy that serious injury had been done.
Without waiting for words, the lad stepped to the side of the fallen man. Swinging his axe quickly, he struck at the taut bond of hemp. ”

“ Stand off or we’ll run you down!”
“We want those passengers of yours!” was the reply.
“All right, come on and get ’em!” yelled the mate above the noise of singing wind in the rigging. “We can’t stop now!”
“If you don’t heave to I’ll fire!” was the answer.
“Good night!” cried Jimmie from a position near the lee rail, where he could look out beneath the main boom. “That’s Mackinder!”
A revolver shot sounded amidst the tumult of rushing waters and singing rigging. The echo was quickly bitten off by the rising wind. The shot sounded dully above the humming and roaring. ”

“ Urged by the vociferous driving of the mate men were already hauling on the halyards of the mainsail. With the added press of sail the Lena Knobloch heeled over until her lee rail was nearly awash.
A strong wind was coming out of the northwest, favoring the maneuver of von Kluck, but kicking up considerable commotion on the harbor. Waves were running so high as to make navigation of small craft exceedingly difficult if not dangerous.
Carrying full staysail, jib, foresail and mainsail the schooner plunged into the waves, sending cascades of water over her forecastle with every leap. ”

“ I don’t want any more Boy Scouts mixed up in this! It isn’t fair!”
“Just the same, he’s there!” laughed Harry.
“Well, then,” stated Jimmie, with a sigh of resignation, “we are in for another siege of it. I never knew it to fail! Just as quickly as we get going somewhere and a Boy Scout shows up there’s trouble ahead and lots of it! Why can’t they stay home?”
“Now, Jimmie,” cautioned Ned, “you know we’ve never in all our adventures found a Boy Scout that really brought us ill luck. ”

“ It seemed to the lads that the vessel was being torn asunder by every billow.
“I wonder what weather the old ‘U-13’ is making of it about now?” said Frank, as the boys grouped themselves about the little table.
“She’s in smoother water than this, I’ll venture to say,” put in Jimmie, clutching the edge of the table in an effort to support himself.
“If they are not in better water than this,” remarked Harry, “they’re getting shaken up some! I’d like to be under water right now!”
“Why, Harry,” spoke up Ned, “you shouldn’t say that!”
“I mean in a tight little submarine!” explained Harry. ”

“ Ned fumbled a moment at the fastening. Presently he found the catch sliding the sash back in its channel. An exclamation escaped him as he did so. The face of the visitor was none other than that of their missing acquaintance, Mackinder. Ned was astounded.
“Thought you were dead!” he cried in amazement.
“Hush!” cautioned the other. “Not so loud. Now, if you lads want to get out of here this is your time. Everybody’s busy or asleep!”
“How do you know we want to get out of here?” demanded Jimmie in a low tone as he approached the opening. ”

“ Then we could steer a course with intelligence.”
“Aw, what do we need of a chart?” scorned Jimmie. “We know that England lies to the southwest of us. It’s big enough so we can’t miss it. If we blunder into the coast we can just cruise along a ways until we come to some place or other and then head in.”
“That’s a good idea, too,” agreed Frank. “When we get to a port we can turn the submarine over to the English authorities as a prize of war. They’ll probably be glad enough to get the machine.” ”

“ At length, out of breath and exhausted, Ned sank back upon a locker. He looked at his companions with a curious expression.
“What’s the matter, Ned?” inquired Jack anxiously. “Are you ill?”
“I feel badly, boys,” replied Ned. “Unless we can devise some means to free that [202] line from the shaft, we are in a pretty tight fix!”
“How near the surface can you bring the boat, Harry?” asked Frank.
“The gauges show that we’re about two and a half fathoms down at present,” replied Harry. “I have pumped a lot more water out than would ordinarily be required to bring us to the surface.” ”

“ In common with others, we have been on the sharp lookout for a submarine named ‘U-13,’ which has been doing considerable damage to our shipping. We capture it without difficulty, to find it manned by Boy Scouts instead of Germans, as we had expected. Can you explain that?”
“Yes!” laughed Ned. “That is easy. The boat you have captured is owned by a private individual named Mackinder, who has been amusing himself in a perfectly innocent pastime. He, like ourselves, is neutral, but unfortunately has gotten into rather compromising situations.” ”

“ Surrendering the wheel to Frank, and with Jack at the engines, Jimmie insisted upon mounting to the deck again to look about them.
Cool and sweet the air gushed down the little open hatchway upon the injured man. Under its influence and aided by the ministrations of Ned, the proprietor of the third “U-13” rapidly gained control of himself.
“Head west southwest,” he instructed Ned. “We’ll be mighty apt to find the mouth of the Thames on that course. There are many places I’d rather go, but you are right—we must have a surgeon!” ”

“ After supper we’ll manage to slip back to the submarine, paint ‘U-13’ on the side, every man to his post, let go lines easy and skedaddle for the open sea.”
“It sounds easy enough,” assented Harry.
“Yes, unless you happen to get caught!” agreed Ned.
“What is there to catch us?” asked Jimmie, bristling at this hint of opposition. “The guards are all wise to the fact that the channel is mined. They will be sleepy and lazy. They know that the torpedoes are not aboard yet and believe it impossible for the submarine to leave without a crew. ”

“ I wanted the package badly. I thought he would assist me.”
“That wasn’t a very nice way to go about it,” declared Jimmie with emphasis. “After searching our baggage twice, and after we had told you how the package was in our kits without our knowledge, also that it had been stolen away from our possession, why didn’t you believe us?”
“There is an old saying that all is fair in love and war!” replied Mackinder. “You know that my country and Germany are at war. As an officer in the British army, it is my duty to do everything possible to assist my country. ”

“ With a jerk that nearly threw the boys off their feet, the “U-13” came to a rest. The gauges still showed the same depth as before.
Ned’s face turned ashen as he sank upon a locker. The others gathered around him, expressing sympathy. The boy was clearly distressed.
“Never mind, Ned!” spoke up Frank. “We’re coming out all right! The only trouble is that we haven’t tried the right thing yet!”
“But I can’t seem to think of a thing to do in this case,” protested the other. “I’m all out of ideas! I’m sorry that we tried to follow that other submarine. I wish we had taken Jimmie’s advice!” ”

“ A NEW “U-13” APPEARS
Eagerly the lads gazed at the strange sights before them. On their right rose several huge buildings; evidently workshops. On the left they could see a field devoted to the erection and testing of several gigantic dirigibles. Everywhere they saw bustling activity on the part of the numerous workmen. Sentries paced about with arms in readiness.
“That fleet of submarines looks to me as if Germany were preparing to destroy every ship in the world!” stated Jack presently, as the destroyer on which they stood passed the undersea craft. ”

“ Whoever heard of a man walking about at the bottom of the ocean?”
“Where did he come from, Jack?” asked Ned.
“I saw that figure come out of the companionway,” stated Jack. “I thought I was mistaken at first, because of the dim light. I looked again as you boys were talking. Then I saw that it was the figure of a man, apparently. He seems to be carrying something in his arms!”
“There he goes over the side of the vessel!” whispered Harry in an awestruck voice. “What sort of deal is this, anyway?”
“Did you notice the knapsack thing he was wearing on his back?” asked Frank. ”

“ Curiously the others crowded about the object glass of the periscope. Each declared in turn that they recognized Mackinder.
“Now, I wonder what he’s doing aboard that vessel!” mused Jack.
“Quite likely this ship met the fishing boat and took him off so as to save the other the trouble of going clear back to England!”
“No doubt that’s it,” agreed Jack. “But look!” he continued, “he’s discovered us! See him pointing toward us!”
“Better get ready to dive, then,” cautioned Harry. “If he’s able, he’ll get them to shoot at us. If they hit the ‘U-13’ it’ll be a long way to Tipperary for us! ”

“ Scarcely had the schooner won clear of the jagged ledges when the full force of the tumbling waves was felt. It seemed to the boys that the stern of the little vessel was hurled to an unbelievable height only to drop so far they feared nothing could save them.
But Captain von Kluck and his mate were expert navigators. They had sailed the ocean since large enough to handle a line. They [97] knew the Lena Knobloch’s ability to withstand the buffeting of the elements. ”

“ I’m sure I heard it fall, but I can’t say whether Mackinder got it or not!”
“Mackinder?” questioned Ned. “How do you know it was he?”
“Because as he was tying my hands together I had a chance to feel of the back of his right hand. I could feel the scar as plainly as could be. It was the same scar I saw before he started to run and the same scar I saw when the ‘U-13’ package was pinched!”
“I’d like to take a poke at him just for luck!” declared Jack.
“I don’t know about that,” stated Jimmie. “I can’t help but admire a fellow as capable as he is. ”

“ As Jimmie [205] stepped forward to enter the torpedo tube, Harry held up a warning hand. He turned an anxious face to his friends.
“There’s something outside here!” he announced in an anxious tone. “I saw it once, but didn’t get a clear view!”
“What did it look like?” asked Jimmie. “Is it alive?”
“I’m not sure, but I think it’s another submarine!”
“Probably the real ‘U-13’ come up to look us over. Never mind those fellows. I’m going ahead and cut this wagon loose!”
“Wait a minute!” cried Ned. “I see the craft over here to starboard. It’s a peculiar vessel, too! I think I see a man!” ”

“ THE MAN WITH THE SCAR
“What package is it you want?” inquired Ned in amazement as he saw that Mackinder evidently intended to enforce his demand at all costs.
“I shall countenance no delay!” spoke the man sharply. “You may step to your luggage there and produce that package instantly. If you refuse I shall summon assistance and will be taken forcibly.”
“You have the wrong pig by the ear this time, partner!” put in Jimmie. “Just put up your little cannon. It won’t do you any good here.”
“Enough!” snapped Mackinder. “You will gain nothing by attempting such methods. ”

“ Soon Jimmie hissed a warning. He reached out a hand to turn the switch controlling the lights. The boat lay in utter darkness.
A figure stepped out of the Wanderer’s companionway.
[190]
It appeared to be that of a person of medium build. The boys could now see that it was clothed in what seemed to be a diver’s suit. The helmet, however, was not connected to any air pipe. Neither was there a line leading upward to indicate the presence of assistance. A hump on the shoulders, giving the impression of a knapsack, afforded much wonderment and increased the mysterious look of the newcomer. ”

“ Presently, just as Jack declared he could see a blue smudge in the distance, indicating the presence of land, the lads were joined by Mackinder. He glanced at the group without speaking.
Speedily the vessel approached the object that had been sighted.
An officer drew near. He conducted Mackinder toward the stern.
As the craft slowed slightly to enter a harbor Jimmie grasped Ned’s arm. He pointed eagerly toward several large objects on land.
“There is a whole flock of Zeppelins,” he declared. “And as I live,” he continued, “I see a bunch of submarines at that dock over there!” ”

“ Shortly after finishing their lunch the boys again gained the deck, to find the mate actively driving the men in their various duties. The wind still came out of the northwest with a stinging snap. Ned declared that he could feel rain approaching.
“Feels to me more like snow!” stated Jimmie, sniffing to windward. “We’ll be getting outside the Friesian Islands soon and then we’ll find out what’s coming. We’re somewhat protected here.”
“How long will it be before we pass into the North Sea, Captain von Kluck?” asked Ned of the captain, who approached. ”

“ Upon von Kluck’s appearing at the companionway the crew immediately assumed an air of attention. Some were grouped about the capstan, where they were watching the sky and speculating on the character of the approaching storm. Others were occupied at various duties about the vessel. Every man seemed to stand in fear of the captain.
Bawling out a hoarse order, von Kluck at once assumed command of the deck. Lines were thrown down from the belaying pins. A group of men tailed onto the halyards, hoisting the foresail, staysail and jib. ”

“ They were livelier, with less depression.
Directly their attention was attracted to the porthole again by a tapping. The stranger was once more trying to convey some information by signs. He repeated the motions of a short time before.
“I got you!” cried Harry, holding up a hand as a sign of understanding. “He wants us to shut the valve off. Perhaps he’s given us all the nice fresh air that he feels it possible to spare!”
“Shut the valve, then,” directed Ned.
“What’s next?” spoke up Jimmie, listening to a slight hammering outside of the hull. “He’s disconnecting the pipe now!” ”

“ Bracing himself against a thwart amidships Jimmie waved the improvised distress signal. His efforts were not unavailing.
“They see you, Jimmie!” shouted Jack, presently. “There’s a man on the bridge looking at you with glasses. They’re shifting the helm!”
“I can see two or three men standing on the bridge!” announced Ned. “They are examining us pretty closely. Wonder who they are?”
The boys were not long left in doubt. Way was checked on the stranger. As the vessel drew close to the small boat a churning of foam at the stern told the lads that the engines were reversed in an effort to stop. ”

“ Mackinder here!” protested Harry.
“Your friend is right, Harry,” smiled Mackinder, thus appealed to. “Amsterdam is on the Zuider Zee. If we get a vessel at that place we will pass northward through that water, thence between some of the Friesian Islands into the North Sea. From that point it is but a short distance to my destination. Any port in England will be suitable for my purpose.”
“Nix on England for mine!” declared Jimmie. “I’m for the little old United States every time. We are neutral there without [28] having to think about it. I’m about done with war. I’ve seen enough!” ”