Luis Senarens

“ A glad, eager cry escaped Captain Uriah’s lips.
“That is grand!” he cried. “I had not dared to broach the matter to you. But I see that you are very kindly disposed to assist me. There is fortune enough there for many and all of us.”
Frank made a deprecatory gesture.
“I care not for the fortune,” he said; “but I am interested in your project and will gladly help you.”
“A thousand thanks!” cried Captain Uriah, wildly; “the problem is then all settled. With your submarine boat it will be easy enough to recover enough of the pearls to satisfy us. I shall never forget this favor, Mr. Reade.” ”

“ Frank touched the lever, and the boat instantly rose to the surface. As it came up into daylight every eye scanned the sea.
Everywhere was the unbroken expanse of rolling brine. Only one object was visible, and that was a white sail far distant on the horizon.
That it was the ship Southampton was probable.
“Shall we rejoin her?” asked Stanhope.
“I think not,” replied Frank. “Nothing will be gained. Let her go her way. We may work better alone.”
So this was the last seen of the English cutter. Her sails were soon invisible.
For some while the Dolphin traveled on the surface of the sea. ”

“ In the tank floated like a cork the beautiful triumph of a mighty inventive genius, the submarine boat.
It was truly a beautiful specimen of marine architecture, though totally unlike the general run of sea craft.
There were no sails or visible means of propulsion. No high decks or bulwarks, but a hull wonderful in its symmetry.
The Dolphin was built much upon the lines of the salt water bream, and was as buoyant and light as could be desired.
Stanhope stood upon the edge of the tank for some while regarding the new craft with interest and wonderment. ”

“ Words cannot describe the keen joy of Captain Uriah.
He danced and sang and screamed in his delight.
“By the horn spoon!” he cried, “my fondest dreams are realized! Pearls, pearls, beautiful pearls! Truly they are gorgeous beyond all description.”
Even the phlegmatic voyagers of the Dolphin, who had become hardened to the wonders of the sea, could not help but admire the display.
“Upon my word!” cried Stanhope, “I don’t mind possessing a few of those gems myself.”
The Dolphin was allowed to rest upon the bottom. Then Frank brought out some diving suits. ”

“ The Dolphin had a ram, and if the whale should come in contact with this it would be a serious affair for him.
And the sea monster seemed inclined to accept the challenge.
One moment it hung there in the current; then it lowered its head apparently, and made a convulsive movement with its mighty flukes.
“It is coming!” cried Stanhope, excitedly.
This was true enough.
Instinctively all braced for the shock which they knew must come.
Frank opened the lever wide. The Dolphin darted forward like lightning. ”

“ It looked like a small pontoon boat, but something after the pattern of the Dolphin.
But Stanhope recognized its nature at once.
It was a light torpedo, and could be discharged from a shaft just aft the ram in the bow of the boat.
“A torpedo!” exclaimed the great explorer. “Are you going to use it, Frank?”
“Yes.”
“But——”
“What?”
“Is there no risk? May it not do us more harm than anything else?”
“I think not,” replied the young inventor. “This is a very light one, and the charge I think is not strong enough. If it will dislodge the whale that is the best we may ask.” ”

“ Stanhope held it up with insane gestures. Frank, Barney and Pomp saw and understood.
Instantly all started for the cabin of the submarine boat.
They were quickly aboard, and once the diving suits were off Stanhope yelled with glee:
“Hurrah! We have succeeded! Here is what will save the life of Valentine Tucker! It is an act of Providence!”
The corroded case lay upon the cabin table.
Frank looked at it.
“Do you believe this is the particular case?” he asked.
“It is hardly likely that there is any other,” replied the explorer. ”

“ So he opened the reservoir lever and let the boat go down.
One hundred fathoms beneath the surface the storm was not felt.
The Dolphin glided along slowly.
Captain Uriah was not a little worried about his ship.
“Have no fears,” said Frank. “She will outride it, I know. Then we will find her safe enough.”
“She will if the lubbers handle her right,” declared the captain; “but I am afraid they won’t.”
At least it did no good to borrow trouble, and realizing this, the captain became more cheerful.
“What do you care?” said Stanhope. “You have a large fortune in pearls. You can buy many such ships.” ”

“ Then he dropped into the boat beside Stanhope. Barney and Pomp, on board the Dolphin, with wonderful sagacity, had started the engines so as to lessen the rowing distance.
“Quick, George!” cried Frank. “We must get back to the Dolphin as soon as possible. There is no time to lose.”
“You are right,” cried Stanhope, as he bent to the oars.
The light boat literally flew through the water. In less time than it takes to tell it, they sprang aboard the submarine boat.
Barney drew the boat aboard and secured it. Pomp had already started the Dolphin in pursuit of the whale. ”

“ They stepped into the light craft and rowed away over the dancing waves.
A moment later they were ascending the gangway of the Southampton.
The captain met them at the head of the stairs. He was a genial-featured son of Britain.
“I greet you, gentlemen,” he said. “I am Theodore Briggs, captain of this ship.”
“I am Frank Reade, Jr., captain of the Dolphin,” replied Frank. “This is my friend, Mr. Stanhope.”
This formality over, the captain of the Southampton led the way to his cabin.
“You will share my hospitality,” he said. “A glass of old Madeira.” ”

“ Frank’s face lit up.
“So it was in a metal case.”
“Yes.”
“Then there is a chance!” cried the young inventor, springing up. “George, I am deeply interested. If the silver whale is yet in existence, we will run it down and recover the confession, if possible. It at least affords us an object for our submarine voyage.”
“Correct!” cried Stanhope. “I knew you would grasp the idea, Frank.”
“We will at once start for the North Pacific. Have your effects ready.”
“They are all ready!” declared Stanhope. “I have explored every country upon the face of the earth. ”

“ Then Stanhope said:
“I am satisfied, Frank, that one could live indefinitely under water with your generator.”
“I am glad of that,” said Frank. “Now I will prove to you that the Dolphin can travel under water.”
This time Frank stepped into the pilot-house, and took the wheel. He pressed a key, which set the propellers in motion. Then the Dolphin glided forward.
Round and round the tank went the submarine boat.
Stanhope’s last doubt was removed. He caught Frank’s hands and wrung them.
“Enough!” he cried. “The submarine boat is a success. It will be the wonder of the world. Let us be off.” ”

“ He pressed the reservoir valve and the Dolphin sank.
Down for a hundred feet she went.
Frank did not believe that the whale would dive deeper than this.
With the descent of the Dolphin Frank instantly pressed the electric valve.
Instantly the sea for a great radius about was illumined.
Frank saw the distant form of the whale racing before the light like mad.
The young inventor instantly set the pace. ”

“ Frank brought the searchlight to bear upon the inner regions of the cave.
A wonderful sight was revealed.
It seemed to be carved out of a stone which was emerald-like in color and broken into various conformations.
The sight was dazzling, and the explorers gazed upon it spellbound.
“Begorra! but it’s a beautiful sight!” cried Barney, with mouth agape. “Did any av yez iver see the loikes av it?”
“Indeed, it is grand beyond anything I have ever seen!” exclaimed Stanhope.
But Frank was the first to recover from the spell of wonder upon the party.
He was looking for the whale. ”

“ Instinctively he drew the pike from his belt and stood on his guard. The shark, with a lightning-like movement, described a parabola about them.
Frank knew that they might expect a downward attack from the monster.
As it would have to turn upon its back to seize them, the opportunity to strike a defensive blow would be good.
And now came the attack.
The shark came down from above like a thunderbolt. Those on board the Dolphin saw this and were powerless to act.
“Be me sowl! It’s a divil av a shark afther thim!” cried Barney. “An’ shure there’s no way to help thim at all, at all!” ”

“ While they were resuscitating the captain, Pomp had gone out and brought in the sack of pearls.
Captain Uriah was soon himself again, and a few hours later came into Frank’s cabin.
He poured out a heap of pearls on the table, and said:
“Take such of them as you want, Frank.”
“I don’t want any,” replied the young inventor. “I have no use for them, captain. I am a rich man, anyway. You must keep them yourself.” ”

“ No vessel could find its way through.”
“Yet we did.”
“You are caught!” he said. “We will allow that it is navigable for a submarine boat. But only think! Very shortly we shall be in quest of the silver whale!”
“Let us hope that we shall succeed in finding him,” cried Stanhope, hopefully. “And also the confession which will save Valentine Tucker.”
“Amen to that.”
The Dolphin plowed the waters of the Behring Sea. The frightful cold of the Arctic waters now began to lessen. ”

“ He sent Barney into the cabin for a torpedo. A wire was attached to it, and once more Frank put on his helmet.
Again he went over the rail and down under the keel of the Dolphin.
He selected what he considered a suitable spot, and placed the torpedo in it.
Then he signaled to be drawn up again, and soon was once more on the deck of the Dolphin.
Removing his helmet, Frank said:
“I am going to explode a torpedo under this boat. It may dislodge her and it may sink her. If any of you fear the consequences you may go ashore.”
“Is it the best thing to do, Frank?” asked Stanhope, anxiously. ”

“ We can no more than try.”
Frank went to the wheel-house and headed the Dolphin for the distant ship. Barney went to the upper deck with a flag.
The cutter was a fast sailer, but the Dolphin easily overhauled her. The actions of the ship were very queer. She was evidently trying to run away from the Dolphin.
For some moments Frank was puzzled.
“This is queer,” he exclaimed. “She seems to be afraid of us.”
“Perhaps she thinks we are some sort of an American war cruiser,” ventured Stanhope. ”

“ Readestown was soon left out of sight.
The Dolphin sped on down the river current to the sea. Thus far Frank had kept the boat on the surface.
When the open sea was reached he said:
“I think that for the first thousand miles of our course we will travel faster under water. I have studied the ocean bed, and there are no obstructions to encounter at the proper mean elevation.”
“Then we are to start out at once with a thousand mile voyage under water?” asked the explorer Stanhope.
“Yes.”
“Good! I am very glad of that. There is much in the Atlantic worthy of study. ”

“ Captain Uriah was disposed to regard it seriously, but Frank said:
“I should not worry at all. There is not the slightest doubt but that she will return here. It is her best and only course.”
“Certainly it seems so!” agreed the captain; “that is if those lubbers will have the good sense.”
“But will they not? Have you not a competent crew?”
“I think so.”
“Then do not worry any more about it.”
All night long the Dolphin rocked upon the swelling but peaceful sea. All on board were very tired.
Barney kept watch the first of the night, and Pomp the latter part. At length daylight came once more. ”

“ To attempt to describe in detail the wonders witnessed by the crew of the Dolphin each day would require many volumes.
Northward she kept for weeks, and then all became conscious of the fact that they were getting into Arctic waters.
Frank repeatedly studied his chart, and took note of the formation of the ocean’s bed.
One day he declared:
“We are in the upper waters of Baffins Bay and under the ice. Above us it must be twenty feet in thickness. If any accident should happen to the Dolphin now we could never hope to reach the surface. ”

“ Frank placed his hands upon a stopcock; then he continued:
“If you wish to leave the boat, you enter the vestibule from the cabin, presuming that your diving suit is on. You close the cabin door behind you, open this valve, the vestibule fills with water. You open the outer door and walk out. When, you wish to return, simply enter the vestibule, close the outer door, then press this second valve. At once the water is pumped out of the vestibule by pneumatic pressure. When it is empty you may safely enter the cabin. See the idea?”
“Very simple,” agreed Stanhope; “but very ingenious. Lead on.” ”